KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Mennonite Central Committee-East Coast/Mennonite Mission Network/Mennonite World Conference) – The first consultation on theological education among French-speaking Mennonites was held at the Centre Universitaire de Missiologie (University Center for Missiology) in Kinshasa, Feb. 26-28. Forty-five participants came from nine different countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Canada (Quebec), Chad, Congo, France, Ivory Coast, Switzerland and the United States.
The consultation grew out of a need identified by the Francophone Mennonite Network, begun in 1999 under the auspices of Mennonite World Conference. This loosely organized body of Anabaptist theologians and church leaders attempts to foster global relationships and encourage Anabaptist understanding among French-speaking Mennonites.
Informal conversations within the Francophone Network have often focused on the importance of theological education in relation to Mennonite identity. In Africa, the Congolese Mennonites sponsor several Bible institutes, and in Europe, the French-language department at the Bienenberg Theological School in Switzerland offers the equivalent of one year of seminary-level classes in its continuing education program. However, no French-language Mennonite theological school offers the possibility of a seminary degree. This means that many French-speaking Mennonite church leaders are trained in interdenominational institutions. Representatives from these seminaries and schools where Mennonites study or teach were also invited to take part in the consultation on Mennonite theological education.
Aside from Democratic Republic of Congo’s large population of Mennonites (235,000), French-speaking Mennonites are usually small minorities in their countries. Through the efforts of the Network, Mennonites in French-language contexts are beginning to develop cooperative relationships. Most of the consultation participants were meeting for the first time. An important objective of the consultation was to learn about the Mennonite context in different parts of the French-speaking world. Some of the questions addressed were:
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If someone studies in a “non-Mennonite” school, is there an attempt to teach Mennonite theology and ethics during or after formal theological training?
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What French-language materials and resources are available in each context? What can each context offer?
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How is Mennonite theological identity fostered and maintained in relation to other churches and denominations?
Nzuzi Mukawa, a Mennonite Brethren professor at the hosting university, presented theological education from a Congolese perspective. He addressed the kind of education that is appropriate for the Congolese and larger African context. He also questioned how to make theological education available to church leaders in countries with serious economic and political difficulties, but who are rich in numbers, spirituality, and desire to live their faith.
Siaka Traoré, president of Eglise Evangélique Mennonite du Burkina Faso (Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso), spoke about training Christians to live the gospel of peace in the Islamic context, as almost all French-speaking Mennonites rub shoulders daily with their Muslim neighbors, often even living with Muslim family members.
Neal Blough spoke about the influence, both positive and negative, of theological education on Mennonite identity, and how this identity has shifted throughout history.
The consultation was effective in helping participants to envisage the potential of the Francophone Network. The importance of theological education in a Mennonite perspective was strongly affirmed, for the good of the church and its mission within the world.
The non-Mennonite schools all expressed interest in having a greater Anabaptist perspective in their curriculum. The sociopolitical context of several participants’ institutions compels them to focus on a theology of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness. These schools invited Mennonites to contribute to help make such a perspective part of their teaching programs.
A continuation committee and four working-groups were put into place to explore different avenues of collaboration. Some of these are the development of online courses, upgrading libraries, the development and publication of French-language resources, and teacher exchanges. Another consultation in Africa is being planned for 2016.
The consultation demonstrated international Mennonite sharing and reciprocity. Congolese Mennonites furnished major administrative and logistical organization. They provided the place to meet, good meals, fellowship, and wonderful hospitality. Various organizations contributed financially to make the gathering possible: Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, Eastern Mennonite Missions, the Mennonite mission agencies of France and Switzerland, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Church Canada Witness, Mennonite Mission Network, Shalom Communications, Inc., participating schools and churches, as well as individual participants.
This article has been adapted from a Mennonite World Conference release. Neal Blough and his wife, Janie, have served in France with Mennonite Mission Network since 1975. He is on staff at the Paris Mennonite Center and teaches in Mennonite, Evangelical and Catholic seminaries in France and Switzerland. Blough frequently speaks at conferences around the world. In 2009, Neal Blough was named one of the 100 most influential Protestants in France by La Vie, a Catholic weekly magazine.
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
