A graduation celebration in Uganda marked a significant milestone for many church leaders who received their Master of Ministry degrees this past spring. According to Steve Kemp, Antioch School’s global academic dean, there has never been a graduation celebration like this in Uganda.
The 21 church leaders who received their M.Min degrees are leaders of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostals of Uganda, a network of more than 40,000 churches. Their church-based theological training took place within their churches and church networks and culminated in 51 competencies that were assessed and validated to receive their degree.
The graduation was spurred on by Bishop Joseph Nsubuga last summer when he notified BILD that he had a few dozen leaders who could finish their M.Min degrees within a couple of months. These leaders had been admitted to the combination M.Min/D.Min program, but had found new energy in the Antioch School's revisions to streamline the degree program and assessment system, Steve said. The leaders were categorized according to the amount of the program they had already completed, and "road maps" were produced to guide them to the finish line.
“However, this is just the tip of the iceberg (if I can use that comparison for a program in East Africa),” Steve said. “Many of these leaders are continuing with the Antioch School's D.Min. programs to produce artifacts to support the establishment and expansion of churches in Uganda.” Dozens of other leaders are now re-engaging with the use of BILD resources and pursuing their M.Min degrees.
Steve shared that one unique aspect of the graduation celebration was the discussions that took place at each table. Each “graduand” (someone who has finished but not yet been given the degree) was seated at a table with their family and ministry colleagues. At two points in the celebration, the leaders were encouraged to discuss the program’s impact on them and the potential impact on others, including those seated at the table with them.
An important component of earning a Master of Ministry degree is creating a ministry plan that leaders will use upon graduation in their ministry contexts. These training plans include how to equip and train other church leaders and establish all believers so that churches can be strong in the faith. Sharing those plans with their families and ministry colleagues brings accountability, and others can benefit from what the leaders have learned, Steve said.
“Each graduate must be a wise steward of their ministry competencies and academic credentials in the progress of the Gospel and the fulfillment of the Great Commission,” Steve said.
The event culminated with a "family meal" shared by graduates, family, ministry colleagues, and dignitaries in attendance. In addition to the graduation celebration, workshops were held to guide leaders on how to use BILD resources for leadership development of their ministry teams and basic establishment for personal cohorts of their family, friends, and co-workers.
“The graduation celebration was wonderful in itself, but even more wonderful as it represents the firstfruits of a mighty harvest of church-based theological education in East Africa,” Steve said.