Zambia: St John’s Seminary – Theological Training

 

A class of honours degree students pose for a photo at St. John’s Seminary

 

 

This is part of the Church to Church Program:
Learn more about ABM’s Programs here.

 

MISSION

St John’s Anglican Seminary has a strong sense of mission, seeking to educate and equip men and women for ministry in the church. It also seeks to provide students with the opportunity to have a deep and personal knowledge of Jesus Christ to help in building God’s kingdom and to transform society for Christ.

This mission is expressed in the following aims;

1. To develop confident and ambitious graduates equipped to shape the Zambian Community
2. To provide theological education that promotes both intellectual initiative and the highest academic standards and to prepare students for life and career
3. To be the Theological school of choice for Church Ministry
4. To be a Theological School recognized both nationally and internationally for the effectiveness of our teaching and the relevance of our research
5. To develop leadership for tomorrows Zambian Anglican Church.

ABM SUPPORT

In 2016, ABM is helping to support 30 students, 4 full-time staff, and 4 part-time staff members. The courses taught at the seminary range from an in-house Diploma to the Bachelor of Theology (at ordinary and honours levels via North West University), all delivered according to recognised University-level standards. 

St. Johns Seminary computer laboratory

HISTORY

Anglican clergy training in Zambia goes back to 1932 when four students were ordained as deacons, after two years of special training at Fiwila (in central Zambia) to serve the Diocese of Northern Rhodesia. Clergy training then moved to nearby Kakwelesa in 1939, and twelve years later to Kabulonga, Lusaka. In 1972 St John’s was closed and there was no theological training for the clergy from 1972 to 1982. St John’s Seminary was re-opened in Kitwe at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation (MEF) in 1982 with training being done at United Church of Zambia Theological College (UCZTC) up to 1990 when St John’s Seminary was officially separated from UCZTC. The Seminary is located to the city centre of Kitwe and along Chingola highway making it easy accessible by road. As part of the institutions within MEF, St John’s Seminary has a cross denominational character that enriches its traditional Anglican polity and orthodox faith.

PRESENT DAY

The Seminary has reasonably sound book stock for theology and religious studies in the library (about 13000 books) with additional purchases being done to ensure holdings are up-to–date. The Seminary is also blessed in being able to draw on the expertise of tutorial staff from other Christian denominations, including the United Church of Zambia and the United Methodist Church, alongside Anglican full-time and part-time staff members.

The Seminary provides a number of computers in the library and has a computer laboratory with about ten computers for commercial use by the surrounding community. All the computers are connected to a twenty-four hour internet service that helps the students in research and communication. The Seminary also provides print and copy facilities on demand.

 

ZM004TF needs $12,000 in 2016 (non tax-deductible)

 

HOW TO DONATE

You can make an online donation to this project by selecting Zambia: St John’s Seminary from the full project list.

Alternatively, for donations by cheque/money order (made out to the Anglican Board of Mission – Australia), telephone or email, view contact details here. Please don’t forget to include the project name and/or code with your payment details.

Gifts to ABM will be applied to the support of project(s) selected. In the unlikely event of the project being oversubscribed or not proceeding to completion, donations will be applied to a similar project to the one(s) selected.

 

PROJECT UPDATE

November 2016 – Saulos Simon Mwale, a theological student at St John’s Seminary, recently spoke of his life and calling, seeking to encourage others with the journey that God has placed him on. Read more.

 

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