THEOLOGICAL TRAINING

Many of our churches here in Uganda have been started by local people who have a desire and zeal to serve God, but their beliefs about God are not grounded in Scripture. Many of these Church planters use the copy and paste method. Whatever church they grew up in, and whatever they see popular preachers doing, they simply imitate. And in the end, you find people practicing things that may not be completely unbiblical, but they’ll be emphasizing things that scripture does not emphasize. In most cases you will find gaping holes where practices commanded by Scripture are completely being neglected. The end result is a creative Christianity that is built around certain personalities and trends. That kind of Christianity has a very shaky foundation. And such churches tend to fall prey to various winds of doctrine, most of which are unbiblical.

This is why it is so important for churches and especially church leaders to be grounded in the truth of Scripture. It is only the truth that is able to set us free from all the lies of this world. Whether they be cultural-traditional beliefs or corruptions of Biblical truth. So why is theological training important?

The supreme importance of Christian truth. Theological training aims at teaching truth.

John 8:32: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 

John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 17:17: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The church should support and promote the truth

1 Tim. 3:14-15: “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

The study and teaching of Christian truth is required of some people throughout Scripture

The Levitical Priesthood in the OT

Ezra 7:6, 10: “This Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.” 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”

The elders, overseers, and teachers in the NT

2 Tim. 2:1-2: “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

So why is Uganda in particular so needy in this area?

In addition to the problem created by the fact that many of the churches have been planted by untrained men, there is a more urgent need in Africa for three main reasons.  

1. The prosperity gospel
   Imported from America, this is one of the most toxic movements threatening the church in Africa. Africans want to have better lives just like anyone. And they easily believe false teachers who have twisted the Bible into a message about living the good life here and now.

2. Syncretism
   Many Africans mix traditional beliefs such as animism and spiritism with Christianity. One might readily profess faith in Christ but also continue living in fear of evil spirits. Church members in the pews are often seen wearing traditional charms and bracelets they have received from witch doctors for protection.

3. Unqualified pastors
   This is, perhaps, the most serious threat. Many congregations are led by people who have never even opened the Bible, let alone evidenced a life of true Christian faith. When shepherds are incompetent or unqualified, flocks are defenseless against false teaching and syncretism.

What do we hope to accomplish by meeting this need?

1. To glorify God

God is glorified when we accurately represent Him. He is glorified when we worship Him as He is, as opposed to a made up version of Him.

1. To make disciples more efficiently

It is much easier and cheaper to train local pastors and evangelists than to employ missionaries from far away for evangelism and discipleship. Locals know the culture and have the ability to deal with the uncertain conditions that are just part of living in Africa. Local people already know the language, and so encounter less barriers compared to what a foreign missionary would have to overcome. Someone from a distant land may take years to acclimate to one new culture and language. By focusing on teaching sound doctrine to the local people, the disciple-making task can be accomplished in a more efficient manner. Emphasizing theological education entrusts God’s Word to the people God has equipped to take up the Great Commission in their homeland.

1. To prepare our believers to be global missionaries

There are many places around the world where people have not yet heard the gospel at all. The responsibility to go to all the earth falls on all believers including the ones here in Uganda. We want to see ordinary local people reaching beyond their village confines and even crossing borders and continents in order to accomplish the Great Commission. If theological education in Uganda is strong, it will have an impact globally as God’s kingdom expands from Africa. By giving our national pastors the knowledge, tools, and practical training to lead strong churches, not only will future generations of leaders emerge from within indigenous churches, but they also will be able to send out trained workers to reap God’s harvest among the nations.

How can Lubangakene Ministries go about this venture of providing theological training in Uganda?

As a very young ministry, we are starting with informal classes designed to be very applicable and tailored to the needs of a group of church leaders. For example, the leaders in our church are currently taking a leadership course on intentional discipleship. The study is aimed at getting church leaders to understand the mission of the church, and to resolve to pursue Christlikeness through the spiritual disciplines. As leaders understand their roles and set smart goals, they become more effective in the work Christ has given them. We are also offering classes in systematic theology, hermeneutics, and homiletics to give the leaders some large frames for grasping and sharing God’s word. As the ministry grows in terms of infrastructure and finance, we should be able to offer formal theological training whereby locals can receive certificates, diplomas, and degrees. In the meantime, ready students are being sent to other far away seminaries for formal training.