TEE: Building through Education

In America, most interested persons have access to books. With the internet, access to information is just a click away. At a minimum, there is a paved road leading to the library making information/education an accessible option for just about everyone.

Here in Tanzania, however, these things are not the reality for the average person. Poverty, along with a lack of infrastructure, makes education a difficult commodity to come by for the ordinary Tanzanian. This is a constant struggle for everyone here. Specifically in the church, it is a continual challenge for professional Evangelists and lay leaders to obtain the education they need to fulfill the roles that they are called upon to fulfill.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has realized a great need to focus on building the church, not only with bricks, but with a deepening of the biblical and theological foundation of the people who are the church. To help with this objective of the Church, my assignment the last two years has been to help implement an adult continuing education program for leaders of the Church throughout the Morogoro Diocese.

Last week I hosted a two day training seminar for 20 parish leaders who traveled hundreds of kilometers from all over the diocese to attend. The seminar was about Theological Education by Extension (TEE), which is a basic, inexpensive, three year course designed to equip the saints and to build of the church, not just with bricks… but with the spiritual depth of faith seeking understanding.

For me, this seminar represents a culmination of my work and efforts here in the Morogoro Diocese. For the Diocese, it is only the beginning of new phase dedicated to strengthening the Church through education. Last year, we piloted the program in one district of the diocese. This year, there was great excitement and anticipation about bringing this opportunity to all five districts. It is my hope and expectation that these leaders will take the curriculum of TEE back to their congregations where average citizens in towns and villages will be able to take a three year course on basic Christian theology. This is an unprecedented opportunity for many! I am happy to have contributed to this purpose and I hope you with support me and all the people of the Church in Tanzania with your prayers.

Here are a few pictures from the seminar.