Sponsorship: ACTEA (Africa); ATA (Asia); CETA (the Caribbean); EEAA (Europe); E-AAA
(Euro-Asia); AETAL (Latin America); ABHE (North America); SPABC (South Pacific)
an in-house circular for the ICETE community
ICETE’s Next International Consultation
ICETE takes pleasure in announcing that the next ICETE International Consultation for Theological Educators will be held 7-11 August 2006 in Singapore. The Consultation is intended for theological educators from throughout the ICETE community worldwide. The Consultation will focus on the implications of emerging global Christianity, the “New Christendom,” for evangelical theological education. Further details will be announced as they become available. Institutions that are part of the ICETE constituency are urged to begin plans now to be represented at the event. ICETE’s International Consultations offer a unique opportunity for face-to-face professional interaction and reflection among evangelical theological educators globally. The first ICETE Consultation took place in
New Website for ICETE
ICETE has just launched its own new website: http://www.icete-edu.org/ The site includes a comprehensive directory of ICETE-related institutions worldwide; a map of the eight regional/continental associations of theological schools that sponsor ICETE, copies of recent ICETE newsletters, ICETE’s history, structures, and programmes, a copy of the ICETE Manifesto, and papers from the 2003 ICETE Consultation. Readers are urged to visit this site in the next few days, and then save the location on their computer as the best place in future for keeping up with ICETE and the ICETE community.
ICETE at Lausanne Global Forum 2004
A special ICETE leadership team represented the ICETE community at the Lausanne Forum for World Evangelisation in Thailand in September 2004. The team consisted of the ICETE Chair, Derek Tan of Singapore, and the ICETE Director, Dieumeme Noelliste of Jamaica, supported by two additional members of the ICETE governing board, Les Crawford of Australia; and Douglas Carew of Kenya. Numerous other representatives of ICETE-related institutions were among the over 1500 delegates present from 130 countries. The theme of the Forum was expressed by three phrases: A New Vision, A New Heart, A Renewed Call. Participants were grouped into 31 study units, each focused on a particular issue critically affecting world evangelisation in our time, and tasked to formulate strategies to address the situation. Issues included: the HIV pandemic, terrorism, globalisation, persecution, political and religious nationalism, urbanisation, post-modernity—and theological education.
ICETE’s leadership team participated actively in two such issue groups, namely those on Future Leadership and on Effective Theological Education for World Evangelisation. These and the other issue groups worked for many months prior to the Forum, and then met face to face at the Forum to finalise the results of their interaction. These findings are to be published by the LCWE, hopefully in 2005. ICETE expects to cooperate actively in any follow-up discussions and to give full support to any initiatives that may result.
A presentation at the Forum noted that the axis of Christianity has significantly shifted in the past thirty years, with Christianity in non-western lands now making up about 55% of the global Christian population, and projected to rise to nearly two-thirds of that population in the next decade. The Lausanne Forum was asking how the believing community around the world might best renew and reorder its cooperative life in light of these changing patterns so that it might more faithfully fulfil its gospel commission. The ICETE participants at the Forum were seeking to understand how evangelical theological education, as a vital component of global Christianity, could best play its role in contributing to that larger task.
New Leadership in Africa
ACTEA announces the appointment of Rev Joe Simfukwe as its new Continental Administrator. Rev Simfukwe succeeds Dr Douglas Carew, who was recently appointed head of the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST). Rev Simfukwe also serves as Principal of the Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA) in Ndola, Zambia, and has been involved with African leadership development since the early 1980s, including involvement with ACTEA. ACTEA (the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa) represents more than 150 theological institutions on that continent. The email circular ACTEA eNews is its highly successful medium for periodic exchange of news, information, and resources on behalf of theological education in Africa. Inclusion on the circulation list is free on request to: acteajos@yahoo.com Full information on ACTEA is available at its website: www.theoledafrica.org/ACTEA
Re-Envisioning Theological Education in Asia
The triennial General Assembly of the Asia Theological Association (ATA) was held in Bangkok, Thailand, 9-12 August 2004. The theme of the event was “Re-Envisioning Theological Education for Ministry”. Approximately 90 delegates representing 22 countries and regions were represented in the assembly. Presentations reflected on the Past, Present and Future of evangelical faith and theological education. The speakers were drawn from the wide spectrum of the ATA family: Drs Bruce Nichols, David Sang-Bok Kim, Masanori Kurasawa, Rodrigo Tano, Carver Yu and Ivan Satyavrata. ATA represents 168 theological institutions throughout Asia. ATA projects include production of the Asia Bible Commentary. Two new titles in this series were launched at the Assembly, Daniel and Ephesians. Also a new constitution was adopted, and Rev Derek Tan of Singapore was reappointed as ATA General Secretary.
