Olehile Buffel

Olehile Buffel serves as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and the Fred W. Meuser Professorship in Church History/Homiletics at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Capital University. An ordained Lutheran minister since 1986, he brings extensive pastoral and administrative experience across multiple dioceses and parishes, and has conducted workshops for diverse denominations including Lutheran, Assemblies of God, and Dutch Reformed churches.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Theology (University of South Africa)
• Bachelor of Theology Honours in Practical Theology (University of South Africa)
• Master of Theology in Practical Theology (University of South Africa)
• PhD in Practical Theology (University of Pretoria)

Buffel's research centers on pastoral care and homiletics within contexts of poverty, HIV/AIDS, land reform, and black liberation theology. He explores the therapeutic value of cultural rituals, the church's role in xenophobic contexts, and theology of vocation, emphasizing contextual and liberating approaches that address systemic injustice and human dislocation. His work consistently integrates Clinical Pastoral Education with community-based practices to serve marginalized populations.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2010-2022) reveals three dominant trajectories: pandemic-related theological responses (2020-2022), land justice and black liberation theology (2014-2021), and HIV/AIDS pastoral care models (2005-2014). These intersect through a consistent liberationist framework applying practical theology to South Africa's socio-economic crises, with increasing focus on vaccine nationalism and Covid-19 impacts in his latest work.

His recognition includes:

• Fred W. Meuser Professorship in Church History/Hom
• Research Fellow appointment (2024) in Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology

Buffel has supervised Master's and Doctoral students to completion at the University of South Africa and serves as external examiner for multiple South African universities. His editorial leadership spans Theologia Viatorum, HTS Theological Journal, Missionalia, Studia Historiae Ecclesiaticae, and the Journal of Theology in Southern Africa, where he regularly reviews submissions.

He actively contributes to academic communities through memberships in Practical Theology in South Africa, South African Missiological Society, Theological Society in South Africa, Society for Pastoral Theology, and the International Association of Practical Theology, bridging scholarly work with practical church leadership across denominational lines.