Kevin Muriithi Ndereba (PhD, University of South Africa) is currently a Lecturer in Practical Theology at St. Paul's University, Kenya and a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, Stellenbosch University. His research engages with practical theology, pastoral and public theologies, faith formation, apologetics, faith and science, youth nonreligion and digital ecclesiology, with particular reference to African youth. He is an executive board member with the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM) and serves as the secretary of the Africa Society of Evangelical Theology (ASET).
Contemporary Christian ministry and theological education in Africa cannot neglect her children a... more Contemporary Christian ministry and theological education in Africa cannot neglect her children and young people. Engaging effectively with the children and youth in Africa’s cities presents a rising challenge to scholars and practitioners. In addition to the developmental issues surrounding children and youth, there are worldview issues at play among young people. Urban African cities like Nairobi contain a mixture of African traditional religious worldviews, modern worldviews, and postmodern worldviews. This means that Christian ministry with the emerging generations will often take an apologetic mode. The scholarly literature on apologetics in the continent is scanty. Further, much of the research is merely theoretical and lacks empirical insight from practical ministry. This article will use an empirical methodology among African church leaders to collect salient themes in the discipline and practice of apologetics and draw conclusions for ministry and theological education.
The Kenyan post-election violence of 2007 deepened the ethnic differences that have been growing ... more The Kenyan post-election violence of 2007 deepened the ethnic differences that have been growing for the past decades after independence. While the August 2022 elections revealed political maturity, the October 2017 re-elections indicated that the hostility was not a settled issue. Kenyan churches in the post-democratic space have courted with political alliances along ethnic blocs. Additionally, some of the protestant churches in Kenya such as Presbyterian, Methodist and Friends, are largely monoethnic despite their long history. To what extent can these churches follow the biblical vision of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic church? This topic has generated theological interest yet few have assessed the role of the youth in ethnic reconciliation. This article will 1) survey the issue of ethnicity and the church; 2) offer a biblical-theological reflection on ethnicity, and 3) suggest how an inclusive-congregational youth ministry model can revitalize ethnic reconciliation in the ch...
The shape of African Christianity is overly concerned with an otherworldly focus that fails
to c... more The shape of African Christianity is overly concerned with an otherworldly focus that fails
to consider the environmental concerns of Christian theology. Environmental theology
seeks to understand that creation, as God’s world, is crucial to Christian stewardship.
A triumphalist gospel ignores the Indigenous understanding of the environment and how
spirituality should be integrated in our daily lives. The contemporary and ecumenical necessity of environmental theology for the 21st century is similar to the task of liberation theology in the contemporary context of multiculturalism of the 20th century. Borrowing from various Christian traditions and Indigenous cultures, this paper will pursue an ecumenical focus to call the African church and academy to environmental justice by offering practical suggestions.
Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 2019
Youth ministry in Kenya is evolving. In the Presbyterian churches in Kenya for instance, new posi... more Youth ministry in Kenya is evolving. In the Presbyterian churches in Kenya for instance, new positions for full time youth workers show the increasing emphasis on youth work. However, youth workers in many of the Kenyan churches have not been trained in youth work. If trained, the curriculum of the institutions of training reveals a lacuna in a practical theological approach to youth work. This article argues that effective youth work lies at the nexus of theory, reflection and praxis, hence higher educational institutions and seminaries, in particular, must reconsider youth ministry education curriculum to meet the current state and need of youth in Africa. Using a desk study, this paper reviewed relevant literature regarding youth ministry in Higher education. Although Africa is seen as a young continent, yet many educational institutions lack curriculum that is contextualized for youth ministry. The practical theological approach of Richard Osmer is utilized in this paper by look...
This article explores fatherlessness within the Kenyan society, as well as its causes and effects... more This article explores fatherlessness within the Kenyan society, as well as its causes and effects. The article uses a practical theological methodology that unpacks the doctrine of reformed covenant theology (RCT) and its implications for strengthening the church’s ministries to young people and families within the context of fatherlessness in Kenya. The articles argues that RCT strengthens the individual’s self-concept in light of family dysfunction; restores a covenantal understanding of marriage with implications for marital and family life, and provides a context for covenant communities of faith to function as nurturing families for young people who have been abandoned or isolated through fatherlessness or father absence. This article suggests that RCT offers a robust theology that can anchor practical interventions within the scope of the church’s ministry to its young people as well as its families.