ATA is sponsoring a special seminar for academic deans of theological schools, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, 16-20 May 2005. The theme is “Leadership Excellence in Asia". The seminar is open to selected academic deans of ATA member institutions, and limited to 40 participants. Presenters will include Dr. Paul Sanders (Lebanon), Dr. Theresa Roco (Philippines) and Dr. Fritz Deininger (Thailand). For further information, contact ATA: info@ataasia.com The ATA website is: www.ataasia.com
Faculty Development Seminars in Ukraine
Forty leaders from theological schools in lands of the former USSR met in Kiev, Ukraine, in June 2004 for their first faculty development seminar. The gathering was jointly sponsored by the Euro-Asian Accrediting Association (E-AAA) and Global Associates for Transformational Education (GATE). Hosting the event was the Ukraine Evangelical Theological Seminary, headed by its Rector, Anatole Gloukhovski. Participants engaged in lively discussions of pedagogical aspects of teaching theological disciplines in Eurasia, analyzing their curricula, sharing their experiences of teaching, and reflecting on their mistakes and achievements. A follow-up seminar for this group will be held in Kiev in June 2005. A seminar for a fresh group of participants is projected for October 2005. The GATE team from the United States supporting these seminars includes: Dr Duane Elmer (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School); Dr Ralph Enlow and Dr Robert Ferris (Columbia International University); and Dr John Lillis (Bethel Seminary West). Founded in 1997, E-AAA is the newest member association of ICETE, and links theological institutions in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Belarus, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, and Armenia. E-AAA issues a newsletter E-AAA News in English for those interested in its programmes and services. The next E-AAA General Assembly will be held 24-27 October 2005 in Moscow. Further information is available from E-AAA’s Director, Sergei Sannikov, at: eaaa@te.net.ua
Latin American Theological Educators Meet
The 5th General Assembly of the Latin American Association for Evangelical Theological Education was held in Lima, Peru, the third week of October 2004. The 73 participants came from Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, USA, Jamaica, Britain, and Peru. The theme of the event was “Biblically Based and Socially Contextualized Leaders”. Principal speakers were Dr Steve Finamore from TearFund UK, and Dr Carlos Pinto from Brazil. The Evangelical Seminary of Lima, ably led by Dr Don Smith, provided the hosting venue. ICETE’s global community was represented by Dr Dieumeme Noelliste (President of the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology), and Dr Larry McKinney (Executive Director of the North American-based Association for Biblical Higher Education), both of whom made presentations. AETAL presently links 155 theological schools throughout Latin America. The AETAL Director is Ms Vera Brock of Brazil. Further information on AETAL may be obtained from: sbpv@opv.org.br
Europeans Consult on Reinvention
With European tertiary education in the midst of major changes under the Bologna process, the association for evangelical theological schools in Europe—EEAA—is proposing to reinvent itself to better relate to these developments. EEAA’s next General Assembly is to be held 27-29 October 2005, under the challenging theme “Connecting Evangelical Educators to the New Europe". The event will take place at the International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) in Prague. Among other matters, the delegates will consider a proposed change of name, a new EEAA Manual, new links with European secular accrediting agencies, a new Strategic Plan, and possible changes to the EEAA constitution and by-laws, all with a view to becoming better harmonised with emerging opportunities in the rapidly changing European educational structure. In addition, the present EEAA Coordinator, Dr Adriaan Stringer from the Netherlands, is to be succeeded by Marvin Oxenham from Italy, and the EEAA office is to be moved from the Netherlands to Italy. Further information on these developments, and on EEAA, is available from its website, at: www.eeaa.org
Upcoming Events
North America. The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE—formerly AABC), which links institutions of biblical higher education in North America, will be holding its 58th Annual Meeting in Orlando 17-19 February 2005. The theme is “Excellence in Biblical Higher Education”. Plenary speakers include Dr Duane Litfin, President of Wheaton College, and Dr Erwin Lutzer, Pastor of Moody Church. Further information is available at the ABHE website: www.abhe.org
