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ACTEA eNews #18 -- April 2004The mission of ACTEA is to promote quality evangelical theological education
in Africa by providing supporting services, facilitating academic recognition,
and fostering continental and inter-continental cooperation.
1. ACTEA Workshop Trains Teachers in IslamicsAn ACTEA Faculty Workshop on Islam was held in central Nigeria, from 16-18 April. The conference was attended by 64 individuals, most of whom are teaching about Islam and Muslim outreach in theological schools throughout northern Nigeria. The purpose of the conference was to encourage, motivate, and equip the participants in their teaching roles. The conference schedule included such topics as a model lesson on the life of Mohammed and testimonies from the participants in the area of Muslim outreach. Extended time was given to reviewing the resources given to each participant: five textbooks on Islam, a 4-cassette video series on Islam entitled, "Battle for the Hearts", and five resource CD-ROMs including "The World of Islam." These resources can be used to support the new syllabus on "Islamics and Witness among Muslims" produced by Life Challenge Africa. Participants were also informed of opportunities for further study at the masters and doctoral levels in missiology and Christian-Muslim dialog through the University of South Africa. Resource persons included Dr Theresa Adamu (Theological College of Northern Nigeria), Walter Eric (Life Challenge Africa), Dr Christof Sauer (University of South Africa), Dr Fola Lateju (Nigeria Baptist Theological Seminary). To facilitate networking, ACTEA is planning an email newsletter for faculty in theological schools who are teaching in the area of Muslim outreach and Christian-Muslim relations. To obtain a copy of the syllabus, "Islamics and Witness among Muslims", contact Life Challenge Africa at: weric@africaonline.com.gh 2. Institute for Biblical Christianity in Africa EstablishedThe Africa Institute for Biblical Christianity (AIBC) has formally affiliated with the ACTEA-accredited Evangelical College of Theology in Freetown, Sierra Leone, as its base of operations. The purpose of AIBC is to promote the teaching and practice of biblical Christianity in the sub-Saharan Africa context. The organisation will sponsor conferences and seminars, provide consultations, guest lecturers, and issue position papers on specific issues pertaining to biblical Christianity in Africa. An Advisory Council comprised of evangelical Christian scholars and theologians from sub-Saharan Africa is being organised. Long-range plans include the publishing of books and commentaries written from and for the Africa evangelical context. The Institute can be reached at P.O. Box 824, Freetown, Sierra Leone, or: AIBCAfrica@yahoo.com 3. "Church Leader in Africa" now Available on Internet"The Church Leader in Africa", a well-known quarterly magazine for pastors, church leaders, and missionaries is now available on the internet. Articles from the current issue as well as a large proportion of back issues (published since 1997) are available. Access articles by clicking the "magazine" tab on the Africa Ministry Resources website: www.AMR-Africa.org 4. Christian Faculty Development Network for Africa Being FormedA number of Christian higher education institutions in Kenya are spearheading the endeavour to establish an Africa-wide body to promote the highest quality teaching in Christian post-secondary institutions. The mission of the Christian Higher Education Faculty Development Network (CHEFDN) is to facilitate the professional development of teaching staff members in Christian institutions of higher learning in Africa. This includes Christian universities and colleges, as well as seminaries. CHEFDN has three simple objectives. 1. To enhance professional teaching skills of faculty members. 2. To provide a communication structure for sharing professional development resources. 3. To offer faculty development consultancy services. Much has already been done in providing faculty development training (in the form of workshops, seminars, and conferences) in various countries in Africa. All African Christian post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges, and seminaries) are invited to learn more about how they can participate in, or benefit from, CHEFDN. Please contact Chip Kingsbury at the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Nairobi) at: chip@kingsburyfamily.org 5. Keeping up with Africa--Reviews of Recent BooksBitrus, Daniel. The Extended Family: An African Christian Perspective. Nairobi: Christian Learning Materials Centre, 2000. 150 pp, pb, $7. [order from: CLMC, PO Box 24345, Karen/Nairobi, Kenya] The author is the newly appointed General Secretary of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA). Originally from Nigeria, Bitrus has previously worked throughout Africa with the United Bible Societies. In this book he first identifies the characteristics of a Christian family’ within which he situates the nuclear family's responsibilities to the extended family. He presents the extended family as: valuable for social stability in Africa; under threat by modernism and urbanization; and an important aspect of being African which needs careful, systematic biblical analysis by African theologians. Bitrus acknowledges some of the disadvantages of the extended family system, focusing on conflicts and violence in extended family relationships. Possible solutions he advocates include evangelism among extended family members and developing strong leadership channels in the wider