Youth ministry continues to be a salient focus area in theological research and practical ministr... more Youth ministry continues to be a salient focus area in theological research and practical ministry. This paper focuses on faith formation of young people in urban African cities, with a specific focus on Nairobi. Within the urban African context, plural worldviews and religious belonging, technological integration in youth culture, youth marginalization and mental health complexities, especially in a post-covid context, are critical factors in any meaningful youth engagement. This paper considers the contemporary youth ministry research in Africa, examining the classical youth ministry models that have been proposed and drawing out themes that should be considered for a holistic approach to faith formation among youth in African cities. This research summarizes research findings of the author from his doctoral research in Practical Theology at the University of South Africa, titled The Influence of Youth Culture on Holistic Faith Formation of Youth in Nairobi City: A Practical Theol...
This article explores how digital media culture affects young people in African cities in three m... more This article explores how digital media culture affects young people in African cities in three major areas. First, it leads to a shift in the area of knowledge and certainty; second, it leads to isolation and attendant mental health issues; third, it provides a bridge for engaging popular culture's philosophical and religious ideas that are propagated by new media. This article proposes that, to counter digital isolation or assimilation, Christian leaders are called to "wiseengagement" modelled after Paul's apologetic in Acts 17. The article offers practical considerations for engaging in the apologetic task among Africa's next gens (generations).
Faith formation is a crucial area in youth ministry. Although the area of apologetics may be a he... more Faith formation is a crucial area in youth ministry. Although the area of apologetics may be a helpful bridge, the theory and praxis of apologetics in the African context is scanty. The work of apologists such as William Lane Craig, John Frame, Ravi Zacharias, and John Lennox has responded to the post-Christian context of Europe and North America. Much needs to be done in light of the African contextual realities. Using a practical theological methodology, this paper considers how ubuntu apologetics – which honors both the cognitive and affective development of adolescents – can lead to holistic faith formation of African youth. This research paper will 1) consider youth ministry contextual realities in Kenya and Africa; 2) analyze foundational methods of apologetics; 3) utilize an ethnographic methodology in analyzing the data and 4) offer recommendations for youth ministry education and practice in Nairobi and Africa at large.
Governance and Christian Higher Education in the African Context, 2019
An increasing focus on infrastructure development as the backbone for Kenya’s vision 2030 presupp... more An increasing focus on infrastructure development as the backbone for Kenya’s vision 2030 presupposes an emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in order to guide the nation’s developmental and educational agenda. Yet the collapse of buildings has injured and killed many people. Although policy changes to supplement building standards have been proposed, the issue goes much deeper. The author proposes an integration of a biblical worldview with STEM disciplines so as to anchor students in their lives and practice. Several challenges to this proposal include (1) a syncretism that downplays the role of biblical authority for the STEM evangelical student and professional; (2) a dichotomy between STEM and a biblical worldview that sees them at odds; and (3) collapsing such a proposal to merely an abstract level. This paper seeks this integration in a bid to show how it can be practical and life-transforming for STEM practitioners and can impact theological institutions. This can be done through (1) developing a holistic worldview that sees STEM in the providential plan of God; (2) encouraging the investigation of technology and science within theological education; and (3) STEM evangelicals speaking about how their faith has a bearing on their life and practice. The effect of doing this for students would be a faith that is engaged with the technological context of the twenty-first century, with its underlying dependence on a scientific worldview; and, considering the long-term effect of proclaiming the gospel to STEM students, enriching theological education, as well as transforming the cultural contexts of our societies with a biblically informed worldview. The chapter begins by framing the topic within an African context; it then discuss issues surrounding integration of faith and STEM; and finally, it draws out implications for the Kenyan public university and theological education.
