Theological Institutions, the Future of the African Church: The Case of the Anglican Church of Kenya

Abstract

This paper analyses the future of the Church in Africa. The African Church is currently experiencing a tremendous numerical growth with many Africans becoming Christians everyday. But what is its future? Is the numerical growth an indication that the African Church has a bright future? Should we be happy that the African Church is a rapidly growing Church? To answer these questions the paper uses the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) which is the largest protestant denomination in Kenya, growing at the rate of 6.7% per annum. While there may be other indicators to the future of the Church in Africa, the paper argues that theological institutions where the church leaders are prepared or the system of theological education largely determines the route the Church takes. As theological colleges go so the churches go. The paper therefore assesses the viability of the ACK Provincial theological colleges in terms of enrollment, financial resources, physical facilities, teaching and non-teaching staff, and the curriculum. It concludes that the ACK Provincial theological colleges are not viable and therefore questions their ability to prepare effective church leaders for the rapidly changing African Church and society. Unless the current African church leadership wakes up to address this issue urgently, the future of the Church in Africa remains uncertain albeit high church growth.

Key words: Theological Institutions, The African Church, Anglican Church of Kenya