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September 14, 2000
Greetings!
Since we ran out of space in our newsletter last week, we thought
we’d go ahead with part two. There is so much to share about
the seminary, the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon (PCC), and about
life in Cameroon itself we hardly know where to begin. We’d
like to tell you a bit about how the seminary is trying to build
and grow. It is an exciting time in the life of the seminary.
The PCC is a young denomination, only coming into existence about
40 years ago. The seminary began as a college to train catechists
in a rural area north of here that was undeveloped by Cameroonian
standards. That’s funny, because if you saw this area you
would say that it is undeveloped and rural as well. But in Kumba
we are only an hour and a half by car from Buea (pronounced Boya)
which is the provincial seat. The synod headquarters is there
and that is the equivalent of our national church headquarters.
As the PCC grew, they needed to develop pastors who could move
in the circles of provincial power and status. So the college
was moved here and became a seminary only in the past decade.
It offered only a four-year diploma program (not equal to a bachelor
of arts or bachelor of science degree). In the past year and a
half, the program has been changed to a three-year bachelor of
theology degree with the kind of accreditation recognized as undergraduate
in European and American circles. This paves the way for master’s
and doctoral studies abroad.
It is extremely difficult to work the educational system here.
The people struggle their whole lives to climb the ladder through
primary and secondary schools. And even when they are accepted
into technical schools or undergraduate programs they frequently
fail or end up with a degree and no employment. So they return
to the menial labor of farming, harvesting, or selling small items
and food stuff on the street. Also, they function like beasts
of burden, transporting lumber and other goods mile after mile
on tiny carts with two bicycle wheels. Those who reach a more
prestigious level (who have the money to pay for a driver’s
license) become couriers and taxi drivers. There is much hopelessness
when they look at their economic future.
The seminary and its upgraded program are close to the top of
the mountain. (A little pun, because from many parts of the seminary
we can see the top of Mt. Cameroon—that is, on a clear day!)
To be a part of this program offers them an economically sound
future and a good one. Many apply, few are chosen. This year’s
beginning class is 17, and the total enrollment is just over 60.
It is the only seminary of the PCC and it has the largest English-language
library in the country (6000 books).
So here at the seminary the atmosphere is hopeful and lively.
The new dean—who has been here for one year now—the
vice dean, the director of academic affairs, and the rest of the
lecturers, have been laying the groundwork for the transformation
of the seminary in nearly all areas. Though the synod is theoretically
in charge, it is the senate/faculty of the seminary that dreams,
does fund-raising, and implements all progress. They, and now
we, are commencing to structure a master’s level program
of two years duration so that seminarians could stay five years
and then have the option to begin doctoral studies abroad. Obviously,
only a few most gifted students could do that, but at this point
any roads that are paved toward advanced degrees are truly wonderful.
The need is great within the PCC to have their brightest pastors
go on for Ph.D.’s. The leadership of the denomination is
aging and due to ever increasing financial problems due to the
poor economy, they have been unable to provide much assistance
to pastors who would like to further their studies. They need
educated leaders to effectively guide the PCC as it strives to
continue as a positive Christian presence in a struggling society.
Currently they have been forced to send their brightest pastors
out into parishes, since there is no money to support them in
further studies. They have also been begging their older leaders
to postpone retirement, with the hope that somehow they can get
some new leaders in place. As much as they would like to be self-reliant,
they continue to look to the West for financial assistance to
educate their leaders. Funding is currently at a critical shortage.
Yet despite the financial limitations, the denomination continues
to dream and plan and strive to move forward to further the kingdom
of God in Cameroon.
So we arrive here at a most interesting and opportune time! We
get to participate in plans and dreams that really will shape
the future of the denomination and further the work of Christ
in the Anglophone Cameroonian culture. We arrive when so much
is becoming possible for the PCC and seminary. We look forward
to sharing with you all the joys and growing pains that will come
out of this process of change. We ask for your continued prayers
as the Lord guides the seminary in this time of transformation.
Yours in Christ,
The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 32
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