Caribbean. The Caribbean Evangelical Theological Association (CETA) will be meeting in Curepe, Trinidad, 14-18 March 2005, under the theme: “Leadership Training for the 21st Century”. Topics to be addressed in plenary sessions will include: “Contemporary Approaches to Leadership,” “A Biblical Theology of Leadership,” “Culture and Leadership,” and “Leading the 21st Century Christian Organization.” Further information is available from the CETA website: www.cetaweb.info
South Pacific. The South Pacific Association of Bible Colleges (SPABC) will be holding its 21st Biennial Conference at the Bible College of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, 26-30 June 2005. The principal speaker will be Dr Alister McGrath of Oxford University, UK. Special sessions will include developments in Information Technology, theology, educational models, and governance. Further information is available at the SPABC website: www.spabc.com.au
Noteworthy Services and Resources
Change of Address for Langham Literature (ELT). For many years the Evangelical Literature Trust (ELT), now re-named Langham Literature, has been providing generous support to theological colleges in the majority world, and to their faculties, libraries, and students. ICETE has established a special collaborative relationship with the parent body, Langham Partnership International, which coordinates the ongoing ministries associated with John Stott. ICETE encourages ICETE-constituency institutions to make full use of the services of Langham Literature. At this time Langham Literature wishes to provide a new postal address for colleges using its resources. Institutions participating in its services are asked kindly to replace all previous addresses with the following: Langham Literature, PO Box 296, Carlisle CA3 9WZ, UK. Additional information, including the latest grant catalogue, are available on the website: www.langhampartnership.org [click on ‘LITERATURE’].
Theological Reflection in Africa. Just released is a CD containing the first two decades of the Africa Journal of Evangelical Theology, 1982-2002. Published by Scott Theological College in Kenya, AJET is the premier journal for evangelical theological reflection in Africa. Theological libraries throughout the world will want to obtain a copy of this rare resource. The CD includes articles from the entire range of names familiar to evangelical theological education in Africa, including Tokunboh Adeyemo, Tite Tiénou, Victor Cole, George Foxall, David Kasali, Osadolor Imasogie, Richard Gehman, Sam Kunhiyop, Jacob Kibor, Mark Shaw, Cornelius Olowola, Gottfried Osei-Mensah, Paul Bowers, Yusufu Turaki, Samuel Ngewa, Gordon Molyneaux, Titus Kivunzi. and Isaac Zokoué. The CD is available at $20 to addresses in Africa, $40 to addresses overseas. Send inquiries to: ajetjournal@yahoo.com Further information on AJET is available at: www.scott.ac.ke/ajet.htm
Available Again. Theological libraries will wish to know that all titles are again available in print in the valuable Church and Faith series, all edited by Donald Carson, all representing rare, cutting-edge international collaboration in evangelical theological reflection. These titles are: Biblical Interpretation and the Church: The Problem of Contextualization (1984); The Church in the Bible and the World: An International Study (1987); Teach Us To Pray: Prayer in the Bible and the World (1990); Right with God: Justification in the Bible and the World (1992); and Worship: Adoration and Action (1993). These have now been reissued by the publisher Wipf and Stock, 150 West Broadway, Eugene OR 97401 USA; WSPub@academicbooks.com; www.wipfandstock.com
ERT Back Issues on CD. The Evangelical Review of Theology (ERT) wishes to remind ICETE-related theological schools that the CD containing all ERT back issues has been released in an updated version. This will prove a welcome resource for any theological library. Details may be found at: www.worldevangelical.org/cdresourcelib.html This CD also includes in digital form all the titles in the Church and Faith series mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
About ICETE
ICETE is a global community, sponsored by eight continental/regional networks of theological schools, to encourage international contact and collaboration for excellence and renewal in evangelical theological education worldwide. ICETE now represents the point of cooperative intersection among a formal constituency of more than seven hundred evangelical theological colleges and seminaries throughout the world, predominantly in the majority world. ICETE was founded in 1980, and operates under the auspices of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).
ICETE Officers: Chair: Derek Tan (Singapore); Deputy Chair: Vera Brock, (Brazil);
Director: Dieumeme Noelliste (Jamaica); Administrator: Paul Bowers (USA/South Africa)
ICETE Council of Reference: Dr Chris Wright (UK); Dr Emilio Nuñez (Guatemala); Dr Rolf Hille
(Germany); Dr Wilson Chow (Hong Kong); Dr David Kasali (Kenya) Dr Peter Kuzmic (Croatia)
for further information, or to contact ICETE, go to: