Participants of DOCTRATA 07

      Given that the center of world Christianity has moved from its traditional home in the West to the global South over the last century, the time is ripe for theological institutions in the non-Western world to begin training leaders at the highest academic level in their own context. In this setting, scholars can better address questions arising at the new, southern frontiers of the church’s growth and mission.

      From 8–10 August 2007, forty scholars, seminary administrators and representatives from donor organizations gathered on the campus of the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) to address this need in Africa. Organized by NEGST, Faculte de Théologie Evangélique de Bangui (FATEB), and the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA),the Consultation on Faculty Development and Doctoral Training for Theological Institutions in Africa had three objectives. First, it sought to spearhead a plan for providing faculty development and doctoral level training in Africa for theological institutions. Second, it worked to create a collaborative network of theological institutions offering doctoral level training. Finally, it wanted to document creative and innovative solutions for such training through a document encompassing consultation resolutions and keynote addresses.

      The tone was set for the Consultation through the opening address by Prof. Andrew Walls. Professor Walls challenged those gathered to create environments where godly minds can be trained in the life-long pursuit of learning for the benefit of God’s people. Rather than merely develop degree factories, he set forth a vision for scholarship as a vocation, one that genuinely speaks to the African Christian experience and assists the church in its call within God’s redemptive mission. Downloadable files of Prof. Walls’ lecture and the follow-up panel discussion are being prepared for posting at NEGST’s website.

      The bulk of the Consultation consisted of small group discussion sessions organized around themes critical to the Consultation outcomes. Summary points from these groups, debated in general sessions will soon appear in a Consultation Statement also at the NEGST website. Furthermore, discussions are underway regarding the establishment of an online platform for further discussion of issues raised at the meeting.

      In all, the Consultation succeeded in getting key issues regarding the development of doctoral programmes for theological education on the agenda for discussion among a key cadre of evangelical theological educators on the continent. We pray this Consultation will continue to bear fruit as it shapes this development in Africa as well as in the Global South in the decades to come.