A Case Study of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary
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THEOLOGICAL HIGHER EDUCATION IN LIBERIA: A CASE STUDY OF THE LIBERIA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Wilfred M. Manyango, B.S., Th.M. Dissertation Prepared for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS May 2012 APPROVED: V. Barbara Bush, Major Professor Marc Cutright, Committee Member Octavio Esqueda, Committee member Kathleen Whitson, Program Coordinator for Higher Education Jan Holden, Chair of the Department of Counseling and Higher Education Jerry R. Thomas, Dean of the College of Education James D. Meernik, Acting Dean of the Toulouse Graduate SchoolJames D. Meernik, Acting Dean of the Toulouse Graduate School Manyango, Wilfred M. Theological Higher Education in Liberia: A Case Study of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary. Doctor of Philosophy (Higher Education), May 2012, 203 pp., 3 tables, 16 illustrations, references, 70 titles. The Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS), opened on March 4, 1976, exists to train men and women for Christian ministry. It offers four-year degree programs leading to bachelor of arts in theology, bachelor of arts in religious education, and bachelor of divinity. Three major periods characterized its growth and development. The first, from 1976 to 1989, was a period of growth and prosperity. The second, from 1990-2003, was a time of immense challenge for the seminary because of the Liberian Civil War. The final period, from 2003 to the present, shows the seminary attempting to re-position itself for the future as a premier Christian higher education institution in Liberia. One of the challenges remaining, however, is the lack of historical documentation on factors impacting the growth of the seminary. This historical case study research sought to provide a comprehensive overview of the LBTS within the context of theological higher education in Liberia and the Liberian Civil War. The four major purposes guiding this research were: 1. Historical—to document and evaluate the rise, survival, developments and achievements of LBTS; 2. Institutional—to gain insight into how the seminary operates; 3. To document the effects of the 13-year civil war on the seminary; and 4. To identify the perceived challenges and needs of the seminary. Study participants included administrators, faculty, staff, students, graduates, and trustees, both past and present. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. With thorough analysis of all data, seven major themes surfaced: 1.The lack of funding and qualified national faculty; 2.The relationship between missionaries and nationals; 3. The need for partnership development nationally and internationally; 4. The strong impact of the civil war on the seminary; 5. Realignment of seminary mission; and 6. The need for Bible training center and seminary perseverance during the war. As the seminary positions itself for the future, it continues to experience need in the areas of financial and educational resources, Internet technology, and the acquisition of qualified national faculty. Copyright 2012 By Wilfred M. Manyango ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the following individuals for their support and encouragement in helping me complete my doctoral studies: My wife and life partner, Mother Mamie Nathaline, and our children (Benjamin, Wilfred II, and Abigail). Mother, your support, prayers, and encouragement over the years kept me going. I am truly indebted to you. I love you and thank you for being there for me. Ben, Wil, and Abby, I love you all. I hope you will follow daddy’s steps. My parents, Mr. and Mrs. William K. Manyango. Dad, I wished you were alive to see the fruit of your years of labor. Mom, your years of hard work and perseverance have paid off. You did all you could to make sure I attain an education. I love you. My parishioners at Anointed Body of Christ Church. Thank you for your prayers and belief in me that accomplishing this doctorate was possible. My committee members and especially my chair, Dr. V. Barbara Bush. Dr. Bush, thank you for being patient and understanding. You are an inspiration to me. Dr. D. Barry Lumsden. It was through your encouragement that I considered entering into the higher education program at UNT. Thank you brother. The Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary family and especially Revs. Alexander Brooks and Arnold Hill. Rev. Brooks, thanks for helping me through this work by supplying needed information. Rev. Hill, thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers for me. It was a blessing getting to know you. All of this would not have been possible without the strength from the Lord. To Him be all of the glory. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ....................................................................................................... viii Chapters 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 Brief History of Liberia Higher Education in Liberia Theological Higher Education in Liberia Statement of the Problem Purpose of the Study Significance of the Study Limitations Delimitations Research Questions Definition of Terms 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................31 History of Liberia The 13-year Civil War (1989-2003) Higher Education in Africa Theological Higher Education in Africa Higher Education in Liberia Theological Higher Education in Liberia Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary Theoretical Framework 3. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................45 Design Data Collection iv Data Analysis 4. FINDINGS .............................................................................................................53 Historical Roots, Milestones and Pre-Civil War Development of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary Seminary Development during the Civil War (1990-2003) Current Status of the Seminary (2003-Present) Themes Revealed by the Study Future of Theological Higher Education in Liberia War and Its Effects on Higher Education in Africa 5. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, DISCUSSIONS OF FINDINGS, IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSION ..........................................................................................121 Summary of Findings Discussion of Findings Implications of Findings Conclusions Appendices A. INTERVIEW GUIDE ..........................................................................................142 B. ITEMS FOR DOCUMENT ANALYSIS ............................................................146 C. PRESIDENT’S VISION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY .......................................148 D. LBTS ARTICLE OF INCORPORATION ..........................................................156 E. CONSTITUTON AND BY-LAWS OF THE LIBERIA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ...........................................................................161 F. CURRICULUM FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS ..................................................168 G. SEMINARY HYMN ...........................................................................................175 H. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................177 I. GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AT LBTS ........................................................180 J. CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP AND FACULTY AT LBTS ..............................................................................................................................182 v K. PROPOSED BUDGET FOR ACADEMIC FISCAL YEAR 2009 .....................186 L. FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF LBTS: 1979...............................................188 M. MISSION STATEMENT, VISION STATEMENT AND SEAL OF LBTS ......190 N. CURRENT MEMBERS OF LBTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES............................192 O. PRESIDENTS OF LBTS .....................................................................................194 P. APPROVAL LETTER TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AT LBTS .......................196 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................198 vi LIST OF TABLES Page 1. Categories of Higher Education Institutions in Liberia .....................................................17 2. Accredited Theological Higher Education Institution in Liberia ......................................24 3. Perceived Needs of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary .......................................140 vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Page 1. Providence Baptist Church, Monrovia Liberia ..................................................................59 2. Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Walker, First board of trustees chair ....................................................68 3. Rev. Bradley D. Brown, First elected president ................................................................68 4. Rev. J. Gbana Hall .............................................................................................................70 5. First graduates of the Seminary, 1979 ...............................................................................74 6. Rev. Dr. William R. Tolbert ..............................................................................................74 7. Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary entrance .................................................................76