By Tatiana Mhararira
The first African Indigenous Church (AIC) bible college, that was formalized earlier this year, held its first graduation at the church’s headquarters at Mandadzaka in Bikita where about 80 students graduated.
Speaking to TellZim News, Zion Christian Bible college founder and leader of one of the many Zion Christian Church (ZCC) denominations, Dr Bishop Mutendi Mutendi said classes started earlier this year with more than 100 students but other dropped along the way due to various reasons.
The guest of honor at the graduation ceremony was Reverend Oria Mawewe, son to the late ZCC Judea Bishop Dr Ofiro Mawewe.
Dr Mutendi said he was inspired by his late father Reuben to formalize education within the church and decided to partner South Africa’s Reformer Theological Seminary to develop a model for the AICs in Zimbabwe.
“I was inspired by my late father Bishop Reuben Mutendi who was son to Samuel Mutendi to allow the formal education of the Bible. My father always told me that l want you to learn and uplift God’s work and the church.
“We started the college this year to formalize Bible education. We offer a certificate in Biblical Studies and Ministry. We have online lessons and physical lessons during the block release sessions,” said Dr Mutendi.
Dr Mutendi said the program started at congregation level in 2013 where church leaders did bible studies but it was not formal.
“In 2013 we started with a Bible study which was a more organized way of studying the Bible which was being done in all the congregations. After obtaining my Master’s degree in Theology, we improved the structure of Bible Study finding ways of having a curriculum,” said Dr Mutendi.
He said the college was open to everyone especially those in AIC churches whose doctrine is almost the same saying the church values and doctrines differed from Pentecostal and mainline churches hence it was difficult for them to enroll.
“The courses at the college are meant for everyone from any church without institutions to equip them with Biblical skills including groups such as apostolic sects that read the Bible,” said Dr Mutendi
Some of the modules that students studied at AIC College include discipleship evangelism and missions, trustworthy faith which is systematic theology that teaches the nature of God, listening and encouraging that is responsible for counselling and Homiletics which is Bible interpretation.
Dr Mutendi said the next intake of the college will introduce practical subjects at the college saying the certificate course was one year long for part-time students but for fulltime students it is six months long.
“Our next intake will introduce practical subjects such as agriculture, building, carpentry and dressmaking. These will work as options that an individual will take so as to have skills that will empower themselves afterwards,” said Dr Mutendi.
Dr Mutendi said bible education level was low in AICs and that often led to unnecessary divisions and splits in the churches hence there was need to equip pastors, who were mostly appointed not on qualification, with theological education.
