WEA Theological Commission holds its Annual Session for the First Time in Africa

Successful Consultation, Symposium and Planning Sessions

Further information: tc@worldevangelicalalliance.com David Parker Director of Publications and Administration

The first meeting of the WEA Theological Commission to be held in Africa took place Sept 21-23, 2006 in Kenya and attracted an aggregate of about 60 people to its various study, fellowship and planning sessions. TC members from nine countries attended and apologies were received from others who were unable to attend. Many other local theologians also participated.

Almost a dozen papers were given during the study sessions. In the annual TC planning and strategy meeting, steps were taken to plan for new leadership of the organisation over the next few years as several of its key members rotate off. A special feature of the event was the participation of several people who are part of the new extended membership scheme introduced earlier in the year. A considerable number of theologians and students from local seminaries were present to contribute papers and many others shared in discussions.

A mini-consultation on "Religious Fundamentalism as a Global Issue" attracted about twenty participants and heard keynote addresses from Professor Yusufu Turaki (Nigeria/Kenya) and Dr Rolf Hille (Germany) (both of which being published in the TC journal, Evangelical Review of Theology). There were also three other papers on relations between Fundamentalism and other forms of faith, learning from the problems experienced by those having difficulties with fundamentalism and the nature and background of the phenomenon in Latin America. A 250 word pastoral statement summing up the conclusions was prepared for international circulation.

Another major feature was a symposium on African Theology, in which there were 30 participants from local seminaries. It was introduced by a insightful analysis of the current situation by Dr James Nkansah, head of Theology at NEGST, the host institution (also appearing ERT). Other papers addressed Christology in Africa, interpretation of the Bible, trends and issues in West Africa and comparisons between Islamic and Christian approaches to Scripture.

During the business session plans were laid to fill vacancies in the TC and to seek a younger generation of leaders when some of the current personnel rotate off in the near future. Dr David Parker was appointed for a further term as Director of Publications and Administration, allowing time to find a replacement for him. It was reported that the TC ended the year with an encouraging financial report, but its progress has been continually restricted by inadequate funding, resulting in the ability to take up many opportunities for growth. It is hoped that there can be much stronger financial backing for the TC in the future. A spokesman for the TC said that expressions of interest are welcome for ways in which greater support can be obtained and for additional personnel, including those suitable for senior leadership.

The TC also took further steps in developing its dialogue program and explored further study units. One of the new projects involves cooperation between the TC and member Dr Tom Oden¡¯s newly developing Early African Christian Texts project which is now in Partnership status with the TC. It is also anticipated that there will be a study unit on hermeneutics and contextualization to assist in the process of relating Christian teaching and exegesis to local situations.

Reports presented to the TC Planning and Strategy meeting covered the recent meeting of evangelical Theological Educators in Thailand, and the initial session of the on-going WEA/Adventist dialogue also held in August 2006. The TC was also updated on developments in the Lausanne Theology Working Group and agreed to participate in its consultation to be held in Kenya, February 2007.

There were also extensive discussions with the Association of Evangelicals of Africa and Kenya Evangelical Alliances leaders on ways in which there could be cooperation with the TC and especially filling the vacancies for African representatives on the TC.

A workshop on HIV and AIDS was also held in conjunction with the annual session. About 16 people led by Dr Ken Gnanakan (India) and Prof. Danny McCain (Nigeria) with assistance from World Vision in Kenya, recognized existing programs and resources. A lengthy statement was prepared which includes details of an action plan for a continuing three year project which is to be an official TC study unit. This plan will develop a network of Christian resources and link into other existing networks, educate congregations and provide them with means with which to develop their ministries in this area of work and develop currucila for Bible colleges and seminaries.

Dr Rolf Hille, Executive Chair of the TC said, "The new format of the TC gathering with consultation, networking, and business together with fellowship and ministry in the local churches proved to be highly effective. So will continue this pattern next year when the venue is expected to be USA. Plans will be developed over the next two years for a similar event in Latin America."

Visit concluded with several TC members sharing fellowship and preaching in local churches.