Outreach

EFZIM: Theological Education by Extension

Under the direction of Professor Daneel, the Center for Global Christianity and Mission is engaged in Theological Education by Extension (TEE) among indigenous churches in Zimbabwe. The program is called EFZIM (Ecumenical Foundation of Zimbabwe), and it continues what was started by Professor Daneel in 1972, when he founded Fambidzano, a ground-breaking ecumenical movement among African Initiated Churches (AICs) that had TEE as its main focus.

The main objective of the TEE program is to provide theological education, including biblical studies, church history, ethics, practical theology, theology of religions, and mission studies. Currently the TEE program also teaches courses in AIDs education and ecotheology (related to tree-planting by Christians at the grassroots). The TEE program is important because AICs have no theological training institutions and many of the leaders are only semi-literate. The AICs benefit from these courses because they help them improve their leadership and church planting strategies, determine their relationships with other church traditions, and assess their own theologies.

Since AICs represent approximately 50% of the Christians in Southern Africa, their need for biblical and theological training is immense. The interaction of AICs with African Traditional Religion is a vital subject for theological reflection in the TEE program. Since the students come from different churches, interdenominational interaction is an important dimension at the extension training centers.

The nature of the education is to provide training for around 200 students in the Masvingo Province, at three to four extension centers. Courses have been developed in Shona and Ndebele, the two chief languages used in Zimbabwe, as well as in English for purposes of interaction with TEE ventures in other African countries. Two years of study results in the acquisition of a certificate on the part of the students. Correspondence courses have been a recent development, with approximately 1000 students participating.

Challenges and Needs for the TEE program

The EFZIM program is an undertaking in Christian mission from a western educational institution to African Christians who lack opportunities for even basic biblical and theological education. The courses help to provide a solid grounding in evangelical biblical theology and leadership for church planting and church growth. AIDs education provides a valuable platform for examining the basis of Christian marriage, and an opportunity for women to discuss their concerns about infection. Ecotheology undergirds the tree-planting and other earthkeeping activities in which AICs in Masvingo Province have been engaged for the past decade. The TEE program represents a unique partnership between a western theological seminary, and a grassroots training program among rapidly-growing churches in southern Africa

The needs of this program continue to be great, and all donations are gratefully accepted. Donations may be sent by check or money order to the development office at the Boston University School of Theology. Please make sure to mark all donations for the TEE Program of the Center. We are also always in need of funds with which to purchase Bibles and to produce study materials.