A church in Rukore, Uganda. | (Photo: Courtesy)
In a higher institution of learning like Uganda Christian University, a pool of applications received for Law School is overwhelming. Everyone who desires to join the school has to apply. Then there is verification and of course selection of the most suitable applicants.
The Ethics minister, Fr Simon Lokodo, has been in serious bellicose with pastors from Pentecostal and evangelical churches after he suggested that pastors should have a minimum of a diploma in theology in order to preach.
This is not the first time this issue is raising dust, however what is intriguing is the President’s response to the “Lokodo Policy.” Much as the education for the pastors is good like the president admits. The president poses a question, so what do you do with people like Simon Peter?
You see, from the face value, it’s an interesting question. Isn’t it? But! Let us pay a little more attention to the scripture. There were many other fishermen that Jesus came across, however, Jesus chose those he wanted to disciple. He chose only twelve faithful, available, teachable disciples. (Luke 6:13-17, Mk 3:13-19). They weren’t learned men or men with any special gifting per se, just ordinary men, men he could nature and shape into desirable leaders
However, since Jesus told the disciples that He would make them into something different: “Come, follow me,…and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). The impression about fishing is to know the fish you are looking for, and attract it so you can make the catch. To make a catch of the fish we must know what equipment to use, the habitat and depth of the water we are fishing in. so Jesus calls the Simon so that by continually hearing my teachings, and seeing my miracles, he may be fitted, in due time, to become Christ’s fisherman. Now along the way, Jesus taught Simon Peter to share with others, connect people to God, and minister to those who were in need. For the three years that Simon Peter was with Jesus, Peter watched everything that Christ did. For the things, they did not understand Christ explained to Peter and his friends in private (Mark 4:34). Now you may be wondering in a seminary we do course, and marks are awarded. Nevertheless, Peter did course work. Jesus put them to work (Mk 6:7, Mt 10:5, Luke 9:1,2) with clear instruction. He sent them out two by two.
In our society today, to be called a “teacher” means that you are an instructor, educator or tutor especially in a school. Now Jesus was not in any form of a school but the disciples called Him teacher, in-fact even highly placed men to society referred to Jesus as teacher. What is important is that the teaching of Jesus has had a power and an effect with which the influence of no other teacher can even for a moment be compared.”
In higher institutions of learning, a person can only have their transcript after graduation. For the disciples, they had done all the coursework, passed the tests and Christ promised them a Helper (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit was to confirm them for the task ahead of them. There are those that do not graduate either because they took a dead semester, had a re-take (s), or encountered tuition inadequacies. May be Judas Iscariot did not understand that is why he decided to re-take. When Jesus saw that the once “fishermen” can now be “fishers of men.” He commanded them to wait for a helper. (Acts 2:1). In this case, for Peter and all the disciples had their graduation. If Jesus took time with his disciples for three years, this is theological education/ training.
In an increasingly media-wired world, there are a cocktail of ideas and worldviews that are in place with no education, what is the place of uneducated pastors in the community? Even if you choose to reject the idea that Simon Peter was not educated, can we still have a generation where pastors are not educate? Imagine a Pastor who cannot read or even write this own name. A pastor who cannot express himself in writing. The church cannot longer bury it head and say we don’t need theological education. Pastors need a theological education.
okraessy@gmail.com
The writer is Vice President of Saint Daudi Ministries
