Theological education of women leaders in the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA)

The phenomenal growth of Christianity in Africa is well known. Along with this is the persistent leadership challenge that pervades the political, economic and religious scenes on the continent. Consolidation of the gains made by the church is threatened by limited mature Christian leadership. Current research suggests that the majority of the pastors of local churches in Africa have limited formal theological training to meet the challenge of nurturing members in God's word.;However, there is a deeper and more insidious challenge confronting the church which is scarcely mentioned. Women comprise 60 and even up to 80% of the population of the church in some areas. In Africa, women are less educated than men and the culture tends to denigrate women. If the church faces a crisis of leadership among its employed personnel, the challenge for women leaders who are simply volunteers and not as educated is tremendously magnified. This study examines the implications of limited formal theological education of women leaders in the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) and its implication on future leadership development of the church.;The study inquired of the women leaders how they perceived the need for formal theological education for women leaders, the adequacy of their preparation for leadership, how women leaders respond to challenges that threaten the goals of the fellowship and the church, and what actions they would recommend to improve leadership effectiveness in the fellowship.;The research reveals that women had healthy self-perceptions in spite of the odds against them. They saw themselves as the “backbone” of the church contributing to the spiritual and economic sustenance of the Church. However, they carried out the responsibility at great personal cost. The research reveals that women leaders perceive formal theological education important for preparing women for leadership in the women's fellowship. The study reveals that the relationship between church leaders and women leaders determines the effectiveness of women leaders in achieving the goals of the fellowship and the church. Women play such significant roles that the survival of the church in the next generation is impacted by how well the church today handles the issues of women leadership.