The Relationship between Training and Placement in Ministry : a study of the NEGST Alumni

Abstract

This study aimed at establishing the relationship between theological training and placement in ministry. It specifically focused on the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) alumni. The study was descriptive in nature and data were gathered from the Registrar's and Alumni offices at NEGST and from the alumni. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from the alumni. It was administered personally through email and through postal addresses. Respondents included male and female, married and singles, young adults and middle age adults from thirteen different countries. The researcher wanted to find out in what kind of ministries NEGST alumni were placed, what factors influenced their placement in ministry, and the relationship between their training and placement. The findings revealed that most NEGST alumni were involved in Christian ministries both on full-time and part-time bases. Most of them attributed their placement to their area of specialization at NEGST and added credentials at the completion of their training. They expressed contentment with the quality of academic study during their training. Overall, there was a positive relationship between graduates' training at NEGST and their placement in ministry. However, on other factors to do with the school that could have contributed to placement, respondents did not agree. These factors included field ministries program offered at NEGST, spiritual formation activities such as chapel and small groups, and interactions with faculty members. Classroom interactions were perceived to contribute to placement in ministry more than other kinds of interactions such as informal and mentoring interactions with the faculty. Graduates generally did not feel that other factors such as uncertainty of call and spiritual gifts, preference of a specific geographical context, previous experience, political instability and war, financial limitations, employers decisions on posting and limitations of certain roles to males (in their contexts of ministry) significantly influenced their placement in ministry. Based on the data gathered, recommendations were made to the NEGST curriculum developers and policy makers on how they could improve their training program to enhance graduates' placement in Christian ministry.