May 2, 2012

To stress the relevance of theological scholarship programmes for the future of world Christianity, a conference was organized by the Ecumenical Theological Education programme of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in partnership with the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and the Academy of Mission, University of Hamburg.

The conference addressed the theme "Ecumenical partnership in theological education and theological scholarship programmes: Needs and future priorities for world Christianity" and was held from 24 to 26 April in Hamburg, Germany.

Representatives of some 40 organizations for theological scholarship programmes, mission agencies, world confessional families and regional ecumenical organizations from around the world participated in the event.

In context of the Birmingham process, which called for comprehensive Christian leadership development in a WCC consultation in England last year, the participants discussed needs for theological faculty development. They also reflected on innovative models of ecumenical partnership, joint theological doctoral programmes and common challenges for future collaboration.

The issue of disparity in resources for theological education between the North and South was raised. It was also pointed out that in several regions there has been a tremendous rise in the number of higher education students in the South, as well as in the number of applications for theological programmes.

The participants discussed the growing interest of Pentecostal and independent churches in theological education. They stressed the urgent need to empower women in both theological education and church leadership. The need to raise awareness about the relevance of theological education for social and political developments in society, and in the mission of the church was recognized.

In discussions, participants underlined the importance of engagement in the development of theological leadership. They spoke about the unique role that the WCC can play to facilitate sharing of information and international collaboration.

Several innovative models were discussed, including joint or trilateral doctoral programmes, new modes of delivery of higher theological education such as hybrid theological courses, combining shorter residential periods with distance learning and e-resources. This also included such ideas as the Methodist e-academy, virtual visiting professors as well as split degree programmes and improved sharing of such theological resources as GlobeTheoLib.

Participants recommended that a common international web-portal for theological scholarship programmes be established, involvement of European churches and the WCC in the Bologna: European Higher Education Area process be made visible and efforts be undertaken to define the essential elements for quality theological education. They also emphasized the need for increased collaboration between ecumenical, evangelical and Pentecostal programmes.

It was recommended that the collaboration process should continue between theological scholarship programmes through a mandated committee. Participants encouraged a continuing emphasis on theological education programmes in the WCC, following the council's 10th Assembly in Busan, Korea in 2013. It was felt that exchange programmes between South and North should be given more prominence.

Participants called attention to the negative impact of tightened visa regulations for international students on ecumenical exchange programmes in certain European countries, which weakened the engagement of ecumenical theological scholarship work in international organizations and inter-denominational theological education.

The conference also highlighted threats of a potential weakening of the historical alliance between Christian faith and higher education in churches within the ecumenical movement, which could have drastic consequences for world Christianity.

Read communiqué from the ETE conference in Hamburg: http://lists.wcc-coe.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=jazjt,eh2k,usx,3qc6,hlvl,iczd,e4ua.

More information and background papers from the conference: http://lists.wcc-coe.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=jazjt,eh2k,usx,gls4,dnqn,iczd,e4ua.

WCC programme on ecumenical theological education: http://lists.wcc-coe.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=jazjt,eh2k,usx,6xnw,812o,iczd,e4ua.

World Council of Churches