The Challenge of Evangelical Theological Education in Today's World
We are living in the 21st Century, a time of rapid growth and change. There are many challenges and opportunities that face us as evangelical theological educators as we provide leadership for our institutions and our higher education agencies. In regard to present realities, training for Christian ministry has changed over the years, and so has higher education.
These changes create a whole set of new challenges and opportunities for the global higher education community. Crucial changes in the contemporary world of higher education include universalization, “new commercialization,” and internationalization.
The world of higher education is also changing with respect to the student population, not only in terms of size but also composition. The demographic revolution is an account of different peoples.
Furthermore, the interests, values, attitudes, relational patterns, and styles of worship of students have changed as we attempt to minister to what is frequently referred to as a postmodern generation. These are some of the many present realities that need to be faced by evangelical leaders in looking for ways to perpetuate quality theological education.
These changes create a whole set of new challenges and opportunities for the global higher education community. Crucial changes in the contemporary world of higher education include universalization, “new commercialization,” and internationalization.
The world of higher education is also changing with respect to the student population, not only in terms of size but also composition. The demographic revolution is an account of different peoples.
Furthermore, the interests, values, attitudes, relational patterns, and styles of worship of students have changed as we attempt to minister to what is frequently referred to as a postmodern generation. These are some of the many present realities that need to be faced by evangelical leaders in looking for ways to perpetuate quality theological education.
- Will it be possible for theological education to remain distinctive and yet varied?
- Is it possible for theological institutions to teach a variety of professional studies / courses and still maintain a strong core of biblical / theological studies?
- Is it possible to gain broader academic recognition and still be firmly tied to our rich evangelical heritage?
- Can an institution be academically respectable and still foster a heart for Christian service?
- Can an institution take advantage of new academic delivery systems and still serve the holistic needs of students? Can theological education institutions continue to train the kinds of leaders that today’s church needs?
The Purpose of PT: Equipping Bible Teachers and Biblical Preachers
The Proclamation Task was founded to carry out guided research in order to bring articulate the answers to the above inquiry. Answering these and similar questions will help to determine the future of all evangelical colleges and seminaries in Uganda.
In view of changes and challenges in today’s world, not only is an appraised way of training ministers needed, but also a philosophy and approach that will help to determine the future of all evangelical colleges and seminaries in Uganda.
The single response is to equip Bible teachers and biblical preachers who will provide the Christian church with outstanding leaders who are diligent in studying, faithful in expounding and relevant in applying God’s Word. In its work therefore, The Proclamation Task has a deliberate approach of assessing human needs and developing a contextual practice of education and training that can face the challenges that the emerging paradigms in society and in the church present to the proclamation of God’s Word. The PT entity was set up in 1999 to promote biblical priorities in the local church, centered on the diligent study of God’s Word for a faithful proclamation of the Gospel message in a growing context of ministry methods that display godliness. Initially for 12 years, PT gave undivided attention in training local church pastors, making provision for basic ministerial training to resolve their predicament in knowledge of Scripture, challenged to spiritual nurture, growth in character and skills development that are required in the godly task of shepherding God’s people. Over the years PT included women and youth in the training scheme.
Next: Vision, Mission and Objectives
In view of changes and challenges in today’s world, not only is an appraised way of training ministers needed, but also a philosophy and approach that will help to determine the future of all evangelical colleges and seminaries in Uganda.
The single response is to equip Bible teachers and biblical preachers who will provide the Christian church with outstanding leaders who are diligent in studying, faithful in expounding and relevant in applying God’s Word. In its work therefore, The Proclamation Task has a deliberate approach of assessing human needs and developing a contextual practice of education and training that can face the challenges that the emerging paradigms in society and in the church present to the proclamation of God’s Word. The PT entity was set up in 1999 to promote biblical priorities in the local church, centered on the diligent study of God’s Word for a faithful proclamation of the Gospel message in a growing context of ministry methods that display godliness. Initially for 12 years, PT gave undivided attention in training local church pastors, making provision for basic ministerial training to resolve their predicament in knowledge of Scripture, challenged to spiritual nurture, growth in character and skills development that are required in the godly task of shepherding God’s people. Over the years PT included women and youth in the training scheme.
Next: Vision, Mission and Objectives