Now in its 10th year, the International Certificate of Biblical Studies in South-East Africa program (ICBS) is showing no signs of slowing down, with 12 students recently completing Level 2 qualifications – a first for the program.
ICBS is a joint venture between Moore College’s Department of External Studies and African Enterprise and aims to provide high-quality, short-term, low-cost theological training to African Christian leaders.
At least 20 Australian lecturers have taken part in more than 50 teaching visits, instructing 600-plus students throughout the program’s history. Lecturers teach Moore College PTC subjects, of which six need to be completed to receive the Level 1 qualification.
The Rev Stephen Liggins, who works at Toongabbie Anglican Church, began the program in 2003 when he started teaching Moore College subjects in Kenya and Uganda. In June this year, Mr Liggins and two other Moore College graduates, Dan Anderson and Luke Collings, spent time teaching church leaders in Malawi.
“Church attendance is high in sub-Saharan Africa but many of its Christian leaders have not had the opportunity to gain much, if any, theological training,” Mr Liggins said. “This program is targeted at equipping these Christian leaders. By providing them with this training, their churches are, in turn, impacted.”
For the first time in the history of the program 12 Malawian students have completed their Level 2 qualifications. This means they have studied 12 subjects as part of the ICBS program. Students received their certificates at a celebration held on August 31.
“The danger of a lack of training is that false teaching can result,” Mr Liggins said. “My experience suggests that things that are particularly prevalent are: salvation by works not grace, the prosperity gospel, a belief that God will cure all diseases, beliefs about the supernatural that mix biblical and traditional teaching and inaccurate views about sexuality.”
The program is a strong link between Sydney and the churches in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa and offers opportunities for mutual support.
“Sub-Saharan African churches are becoming increasingly important and influential in the worldwide Christian community,” Mr Liggins said. “At the same time they are also facing many pressures such as the influence of Islam, liberal theology and Western materialism. We need to stand by and support our brothers and sisters in this part of the world.”