Contemporary Christian ministry and theological education in Africa cannot neglect her children a... more Contemporary Christian ministry and theological education in Africa cannot neglect her children and young people. Engaging effectively with the children and youth in Africa's cities presents a rising challenge to scholars and practitioners. In addition to the developmental issues surrounding children and youth, there are worldview issues at play among young people. Urban African cities like Nairobi contain a mixture of African traditional religious worldviews, modern worldviews, and postmodern worldviews. This means that Christian ministry with the emerging generations will often take an apologetic mode. The scholarly literature on apologetics in the continent is scanty. Further, much of the research is merely theoretical and lacks empirical insight from practical ministry. This article will use an empirical methodology among African church leaders to collect salient themes in the discipline and practice of apologetics and draw conclusions for ministry and theological education.
Many of the environmental crises in Africa such as deforestation, soil degradation and air pollut... more Many of the environmental crises in Africa such as deforestation, soil degradation and air pollution have arisen as a result of human-centered activities. These anthropogenic factors that affect the environment include changing demographics, technological advancement and policy measures. Further, they can be attributed to a high increase of urban dwellers from rural villages, causing a shortage of space that leads to labor-intensive practices, rapid industrialization that disregards environmental sustainability and an individualism that drives on a capitalistic economic system. The African Church has focused on other social issues at the expense of the environment, thereby eschewing the eschatological hope of Christian theology. The main thesis of this paper is that a creation-hermeneutic that is theo-centric and conversant with traditional ecological thought may offer a robust foundation for creation care. The writer will pursue a framework that 1) surveys environmental theology in the African context, 2) analyzes the global environmental crisis, 3) reclaims the ecological understanding from Gikuyu traditional thought and 4) concludes with four pointers for further engagement.
This article explores fatherlessness within the Kenyan society, as well as its causes and effects... more This article explores fatherlessness within the Kenyan society, as well as its causes and effects. The article uses a practical theological methodology that unpacks the doctrine of reformed covenant theology (RCT) and its implications for strengthening the church’s ministries to young people and families within the context of fatherlessness in Kenya. The articles argues that RCT strengthens the individual’s self-concept in light of family dysfunction; restores a covenantal understanding of marriage with implications for marital and family life, and provides a context for covenant communities of faith to function as nurturing families for young people who have been abandoned or isolated through fatherlessness or father absence. This article suggests that RCT offers a robust theology that can anchor practical interventions within the scope of the church’s ministry to its young people as well as its families.
Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, 2021
This essay problematizes worldview engagement in Africa from a Kenyan context. The author suggest... more This essay problematizes worldview engagement in Africa from a Kenyan context. The author suggests that robust youth engagement must straddle the traditional/animistic, modern, atheistic, and postmodern worldviews. The essay approaches the study using a practical theological methodology, which deepens the interplay of theory and praxis. In particular, the essay is grounded in Osmer’s approach which asks four questions. The first question is the descriptive-empirical question, “what is happening,” that explores the state of African youth ministry; the second question is the interpretive question, “why is this happening,” which unpacks worldview issues in the lives of young people; the third question is the normative question, “what ought to be happening,” and will engage Johannine Christology in John 4. The fourth question is the pragmatic question, which asks, “how can we apply this,” and offers recommendations for youth ministry practice and higher education.
The contemporary context creates complexities for the young person. These include the political a... more The contemporary context creates complexities for the young person. These include the political and socio-economic realities of African states, the cultural renaissance of Africanism and the reality of postmodernity. From both a practical theological perspective as well as experience in higher education, the author claims that ministers in the Presbyterian Church lack a missional perspective to the contemporary African (Kenyan) youth. The author proposes that theological education in Kenya must seriously consider youth ministry education. Second, Presbyterian ecclesiology must be missional minded by moving from an inward posture to a missional posture that considers the African (Kenyan) youth. This reflection will engage practical ministry and higher education experience, as well as an inter-disciplinary literature survey, to offer a missional perspective for the church and theological education.
