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INTRODUCTION
We live in a world where religion is becoming more and more accepted, held andarticulated. Almost everybody has a theological opinion not only to hold forthemselves but also to articulate for others to consume. This means that thefundamental theological motivations and principles that underpins our Wesleyanbeliefs, which are built on sound Scriptural engagement, clear reasoning, churchtradition and experience have to be revisited, revised and appropriated to ourcontemporary context. Our founder John Wesley who is our guiding light forministerial formation taught us that:
Scripture, reason, and experience jointly testify, inasmuch as the corruption of nature is earlier than ourinstructions can be, we should take all pains and care to counteract corruption as early as possible (Wesley1872,7:459).
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Intro…….
Therefore the Methodist theological beliefs have to be taught continuously forthem to be embodied and practiced by the Methodist people. But for us to be ableto do this we need well formed transformative leaders and teachers, to counter theproduction and consumption of popular, simplistic toxic theologies and theirpractices, that are rapidly taking over the contemporary religious landscape.
SMMS was founded and mandated by the MCSA to form such leaders for thechurch and nation. I have the privilege of standing here to share with you a reportof the work of this institution which is your institution.
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Mission
To contribute to the transformation of our
society by providing high quality theological
education that promotes excellence in
ministerial formation, scholarship, research
selfless and ethical service to the community.
Motto, Slogan & Hymn
MottoForming transforming leaders
Latin: Eique princepes formatam
Slogan
“Forming the leaders we've been waiting for”
Latin: Nam principes non sunt vultus enim formatam
Hymn
Nkosi Sikelelai Izwe Lakowethu iAfrica
404 MHB
Academic programmeResidential programmes
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Category Number of studentsTotal number of students 109 Students
Denominations99 Methodists
9 UCCSA
1 Pentecostal
Nationality
103 South Africans
2 Swaziland
1 Namibia
1 Angolan
2 Mozambique
Gender78 Men
31 Women
Equity94 Black
8 White
7Coloured
Private/Non-private38 Non-private (Probationers)
71 (62 Private, 9 UCCSA)
Programmes – full time
46 Diploma
56 Degree
6 Honours at UKZN
1 Formation Internship Programme
DISTANCE EDUCATION
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HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Category Number of students
Total number of registered students 115 Students
Drop-outs57 Students
Current students61 students
Gender 32 Men
83 Women
Equity85 Black
1 White
29 Coloured
DISTANCE EDUCATION
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Total number of registered students 133 Students
Current students 65 Students
Drop-outs 68 students
Gender 90 Men
43 Women
Equity 125 Black
8 Coloured
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE IN MINISTRY (CCM)
NEW GRAND CHANCELLOR
“Justice Moseneke is a highly respected and experienced leader both in the secular sphere and within the MCSA. Now that he
is retired, he may have more time to help with positioning SMMS.”
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WELCOME JUSTICE DIKGANG MOSENEKE
Peter storey lecture
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Justice Moseneke challenged the church to rediscover
the prophetic role
GRADUATION
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20 seminarians graduated, 13 with degrees and 7 with diplomas
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
CIHA Blog Conference (19-20 October 2016)Religion, Governance, and Humanitarianism in Africa
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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
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International Summer School (27 Feb – 1 March 2017)
Transformative Religion: Religion as Situated Knowledge in Processes of Social
Transformation
PUBLIC LECTURES
• A Call for a Decentered Church by Prof TrygveWyller from Univ. of Oslo, Norway
• Mythological Dimensions of Afrocentrism byProf Jean Jacques Sene from MachanUniversity, US.
• If you don’t write history, History will writeyou out by Dr Elizabeth Williams fromUniversity of London.
• Towards a decentred church
• Human Dignity and Human Rights in the Lightof the Gospel
• Lecture on Nokuthela Dube, by Prof C Keits,US.
• Chaplaincy expo
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PARTNERSHIPS
1. Women’s Manyano by supporting the Seminary financially and the training of minister’sspouses for their role in the MCSA.
2. Black Methodist Consultation in the development of the African Studies Programme. We hostinternational scholars (e.g Dr E. Williams and Prof Jaques-Sene)
3. Music Association in the development of the music programme at the Seminary, give us giftsannually, bought instruments and offered a bursary to a private Seminarian to coordinatemusic.
4. Evangelists and Biblewomen give us a modest donation every year without fail thanks to RevFreemantle.
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CLUSTER PARTNERSHIPS
• We continue with our partnership with the Cluster of Theological Institutions.
• We mourn the collapse of the Lutheran Theological Institute
• We hold on to our partnership with St Josephs-Catholic.
• Negotiations with UKZN in sharing resources such as students and teachers intentionally to begin next week.
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INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
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• Perkins School of Theology (Southern Methodist University)
• Duke Divinity School
• Candler School of Theology (Emory University)
• Vanderbilt School of Theology
• Wesley House, University of Cambridge.
SMMS as a PREFERRED SITE for field education
An agreement has been reached withour international partners for SMMS tobe their site of placement of theirstudents for field education. This yearwe have for the first time in the historyof the institution hosted two Mastersstudents from Emory University. Whostudied with us for 8 weeks.
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SEMINARY VEHICLE PURCHASED
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COMMEMORATING 500 YEARS OF THE REFORMATION
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31 July - 6 August
FOOD SOVEREIGNITY PROJECT
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Project legacy builders fundraising gala dinner
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20 May
Project legacy builders success story
243 Isabel Beardmore Avenue
Project raised R1, 25m for this house for student accommodation
CONCLUSION
Challenges:
1. Relationships amongst staff members
2. Dropouts from the distance programmes
3. Student accommodation
Gratitude to:
1. MCSA for continued support
2. WM Manyano
3. Evangelists and Biblewomen
4. Circuits that have visited SMMS and their donations
5. WM & Connexional Music Association for yearly financial donation
6. Project Legacy team
7. Individuals and groups who support SMMS in varied ways
8. You are invited to visit us our website (www.smmms.ac.za) and also physically to see what we do, worship with us and also listen to God’s voice encouraging you to support us.
God bless you & May God Bless the SMMS
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