Ishmael Noko
Encyclopedia
Ishmael Noko is a southern African Lutheran priest who has been the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation
since 1995.
(now Zimbabwe
), Noko received his primary and high school education locally. He pursued his theological studies at the University of South Africa
in Pretoria, and at the University of Zululand
. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971, majoring in systematic theology
, church history and biblical studies
.
After his ordination
in 1972, he studied for a Master's degree at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon
, Saskatchewan, Canada, and completed in 1974 with a thesis on “Communion of Saints from the African Perspective.”
From 1974 until 1977, Noko studied at McGill University
in Quebec and earned his Ph.D. with a doctoral thesis on “The Concept of God in Black Theology: An Appreciation of God as Liberator and Reconciler.”
During his studies in Canada, Noko worked as a parish pastor and university lecturer. In late 1977, he accepted a lectureship at the University of Botswana
where, two years later, he was appointed head of the Department of Theology/Religious Studies. He also served for three years as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.
, the Organization of African Unity and other organizations.
Noko was appointed as general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation in June 1994, becoming the first African to hold the position in the LWF.
The Council of the Lutheran World Federation re-elected Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko for his second seven-year term as the LWF General Secretary, during the international meeting held in Geneva
Switzerland, September 1, 2004.
Reverend Noko took part in the theological discussions that led to the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
.
Lutheran World Federation
The Lutheran World Federation is a global communion of national and regional Lutheran churches headquartered in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. The federation was founded in the Swedish city of Lund in the aftermath of the Second World War in 1947 to coordinate the activities of the...
since 1995.
Biography
Born on 29 October 1943 in then RhodesiaRhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
(now Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
), Noko received his primary and high school education locally. He pursued his theological studies at the University of South Africa
University of South Africa
The University of South Africa is a distance education university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. With approximately 300 000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.-History:...
in Pretoria, and at the University of Zululand
University of Zululand
The University of Zululand has been designated to serve as the only comprehensive tertiary educational institution north of the uThukela River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Its new status is in accordance with South Africa's National Plan for Higher Education aimed at eradicating inequity and...
. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971, majoring in systematic theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, church history and biblical studies
Biblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
.
After his ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
in 1972, he studied for a Master's degree at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon
Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon
Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon is a degree-granting theological school affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan.The seminary was originally created to prepare candidates for Lutheran ministry in Western Canada. It is owned by the four synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada...
, Saskatchewan, Canada, and completed in 1974 with a thesis on “Communion of Saints from the African Perspective.”
From 1974 until 1977, Noko studied at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in Quebec and earned his Ph.D. with a doctoral thesis on “The Concept of God in Black Theology: An Appreciation of God as Liberator and Reconciler.”
During his studies in Canada, Noko worked as a parish pastor and university lecturer. In late 1977, he accepted a lectureship at the University of Botswana
University of Botswana
The University of Botswana, or UB was established in 1982 as the first institution of higher education in Botswana. The university has four campuses: two in the capital city Gaborone, one in Francistown, and another in Maun. The university is divided into six faculties: Business, Education,...
where, two years later, he was appointed head of the Department of Theology/Religious Studies. He also served for three years as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.
Lutheran World Federation Service
In May 1982, Noko was called from the University of Botswana to join the LWF Department for World Service (DWS) where he worked for refugee services related to the churches, the United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees , also known as The UN Refugee Agency is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees at the request of a government or the UN itself and assists in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to...
, the Organization of African Unity and other organizations.
Noko was appointed as general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation in June 1994, becoming the first African to hold the position in the LWF.
The Council of the Lutheran World Federation re-elected Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko for his second seven-year term as the LWF General Secretary, during the international meeting held in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
Switzerland, September 1, 2004.
Reverend Noko took part in the theological discussions that led to the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification is a document created by and agreed to by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation in 1999, as a result of extensive ecumenical dialogue...
.