Contemporary Christian ministry and theological education in Africa cannot neglect her children a... more Contemporary Christian ministry and theological education in Africa cannot neglect her children and young people. Engaging effectively with the children and youth in Africa’s cities presents a rising challenge to scholars and practitioners. In addition to the developmental issues surrounding children and youth, there are worldview issues at play among young people. Urban African cities like Nairobi contain a mixture of African traditional religious worldviews, modern worldviews, and postmodern worldviews. This means that Christian ministry with the emerging generations will often take an apologetic mode. The scholarly literature on apologetics in the continent is scanty. Further, much of the research is merely theoretical and lacks empirical insight from practical ministry. This article will use an empirical methodology among African church leaders to collect salient themes in the discipline and practice of apologetics and draw conclusions for ministry and theological education.
The Kenyan post-election violence of 2007 deepened the ethnic differences that have been growing ... more The Kenyan post-election violence of 2007 deepened the ethnic differences that have been growing for the past decades after independence. While the August 2022 elections revealed political maturity, the October 2017 re-elections indicated that the hostility was not a settled issue. Kenyan churches in the post-democratic space have courted with political alliances along ethnic blocs. Additionally, some of the protestant churches in Kenya such as Presbyterian, Methodist and Friends, are largely monoethnic despite their long history. To what extent can these churches follow the biblical vision of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic church? This topic has generated theological interest yet few have assessed the role of the youth in ethnic reconciliation. This article will 1) survey the issue of ethnicity and the church; 2) offer a biblical-theological reflection on ethnicity, and 3) suggest how an inclusive-congregational youth ministry model can revitalize ethnic reconciliation in the ch...
The shape of African Christianity is overly concerned with an otherworldly focus that fails
to c... more The shape of African Christianity is overly concerned with an otherworldly focus that fails
to consider the environmental concerns of Christian theology. Environmental theology
seeks to understand that creation, as God’s world, is crucial to Christian stewardship.
A triumphalist gospel ignores the Indigenous understanding of the environment and how
spirituality should be integrated in our daily lives. The contemporary and ecumenical necessity of environmental theology for the 21st century is similar to the task of liberation theology in the contemporary context of multiculturalism of the 20th century. Borrowing from various Christian traditions and Indigenous cultures, this paper will pursue an ecumenical focus to call the African church and academy to environmental justice by offering practical suggestions.
Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 2019
Youth ministry in Kenya is evolving. In the Presbyterian churches in Kenya for instance, new posi... more Youth ministry in Kenya is evolving. In the Presbyterian churches in Kenya for instance, new positions for full time youth workers show the increasing emphasis on youth work. However, youth workers in many of the Kenyan churches have not been trained in youth work. If trained, the curriculum of the institutions of training reveals a lacuna in a practical theological approach to youth work. This article argues that effective youth work lies at the nexus of theory, reflection and praxis, hence higher educational institutions and seminaries, in particular, must reconsider youth ministry education curriculum to meet the current state and need of youth in Africa. Using a desk study, this paper reviewed relevant literature regarding youth ministry in Higher education. Although Africa is seen as a young continent, yet many educational institutions lack curriculum that is contextualized for youth ministry. The practical theological approach of Richard Osmer is utilized in this paper by look...
This article explores fatherlessness within the Kenyan society, as well as its causes and effects... more This article explores fatherlessness within the Kenyan society, as well as its causes and effects. The article uses a practical theological methodology that unpacks the doctrine of reformed covenant theology (RCT) and its implications for strengthening the church’s ministries to young people and families within the context of fatherlessness in Kenya. The articles argues that RCT strengthens the individual’s self-concept in light of family dysfunction; restores a covenantal understanding of marriage with implications for marital and family life, and provides a context for covenant communities of faith to function as nurturing families for young people who have been abandoned or isolated through fatherlessness or father absence. This article suggests that RCT offers a robust theology that can anchor practical interventions within the scope of the church’s ministry to its young people as well as its families.
Youth ministry continues to be a salient focus area in theological research and practical ministr... more Youth ministry continues to be a salient focus area in theological research and practical ministry. This paper focuses on faith formation of young people in urban African cities, with a specific focus on Nairobi. Within the urban African context, plural worldviews and religious belonging, technological integration in youth culture, youth marginalization and mental health complexities, especially in a post-covid context, are critical factors in any meaningful youth engagement. This paper considers the contemporary youth ministry research in Africa, examining the classical youth ministry models that have been proposed and drawing out themes that should be considered for a holistic approach to faith formation among youth in African cities. This research summarizes research findings of the author from his doctoral research in Practical Theology at the University of South Africa, titled The Influence of Youth Culture on Holistic Faith Formation of Youth in Nairobi City: A Practical Theol...
