Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theolgy (NEGST)

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    Conflict Mediation for Congregational Church Leaders
    (Africa International University, 2017-07-31) Joy Kagwiria Mbaabu
    Conflict is a normal human experience and the church is neither exempt from it nor from the debilitating effects of unresolved or badly resolved conflict. Congregational churches such as Karen Community Church (KCC) value relationships and fellowship so dearly that they are slow to admit existence of conflict, making them more prune to dangers of conflict avoidance. One transformational leadership essential is the ability to resolve conflict effectively so as to give way to genuine fellowship and a God honoring, growing community of believers. KCC was used as a case study to help establish: 1) the congregational church leader’s understanding and perception about conflict; 2) the causes of conflicts in congregational churches and how are they responded to; 3) the spiritual characteristics required for effective biblical conflict mediation; and lastly 4) what can be done to improve the way conflict is handled in congregational churches. A research advisory team of eight leaders walked alongside the researcher throughout the study and undertook theological reflections around the research subject. Three focus group discussions (FGD) for a total of twenty-three leaders comprising of pastors, church staff and elders, youth, women and children leaders and church missionaries were conducted. Additionally, in-depth key informant interviews (KII) were carried out with nine leaders of the church. Lastly, forty five self-administered questionnaires (SAQ) to church leaders using purposeful sampling. Based on the data collected, the researcher identified major themes which were categorized into four groups: Understanding conflict, Conflicts at KCC, Conflict mediation, Effective conflict mediation for KCC. The key findings of this study include the following: (1) Leaders understand conflict as misunderstanding or disagreement , and not necessarily sinful (2) There are many unaddressed conflict at KCC and these have caused bitterness, strife, pain, tension, mistrust frustrations and wounded hearts and relationships; (3) Many leaders have been socialized to perceive conflict as bad and therefore to avoid admitting that it exists and dealing with it fully (4) Conflict mediation is a cooperative way to address conflict and turn it into opportunity for strengthening relationships. (5) Character formation to develop spiritual, moral and personal, qualities through a spiritual formation process is preferred for developing effective conflict mediators for the church (6) Effective conflict mediation would lead to genuine relations, a God- honoring and growing church. The researcher made recommendations the following key recommendations (1) Creation of forums to deal with all past longstanding unresolved conflicts (2) Conversation platforms to address potentially conflictous issues as they arise (3) Occasional sermon series on conflict and conflict mediation (4) Development of a conflict mediation policy and procedure guideline (5) A spiritual formation processes for church leaders which has conflict mediation modules. The researcher developed an outline for a process of spiritual formation for leaders that would prepare them to effectively mediate conflicts.
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    Religious fundamentalism in northern Nigeria: an examination of the impact of Maududi’s political interpretation of Islam on the rise of religious conflicts, and its effect on Christian- Muslim relations.
    (Africa International University, 2017-07-31) Michael Ezra Dikki
    This research examines the role of theological or Islamic interpretation in promoting religious conflicts in northern Nigeria. Specifically, this research examines the impact of Maududi’s political interpretation of Islam on the rise of religious conflicts in northern Nigeria. This research questions the sufficiency of the claim that religious conflicts in northern Nigeria are caused by socio-political and socio-economic factors as postulated by several scholars. Maududi is chosen because of his acknowledged influence, globally and in northern Nigeria specifically, as the father of modern fundamentalism. The research was conducted in the cities of Kano in Kano state and Zaria and Kaduna in Kaduna state of northern Nigeria. These states are considered representational. The research employed the qualitative method and interviewed 159 Muslims assisted by Muslim research assistants. This is in addition to qualitative content analysis of some relevant materials and observations. The findings support the claim that there is a strong relationship between theology and fundamentalism in northern Nigeria. In essence, there is a strong Maududian influence on fundamentalism in northern Nigeria. It is evident that Maududi’s ideology and political interpretation of Islam is a major influence on fundamentalism and interreligious conflicts in northern Nigeria majorly beginning with the Muslim Student Society (MSS) in northern Nigerian univerisities. His ideology radicalized these young Muslim students. These students moved into the society with these fundamentalist ideology and established groups. These groups played a strong role in the Islamic militancy and religious conflicts being experienced today. In addition, it is discovered that there is a strong influence of Maududian ideology on the initial leaders of Boko Haram. There is also evidently a historical link to Maududian fundamentalist ideology through Sudan, Pakistan and Egypt as well as Saudi Arabia and Iran within the political and religious leadership in northern Nigeria. The data also reveal that within majority Muslims interviewed, there is a selective adoption of Maududi’s ideologies. A theory, therefore, emerges that the clash between fundamentalist and orthodox ideologies trigger cognitive dissonance, which through dissonance resolution process leads to selective adoption. This selective adoption produces diversity of Islamic views with consequneces on the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims. The data also supports the theory that fundamentalist ideology creates the propensity for collective violence especially when supported by relational and cultural distance, functional independence and inequality. This happens when an ideology in culture (religion) emphasizes “otherness” and is internalized as an individual or collective system of meaning (Silberman 2005, 535) as well as when it corresponds with the social and psychological needs of a group or people (de la Roche 1996). The application of Synthetic Triangular Approach (STA) in the research, exposes the ordinariness in Muslims including those holding a fundamentalist idea. It revealed that the way Muslims understand, react to or handle conflicts is mostly not different from how other human beings do. These findings have implications for Christian-Mulsim relations in northern Nigeria. In this regard, recommendations are made for the government, Christians and Muslims.
