October 7, 2011

The last time a significant empirical study on the role and challenges of theological education in so-called mission fields was presented was during the 1910 World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh.

Since that time little, if any research has been done on trends and challenges in the area of ministerial formation and theological education in world Christianity.

After major studies on new developments in the rapidly changing landscape of world Christianity for Edinburgh 2010 study process, the World Council of Churches (WCC) starts a worldwide research project of Global Survey on Theological Education (Link: https://www.research.net/s/globalsurveyontheologicaleducation) in world Christianity on 8 October.

Theological education has been a key factor in the development of world Christianity in 21st century, according to Dr Dietrich Werner, coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Theological Education (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=4c6e5d16089f565bd23e) programme. He signifies this initiative as a "coordinated attempt to do an international research project on recent trends and developments in theological education."

The global study project was jointly prepared by Dr David Esterline from the Institute for Cross-cultural Theological Education in Chicago in McCormick Theological Seminary (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=f3c8679cd96ecc7ff997), Dr Todd Johnson from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=86014e81e1fe317d3053), and Werner from the WCC.

The project is designed to gather perspectives on all forms of theological education from every Christian tradition around the world. The basic tool for research is an extended questionnaire on trends, conditions and needs in theological education.

The survey will be answered by theological educational institutions, regional and global associations of theological schools and individuals responsible for programmes of theological education aiming at ministerial formation for churches in world Christianity.

The Global Survey on Theological Education project was also introduced during the 4 to 7 October Global Christian Forum (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=09e4c5d8b95fdf29380a) meeting in Manado, Indonesia.

Participate in survey: the Global Survey on Theological Education (Link: https://www.research.net/s/globalsurveyontheologicaleducation)

Handbook of Theological Education in World Christianity published (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=f06b99759081d5a5313f)

See detailed project: Global Theological Education Survey 2011-2012 (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=2d26fd94ad6280cb71f9)

World Council of Churches