Asian Forum For Theological Education (AFTE)
WOCATI/AFTE JOINT CONSULTATION
Re-visioning and Re-shaping Theological Education
in the Contemporary World
Date: July 1-5, 2013
Venue: Torch Trinity Graduate University
Venue address: Torch Trinity Graduate University
55 Yangjae-Dong, Sucho-Gu, Seoul 137-889, Korea
Telephone: +82 2 570 7379 Email: torch@ttgu.ac.kr
Introduction of WOCATI, AFTE, and Participants:
Monday, July 1 – Welcoming and reception
Arrival of Participants
5:00-6:00p.m. Session 1: Welcome and Introduction
President of WOCATI: Dr. Namsoon Kang
Moderator of AFTE: Dr. Po Ho Huang
Words of Greetings from ETE/WCC: Dr. Dietrich Werner
(In absentia)
6:00-8:00p.m. Session 2: Dinner Reception
Welcoming Remarks: President of Torch Trinity Graduate University: Dr. Sang-bok David Kim
Tuesday, July 2 –Key Issues in Theological education today
Moderator of the Day: Dr. Po Ho Huang
7:00-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30-9:00 a.m. Morning Reflection: Dr. Edmund Chia
9:00-9:30 a.m Session 3: Revisioning and Key Issues in Theological Education in Asia: Ecumenical Context
Presenter: Dr. Po Ho Huang
Moderator: Dr. Mike Choi
9:30-10:00 a.m Questions and Discussion
10:00-10:30 a.m. Break
10:30-11:00 a.m Session 4: Key Issues in Theological Education in Korean Context
Presenter: Dr. Duk Ki Kim
11:00-11:30 a.m Questions and Discussion
11:30-12:00 p.m Session 5: Key Issues in Theological Education in Global Context
Presenter: Dr. Namsoon Kang
12:00-12:30p.m Questions and Discussion
12:30-2:00 p.m Lunch
2:00-2:30 p.m Session 6: Key Issues in Theological Education in South African
Context
Presenter: Dr. Marilyn Naidoo
2:30-3:00 p.m. Questions and Discussion
3:00-3:30 p.m Break
3:30-4:30p.m Session 7: Panel Discussion on AFTE: Mission of Theological Education in Asia
Panelists: Drs. Manfred Kohl, Edmund Chia, & Joseph Shao
4:30-6:00 p.m. Session 8: Organizational Group Discussion I
WOCATI, AFTE, KAATS
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Wednesday, July 3 reshaping theological education: Curricular and programs
Moderator of the Day: Dr. Namsoon Kang
7:00-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30-9:00 a.m. Morning Reflection: Dr. David Hewlett
9:00-9:30 a.m Session 9: Revisioning Theological Education: Curricular and Programs
Presenter: Dr. Daniel Aleshire
9:30-10:00 a.m. Questions and Discussion
10:00-10:30a.m. Break
10:30-11:15 a.m. Session 10: Revisioning Theological Education in Ecumenical Context:
Report from the ETE Round Table in Hamburg 2013 and Ideas for the Future
Presenters: Dr. David Esterline
11:15-11:30 p.m. Questions and Discussion
11: 30-12: 30pm Session 11: Conversation with Presidents of KAATS Member Schools
Sooil Chai (Hanshin Univ.)
