Academic Cluster

Introduction

The Micah Network recognises the important contributions that Christian academic institutions make to the field of integral mission. Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries continuously train and prepare Christian people to be the hands and feet of Christ around the world. The experiences of Christian relief, development and justice organisations (such as Micah Network members) in their respective fields can also provide helpful insights and research topics for those academic institutions and their students.

The Micah Network has created the Academic Cluster to provide opportunities for Christian academic institutions and Micah Network members to interact and learn from each other, and to provide a forum for reflection, discussion and writings on the subject of integral mission.

The Academic Cluster exists within the Micah Network with its own organising ability to maximise the positive interaction between academic and practitioner members. The Cluster embraces the aims of the Micah Network:

• Strengthening the capacity of participating agencies to make a biblically shaped response to the needs of the poor and oppressed.
• Speaking strongly and effectively regarding the nature of the mission of the Church to proclaim and demonstrate the love of Christ to a world in need.
• Prophetically calling upon and influencing the leaders and decision-makers of societies to "maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed and rescue the weak and needy."

The Academic Cluster is facilitated by Eastern University. Eastern is a Christian university of the arts and sciences dedicated through teaching, scholarship, service, spiritual formation, student development and societal involvement to the preparation of undergraduate and graduate students for thoughtful and productive lives of Christian faith and service. Eastern is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the northeast of the United States.

Membership

Academic institutions interested in becoming part of the Academic Cluster are invited to apply for associate membership of the Micah Network. As well as completing the online application form, we ask all academic institutions wishing to become members of Micah Network complete an academic survey.

Objectives

The Academic Cluster aims to provide a forum for exchange between academic institutions and integral Christian ministries around the world regarding:

• Integral mission
• Location and details of universities and seminaries, and the specific courses these institutions offer
• Articles and research on integral mission and related topics
• Research projects undertaken on sectoral terms, regional foci, organisational development, etc. by academic institutions with practitioner members

Goals

This page will serve several purposes:

• Advertise course offerings related to the field of integral mission
• Facilitate placement for students wanting to do research in Micah Network practitioner organisations around the world
• Assist researchers or students wanting to connect with Christian relief, development, and justice organisations
• Assist relief, development, or justice organisations wanting research analysis, or help with reflection on certain subjects
• Provide links to relevant articles or other research material
• Provide bibliographies for various subjects and sectors related to integral mission (i.e. community development, urban slums, micro-enterprise development, anthropology, contemporary mission strategies, incarnational ministries, and contemporary justice issues)
• Facilitate a discussion forum and message board for members of the Academic Cluster (password required)

Long-term goals

In the future, the Academic Cluster also hopes to:

• Publish a web journal where professionals can publish journal articles and reflections
• Publish a paper journal dedicated to integral mission

Join Us

If you are interested in joining the Academic Cluster, or contributing to the Cluster web page, please email Jane Furniss.