Multiple Cognitive Orientations (MCO)

The article proposes multiple cognitive orientations (MCO) as a learning theory for indigenized theological education and church leadership training. The author contends that ministry formation, both formal and informal, requires education methods and strategies that reflect sensitivity to local teaching practices. At the same time, they must also resonate with global understandings of theology, ministry, and pastoral practice. Indigenization is, therefore, an important part of the educational task. Multiple cognitive orientations identifies three branches of human cognitive processing. These branches include the conceptual, the psychical, and the concrete relational. After an explanation of each axis of human cognitive processing, the author then gives specific examples of the third axis, concrete relational processing, from his teaching experiences in formal theological education across eight countries in West Africa. He has also employed this learning theory in nonformal, online theological education in other parts of the world, including Eastern Europe, North Africa, as well as Central Asia.