I am amazed to see that the Evangelical Lutheran Bishop of Malawi, Joseph P. Bvumbwe, has organized an entire curriculum to teach people about the treatment of people with HIV/AIDS. As the title states, this handbook is a strong step for the Christian church in west Africa to take the lead on “breaking the silence on HIV/AIDS issues.” He uses Gospel and other biblical texts to support taking action and shedding light on what many Africans regard as a taboo subject.

The handbook refers to “Trainer of the Trainer” workshops that are organized by his church’s Diakonia Department. The term diakonia is one of five concepts of Christian curriculum that the author Maria Harris espouses in her book Fashion Me a People - Curriculum in the Church. Another of Harris’ concepts that is evident in the church’s HIV/AIDS handbook is koinonia. Throughout the book, the bishop continually stresses the importance of sharing each other’s burdens through learning and support that are formed within the community of the church.

It is also evident that the bishop is influenced by the education writings of Parker Palmer. This HIV/AIDS training program includes group assignments for discussion facilitators that build what Palmer describes as The Community of Truth. In this educational paradigm, the subject of the lesson is at the center, surrounded by students who are all actively engaged with each other and with the subject. This is in contrast to what I describe as a Socratic method of education - with the subject at the top, the expert as mediator of knowledge about the subject, and the students merely on the receiving end of the mediator’s knowledge. Bishop Bvumbwe does an excellent job of holding the facilitators and the students accountable for discussing the social, physical health, mental health, and theological issues concerning HIV/AIDS.

I am also impressed that the bishop encourages modifying this curriculum and relaying the information and including discussions with youth. He clearly acknowledges how this virus has affected families and children in the church and in the country. And he certainly takes a moral risk by advising that youths need to learn the various ways to protect themselves from HIV, including the use of condoms - and not only advocating abstaining from sexual activity.

I hope that Bishop Bvumbwe’s church recognizes the leap of faith he is taking in order to give people knowledge about HIV/AIDS. His actions empower people to take responsibility for their own behavior - to prevent the disease, not simply treat the disease. Thanks be to God!