Mission
Amplifying Voices in the Conversation
Several years ago, while attending a theology conference that included renowned scholars, emerging faculty, and doctoral students, I was struck by who was not present: non-Western Christian leaders. Too often, whether in the halls of conference centers or in the pages of journals, a vast majority of the body of Christ remains underrepresented. Among the… read more
Introduction
The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented disruption for global theological education. Within a few weeks, nearly all face-to-face instruction ceased around the world. Most schools scrambled to salvage the remainder of the term by moving into online learning environments. They used combinations of learning platforms, video conferencing and file sharing software, social media, and… read more
A Basic Checklist: Planning for the Coming Term
Educational Model for the Next Semester (or Two) Notes: For U.S. colleges this fall, Inside Higher Education has described 15 possibilities for reopening – three main categories with variations (e.g., delayed starts, hybrid approaches, etc.). Resume normal teaching on campus (with enhanced sanitation requirements and social distancing). Teach online in the fall, then resume normal… read more
Links for Further Reading
Spring/Summer 2020 Situation “Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis: Moving from Desperation to Hope in Theological Education” outlines the current state of theological education in the midst of the crisis, with special attention to schools located in the Majority World. It also points to opportunities and resources that may help schools move forward: https://insightsjournal.org/responding-to-the-covid-19-crisis-moving-from-desperation-to-hope-in-theological-education/. “Revised Outlook… read more
Atteindre la pérennité: Stratégie et planification de la formation théologique
Philippe Mélanchthon, le yin essentiel du yang de Martin Luther, a mené la réforme de l’éducation luthérienne. L’époque exigeait de nouveaux matériels et de nouvelles formes d’éducation, et ce qui absorba une grande partie de son attention depuis sa conférence inaugurale à Wittenberg en août 1518 jusqu’à sa mort en avril 1560. L’impact personnel de… read more
Tant de choses reposent sur la mission
William Carlos Williams a écrit le célèbre poème intitulé “Une brouette et des poulets.” Tant de choses dépendent de la brouette rouge vernie de pluie, à côté des poules blanches Avec des pauses irrégulières et un mépris des règles grammaticales, ces mots illustrent fidèlement l’image qui a laissé perplexe de nombreux élèves des lycées anglophones… read more
So Much Depends on Mission
William Carlos Williams penned the famous poem about a wheelbarrow and some chickens: so much depends upon the red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens With irregular breaks and a disregard for grammatical convention, these words paint a vivid picture that has stumped many a high school English student over the… read more
In Pursuit of Sustainability: Strategy & Planning for Theological Education
Philip Melanchthon, the essential yin to Martin Luther’s yang, led reformation of Lutheran education. The times demanded new educational materials and forms, and consumed much of his attention from his inaugural lecture at Wittenberg in August 1518 until his death in April 1560. Melanchthon’s personal impact was felt from primary levels through university. His final… read more
Faculty Development in Service to the Mission of the School
For greatest impact, each theological school must discern and articulate its unique mission within the broader purpose of theological education in service to the Church and the Kingdom of God. This mission then guides the strategy of the school, for which the faculty is perhaps the most essential resource as the means of achieving institutional… read more
On the Shoulders of Giants: Traditioned Innovation and Leading Change
Leaders of theological schools in the Majority World stand on a rich heritage. The growth of theological education has followed the growth of the church, albeit more slowly. In most places, schools have benefi tted from the investment of missionaries and the legacy of Western higher education. However, current contextual realities, as well as the… read more
