Leading a Theological College Library in Africa

Challenges and opportunities

Theological institutions do not spring up overnight, and the creation of their libraries is equally dependent on their historical base. In order to understand why theological libraries are what they are today we may need to consider the development of theological institutions themselves. Many theological colleges have started as a result of missionary activities. The missionaries would give their books to start the library and many times the wife of a missionary would offer to be the librarian without any qualification. We thank God that it served the purpose although it brought with it some negatives. It gave the wrong impression that anyone can be a librarian or it is not necessary to have a trained person.

It is sad to note that since theological colleges are a product of missionaries they continue to be run by missionaries and missionary money. While it is possible to get missionaries who have diplomas and masters to come and teach, it has not been easy to get professional librarians. The trend in missionary lead institutions has always been that overseas donors give to ‘their own’ white missionaries. If there are missionaries you are assured of support but if they are not there then you will not get any sponsorship. This is a fact of life. This makes life in theological institutions in Africa to be very difficult and unpredictable. Africa is very rich but we are always begging. We are always given handouts but still our people are starving. Our political leaders have abused the aids they have received from Europe and many so called donor countries. Probably, that is why donors would not give to Africa if the institution does not have one of ‘their own’. Serving in a theological college in Africa is a sacrifice. One has to be prepared to live on handouts. If you buy a car, if you buy a microwave, if you buy a suit or a fridge it is a second hand bought from a leaving missionary.

Even though the colleges are in African very few churches in Africa have a sense of owning the colleges despite attempts by missionaries to forge marriages of convenience. He who has money is ‘bigger’ and hence Africans feel relationship with white missionaries is not genuine since the economic gape is huge they will always be dominated. This is not said directly. Other issues of doctrine are raised. Nationals have very little to do with theological colleges in their own countries. They do not offer any support, financially or spiritually. Those who decide to work in theological institutions they do so at their own risk. This is why Africans with better qualifications in theology would rather do donkey work in Europe than coming back home because they know they will starve as there is no enough support for them. Missionaries have support from home while a national is not supported in his/her own country. Organizations are prepared to fund towards projects and not the welfare of workers.

Students come to colleges on their own initiatives especially in interdenominational colleges and hence are not financially supported. Churches are too denominational in their approach to theological education. Other students come with the blessings of their churches but still with no significant funding. Those who come on their own find it difficult to get hired in their churches. Generally the numbers of students are very low and hence making it difficult for the institution to make any significant development from fees money.

There are no scholarships at masters and post-graduate study programs. One has to struggle alone. When one struggles through school, the assumption is that in one way or the other I will return that money. When serving a theological college just forget about this wishful thinking. Studying is not easy and getting the money especially when you are not on scholarship is a big task. During this time of study relationship with wife and children is sometimes affected and expectation for a better life is built in the family members which unfortunately never materialize. This explains why most of our African brothers would not come back home even if they are promised to be principals.

What is the role of the librarian in a theological institution? While we may all agree that the library is the centre nerve of any academic institution in practice this is not the case in theological libraries. Librarians are unfortunately not recognized. This is confirmed by the remuneration and place of the librarian in the structure of the institution. Many theological colleges have operated for years without one. In most tertiary institutions you can not talk of curriculum development without the input of the librarian. In actual fact in most universities the librarian serves in the highest decision making body of the institution. This helps him/her to know the direction in which the institution is going and map a way forward in terms of information provision. Information source are acquired ahead of time before a course is introduced.

The issue of curriculum development is another hot issue which local churches often react to by starting their own colleges because they feel they should be consulted. The question of why churches are not supporting theological education when they are kin to start their own colleges should be investigated.

Recommendations to churches and theological institutions
Our churches in Africa with the empowerment of the colleges need to strengthen their sense of responsibility and ownership of theological institutions.
There is also need on a regular bases to support financially and spiritually, while respecting a certain degree of autonomy which theological education and research institution needs for its own proper functioning. Churches need to learn to support interdenominational colleges instead of each denomination creating its own separate college. Let’s learn to put our recourses together and do away with the begging syndrome that has affected our countries. We do not have such resources (whereby each one builds his/her own kingdom) and it unnecessarily promotes divisions. Theological colleges need to initiate programmes of contextualization of theological education while also being aware of the universality of the church. Some colleges are interdenominational but are teaching their church doctrines. Others are just but teaching their cultures. The college should expose the student to the various views and let the choice to the student.

Those who are leading theological colleges in Africa need to strengthen interdenominational theological colleges with ecumenical commitment and to find ways to allow participation of minority churches in programmes of theological education. One size fits all is not a good approach to theological education. The attitude that says I know what you want will never build Africa but destroy it. There is great need for theological colleges to engage in intercontextual exchange and networking with institutions of theological education from other parts of the world. We need to get in touch with other theological institutions in Africa and outside of Africa but not only importing. Not to run American, British, Australian curriculums in Africa.

Work is there! Opportunities are plenty but the challenge is money! If your desire is to make money never ever work in a theological college especially in Africa. After all is said. I have personally worked in a theological college myself for more than 20 years and have never gone begging for food. People invite me to there house and I also invite them to my house to share whatever I have with them.