The practice of training ministers in the context of their ministry :case study of Tafakari Center for Urban mission in Kibera slums

Abstract

Nairobi, "the city in sun" is the gateway to the east of Africa and a home to many international organizations, which include the United Nations. In fact, Nairobi is the organizations regional center for aid, trade and commerce. The population of Nairobi is over three million people, two thirds of them living in slums. The slum conditions in Nairobi can be described as wretched and unfit for human beings. Such conditions makes it necessary for theological schools to establish models of training that would produce ministry leaders who would bring transformation by appropriately and effectively dealing with issues and needs of the slum communities. Thus, the broad question this research study has attempted to answer is: "How do theological schools train ministers so that they are relevant for ministry in slums? The study sought to find out what constitutes an effective and appropriate training practice for ministry among people in slum communities. The study focused on the training practice of Tafakari Center for Urban Missions (TCFUM), located in Kibera slums in the city of Nairobi. Qualitative study methodology was engaged in this study. Data was collected through open-ended interviews, through participant observation as well as information from documents. Having analyzed and interpreted the data, the researcher found out that the training practice at TCFUM constitutes the following: o Exclusive curriculum is sensitive to the needs and issues of the slum communities. o Learning takes place in an institution, located within the community. o Students who study here have a specific calling for slum ministry and connected to a ministry in slums, apart from having sound academic qualifications o Methodologies that seek to engage the student are preferred in the training process. o Faculty is academically and professionally qualified and has experience in areas they are asked to teach. o Education process goes beyond graduation (continuity). The center has attempted to provide the way forward in training ministers for the slum ministry. This model of training may be a solution to the challenges facing educationists and missiologists in responding to the mandate to reach the poor in Africa and the world at large with the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.