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    An investigative study of the Bridge of Hope girls’ school education model in post-conflict Liberia
    (2017-07-31) Jackson Garpu Weah
    This qualitative empirical research used a “case- study” methodology presents the evidence derived from empirical research that the all–girls educational model being implemented at Bridge of Hope Girls’ School is actually producing significant identifiable changes in girls. Some of the factors which were examined to indicate successful change include creation of pathways for disadvantaged girls to access the process of, retention of students in the institution, progression of students to higher grades at appropriate times, and completion of school by the girls. This investigative research sought to provide a comprehensive case study of the Bridge of Hope Girls’ School within the context of all-girls education model for girls. The main focus of this dissertation is to propose new paradigm of doing girls’ education herein referred to as the Bridge of Hope Girls’ Transformational Education (BOHGTE) Model. A Christian transformational education ( girls-only) model provided at BOH that has produced an empirical evidence of a significant measurable positive difference in reducing cultural disparity between boys and girls education, transform negative cultural assumptions and changing social narratives of girls in ways that lead to increased enrollment, retentions and progression of girls in Monrovia informal setting. The study participants included the girls at Bridge of Hope, alumni, administrators, faculty, staff, and trustees. Data was gathered through opened -ended interviews and document analysis. With thorough analysis of all data ( interviews and documents) the following themes surfaced: Environment aids student learning outcomes; Christian worldview and ethical foundation of BOH model ;Organizational systems; Gender differences in how boys and girls learn and behave in educational setting; Emphasis on staff development -qualified teachers and training teachers to do “transformational education; Distractions in co-education; In classes that are separated by gender, male and female students work and learn on the same level as their peers and relevant curriculum.
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    A philosophical study on the influence of the intelligent design of the brain to prove God’s existence by theology graduates in CITAM assemblies, Nairobi, Kenya
    (Africa International University, 2020-07-31) Judith Nyanchama Nyarangi
    The examination of explicit arguments and prospects to proof the existence or non-existence of God is necessary in these contemporary times, to help bring non-believers and atheists to faith. This conversation and argument frequently springs up in religious forums and especially in theological spaces. The study investigated the influence of the intelligent brain design on theology graduates to prove God’s existence in CITAM churches, Nairobi Kenya. The study focused on the structure, material, and functions of the human brain. The researcher argued that proving the existence or non-existence of God is necessary in these contemporary times, to help bring non-believers and atheists to faith. This is especially critical in Christ is the Answer Ministries, whose mission is “To know God and to make Him known through evangelism and discipleship.” The research objectives include: (1) to establish the influence of the intelligent brain structure in proving God’s existence by theology graduates in CITAM assemblies, Nairobi Kenya; (2) to examine the influence of intelligent brain material in proving God’s existence by graduates of theology in CITAM assemblies, Nairobi Kenya; and, (3) to evaluate the influence of the intelligent function of the brain in proving God’s existence by graduates of theology in CITAM assemblies, Nairobi Kenya. A review of literature established that the existence of an intelligent brain structure, material and functions points to a Supernatural Being, God. It revealed that the brain is the organ that discerns what is real, which means that the brain perceives God, or pure consciousness, to be more real than anything else. The target population for this research included graduates of theological studies from various church institutions in Nairobi area. A qualitative descriptive research was used through standardized open - ended interview questions. To select the appropriate categories of respondents, theoretical-purposive sampling was used for selecting 50 participants. The researcher thematically analysed the responses from the respondents, which provided for an inductive process of the researcher building from the data to broad themes to a generalized model or theory. The study revealed that graduate students of theology are knowledgeable about intelligent brain theories. They perceive the brain structure, material, and function as evidences of God’s existence. They are confident about using the concept of intelligent brain design to defend the existence of God to achieve CITAM’s mission statement of making the one eternal God known through evangelism and discipleship.
