 NETWORK FOR AFRICAN CONGREGATIONAL THEOLOGY
NetACT is the Network for African Congregational Theology, a network of eleven theological institutions in the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in eight Sub-Saharan African countries.
Its vision is to develop leadership at theological training institutions that will be able to develop congregational leadership able to do missional theology in congregations and their communities.
Congregational Theology is theology practiced in a congregation. It involves discerning the will of God by interpreting the Scriptures within its specific context. As such it empowers the congregation to address its multiple problems, challenges and sufferings as manifested, amongst others, in the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, abuse of power, corruption and economic injustice.
THE NETACT STORY
Read the NetAct story:
CONSTITUTION
The NetAct Constitution can be downloaded here:
INTRODUCTION
In February 2000 in Nairobi, Kenya, a network was formed between sister theological institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The University of Stellenbosch acts as the central resource centre from where the network is administered and coordinated. Initiated by the HIV-AIDS pandemic, poverty and widespread corruption, a holistic approach for doing theology from a congregational locus was opted for. In April 2001 the Mission, Values and Vision of NetACT were formulated and a detailed strategic planning exercise was held by the participating institutions in Lusaka, Zambia. In August 2002 in Lilongwe, Malawi the NetACT constitution and the HIV / AIDS curriculum were finalised.
Since the 2006 meeting in Windhoek, Namibia, the vision is to help the institutions to attain ACTEA (the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa) accreditation. If an institution and the churches supporting it opt for accreditation it has to meet a set of criteria aiming at quality theological leadership development. Contextualized curriculum, adequate facilities, financial control, communication between students, lecturers and churches, discipline and spiritual formation etcetera are pursued by the institutions that set their goals on attaining these standards. The NetACT network assists the individual seminaries in this endeavour. In 2008 personal of the eleven institutions involved in teaching HIV/AIDS did a workshop, upgrading their curricula, working on a book etc. In each subsequent year another theological discipline will do likewise. The 2009 AGM deals with Old and New Testament curriculum challenges.
MISSION
NetACT is a network of theological institutions in Sub Saharan Africa, created and directed by these institutions, to assist them in preparing leaders for missional congregations.
NETACT'S MAJOR GOALS
- Upgrade curriculum standards at our member institutions.
- Develop an effective system of communication, consultation and networking among all member institutions.
- Provide scholarships to advance the theological training of our institutions’ lecturers.
- Create an affordable and welcoming living environment for lecturers who are receiving advanced training.
- Organize lecturer exchanges among our institutions to provide needed expertise, and to create space and time for lecturers to further their studies.
- Maintain an adequately staffed coordinating office.
- Publish theological handbooks relevant to the African context.
- Ensure that an HIV/AIDS course is developed and maintained as a routine part of the normal curriculum at each NetACT institution.
BOARD MEMBERS
Board Members:
Dr Devison T Banda (Justo Mwale Theological College, Lusaka, Zambia); Rev Joseph A Thipa (Zomba Theological College, Malawi, Vice Chair)); Prof Elna Mouton (Stellenbosch University); Prof Jurgens Hendriks (Executive Director); Dr Ron Hartgerink, South Haven MI, USA (representing donors); Rev Stephen J Chikoti (Josophat Mwale Theological Institution, Malawi); Rev Manasse Matiquele (Hefsiba, Mozambique); Rev Henry Murray (Murray Theological College, Zimbabwe); Rev Sam MacDonald (African Bible College, Malawi); Rev Thomas Togom (RITT, Kenya); Rev Simon Gilham (NETS, Namibia); Rev Jose B Luacute (ISTEL, Angola); Rev Alexandre dos Santos Mioco (ISEU, Angola).
(28 July 2009)
STAFF
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- Dr DT Banda
- Chair
Telephone:+ 260 211 295364 (office)
+ 260 966-584-787(m)
Fax:+ 260 211 294252
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- email
- Justo Mwale Theological University College,
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- PO Box 310199, 15301,
- Lusaka, Zambia.
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- Prof. H. Jurgens Hendriks
- Executive Director
- Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University.
Telephone: +27 -21 808 3260 (office)
Fax: +27+21+808 3251
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- email
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- Rev. Christopher Munikwa
- Weidenhof House Administrator
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- Street address: Weidenhof Street 14
Telephone (office): +27 (0)21 882-9149 or +27 (0)21 808 3260
Telephone (home): +27 (0)21-8828245
Fax: +27 (0)21+882-9149 or +27 (0)21 8083251
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- email
Weidenhof House occupants
Tel: +27-21-882-8245
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NETACT CONTACT AND ADDRESS LIST
The NetAct contact and address list can be downloaded here:
CONFERENCES
2007
NetACT and the African Society for the
Study of Reformed Communities
6-7 August 2007,
Justo Mwale Theological College, Lusaka, Zambia
Theme : The effects of the AIDS pandemic and Poverty on church life in Sub-Sahara Africa: Stewardship Implications.
Papers Delivered:
Theological Conference at Justo Mwale Theological College
In co-operation with: 2007 NetACT and the
African Society for the Study of Reformed Communities
Saturday August 11, 2007
Theme: The prophetic witness of the Church in networking with government, business and other NGO’s to address contextual issues.
Papers Delivered:
2009
MINUTES AND REPORTS
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2006:
2007:
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