From the pew to the pulpit: Engendering the pulpit through teaching African Women’s Theologies

Abstract

Introduction One observation can immediately be made when entering a Kenyan church, no matter the denomination or the geographical area in which it is situated: the pews are overwhelmingly filled with women, while men are occupying the front seats and the pulpit. The question of why there are so many women in the pews and so few in the pulpit has yet to be fully answered. At St. Paul‘s University ways are sought to engage students in this discussion about the gender imbalance in leadership in church and society, aiming at raising awareness, encouraging critical analysis and making students acquainted with theological insights from African women‘s perspectives. One of the ways in which these topics are raised in the faculty of theology at St. Paul‘s University2 is by teaching a course titled ―African Women‘s Theologies‖ abbreviated as AWT. This course is taught to students who already have ministered or who are looking for ways to serve the church from the pulpit. In this chapter we first show the reasons for teaching gender and theology to theological students, by highlighting the position of men and women in the church and why engendering theological education is necessary. In the second part we concentrate on the course of AWT itself by explaining the content and the methodology. Also the ideas and feelings of the students at the beginning of the course are highlighted. In a second section three specific subjects are discussed, namely the Bible and violence against women, the Church, and Marriage and Family Life. Finally information is given about how students evaluate the course after having completed it, showing the impact of this topic on the students.