United Theological College: A centre for ecumenical education in Zimbabwe?

 

 

Robert Matikiti

Department of Religious Studies, Classics & Philosophy, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

 

 

---

ABSTRACT

This article seeks to explore the meteoric rise of the United Theological College as a centre for ecumenical education in Zimbabwe. Since its inception in 1956, the college has grown to be the epicentre of inter-denominational theological education. The college is run by the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe, the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the Uniting Presbyterian Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The college recognises and values the different traditions of worship and doctrines of the participating churches and believes that individuals and communities can be transformed through the witness of a united church of Jesus Christ. In the framework of ecumenism and Christian unity, matters related to doctrinal and liturgical issues, the interpretation of the Bible, social thought and social action of different Christian communities are studied and discussed. Despite their different doctrinal approaches, a strong ecumenical awareness within the churches drives them to train their pastors at this ecumenical college. This article will argue that in this ecumenical process, however, the college has experienced not only dynamic growth, but also limitations. The article is intended as a contribution to the ongoing ecumenical dialogue and inter-church relations among students of different denominations.

---

 

 

“Full text available only in PDF format”

 

 

Works consulted

Primary Sources

Gambiza, FK 1990. Letter to the Applicant, 17 January.         [ Links ]

Goba, B 1991. (United Church Board for World Ministries Secretary for Africa), letter 3 December.         [ Links ]

Machukera, C 2006. Theological Education and Church Unity, Harare, May, Harare.         [ Links ]

Machukera M (the College Principal, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 13 May 2009.         [ Links ]

Mandevhana, N (Academic Dean, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 10 May 2009.

Mkamba A (current student, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 15 May 2009.

Motsi C (current student, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 10 May 2009.

Moyo A (lecturer, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 27 June 2009.

Mpofu S (former Dean of Studies, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 13 May 2009.

Ndaba, S 1989. Letter to the Principal of United Theological College, 27 October.

Persons, NP 1991. Application Letter to the United Theological College, 27 June.

Sigauke M (former student, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 15 May 2009.

Sithole J (current student, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 15 May 2009.

Syllabus of the Central African Diploma in Theology, 1956. Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia.

Taringa N (former student, United Theological College: Harare), interviewed 15 May 2009.

United Theological College Handbook, 1970. Harare, Zimbabwe.

United Theological College Handbook, 1980. Harare, Zimbabwe.

United Theological College Handbook, 1990. Harare, Zimbabwe.

United Theological College Handbook, 2000. Harare, Zimbabwe.

United Theological College Mission Statement 1956.

Secondary Sources

Bilheimer, RS 1989. Breakthrough: the emergence of the ecumenical tradition. Geneva: WCC.         [ Links ]

Bonhoeffer,D 1954. Life together. London: SCM.         [ Links ]

Congar, Y 1982. Diversity and Communion. London: SCM.         [ Links ]

Davis, K 1993/1994. Ecumenical dialogue and divine racism. Journal of Religious Thought 50, Fall-Spring, 57-71.         [ Links ]

De Santa Ana, J 2003. The Ecumenical Movement at the crossroads. Voices from the Third World, XXVI(2).         [ Links ]

König, A 1983. Ecumenical theology. Pretoria: Unisa Press.         [ Links ]

Kritzinger, JNJ (ed.) 1991. Believers in the future. Pretoria: Printype.         [ Links ]

Morris, C 1986. Paradoxes of the Ecumenical Movement. Journal of Ecumenical Studies 23(3), 390-399.         [ Links ]

Oger, V 2002. Building communities, in Stern, S & Seligmann, E (eds), With an open mind-tolerance and diversity. Frankfurt: Alfred Herrhausen Society for International Dialogue.         [ Links ]

Pobee, J 1997. Towards viable theological education. Geneva: WCC.         [ Links ]

Raiser, K 1989. Ecumenism in transition. Geneva: WCC.         [ Links ]

Samuel, A 1975. Ethos and ecumenism: history of Eden Theological Seminary. New York: St. Louis.         [ Links ]

Wood, D 1968. Our separated brethren. London: London Catholic Truth Society.         [ Links ]

Wood, HA 1963 . Church unity without uniformity: a study of seventeenth-century English church movements and of Richard Baxter's proposals for a comprehensive church. London: Epworth Press.         [ Links ]

Zwana, S 2009. Failure of ecumenism: the rise of church related universities in Zimbabwe. Exchange 38(3), 292-311.         [ Links ]

 

 

1 Co-Researcher for the Research Institute for Theology and Religion, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.