Transcript TRENDS IN GLOBAL THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION Belfast

Evangelical Theological Education
in a Globalised World
Dr. Paul Sanders, ICETE
Centre for Theological Education
Belfast, Northern Ireland UK
17-18 November 2009
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ICETE: a global community
linking eight continental/regional networks of
theological schools, under WEA auspices.
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OVERVIEW: Creative Tensions in Global E.T.E.
?
Evangelical
Distinctives
1. Beyond the West
2. Beyond
Identity Crisis
?
3. Beyond
Accreditation
?
Globalisation
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1. BEYOND THE WEST
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A Mega-Shift to the Global South and East
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Christianity: Where is the Heartland?
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Christianity has come full circle:
From its Middle Eastern origins
and its successes in the North and the West,
it has now become a predominantly non-Western
religion
(Andrew Walls, ICETE International Consultation,
Chiang Mai, Thailand, August 2006)
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This reminds us of the 1st century shift
from Jerusalem to Antioch
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Economic Solidarity:
Daughter church helping the mother congregation
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Polycentric Mission:
From everywhere to everwhere
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Contextual Theology:
New Answers for new contexts
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Today, the Centre of Evangelicalism is
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Neither in London, nor Denver, nor Sydney
But moving toward the Global South and East:
Sao Paulo, Kiev, Nairobi, Manila, Bangalore …
tomorrow Beijing
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Yet with great growth come new challenges
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In times of exceptional
growth, the Church may end
up being « kilometres wide
and only centimetres deep »
The challenge of biblical
discipleship, theological
grounding and practical
training of leaders is huge!
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But the answer is to this challenge is not a
globalised McSeminary or McBibleCollege…
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We don’t want « Theological Education » to be like
« Christian Science » !
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Christian Science is « neither Christian, nor
Science »
Sometimes « Theological Education » has
been « neither Theological, nor Educational »
We want to see, all over the world,
evangelical theological education growing
in breadth and in depth, theologically
rooted, professional and holistic.
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« Majority World » Encouragements
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Growing number of doctors in theology
World-class Graduate Schools of Theology
ICETE’s growth to 8 regions
The Africa Bible Commentary
Etc.
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2. BEYOND POST-COLONIAL IDENTITY CRISIS
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To Global Evangelical Identity
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Globalisation is both a Blessing and a Curse
Cultural Equilibration
A POTENTIAL BLESSING
Global flow of cultures
Introduction of innovations
Global Village!
A POTENTIAL CURSE
Creation of Virtual culture
Reinforcement of stereotypes
Amplification of prejudices
Adhere to old/resist new
Identity Crisis
Auto-equilibration
Endorse new culture
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Biblical/Theological
Parameters on Identity
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Creation – our unique fingerprint
Salvation – integrative spiritual
identity
Sanctification – transformed
identities
Glorification – ultimate/priority
identity
Our Spiritual Identity
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Aliens and Exiles on the
earth
In the world, but not of the
world
Pentecost, not Babel
World « Composite »
Christians
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This is the raison d’être of ICETE:
to be a global service community
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SO LET US CELEBRATE “GLOBAL” EVANGELICALISM AND
GLOBAL EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION !
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3. BEYOND ACCREDITATION & FELLOWSHIP
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The Concept of Service Network
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« Paracletic Accreditation » that comes
alongside to help schools
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Quality Assurance to the Churches of
Evangelical Core Values and Excellence
• Evangelical doctrine
• Practical ministry competency
• Spiritual formation
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Complements governmental or paragovernmental accreditation
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The Network Metaphor
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Common « language »
Common resources
Linking/Connecting
Coordination Structure
Voluntary use
...
Bi-Directional Enabling Networks
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A Network to Enable Networks
ICETE
Regional Network
Networks to Enable Schools
Regional Network
Members
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The « ICETE Gospel »
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4 Dimensions
CHURCH
SCHOOL
REGIONAL NETWORK
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
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1. The Church exists to serve & to reach the world
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2. The theological college exists to serve the
Church by helping equip leadership for the
Church’s global mission.
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How can the theological college serve its
constituent church(es)?
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By taking up with the Church the challenge of
the whole training task of the Church
LEVEL FOUR:
THEOLOGIANS,
DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS
LEVEL THREE:
PASTORS,
MINISTRY LEADERS,
MISSIONARIES
LEVEL TWO:
CHURCH-BASED LEADERSHIP
LEVEL ONE:
BASICBIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP
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3. The regional theological associations exist to
help support member college leadership in their
mission of serving the Church.
SPABC
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What Services can ICETE member associations
provide for their Member schools?
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Capacity building: professional
workshops
Professional Publications
Newsletters
Website services
Quality assurance &
development (accreditation)
Colloquia, Conferences
Etc.
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4. ICETE exists to encourage regional association
leadership for service to their associations and
the latter’s constituent Churches
SPABC
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What Services are needed in Global
Evangelical Theological Education?
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Professional Workshops for
Academic Deans
“Think Tanks” for Refocusing Regional
Networking
Triennial International Consultations
The ICETE worldwide Directory of
theological schools
The ICETE Manifesto
Strategic Interfaces: with Langham,
Overseas Council, Lausanne, etc.
Regional networks helping ICETE
Other initiatives under study…
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ICETE: a « docking station » providing a Continuum
of professional training services in close
collaboration with its partners and associates:
Increasing “professionalisation” of ETE:
 Faculty: GATE Faculty Development
Workshops
 Academic Officers: ICETE Deans’
Workshops
 Rectors & Presidents: OC Institute for
Excellence
 Governing boards: OC Institutes &
others
 Network Leaders: ICETE Colloquium IV
2009
 Network Boards: ICETE Think-Tank
facilitation
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ICETE International Consultation
5-9 October 2009, Sopron (Budapest) HUNGARY*
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