Hea Chul Kim (Luther Univ.),
Min Gyoo Shin (Korea Nazarene Univ),
Suk Sung Yu (Seoul Theological Univ),
12:30-2:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00-2:30 p.m. Session 12: Case Study--Theological Education in Multi-Religious Context
Presenter: Dr. K. Samuel Lee
2:30-3:00 p.m. Questions and Discussion
3:00-3:30p.m. Session 13: WCC Busan Assembly and Three Major Projects: GETI, Ecumenical Conversation on Theological Education, and Madang Program
Presenters: Drs. Mohan Larbeer and David Esterline
3:30-4:00 p.m. Questions and Discussion
4:00-4:30 p.m. Break
4:30-6:00 p.m. Session 14: Organizational Group Discussion-II
WOCATI, AFTE, KAATS
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Thursday, July 4 Re-visioning theological education—organizational and institutional
Moderator of the Day: Dr. Jung Sook Lee
7:00-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30-9:00 a.m. Morning Reflection: Dr. Steven S. H. Chang
9:00-10:00 a.m. Session 15: Organizational Discussion Reports on New Vision
10:00-10:30 a.m. Questions and Discussion
10:30-11:00 a.m. Break
11:00-11:30 a.m. Session 16: Special Forum
WCC Assembly and Its Implication on Theological Education
Presenter: Dr. Sung-Kook Park
11:30-12:00 Questions and Discussion
12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00-6:00 p.m. Cultural Exposure
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Friday, July 5 Re-visioning theological education—Strategies and actions
Moderators of the Day: Drs. Po Ho Huang & Namsoon Kang
7:00-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30-9:00 a.m. Morning Reflection: Dr. Yeong Mee Lee
9:00-9:30 a.m. Session 17: Report from Listener
Dr. David Esterline
9:30-11:00 p.m. Session 18: Plenary Discussion
Revisioning Theological Education: Strategic Formation and Action Plans
11:00-11:20 p.m. Closing
11:20 pm Lunch and Adjournment
Participants
WOCATI
Namsoon Kang President, WOCATI
Prof. Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University
TCU Box 298130, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA
Daniel O. Aleshire Consultant, WOCATI
Executive Director, ATS
(Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada)
10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1110, USA
David Esterline Prof. McCormick Theological Seminary
5460 S. University Avenue
Chicago, IL 60615, USA
David Hewlett Principal, Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education
Somerset Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B 15 2QH, UK
Riad Kassis International Director, International Council for Evangelical Theological Education
P.O. Box 325, Zahle, Lebanon
K. Samuel Lee Prof. Claremont School of Theology & Claremont Lincoln University
1325 N. College Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711
Sung-Kook Park Director, Assembly Supporting Services,
Korean Host Committee for the WCC 10th Assembly
Marylyn Naidoo Prof. University of South Africa
Department of Practical Theology: Religious Education
Samuel Pauw Building 3-37
Preller St. Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria
PO Box 392, UNISA 0003, South Africa
AFTE
Huang Po Ho Moderator, AFTE,
Vice President & Prof. Chang Jung Christian University
Jung Sook Lee Treasurer, AFTE
Prof. & Vice President of Academic Development, TTGU
Edmund Chia Prof. Australia Catholic University
Limuel Equina Executive Director
Larbeer Mohan Secretary, AFTE
Manfred Kohl Oversea Council
Joshep Shao General Secretary, ATA (Asia Theological Associations)
KAATS
Yeong Mee Lee Executive Secretary, KAATS
Prof. Hanshin University
Sang-bok David Kim President, Torch Trinity Graduate Univ. (TTGU)
Jung Sook Lee Prof. & Vice President of Academic development, TTGU
Steven S. H. Chang Prof. & Dean of Academic Planning, TTGU
Mike Choi Prof. & Dean of Academic Programs, TTGU
Yoon Jong Yoo Prof. Pyeongtaek University
Partial Participation from KAATS
Hea Chul Kim President, KAATS
President, Luther University,
Sooil Choi Vice President, KAATS
President, Hanshin University
Min Gyoo Shin Vice-President, KAATS
President, Korea Nazarene University mgshin@kornu.ac.kr
Suk Sung Yu Vice-President, KAATS
President, Seoul Theological University
Ki Suk Kim Secretary, KAATS
Dean, Sungkonghoe University/
Soo Young Kwon Treasurer, KAATS
Prof, Yonsei University /
Yo-Han Hyun Dean, Graduate School, Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary
Duk Ki Kim Dean, Daejeon Theological University
Hyun Sun Oh Professor, Honam Theological University and Seminary
Listener/Reflector
David Esterline McCormick Theological Seminary, WOCATI
Local Planning Committee
Jung Sook Lee Torch Trinity Graduate University, AFTE
Yeong Mee Lee Hanshin University, KAATS
We would like to acknowledge and deeply appreciate that
WOCATI/AFTE Consultation 2013 is possible with the generous grant
from The ETE/WCC, Switzerland and warm hospitality from
Torch Trinity Graduate University, Seoul, Korea.
GUIDELINE AND COMMUNIQUE
Asian Forum on Theological Education (AFTE)
JAKARTA COMMUNIQUE
Rationale for AFTE
The global situation for theological education has changed. There is a discernible shift in the Christian demographic in the world church. In spite of numerous challenges, Asian churches continue to exhibit a healthy vitality and are assuming fuller responsibilities for their own governance and formation. Theological education in Asia has been constantly under review, aimed at making it more relevant in addressing the emerging local and global challenges as well as contextual issues. It has been generating ministerial practices and theologies which attempt to be faithful to both its Christian and Asian heritages. However, the rapidly changing situation in Asia demands that programs of theological education continue to strive to form Christian theological preachers and teachers who will witness to Christ while living harmoniously and in dialogue with their own brothers and sisters of the other Asian faith and cultures.
