Plugging Our New MA in Asian Christianity
Imagining the Future of Theological Education
Welcome to “Global Witness, Globally Reimagined.” You get a glimpse here of the kind of work that I do both at Church Mission Society and Missio Africanus where I help students of all levels (from unaccredited courses to PhD) explore the theological (and missiological) implications of the rise of World Christianity. In the newsletter, I focus on the subject of global witness in the context of the twenty-first century. Every Thursday, I share a thought that has spoken to me in the week, one or two resources that I trust will be helpful to you, and three exciting quotes about mission to give you something to think about as you go through your day. I pray one of these will energise you.
NB: Please note that I will soon start tailoring most of my content towards paid subscribers. There will still be occasional posts open to everyone, but most will be for paid subscribers. If you appreciate the newsletter and are able to pay for a subscription, please consider doing so.
1. Thought I Can’t Shake Off
Over the past three years, I have experimented with a novel way of teaching world Christianity at Church Mission Society (CMS). In the summer of 2021, we added an African Christianity pathway to our Master of Theology, Mission, and Ministry program with a cohort of twelve students (who studied alongside a cohort of European students studying pioneer ministry). That first African Christianity cohort has finished dissertations and is now setting up to graduate towards the end of the year. They have been real fun to teach, but the lessons we have accumulated over the years have been priceless. The intentional hard work using varied teaching styles to sustain authentic multicultural conversations among students has been the most rewarding. Most of the African Christianity students have come out saying the program helped them understand and appreciate their identity (including history, theology, belief systems and religious practices) and has empowered them to share their faith as Africans with the rest of the world. For me, the joy comes from seeing them own the story of the faith and reclaim their voices with the confidence that comes from a deep understanding of who they are and where they come from. In the end, everyone gets decentred (and vulnerable) and this allows for excellent conversations between black and white, rich and poor, male and female students to happen. This feels like the future of theological education.
Now, the time has come for us to add another pathway — Masters in Theology, Mission, and Ministry (Asian Christianity). And we have the best person to help us do this, Dr Nuam Hatzaw. Nuam joins us fresh from Edinburgh University where she just graduated with her PhD in World Christianity. We are grateful to have her.
She has this to say about the program.
Students will explore the richness and diversity of Christian expression in Asia – its history, theology, missiology – as well as its dispersion to and expressions in the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world. The programme – which takes place fully online – runs alongside our MA pathways in African Christianity and Pioneer Ministry, and this allows our students to engage in a deep scholarly study of aspects of Asian Christianity while conversing with students from other parts of the world.
Though the program is designed mainly for Asian Christians in Asia and the Asian Diaspora, it is also a space for global Christians interested in learning about Asia and Asian Christianity. I am confident that our potential students are in your circles and timelines. Can you help us share the news about the program? We have 50% bursaries for the first six students who successfully apply to start this September.
One more thing: I am launching a podcast: Global Witness 101.
2. Resources I am Enjoying
Global Witness 101: Radical Hospitality in the Age of Migration
I had a really good chat with Emily Shepherd, Joint-CEO of Welcome Churches, who took time to sit down with me to discuss sensible Christian response to the phenomenon of migration around the UK. We talked about quite a lot but what really stuck with me is the good news that there is hospitality here — God's people care about migrants — even though popular political discourse around migration may suggest otherwise. Migration is a human condition. Hospitality is what God calls us to share with each other as people move around the world. This episode is also shared on Welcome Churches podcast, “Love the Stranger.”
3. Quotes I am Pondering
Evangelism is the goal neither of mission nor of the church, but it is a unique tool for mission. It is one organ in the body of mission … Evangelism is generally proclaiming the Gospel; and mission is both the proclamation and the manifestation of the Kingdom Gospel. — Thang Deih Lian
Holistic mission in general is God’s mission or missio dei which involves everything God does in establishing his kingdom in the whole world in all its fullness. — Deborah Ajulu
If mission means moving outwards with the intention of cultivating the gospel message where it is non- existent, migrants are especially well placed to carry out this task. — Asonzeh Ukah
I pray that you will be faithful to the work God has for you this week.