A team of African Anglican Theological Educators met in Kenya this week, for a collaborative consultation on priorities for mission and theological education in the next decade.

Hosted by the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) and the Commission for Theological Education in the Anglican Communion (CTEAC), the event gathered theological educators from Anglican universities and theological colleges. Participants were nominated by their provinces to attend, with 11 provinces represented. It took place at the St Julian’s Training Centre in Limuru, run by the Anglican Church of Kenya.

The focus was on how Anglican theological education can progress themes raised by the Lambeth Calls from the Lambeth Conference in 2022, and resolutions from ACC-18 in Ghana in 2023. Both events listed specific calls and actions for CTEAC, in relation to theological education design and planning. The Limuru consultation was held as a direct response.

Underpinned by the Five Marks of Mission, the themes prioritised by CTEAC are Intentional Discipleship, Reconciliation, Safe Church and Safeguarding, Science and Faith and Slavery to Freedom. Many of these themes are being championed and supported by existing Anglican commissions and networks, including the commissions for Evangelism and Discipleship, Safe Church and Science and Faith.

Participants at the consultation explored how the themes are currently understood in each Province, steps needed to embed the themes into their curricula and action plans to achieve this. In time, the group will collaborate to develop creative and inspiring guidelines that will help equip clergy for ministry now and in the future. These plans will be supported by CAPA and the ACO.

Sessions were facilitated by a number of contributors, including Venerable Kofi deGraft-Johnson, Canon Dr Stephen Spencer, Professor Esther Mombo, Dr Percy Chinganga, Bishop Alinafe Kalemba, Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar and Rev Daniel Karanja.

On the final day, Professor Esther Mombo who was a speaker and advisor during the week offered some closing observations. She encouraged the group to prioritise a greater representation of female educators. She called for the strengthening of ongoing collaboration. She commended the vital role that CAPA plays and the value of in-person consultations, saying that by doing so: ‘I see you. You see me.’ On the work of theological educators, she said: ‘We can be a seed of hope by collaboration, minimising that which divides and working on the things that unite us. Theological training is part of that. We can talk about themes that are not threatening. We can discuss our lived experience. We want to bring that into our theological spaces.’

Commenting on the achievements of the consultation, Venerable Kofi deGraft said: ‘There is power in people working and walking together. We must strive to deliver leadership and theological education that is relevant to our world at the local and global level. My prayer is that building on our work this week, we will act when we get home. We must have continued ambition for collaboration as we lay the foundations to grow church leaders of tomorrow.’

Canon Dr Stephen Spencer said: ‘This consultation was the first of several regional consultations that are supporting provinces to implement the Lambeth Calls through theological education. They are equipping principals and bishops to turn the mission imperatives of the Calls into a lived reality on the ground. It was hugely encouraging to see the commitment and enthusiasm of the participants as they worked on their action plans to do this.’

On the final day, the Rt Rev Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, joined the consultation to commission the participants for the work ahead. He encouraged ongoing collaboration and the swift implementation of action plans. At the closing Eucharist, he preached on the theme of ‘Seeking God’s help for the task ahead’. The Rt Rev Jaona Ranarivelo from the Anglican Church of Madagascar presided at the service.

In his commissioning prayer, Bishop Anthony said: ‘May we be equipped as theological educators and church leaders across the Provinces of Africa. Keep us skilled in what we must do, knowledgeable in what we teach, wise in the leadership we provide and united in love.’

Find out more about the work of CAPA here

Find out more about the work of CTEAC here