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    Factors affecting the financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Nairobi County
    (2020) Paul M. Mwangi
    The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions’ financial performance in Nairobi County. Research was guided by the following research objectives: Does technological innovation affect microfinance institutions performance in Nairobi; Does accountability in leadership affect microfinance institutions performance in Nairobi; Does leadership structure affect microfinance institutions performance in Nairobi; Does capital structure affect microfinance institutions performance in Nairobi? The study adopted a quantitative research methodology and a descriptive design. The target population was 132 from which a sample of 132 was to be selected through a census method. A Likert scale type questionnaire was used to collect data from the subjects. This was distributed by the researcher to twelve DTMFIs within Nairobi County with an exclusion of one which requested not to be part of the study. A sample of 103 participants out of the 132 took part in the study. The findings revealed that technological innovation has significant (β=.192, while p = 0.018) relationship with financial performance of DTMFIs in Nairobi County. Further the findings revealed that leadership accountability has no significant (β= -.028, whereas p = .324) relationship with financial performance of DTMFIs in Nairobi County. In addition, the findings revealed that leadership styles has significant (β=.350, while p = 0.002) relationship with financial performance of DTMFIs in Nairobi County. Lastly the findings revealed that resource allocation has a significant (β=.344, while p = 0.002) relationship with financial performance of DTMFIs in Nairobi County
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    Factors affecting the evangelization of Garre Muslims in Moyale, Ethiopia: a study of Moyale Kale Heywet church and Moyale Yehiwot Berhane church
    (Africa International University, 2021-12-30) James Bancha Kursebo
    The Garre community is one of the Ethiopian Somali people who live in Moyale, Ethiopia. Since the gospel reached the area in 1929, the Garre Muslims have not been impacted by it; as a result, the number of Muslims is growing rapidly in the Moyale area. There are about fourteen churches in Moyale, yet they have not effectively influenced the Garre Muslims with the gospel. This study is designed to investigate the factors affecting the evangelization of Garre Muslims in Moyale, Ethiopia. Specifically, the study examines two churches, namely, Moyale Kale Heywet and Yehiwot Berhan church to investigate the affecting factors. The study uses a qualitative research method to come up with appropriate findings. Data was collected using interviews, which were transcribed and analyzed accordingly. The literature review sought to discuss different scholars’ views and ideas on Muslim evangelization issues. The researcher interacted with different materials to examine scholars’ views on the factors that hinder effective Muslim evangelism. The aim of this is to achieve a more in-depth and broader understanding of how various scholars approach the topic and also to identify the knowledge gap that exists on the same. Through the findings of this research, it has been established that the factors affecting the evangelization of Garre Muslims are lack of training, lack of finances, lack of unity of Evangelical churches, violence from Muslims, and a lack of strategical mission, which can help to reach the Garre Muslims. This study also uncovers the missiological implication for the Garre Muslims in the area. The findings also demonstrate that to reach out to the Garre Muslims, it is important to use contextualization, rendering holistic ministries. Churches should boost missionaries’ understanding about Muslim evangelism through giving training and supporting missionaries.
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    Syncretism Judges 17
    (Africa international University, 2020-11-30) Kirui Kiprotich Albert
    This paper analyzes religious elements in Judges 17 that are contrary to the instruction of Yahweh in the Torah. This chapter paints a picture of syncretism where the characters worship Yahweh in the wrong way by incorporating other borrowed forms of religious practices. The pattern of the curse made by the mother of Micah follows the common understanding of cursing among the neighbors of the Israelites. The dedication of silver to make a carved and cast image in the name of worshipping Yahweh violates the ten commandments. The ordination of the non-Levitical priest failed to observe the appointment rules in the Torah. Micah’s confidence in the Levite for prosperity conforms to the pattern outside Levitical laws. These patterns fall outside the Torah but have more in common with practices among the Canaanites, though in some cases there is more clear evidence of syncretism than in others. The implication is that there is the worship of Yahweh in the wrong way.
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    Cultivating Institutional Identity and Mission Within a Shared Governance Structure in Theological Schools: An Exploration of the Governing Board’s Role and Processes
    (School of Business and Public Leadership of Johnson University, 2024-08) Herring, Megan E.
    Acting within a complex authority structure marked by shared governance, the governing boards of higher education institutions serve as the legal body holding ultimate responsibility for the institution’s identity, mission, and institutional health. The past and current experience of Protestant theological schools has revealed institutional leaders, particularly the governing board, must pay attention to their identity and mission to continue to meet the needs of their religious communities. This study focused on the reality that governing boards of theological schools must cultivate the school’s identity and mission despite various pressures. This research conducted a multiple instrumental case study to explore how the governing boards of seven Evangelical Protestant theological schools cultivate institutional identity and mission within the school’s governance structure amid current challenges. Using data collected from in-depth interviews and document analysis, the research findings are presented in seven individual cases and a thematic cross-case comparison to reveal how governing boards sought to fulfill their responsibility to cultivate the institution’s mission. The research uncovered governing boards that reflected a deep commitment to the mission and a willingness to adapt structure, processes, programs, wording, culture, roles, and networks as they addressed challenges through the lens of identity and mission within a shared governance structure. The ability of governing boards to adapt their structure,processes, and practices and encourage mission-appropriate flexibility and adaptation within the institution is a crucial way to help cultivate institutional mission and identity. Keywords: theological schools, governing boards, organizational identity, organizational mission, faith-based higher education institutions, shared governance
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