This article explores how digital media culture affects young people in African cities in three m... more This article explores how digital media culture affects young people in African cities in three major areas. First, it leads to a shift in the area of knowledge and certainty; second, it leads to isolation and attendant mental health issues; third, it provides a bridge for engaging popular culture's philosophical and religious ideas that are propagated by new media. This article proposes that, to counter digital isolation or assimilation, Christian leaders are called to "wiseengagement" modelled after Paul's apologetic in Acts 17. The article offers practical considerations for engaging in the apologetic task among Africa's next gens (generations).
Faith formation is a crucial area in youth ministry. Although the area of apologetics may be a he... more Faith formation is a crucial area in youth ministry. Although the area of apologetics may be a helpful bridge, the theory and praxis of apologetics in the African context is scanty. The work of apologists such as William Lane Craig, John Frame, Ravi Zacharias, and John Lennox has responded to the post-Christian context of Europe and North America. Much needs to be done in light of the African contextual realities. Using a practical theological methodology, this paper considers how ubuntu apologetics – which honors both the cognitive and affective development of adolescents – can lead to holistic faith formation of African youth. This research paper will 1) consider youth ministry contextual realities in Kenya and Africa; 2) analyze foundational methods of apologetics; 3) utilize an ethnographic methodology in analyzing the data and 4) offer recommendations for youth ministry education and practice in Nairobi and Africa at large.
Governance and Christian Higher Education in the African Context, 2019
An increasing focus on infrastructure development as the backbone for Kenya’s vision 2030 presupp... more An increasing focus on infrastructure development as the backbone for Kenya’s vision 2030 presupposes an emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in order to guide the nation’s developmental and educational agenda. Yet the collapse of buildings has injured and killed many people. Although policy changes to supplement building standards have been proposed, the issue goes much deeper. The author proposes an integration of a biblical worldview with STEM disciplines so as to anchor students in their lives and practice. Several challenges to this proposal include (1) a syncretism that downplays the role of biblical authority for the STEM evangelical student and professional; (2) a dichotomy between STEM and a biblical worldview that sees them at odds; and (3) collapsing such a proposal to merely an abstract level. This paper seeks this integration in a bid to show how it can be practical and life-transforming for STEM practitioners and can impact theological institutions. This can be done through (1) developing a holistic worldview that sees STEM in the providential plan of God; (2) encouraging the investigation of technology and science within theological education; and (3) STEM evangelicals speaking about how their faith has a bearing on their life and practice. The effect of doing this for students would be a faith that is engaged with the technological context of the twenty-first century, with its underlying dependence on a scientific worldview; and, considering the long-term effect of proclaiming the gospel to STEM students, enriching theological education, as well as transforming the cultural contexts of our societies with a biblically informed worldview. The chapter begins by framing the topic within an African context; it then discuss issues surrounding integration of faith and STEM; and finally, it draws out implications for the Kenyan public university and theological education.
Contemporary Christian ministry and theological education in Africa cannot neglect her children a... more Contemporary Christian ministry and theological education in Africa cannot neglect her children and young people. Engaging effectively with the children and youth in Africa's cities presents a rising challenge to scholars and practitioners. In addition to the developmental issues surrounding children and youth, there are worldview issues at play among young people. Urban African cities like Nairobi contain a mixture of African traditional religious worldviews, modern worldviews, and postmodern worldviews. This means that Christian ministry with the emerging generations will often take an apologetic mode. The scholarly literature on apologetics in the continent is scanty. Further, much of the research is merely theoretical and lacks empirical insight from practical ministry. This article will use an empirical methodology among African church leaders to collect salient themes in the discipline and practice of apologetics and draw conclusions for ministry and theological education.
