A Study on Delegation in Exodus 18:13–27 and Among the Clergy of the Diocese of Kampala: Towards Contextualization

Abstract

This study investigated the concept of Delegation in Exodus 18:13-27 and among the Clergy of the Diocese of Kampala to contextualize the biblical teaching on Delegation found in Exodus 18:13-27. It consists of the exegetical analysis of Exodus 18:13-27; analysis of the practice of delegation among the Clergy of the Diocese of Kampala; and contextualization of the biblical teaching on the practice of delegation in Exodus 18:13-27 among the clergy of the Diocese of Kampala. The social scientific approach was employed for exegetical study; a phenomenological approach was used to collect and analyze the data on the practice of delegation among the clergy of the Diocese of Kampala while a critical contextualization approach was used in contextualization. The exegetical analysis of Exodus 18:13-27 revealed that: Delegation is the sharing of responsibility and authority with others, Delegation is carried out through a specific process, and that there are results when delegation is carried out as well as when it is not. The findings on the practice of Delegation among the clergy of the Diocese of Kampala indicated that generally, the delegation was simply sharing responsibility with others especially those serving under them, and not necessarily sharing of authority. There was also no clear process being followed to ensure that roles/responsibilities were delegated well and followed through with. The contextualization of Exodus 18:13-27 in the practice of delegation among the clergy of the Diocese of Kampala pointed out that: Delegation not only involves the sharing of responsibilities but also the sharing of authority so that one to whom responsibility has been delegated has the mandate to carry it out. Delegation involves a specific process that both the person delegating as well as the one to whom tasks are delegated go through to ensure that: the person(s) selected has/have the required qualities to carry out the work, that the selected person has understood the task at hand, that the reporting/feedback mechanism is clear and that the selected person(s) has/have a conducive environment within which they can operate.