family. Though not explicitly stated, he seems to assume that Christian couples or individuals will make their own decisions on how to respond to needs in the extended family, rather than letting the extended family decide for them. Since extended family conflict is often complicated by the expectation of relatives that they should be able to decide for the couple or individual, with threats of ostracism or even witchcraft if their decisions are not obeyed, this aspect deserves further attention. While the author gives numerous scriptures in support of sharing in the extended family, those passages calling for Christians to put God's will ahead of family requirements and expectations are not mentioned; some guidance on a biblical balance of these two emphases in Scripture would be welcome. This book gives valuable guidance on sharing materially and strengthening relationships and bonds in the extended family. Bitrus broadens the definition of the extended family to include the whole world, as we encounter needy neighbours, and he calls for special bonds of unity among Christians worldwide as we represent the Kingdom of God. The author's final challenge clearly expresses his heart's desire, that well-trained, godly African theologians who take Scripture as their base and "adhere to the basic presuppositions of historic Christianity" as called for by Byang Kato will rise to the challenge of contextualizing Christianity in ways that affirm Africanness while being true to God's work and will for his Kingdom. It is good to have such a challenge from the new head of the AEA. This book will be useful to African theological educators, students in training for ministry, and church people as they seek to be faithful Christians within their communities and families. [Review supplied by "BookNotes for Africa", a twice yearly specialist journal that offers 40+ such reviews per issue on recent Africa-related publications relevant for theological educators and libraries in Africa and overseas. The subscription rate within Africa is $8 for two years (4 issues--airmail); $12 to overseas addresses. Send inquiries and orders to: BookNotes for Africa, PO Box 250100, Ndola, Zambia, email: Stuebing@zamtel.zm] "BookNotes is providing an excellent review of the latest Christian thinking in Africa. I always look forward to reading the next issue." -Dr Samuel Kunhiyop, Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Nigeria 6. NEGST Appoints New Vice ChancellorThe Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST), is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Douglas Carew as the Vice Chancellor of NEGST with effect from 1st August 2004. He will however be in a designate role as from 1st June 2004, in order to facilitate a smooth transition. The incumbent, Dr David Kasali who has credibly served the Institution in this capacity for the last seven years, is due to leave in August. The Governing Council is grateful to Dr Kasali for his dedicated service and his leadership during his tenure. We wish him God¹s richest blessings as he continues serving the Lord elsewhere in other capacities. Dr Douglas Carew comes from Sierra Leone and is married to Aikulola Elizabeth. The Lord has blessed them with three children. Having obtained a BSc degree in Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone (1979) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (1980), he earned an MDiv (1988) from NEGST. His PhD in Old Testament is from Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois, USA (2000). From his background, it is evident that the Lord has been preparing Dr Carew for such a key position as this one. His graciousness, wisdom and integrity are gifts he brings to this important office. Let us all give him our full support as well as uphold him in our prayers. Submitted by Mr Sam Muumbi, Chairman, Governing Council, NEGST 7. Kampala School Seeks New PrincipalThe Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of Kampala Evangelical School of Theology seek candidates for the post of College Principal. Further details of minimum requirements, job description and job expectations may be obtained from the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Candidates should apply in writing to the Chairman of the Board of Directors (at the KEST address) by: Monday, 31 May 2004. All applications must include: full curriculum vitae and transcripts, written account of personal Christian testimony, written account of personal professional experience, four references (with full contact details) - must include at least 1 professional referee and 1 pastor. For further information contact KEST at: kest@africaonline.co.ug ACTEA eNews is an e-mail forum for the periodic exchange of news, information, and resources on behalf of the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA), ACTEA-related institutions and theological programmes, supporting organisations, and interested individuals. Please forward this message to others who might benefit from ACTEA eNews. Potential contributions to ACTEA eNews are welcome and may be sent to the editor at sbcunn@hisen.org. If you would prefer not to receive future editions of ACTEA eNews, you may unsubscribe by replying to this e-mail message, with "unsubscribe" in the subject area. If you received a forwarded copy of this message and would like to subscribe, contact ACTEA eNews at sbcunn@hisen.org stating preferred language (French or English). ACTEA is an agency of the Theological and Christian Education Commission of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa.
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