The beginnings of AFTE
While the various churches in Asia have done much in developing authentic Asian theologies, much more could be done especially in their sharing with and learning from one another. For instance, while each of the Ecumenical, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Roman Catholic theological education networks has its own associations to support them and agencies for accreditation, certainly more could be done in promoting conversation and cooperation across these networks. In an effort to address these concerns the Ecumenical Theological Education of the World Council of Churches (ETE-WCC) brought together representatives from a variety of theological associations to Bangkok in July 2010 to explore more meaningful ways to pursue active collaboration. The participants of the workshop affirmed the need for some sort of forum where such discussions can take place in a more concerted fashion. This resulted in the formation of the Asian Forum on Theological Education (AFTE), which had its first meeting in Singapore in June 2011 and the second in Jakarta in August 2012.
Participants at AFTE
The participants were mainly theological educators who came from a variety of backgrounds, with very different stories and histories, and with a diversity of experience in Christian ministries. There were representatives from the mainline Protestant churches, the Evangelical and Pentecostal churches, and the Roman Catholic churches.
Discussions at AFTE
The participants began by expressing their gratefulness to the Western missions for bringing the light of Christ to Asia. But they also acknowledged that this colonial history comes with the problems which denominational differences bring. This has exacerbated the challenge to realizing the prayer of our Lord “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:12). Convinced that efforts at developing a truly Asian Christianity (worked out amongst Asians and for Asians) might be a plausible way in which collaboration across the denominations could be fostered, they stressed the need for contextualizing the Christian faith. Contextual theology is best done in dialogue, not only with Asian resources but also with Asians of other faith traditions and Christian denominations.
The nature of AFTE
The participants were emphatic that collaboration does not mean the establishment of another structure, least of all a meta-institution to govern the various churches. Instead, what was proposed was some form of working arrangement where all the denominations or theological institutions or networks of organizations can come together to address issues beyond their own particular associations. The aim is the establishment of concrete links across the theological networks to facilitate mutually beneficial cooperative ventures. These efforts can also include the pulling together of resources so that they can be shared amongst themselves and especially with those in greatest need and even with colleagues and partners from across the globe. The proposal is for no more than a forum, a space more akin to an open tent or simply an old-fashioned umbrella where the representatives of the various institutions and associations can come together to work and dream together for a new vision of Christianity not only in Asia but also of Asia.
Contacting AFTE
AFTE invites you and your theological institution or network to the table in order to enrich the conversation. Meantime, you are also invited to participate in a “global survey on theological education,” which can be found in this online link: https://www.research.net/s/globalsurveyontheologicaleducation
For more information on AFTE please contact:
Moderator : Huang, Po Ho (cjcupekho@gmail.com)
Secretary : Mohan Larbeer (secretary@btessc.org)
Singapore Communique
Responding to the need of working together in training
future church leaders, the Ecumenical Theological
Education of the World Council of Churches (ETE-WCC)
in cooperation with the Christian Conference of Asia
(CCA), 15 representatives from regional and national theological associations, networks and partner organizations for theological education in Asia met at Trinity Theological College, Singapore on the Pentecost-weekend from 10-11, June, 2011.
Affirming that the Spirit of Pentecost is symbol of courage and greater solidarity transcending boundaries of nations, denominations and cultural differences, the participants decided to strengthen common witness to Christ in engaging for theological education in Asia together. They recognized the need
- for more cooperation among theological educators in training future church leaders;
- for more mutual learning through exchange of theological resources between the different regions within Asia;
- for more dialogue between the different denominational and theological traditions;
- for more common standards and accreditation mechanism for insuring quality theological education; and
- for more mutual solidarity support mechanism and network for emerging churches in Asia.
Participants affirmed
- that there is a need for a common platform for all associations of theological schools and networks for theological education in Asia;
- that there is a need for greater solidarity between different churches transcending stereotyped views of each other as ‘ecumenicals, ‘evangelicals’ or ‘charismatics’ in witnessing to Christ in today’s world;
- that theological education is the back-bone of authentic Christians witness in Asia;
- that there are many resources in terms of expertise, innovative curriculum models and contextual theological resources which can be shared between the different associations of theological schools in ASIA;
- that there is much effort to be made in encouraging young scholars to do theology using Asian resources in Asian context;
- that holistic emphasis in theological education should be an integral element in all dimensions of theological education in Asia which needs to be strengthened through theological movements and programmes.
