EXPLORING THE SYNCHRONY AND SYNERGY BETWEEN THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE CHURCH: IS IT A CASE OF MELODIOUS SYMPHONY OR CACOPHONOUS DISSONANCE? EXAMINING THE CHALLENGES, DANGERS, OPPORTUNITIES AND A MODEST WAY FORWARD IN THE AFRICAN CONTEXT OF THE CHURCH AND THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS

The church and theological institutions are at a cacophonous dissonance yet the two are inextricably intertwined they are not merely complementary but in a mutually symbiotic, reciprocal relationship that is of shared benefit like a melodious symphony. The two are tied from their hips in their conception, initiation and functionalities.

Hence, the sustainability and thriving of the two institutions is grounded on their coordination and mutual growth based on curriculum development, financial stability, research and innovation. The two institutions of the church and theological institution ought to concomitantly and concurrently in their ontology and function. In a desktop research and a descriptive survey field study it was established that the two institutions must of necessity co-operate and co-work together for them to be relevant and vibrant. This is actualized in the quest of making theology be relevant to the church and the church supportive to theological institution for the two supplements not supplants each other. The study through desk top study and field study done through descriptive study where a questioner was administered to 40 respondents and it was established theological institutions ought to have a symbiotic and cordial relationship with the church, in the ideal which was established by 92% of the forty respondents which 37 of the respondents. Though in reality the relationship that was ascertained in the study was distant, far and remote as it was proved by 75% of respondents or 30 out of the 40 respondents.

The church need for the theological education was demonstrated in the study by 92% or 37 the respondent which showed that it is critical, while 32% or 13 persuaded that theological education had a very strong impact in the church. The study confirmed the need of a paradigm shift on the curriculum of theological institutions to be on practical ministry skills sand personal devotion with 40% or 16 of the respondents affirming to position.

This goes in tandem with competence based education that has been implemented in Kabarak University department of education and in the school of theological education, this includes having in the facilities lectures who are in ministry so that it can connect the academic to the pastoral which was enclosed by 30% of the respondents in the study as the best suited for practical theological education. Theological institution needs to be adoptive and innovative to circumvent the current economic and the balance between career, family and education priority realities that is why part time blended learning was more preferred by 72% of the respondents. Therefore there is need for a paradigm shift on how theological education that is done to be relevant and practical and to embrace ecumenical theological that is more sustainable that in view of shrinking theological education in parochial colleges owned by churches. There is need for churches to participate in the formulation of theological education curriculums and researches in citadels of ecumenical theological institutions like Kabarak University among others. Consequently, theological education and the church are inextricably intertwined and they ought to be in a state of melodious symphony not a cacophonous dissonance.