Supernatural, academic and practical impartation

An in-depth interview

Dr Micah Moenga, Head of the Department of Theology at Pan African Christian University (PAC) in Nairobi and author David M. Taylor discuss the importance of ministry experience, mentoring and supernatural impartation in the training and equipping of theology students.

Dr Moenga heads the three departments of the School of Theology at PAC University which trains and equips students from all over Africa on-site and online for effective ministry. He is also involved in hands-on ministry and church planting with his wife in Nairobi.  That is why it was such a privilege for us to have Dr Moenga as the Chief Guest of Honour at the launch of the book ‘Called+Empowered’ in Nairobi. In this interview, he shares his reactions to the book and his thoughts about the challenges of equipping students for practical supernatural ministry.

Summary of the conversation*

From his perspective as both a minister and a scholar of the Bible Dr Moenga highlights the book’s balanced approach emphasising its practicality for ministry. The discussion also touches on the importance of practical ministry and the potential gap between theological knowledge and hands-on ministry experience. Moenga emphasises the need for a holistic approach that combines theological understanding with practical application in ministry.

Additionally, the conversation delves into the challenges and misunderstandings surrounding supernatural ministry, including the potential for abuse and confusion. The guest and host discuss the importance of proper training and understanding when dealing with spiritual gifts and encounters.

IMPARTATION – is it biblical?

This discussion revolves around the importance of impartation of spiritual knowledge and gifts from one person to another in the biblical context. It begins by highlighting the issue of some leaders monopolizing spiritual discernment and knowledge, neglecting to pass it on to others.

The absence of mentorship models like Eli, Elijah, and Elisha is noted, leading to a “one-man show” approach in ministry. Dr. Moenga stress the need for every believer to recognize their role in the body of Christ and stresses the significance of impartation, drawing parallels between figures like Elijah and Elisha and the relationship between Paul and Timothy. The focus is on how leaders should impart spiritual gifts and knowledge to others, raising questions about whether this impartation is primarily a cognitive teaching process or has a spiritual dimension. As a theologian, Dr Moenga suggests that impartation includes both teaching and a spiritual element, referencing Paul’s desire to impart spiritual gifts in Romans and the practice of laying on of hands in Timothy’s case. Theological teaching, especially in the context of Romans, is seen as an important aspect of impartation.

FURTHER POINTS COVERED

Existence of Demons and Witchcraft: The participants emphasize that denying the existence of demons or witchcraft in Western culture or Africa does not make them cease to exist. They believe that these spiritual elements persist regardless of denial. David points out the true nature of witchcraft – manipulation – and how common that is throughout the church. Impact of Witchcraft on Development: Reference is made to an anthropologist’s book, “Why There Are No Skyscrapers in Africa,” (Signer 2004) which suggests that belief in witchcraft has hindered development efforts in Africa.

Pan-African Christian University (PAC): The conversation briefly touches on PAC, an academically robust institution with a focus on ministry and spiritual formation. The participants discuss the blend of academic and spiritual pursuits at PAC. Vision for the Future: The leader of PAC expresses a desire to enhance practical ministry training for students, incorporating practical components into various courses. They aim to equip students for ministry through hands-on experience.

Online Students & Admissions:
The discussion acknowledges opportunity for online students to join PAC. For local mentoring PAC assigns supervisors in the students’ local areas to facilitate practical assignments. Information about how to apply to PAC as a student is provided, emphasizing the accessibility of online learning.

Visions for Personal Ministry: The leader shares his vision for expanding his local church ministry beyond their current location, including church planting and mentoring others for ministry.

Challenges in Western Christianity: Dr. Moenga discusses the decline of Christianity in parts of Europe and the shallowness of African Christianity. The conversation touches on the importance of discipleship in addition to evangelism, with an emphasis on modeling Christ’s character and works.

Overall, the interview provides insights into the intersection of spirituality, academic training, and practical ministry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by the church in developing future leaders.

*Disclaimer: this summary is AI generated from the transcript and lightly edited.