;)
~ Shauen, Josiah, and Krista with the TEE class ~ Although last session was technically the first session of TEE's Year II program, it was a special session at a remote location. So this weekend's TEE program is really the kickoff for Year II.
This year we're adding a few items into the normal TEE weekend schedule:
- We're spending more time in the Word of God. Each TEE we'll split into small groups to do an in-depth Bible Study that focuses on the Gospel lesson for the Sunday 8 days away (the Sunday between TEE sessions). That gives the men a full week to digest the Gospel lesson and hopefully sets them up to preach an insightful and meaningful message the weekend between classes.
- We're focusing more on evangelism. Let me point out the title of this entry. TEE across Africa stands for Theological Education by Extension. This year we are changing the title to Theological Education for Evangelism. Because, really, what is theology for? There's no point in debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Theology is for proclamation - specifically the proclamation of the Gospel message of forgiveness of sin and reconciliation between us and our Creator. Theology is for proclamation and theological education in this class is for evangelism.
- And again, we're focusing more on evangelism. Each class the students will get their "Activity Report Form" and fill in their participation in church-related activities since last TEE. This would include leading services, preaching, visiting church members, visiting the sick on behalf of the church, leading Bible Studies, doing door-to-door evangelism, inviting people to services, etc. By keeping their activities related to the church in the forefront of their mind and requiring some accountability, it is our hope that they begin to be more intentional about their outreach efforts.
~ Sermon Outline Form - Due Every TEE Class on Friday ~ We're focusing more on preaching. Each TEE weekend we will require the students to turn in an outline of a sermon they would preach that immediate Sunday. To help them in the process, I developed a form they can use. It guides them briefly through the process of sermon writing that I taught in November last year. The students turn in their outlines on Friday morning and receive them back with comments, suggestions, and questions (as well as a letter grade) on Saturday afternoon. That leaves them a bit of time on their journey home Saturday to rework the sermon. At the very least requiring the outline to be turned in first thing Friday forces a student to prepare their sermon several days before they would deliver it - allowing time for the sermon to percolate and process.- We're focusing on expansion of worldview. Each TEE weekend a selection will be read from the book Voices of the Martyrs followed by some prayer time as we reflect on God's work in places more hostile to His Gospel message. Additionally, a selection will be read from the book Operation World, which focuses on a specific country, explaining a bit about the people of that nation and the work of the church there. By looking outside of our own circumstances, we often gain more appreciation for the privileges, responsibilities, and resources God has placed into our care.
All of these elements were introduced this weekend as well as presenting the schedule for this next year which is heavy on evangelism and outreach. We also had a special event - Josiah was introduced to the TEE class! Our students were so very excited to meet our little boy. He is, they assert, "a Ugandan!"
Finally, Pastor Charles Bameka, the senior pastor of the Lutheran Church Mission in Uganda (LCMU), spent some time with the students. He had requested that he be the one to share with the class about my reassignment to Kenya. It was a sad note to end on. But here in Africa, where power distance (see the book Serving with Eyes Wide Open) is generally greater than in the States, it was also something they were excited about on my behalf. Although I would describe it as a lateral move, from their perspective I was being promoted and being promoted is a very good thing. So it was with sadness and excitement for my future that my wonderful students expressed their congratulations. What they (and the LCMU) have invested in me during my time of training has become Uganda's local contribution to the mission work in East Africa.
From this point forward my involvement in TEE will decrease sharply as we prepare for our assignment to Kenya. I'll still be at TEE until we move and I'll lead one of the small group Bible Study groups and I may take one lecture if so asked. But in general, I'm handing over everything to fellow missionary Rev. Jacob Gillard who will continue to work here in Uganda. -Shauen