Decolonisation of our minds: unearthing the truth

Pam Daniel is an assistant director of ordinands in Oxford Diocese and in the first year of her studies with CMS Pioneer Mission Training for an MA with a focus on African Christianity.

HH: Pam, what led you to study with us?

PD: I have always been interested in missions locally, geographically, and internationally. Having worked in ministry in different contexts, I began to appreciate doing mission in a variety of settings. I believe this enhances our understanding about the complexities and diversification of social stratification, cultural identity, race and ethnicity, ageism and gender.

I have done missions in Uganda working with church leaders and churches, South Africa, Benin, the Caribbean.

My life has been enriched by the vastness and the omnipotent power of God and prayer in the lives of people, and their hunger for the gospel of Christ in these nations.

I came across the course by sheer coincidence. I came across the advert and when I saw that it was specifically focused on African theology, I became excited and interested in finding out more about the contributions that my ancestors have made to Christianity. This developed within me a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to explore the MA course with a focus on African Christianity. I have studied theology previously but have never been able to explore in depth the significant wisdom, knowledge and contributions that my forefathers and mothers have made to Christianity, but at the same time have been denied visibility and recognition. As Christians, we all have a responsibility to share the gospel and to unearth the truth.

You have a particular interest in African Christianity and other African religions, can you tell us more?

I have studied theology and learned about different religions. I find it beneficial and enriching to work ecumenically and by doing so, we can learn so much from each other, develop respect for each other’s faith and thus develop good relationships based upon trust and love. As a Christian, I should be proud and courageous to tell the world about my faith. In the same way, my colleagues from other religions should be given the opportunity to share their faith.

One of the things that we don’t do well, is to listen attentively to people. We are far too busy, and can become very judgmental and condemning when someone does not meet our expectations, or share the same values or ideas.

I believe that one of the ways of building community and relationships is to listen to others, and give those who are marginalised the opportunity to be heard. Jesus is a good example of someone who listened attentively to those who were outcasts, marginalised and ostracised in society. If we follow his model when relating to people, we cannot go wrong.

My interest in African Christianity started several years ago – 20-plus years. I was involved in Black History Month projects and activities, and the Black theology forum at the Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham. More latterly my interest has deepened in proclaiming the gospel in Spirit and in truth.

Many Christians believe that Christianity is ‘a White man’s religion’, and missionaries from around the world took Christianity to Africa and the Caribbean to edify the people and to bring civilisation to the nations. However, this is so misleading and untrue. Although I hold a PhD in Divinity, I am just beginning to learn that Africa is at the root of Christianity. It’s as though the blindfolds have been removed from my eyes. Personally, I think the truth has to be uncovered, and through the process of transparency our lives would be transformed and our faith would be rooted and grounded in Christ. I believe this course has the propensity of enabling and empowering learners and decolonising their minds. In my view the decolonisation of our minds is profoundly powerful, but it is a gradual process. We have a long way to go, but it is important that we start now than later.

We’re only in the first term, but how are things going so far?

I wish I had started this course several years ago. It is not only inspiring, challenging, informative, but it enables you to develop a greater enthusiasm to learn new things, to be more appreciative of the knowledge, wisdom and resources that God has richly blessed us with.

I have learned a vast amount about African theology through the reading of Thomas Oden’s book, How Africa Transformed Christianity [also widely known as How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind]. I learned that Africa has profoundly transformed Christianity through the vital contributions of African forefathers and mothers historically through the development of doctrines and spiritual practices.

It is interesting to learn that key figures and arguably the most significant individuals in early Christian theology were North African: Athanasius, Origen and Clement, Augustine of Hippo, Tertullian…to name a few. This is such an amazing discovery for all students to learn about.

The course is demanding and requires a great deal of commitment, continuity and perseverance. I like the idea of supervision and one-to-one contact with personal tutors, as well as having an assigned chaplain to the course. It offers good pastoral care and practice.

I also like the opportunity to worship together and to fellowship on Zoom and off when appropriate.

It is also great to see the diversity of students from a variety of backgrounds and nations represented. I would like to see an increased representation from the Caribbean islands and there is a growing need for missionary work in the islands.

I’m glad things are going well for you so far. I understand you are retired; can you tell us about your work before retirement?

I see myself as semi-retired. Presently I work as an Assistant Director of Ordinands in the Diocese of Oxford. It’s a very rewarding area of ministry to journey and support ordinands throughout their vocation to ordained ministry. It is a huge privilege to see God working so magnificently in the lives of his chosen vessels, and their willingness to serve him wholeheartedly.

I also officiate as a priest at services in the diocese.

People say that I have a servant heart and a gift for prayer and intercession.

I guess that is true and I believe that I inherited those gifts from my late mother who served the Lord tirelessly. She was a staunch Anglican and a fiery intercessor. She loved the Lord and had a gift of sharing her Christian faith with the homeless. It is true to say that I have internalised some of her relational tactics when reaching out to the marginalised members of society.

You said in your application that you were interested in outreach to the marginalised, eg, homeless, women, and the elderly. Can you tell us more about this?

Prior to ordination in the Church of England, I worked in prison management and the education sector: teaching, lecturing and social work. My vocation to ordained ministry became more transparent during my work with prisoners and young offenders. I was a Christian and thought that I was carrying the light of Christ into a dark place (which I was), but I actually felt that they were showing me some qualities about the character of Christ. I also felt that God was using this opportunity to mould and build me for full-time ministry, which I did not know about at the time. 

In terms of full-time ministry, I was a minister in areas which were considered to be socially deprived areas.

In the parishes where I served, I came across many broken people who had lost all hope in life.

As I listened to their stories, I developed such a heart of compassion for them. A great part of my ministry was listening to, praying for them and sharing a meal/coffee with them. I began to seek the Lord about what I could do to help to meet the needs of these homeless people, women, lonely and elderly people, etc.

When the Lord spoke to me and instructed me to start a luncheon club for homeless people, I was extremely reluctant and diffident. He gave me the Scripture reading ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding’ (Proverbs 3:5).

On the authority in his word, I started a luncheon club for the homeless, followed by a women’s ministry and a coffee, tea and singing group for the elderly. I felt that on the outset of my ministry, I had a vocation to the poor, hungry and marginalised members of my parish. The ministries flourished and it filled me with joy to see God’s will, not mine, be done in the lives of his people. Today, I still have a heart for the poor and broken hearted. It’s a great reminder that Christ died for all of us irrespective of our status, culture or social class background. His love is freely given and freely received.

I have ministered in the UK where I trained for ordained ministry. More recently I have also ministered in the Caribbean. I have to confess that wherever I go in the world, I see that God’s mercies are new every morning and great is his faithfulness. 

How can we pray for you?

• I would like prayer for me to continue to serve the Lord until he says ‘well done my good and faithful servant’.
• Pray for my family and loved ones that they too will serve the Lord; he will meet them at their point of need.
• Pray for guidance by his Holy Spirit in the work that we do at CMS.
• Pray for grace and resilience for all the students and staff at CMS and their loved ones.
• Pray that the Lord will meet us all at our point of need this year and we will be filled with his joy and peace.

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