wfn.org | Africa University gets chair of Christian education

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

March 12, 1999  News media contact: Tim Tanton*(615)742-5470*Nashville,
Tenn. 10-31-71BP{134}

NOTE: Photographs will be available with this story.

By Kathy Gilbert*
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - A chair in Christian education has been
established at Africa University, honoring two women who were pioneers in
that field.

The news was announced at a March 9 banquet in Nashville by the Section of
Deacons and Diaconal Ministries of the United Methodist Board of Higher
Education and Ministry, in partnership with the Christian Educators
Fellowship and Africa University.  

The Goddard-Johnson Chair of Christian Education will be in the university's
faculty of theology and will be fully endowed at $500,000. It is named in
memory of Carrie Lou Goddard and in honor of Ethel R. Johnson. Goddard died
Feb. 25. 
"Ethel Johnson and Carrie Lou Goddard have served the church in significant
ways," said Jimmy L. Carr, the board's staff executive for the section of
deacons. "They are beacons to the thousands of students they taught. I can
think of no better way to celebrate their lives and ministries as premier
Christian educators than by having a chair at a major university named for
them.""The development of Africa University is clearly one of the most
exciting endeavors of the United Methodist Church," said Cheryl Luce,
president of the fellowship's board of directors. "Establishing a chair of
Christian education at Africa University will lead to unique and creative
directions in teaching and learning for the university students."
"The church grows when leadership is indigenous." said Bobbie McMullen of
Ojai, Calif., in announcing a major gift on behalf of herself and her
husband, John.
 Johnson is a former professor of Christian education at Methodist
Theological School in Ohio. Since retiring, she has given extensive time to
the church by providing leadership and training in Christian education in
the African countries of Zimbabwe, Liberia, Nigeria and Kenya.Goddard was a
former professor of Christian education at Scarritt College in Nashville.
She began her professional career as an elementary teacher, then became an
editor of children's curriculum at the United Methodist Publishing House
before joining the faculty at Scarritt."Carrie Lou was a woman ahead of her
time in many ways," said Barbara Garcia, assistant to Nashville Area Bishop
Kenneth Carder, in a tribute to Goddard at the banquet. "Her students came
to know what it meant to be 'freed up to learn,' or even more stunningly,
that they had something to teach the teacher. She knew that teaching and
learning danced together if found in a context of deep respect for one
another. Such holy recognition and respect for relationship frees the mind
and the heart to ask and search, learn and grow, give and receive."
Charles Foster, associate dean and professor of Christian education at
Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, paid tribute to Johnson. "As we honor
Ethel Johnson this evening, let us also honor her vision of Christian
education -- the family of God for all ages, races, cultures, and classes
gathered around the table seeking to do justice and to love all creation
completely and competently."Johnson, who attended the banquet, responded. "I
am humbled and honored to have been chosen for this honor," she said. "I do
what I do because it is God's will, and I can do no other. 

"In Africa, the churches are filled with children and young people," she
continued. "It is important to give them a foundation in Christian education
because most of the churches are not going to have a director of Christian
education as paid staff. Therefore, it is up to the pastor to have the
training and to train the lay members in the church. I see Christian
education as much more than Sunday school."Professor Rukudzo Murapa, vice
chancellor of Africa University, emphasized the need for Christian
education. "If there are areas of great need in theological education and
ministerial formation in Africa today, the area of Christian education is
one of the top priorities. While we still need to develop the area of
evangelism and discipleship, it is also imperative to nurture local churches
in Christian faith and values."Africa University is the only United
Methodist-related, degree-granting university approved by the General
Conference for all of Africa. It is in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, and is the
first fully accredited private institution in the country. It has five
faculties or colleges, including theology, education, agriculture and
natural resources, management and administration, and humanities and social
sciences.
# # # 
*Gilbert is a staff member in the Office of Interpretation for the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

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