Participants agreed that AFTE should be constituted inviting
- the representatives of all national and regional associations of theological schools, networks and movements of theological education in Asia;
- the representatives of partners organizations for theological education in Asia; and
- the representatives from the Asian Diaspora community.
To carry further the decision of the first meeting of the AFTE, the participants decided to form AFTE Task Group representing major theological associations and partners in theological education and entrusted to explore the followings:
- Organize a further meeting of AFTE in conjunction to a major event of a member organization with a focus on a particular theme for the year 2012;
- Share the decisions of Singapore meeting with partners in theological education and explore the resources in partnership with ETE-WCC for the next meeting;
- Prepare a working guideline for AFTE to be adopted in the next meeting;
- Prepare a Vision and Mission Statement of the AFTE to be adopted in the next meeting;
- Facilitate the exchange of theological library resources and journals through the Global Digital Library for Theology;
The following persons were requested to act as AFTE Task Group until the next meeting: Dr. Huang Po Ho (Convener), Dr. Limuel Equina, Dr. Alex Fuentes, Dr. Jung Sook Lee, Dr. Wati Longchar.
The following persons are requested to act as consultants: Dr. Dietrich Werner, Dr. H.S. Wilson and the Executive Secretary of FMU-CCA.
Gratitude:
The participants expressed deep appreciation to the World Council of Churches (ETE), Foundation of Theological Education in South East Asia (FTE), to EMW (Germany) and all partners in theological education for their continued support, encouragement and partnership in training church leaders in Asia. We record our special gratitude to WCC-ETE for the logistic support and making resources available for the exploratory meeting which took place in July 2010 at BIT, Bangkok and the organization of the first AFTE meeting at TTC, Singapore. We also thank CCA for the encouragement and support in launching this initiative. Thanks also to TTC Singapore community for the kind hospitality and hosting of this historic event.
Participants of this first AFTE meeting came from the following associations and networks of theological education: SSC (SCEPTRE), ATESEA, PTCA, PERSETIA, APTA, ATA, KAATS, FTE, WCC-ETE, ATEM, MATS, PATS, BIT Thailand, Vietnamese Christian Mission (or VTC California).
ASIAN FORUM ON THEOLOGICAL
EDUCATION (AFTE)
GUIDELINES
Historical Background
The need for a common platform for theological
education in Asia has been raised by many
theological institutions and associations in various
occasions. To address this need, Christian
Conference of Asia (CCA) has been bringing together theologians through the Congress of Asian Theologians. The Program for Theology and Cultures in Asia (PTCA) has been organizing inter-regional, sub-regional and national activities in doing theology with Asian resources. The Ecumenical, the Evangelical and the Pentecostal theological education networks have formed “Associations” for accreditation of their degree programmes. All these networks and associations work independently without much cooperation, and sometimes even with some sense of rivalry or competition.
With the sprouting of many theological institutions and Bible schools in Asia, there is a need for these theological education networks to come together, learn from each other and work together and come up with a mutual support mechanism to strengthen leadership formation program of the churches. Moreover, considering the changing global scenario of theological education in global Christianity, the Ecumenical Theological Education of the World Council of Churches (ETE-WCC) brought together representatives from the Board of Theological Education of Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC), Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA), Asia Theological Association (ATA), Asia Pacific Theological Association (APTA), Association for Theological Education in Myanmar (ATEM), Association of Theological Schools in Indonesia (PERSETIA) and Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) to a workshop at Bangkok Institute of Theology in Bangkok, Thailand in July 2010, to consider the crucial tasks of theological education – e.g. theological faculty development, promotion of Asian theologies, and production of resources for theological education in Asia. Participants of the workshop affirmed the need of bringing together different theological education networks in Asia under the umbrella “Asian Forum on Theological Education.”
Responding to the need of working together, the first meeting of AFTE met at Trinity Theological College, Singapore on the Pentecost-weekend from 10-11, June, 2011 to explore ways and means to strengthen common witness to Christ in engaging for theological education in Asia together. The first meeting was presented by SSC (SCEPTRE), ATESEA, PTCA, PERSETIA (Association of Theological Education in Indonesia), APTA (Asia-Pacific Theological Association), ATA, KAATS (Korean Association of Accredited Theological School), CCA, WCC-ETE, ATEM, MATS (Malaysian Association of Theological Schools), BIT (Bangkok Institute of Theology) Thailand, Vietnam Christian Mission and the FTESEA. The meeting was facilitated by the Ecumenical Theological Education of the World Council of Churches (ETE-WCC).
