Issues arising from relationships between academic departments in universities and external stakeholders are numerous and complex. The matter is illustrated in this paper by focusing on a dispute in the theology department at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, which came to a head from 2004 to 2007. The dispute itself is detailed and developments influencing it at the local, national and global (worldwide theological education) levels are considered. A number of education issues that were at stake in the dispute are then examined in relation to models of leadership, models of teaching, student learning, equity, and the place of stakeholders.