Abstract:
The need for contextually relevant Christian literature in Africa is significant.
Scholars experience negative and positive influences when writing and publishing that
either contributes to or detracts from the production of more literature. The purpose of
the research project was to identify the subjective perceptions of writing and
publishing and what has influenced these experiences among the African faculty
members serving at Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) in
Kenya, in order to understand how to better facilitate the production of African
literature in the future. The experience and perceptions of the occupational, social and
publishing influences on the faculty members were researched using qualitative
phenomenological methods. Eight African faculty participated in open-ended
interviews and select members of the NEGST administration were consulted through
interviews or e-mail.
Research findings were that all three spheres of occupational, social and
publishing influences contributed positively and negatively to the experiences. Social
and publishing factors were primarily positive while occupational ones contributed
the greatest discouragements. Data analysis revealed a complex interplay of all three
spheres, with an emphasis on the role of motivation, accountability and initiative by
both the academic institution and the faculty. Responsibilities are shared by the two
groups and must be carried out in conjunction to improve the outcomes of writing and
publishing in the future.
