News

Master of Theology in Contextual Theology

In February 2022 Zomba Theological College launched its first postgraduate programme – a Master of Theology degree in Contextual Theology. 21 students have embarked on the programme, a mix of women and men, lay and ordained, coming from the north, south and centre of Malawi. It is a part-time programme, with residential sessions on four weekends and one full week each semester. The first semester has gone well with close collaboration among the Faculty who often offer team teaching and a highly motivated group of students.

Happy New Year 2021

Ken sends new year greetings from Zomba where he has enjoyed a quiet festive season. Planning remains an uncertain endeavour but with corona meaning less travel and less crowds there is more time for writing and curriculum development work. An exciting development in the new year is the launch of the Theological Society of Malawi, which aims to bring together institutions and individuals with a shared commitment to the advance of theological education in the country. Another focal point for Ken is the centenary of the founding of the International Missionary Council in November 2021, with a highly international study process leading up to it.

Coronavirus Context

Ken has spent the coronavirus period in Zomba, Malawi. With borders closed all travel plans are on hold. Ken is at his home on the Zomba Theological College campus. This is his primary base but the College has been closed since 20 March 2020 as part of Malawi’s preventative measures aimed to contain the coronavirus. When one door closes another opens and Ken has welcomed the opportunity of this restricted period to work with his close friend and colleague Klaus Fiedler on a book project. The plan is to produce a textbook on Malawi Church History. A course on this subject is taught at many Colleges and Universities in Malawi but until now there is no comprehensive textbook to support it. Our challenging task therefore is to comprehend in a single volume the entire story of Christianity in Malawi from 1860 to 2020.

Meanwhile the spread of the virus has been very limited in Malawi so far. We hope and pray that this will continue to be the same but meanwhile remain vigilant. While managing preventative measures in relation to COVID-19 Malawi also has to prepare for a Presidential election, after the courts annulled the one held last year. It is a challenging situation for the country – a tense and uncertain time.

Farewell Argyll

After nine wonderful years Kenneth and Hester Ross concluded their time in Argyll on 17 March 2019. A happy baptismal service at Kilninver Church was followed by a farewell lunch at Seil Island Hall – an unforgettable occasion.