Corné Bekker, D.Litt et Phil.

Dr. Corné Bekker joined Regent University in 2005. He previously served as the assistant dean of Rhema Bible College in Johannesburg, South Africa and is now an associate professor for the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship. Dr. Bekker teaches in the doctoral programs of the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship and is actively involved in research on the use of biblical hermeneutics and spirituality to explore leadership.

Dr. Bekker is an ordained minister and has traveled in Africa, Europe, the East and North America to present at churches, ministries, seminars and academic conferences on the subject of Christian spirituality and leadership formation.

He served in South Africa on the board of the South African Council for Theological Education, was nominated to the Standards Generating Body for Theology and Ministry of the South African Qualifications Authority and served on the Consultative Forum of the South African Council of Churches. Dr. Bekker is currently completing a second doctorate in Christian Spirituality at the University of South Africa. Dr. Bekker resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with his wife and son.

AWARDS

• Mimi Coertse Music Award (1987)
• South African Council of Social Science Research Grant (1992)
• Rand Afrikaans University (Johannesburg) Merit Award (1992)
• Rand Afrikaans University (Johannesburg) Merit Award (1996)
• South African Council of Social Science Research Grant (1996)
• South African Council of Social Science Research Grant (2000)

APPOINTMENTS

• 1998-2004: Member of Standards Generating Body for Christian Theology and Ministry of SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority).
• 1998-2004: Member of Board of SACTE (South African Council for Theological Education).
• 1998: Member of Consultative Forum of SACC (South African Council of Churches).

EDUCATION

• D. Litt. et Phil. Biblical Studies, Rand Afrikaans University - Johannesburg (2000)
• M.A. New Testament Theology, Rand Afrikaans University - Johannesburg (1994)
• B.A. Greek and Biblical Studies, Rand Afrikaans University - Johannesburg (1987-1990)
• B.A. Honors Degree (Cum Laude), Biblical Studies, Rand Afrikaans University - Johannesburg (1991)
• Diploma in Ministerial Training (Cum Laude), Rhema Bible Training Centre - Johannesburg (1991)
• Certificate in Ministerial Training (Cum Laude), Rhema Bible Training Centre - Johannesburg (1990)

RESEARCH AREAS

• Spirituality and Leadership
• Spirituality in the Workplace
• Biblical Integration in Business
• African Forms of Leadership
• Hermeneutics
• Christian Spirituality, Formation and Discipleship

CURRENT RESEARCH

The Paradox of Christian Leadership. The practice of servant leadership creates an interesting paradox. Servant leadership demands/requires the voluntary relinquishment of temporal power by those called to lead. The theological construct of the kenosis of Christ as mentioned in the Philippians Hymn (2:5-11) might be the basis for an understanding of this paradox. Building on the definition of Kevin Cronin (1992:1) of kenosis as a “…resolute divesting of the person of every claim of self interest so as to be ready to live the Gospel of Christ in every aspect of living, freed from the dictates of personal preferences…,” I hope to define a biblical basis for a “kenotic spirituality” of leadership and then aim to explore how the charism of kenosis is understood and practiced by leaders who wish to emulate Christ.

Reference: Cronin, K. M. 1992. Kenosis. Rockport: Element.