Many of the environmental crises in Africa such as deforestation, soil degradation and air pollut... more Many of the environmental crises in Africa such as deforestation, soil degradation and air pollution have arisen as a result of human-centered activities. These anthropogenic factors that affect the environment include changing demographics, technological advancement and policy measures. Further, they can be attributed to a high increase of urban dwellers from rural villages, causing a shortage of space that leads to labor-intensive practices, rapid industrialization that disregards environmental sustainability and an individualism that drives on a capitalistic economic system. The African Church has focused on other social issues at the expense of the environment, thereby eschewing the eschatological hope of Christian theology. The main thesis of this paper is that a creation-hermeneutic that is theo-centric and conversant with traditional ecological thought may offer a robust foundation for creation care. The writer will pursue a framework that 1) surveys environmental theology in the African context, 2) analyzes the global environmental crisis, 3) reclaims the ecological understanding from Gikuyu traditional thought and 4) concludes with four pointers for further engagement.
This article explores fatherlessness within the Kenyan society, as well as its causes and effects... more This article explores fatherlessness within the Kenyan society, as well as its causes and effects. The article uses a practical theological methodology that unpacks the doctrine of reformed covenant theology (RCT) and its implications for strengthening the church’s ministries to young people and families within the context of fatherlessness in Kenya. The articles argues that RCT strengthens the individual’s self-concept in light of family dysfunction; restores a covenantal understanding of marriage with implications for marital and family life, and provides a context for covenant communities of faith to function as nurturing families for young people who have been abandoned or isolated through fatherlessness or father absence. This article suggests that RCT offers a robust theology that can anchor practical interventions within the scope of the church’s ministry to its young people as well as its families.
Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, 2021
This essay problematizes worldview engagement in Africa from a Kenyan context. The author suggest... more This essay problematizes worldview engagement in Africa from a Kenyan context. The author suggests that robust youth engagement must straddle the traditional/animistic, modern, atheistic, and postmodern worldviews. The essay approaches the study using a practical theological methodology, which deepens the interplay of theory and praxis. In particular, the essay is grounded in Osmer’s approach which asks four questions. The first question is the descriptive-empirical question, “what is happening,” that explores the state of African youth ministry; the second question is the interpretive question, “why is this happening,” which unpacks worldview issues in the lives of young people; the third question is the normative question, “what ought to be happening,” and will engage Johannine Christology in John 4. The fourth question is the pragmatic question, which asks, “how can we apply this,” and offers recommendations for youth ministry practice and higher education.
The contemporary context creates complexities for the young person. These include the political a... more The contemporary context creates complexities for the young person. These include the political and socio-economic realities of African states, the cultural renaissance of Africanism and the reality of postmodernity. From both a practical theological perspective as well as experience in higher education, the author claims that ministers in the Presbyterian Church lack a missional perspective to the contemporary African (Kenyan) youth. The author proposes that theological education in Kenya must seriously consider youth ministry education. Second, Presbyterian ecclesiology must be missional minded by moving from an inward posture to a missional posture that considers the African (Kenyan) youth. This reflection will engage practical ministry and higher education experience, as well as an inter-disciplinary literature survey, to offer a missional perspective for the church and theological education.
Uploads
to consider the environmental concerns of Christian theology. Environmental theology
seeks to understand that creation, as God’s world, is crucial to Christian stewardship.
A triumphalist gospel ignores the Indigenous understanding of the environment and how
spirituality should be integrated in our daily lives. The contemporary and ecumenical necessity of environmental theology for the 21st century is similar to the task of liberation theology in the contemporary context of multiculturalism of the 20th century. Borrowing from various Christian traditions and Indigenous cultures, this paper will pursue an ecumenical focus to call the African church and academy to environmental justice by offering practical suggestions.
to consider the environmental concerns of Christian theology. Environmental theology
seeks to understand that creation, as God’s world, is crucial to Christian stewardship.
A triumphalist gospel ignores the Indigenous understanding of the environment and how
spirituality should be integrated in our daily lives. The contemporary and ecumenical necessity of environmental theology for the 21st century is similar to the task of liberation theology in the contemporary context of multiculturalism of the 20th century. Borrowing from various Christian traditions and Indigenous cultures, this paper will pursue an ecumenical focus to call the African church and academy to environmental justice by offering practical suggestions.