Theology in Action
I am grateful to God for the opportunity to share some of the highlights of the activities I helped to organize for the last semester of 2019. The Department of Theology, Interfaith Relations, and Ecclesial Leadership Development of the All Africa Council of Churches successfully organized the following activities:
- Theological Studies Colloquium
I took part in an International Conference organized by the Africa Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology of the Protestant University in Congo and the Christian Scholars Society. The conference was initially scheduled to take place in Kinshasa from September 3rd to 5th. Due to the fear of the Ebola virus in the DRC, many speakers requested that the conference be rescheduled for November 2019. I presented a paper on the future challenges of theological education institutions in Africa, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063. I presented my paper by streaming on the internet.
- Families, Gospel, and Cultures in a Changing World
This colloquium was organized by CEVAA, a French Mission organization that has churches in West Africa Francophone countries. The colloquium took place at the Protestant University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from September 9th to 14th. Participants were from theological institutions from CEVAA member churches and CEVAA partners. As Director of Theology, I presented a paper on the “Place and Role of Family in Africa Today.” The presentation will be published in a book CEVAA is preparing to publish in 2020.
- Misleading Theologies Symposium
During the dates of October 23-27 2019, the Department of Theology organized the first All Africa Council of Churches Theological Symposium: Misleading Theologies. This was in response to new controversial practices that have become common use in churches on the continent and beyond. Theologians from the five sub-regions of Africa, with some from the diaspora as well as ecumenical partners, gathered at the Desmond Tutu Conference Center. Thirty countries were represented in the symposium.
Four thematic areas were discussed in the symposium:
- Health and Healing
- Wealth and Poverty
- Power and Authority
- Government Regulations on Religious Institutions
Participants recommended AACC to organize a Theological Symposium every year. The themes for the Theological Symposium will be changing according to theological needs and trends. The issues of Health and Healing, Wealth and Poverty, and Power and Authority should be taken seriously in our churches because misleading theologians are using them to attract people – even people from our different churches.
Prayer request for projected activities in 2020:
Join me in prayer for the 2020 activities from my department.
- Public lectures on an African theology of mission – AACC/WCC
- Interfaith consultation for Central Africa religious platforms
- Ecclesial Leadership Development Training for self-sustainability of churches
- A second Theological Symposium
- A Study Process for a Publication on Positive Theology of Wealth, Prosperity, and Sustainable Development
In Christ,
Bosela Eale
Bosela Eale serves with the Peace, Diakonia, and Development Office of the All Africa Conference of Churches in Kenya. His appointment is made possible by gifts to the Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.