The second meeting of AFTE took place in Amanat Agung Theological Seminary in Jakarta from 29 August–1 September 2012 with the following associations represented PTCA, CJCU (Chang Jung Christian University). ATESEA, PERSETIA, BTESSC, BIT Thailand, Vietnam Christian Mission, ATEM, ATA, Trinity College Singapore, Bangladesh Council of Churches, KAATS, CCC/TSPM (China Christian Counciland the National Committee of the TSPM)-Chinese Mainland, Oversea Council - India, Australia Catholic University, North East India Theological Association (NEITA), Lutheran Federation, Amanat Agung Theological Seminary, WCC-ETE and FTESEA (Foundation for Theological Education in South East Asia). This meeting was facilitated by ETE-WCC.
This meeting in Jakarta reviewed the AFTE guidelines and adopted the following AFTE guidelines.
Participants in AFTE have committed themselves to contribute:
- for more cooperation among programs for theological education in Asia in order to train leaders for church and society;
- for more mutual learning through exchange of theological resources between (among?) the different regions within Asia;
- for more dialogue and sharing between(among?) the different denominations and church traditions;
- for more effective mechanisms for ensuring quality and relevant theological education;
- for more mutual solidarity support mechanism and network for newly emerging Christian communities in Asia.
Nature of AFTE
It is an all-Asian Theological FORUM for theological educators from mainline denominations, Evangelical, Orthodox, Pentecostal and Roman Catholic churches, including Asian Diaspora, Christian partners and Asian theological networks.
General Aims
- To bring together under a common umbrella the associations/networks of different denominational and church backgrounds in Asia for dialogue and cooperation in theological education;
- To promote holistic and relevant theological education;
Specific Objectives
To provide space for dialogue between(among?) regional associations of theological schools and theological networks on the following projects:
a. mutual recognition of academic degrees and diplomas awarded by various theological institutions
b. joint theological leadership institutes
c. joint theological publications
d. shared understanding of principles and standards of accreditation
e. faculty and student exchange among theological institutions
f. sharing on new ways and models of theological education and pedagogy such as distant learning models;
g. global and regional sharing resource in the area of theological education;
h. sharing and learning opportunities on doing theologies in multi-faith contexts in Asia.
Membership
The following may be eligible for membership:
a) Regional and sub-regional associations of theological schools which are engaged in theological education;
b) Accrediting Theological Associations or Universities conferring theological degrees;
c) Institutions, programs or centers of theological research and education committed to quality theological education;
d) Partners, networks and church-related organizations engaged in relevant theological education in Asia;
e) National associations of theological schools, networks and movements of theological education and associations of individual theological scholars;
f) Asian Diaspora community involved in theological education and research.
Responsibilities of Members
a) Commitment to the aims and objectives of AFTE
b) Active participation in AFTE activities
c) Sharing relevant reports and information regularly
d) Contribution to the costs of AFTE activities
Meeting of Forum
a) The Forum shall meet at least once in every three years.
b) Each member of the Forum is to send up to three members to attend the meeting of the Forum
c) The Forum will propose or confirm working projects
d) Receive new members on recommendation of Continuation Committee
e) Receive reports of the Continuation Committee;
f) Approve the future projects and programs of the Forum;
g) Receive the audited financial reports and approve the budget
h) Elect up to seven members to serve in the Continuation Committee of the Forum for a period of three (3) years.
Responsibilities of Continuation Committee
a) Shall elect from among themselves the Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer
b) Appoint a local host committee to arrange for the next AFTE meeting
c) Plan, implement and follow up objectives/programs of the Forum
d) Prepare the budget for presentation in the meeting of the Forum;
e) Explore and administer funds and propose membership fee
f) Review the new membership application and recommend to the Forum for approval
g) Communicate or meet regularly to serve the purposes of AFTE
h) May invite representatives of ecumenical partners to serve as consultants to the Continuation Committee
i) Review and revise guidelines to be approved by the Forum.
Adopted by
The participant of AFTE on 31st August, 2012, at Amanat Agung Theological Seminary,Jakarta, Indonesia
AFTE webpage: http://pekhohuang.wix.com/afte#!home/mainPage
PROJECT 5
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PROJECT 4
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PROJECT 6
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