Theological News On-Line

Issue 19 July 2003	'Promoting Biblical Truth by Networking Theologians'

Published by Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance

Editor: David Parker dparker@pacific.net.au
email distribution: Dr.Paul C. Murdoch Murdoch@ead.de

Welcome to WEA Theological News On-Line - this is the on-line version of our printed quarterly, WEA Theological News (ISSN 0260-3705). WEA TN On-Line is issued approximately monthly. The content of the printed and on-line versions overlap but are not identical. We also publish Evangelical Review of Theology. For more information, visit our website www.worldevangelical.org/tcpubs.html#ert

We welcome news reports on theological matters for both versions - they can cover theological institutions, conferences, publications, faculty, trends and developments, etc. of interest to evangelical theologians around the world.

For more information on the work of the Theological Commission, contact the Executive Chair, Dr Rolf Hille on r.hille@bengelhaus.de

In this issue:

•  SPABC 20th Biennial Conference June 28-July 3, 2003
•  TC Member Writes on Key Ethical Issues
•  LCWE News - Pattya Forum, Congresses
•  New African Seminary Tackles Local Needs
•  Portuguese translation of accreditation standards now available
•  Important Message for leaders of National Evangelical Fellowships and Theological Commissions
•  WEA TC CD-ROM Set

SPABC 20th Biennial Conference June 28-July 3, 2003

The South Pacific Association of Bible Colleges (SPABC) held its 20th Biennial Conference at Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC) from 28th June to 3rd July 2003 with the theme, "The Renewal of Theological Education." SPABC is the regional member of the WEA related International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE).

Delegates and observers from 26 member colleges and other interested institutions, along with Rev Derek Tan, General Secretary of the Asian Theological Association, representing ICETE, participated in worship, Bible study, plenary sessions and workshops over the four days. The Principals had an additional day of fellowship and interaction prior to the main conference, which all reported to be spiritually refreshing and enriching.

Several key note speakers contributed to the conference. Dr Robert Banks, Director and Dean of Macquarie Christian Studies Institute in New South Wales, Australia, took the four plenary sessions. The first address centred on Becoming More Effective Educators: Lessons from Paul. His second address considered Teaching as a Spiritual Discipline: Turning the Classroom into a Sacred Place. The third address presented the challenge of Integrating Learning and Practice: Some "Hands On" Possibilities. Each of these messages was followed by small group discussions of the issues raised and how to respond practically to them. Much was learned and delegates took away food for thought as well as things to do. Finally, on Thursday evening Dr Banks gave an interesting and insightful picture of C S Lewis, ably assisted by his wife, Linda, also a keen student of Lewis, under the heading, "Becoming More Effective Communicators: What We Can Learn from C S Lewis."

On Monday afternoon five workshops were convened on five distinct topics: The Effective Communication of God's Word Today, Likely Developments in Bible College Training, Distance Education - Current Status, Future Developments, Pastoral Care in Bible Colleges and The Bible College as a Catalyst for Spiritual Revival. Flowing out of "Likely Developments in Bible College Training" were a number of issues discussed by all conference attendees at the next session that had been set aside for additional workshops. The primary focus of discussion was extending SPABC's role in coordinating cooperation between Bible colleges.

Dr Stuart Piggin, Master of Robert Menzies College in New South Wales, Australia, presented a paper on Monday evening looking at Bible Colleges and Revival, entitled "They Had to Suspend Classes." His thorough knowledge of his subject and practical insights, mixed with candour and humour, were enjoyable, educational and encouraging, while also convicting and challenging. Rev Simon Manchester, an Anglican minister from North Sydney, led three of the morning Bible studies sequentially expositing chapters three to five of Second Corinthians with the theme of effective ministry. His close attention to the biblical text and relevant personal application of its major themes were greatly appreciated. In addition, Rev Derek Tan, led the closing Bible study and in a special session set aside for input on ICETE, he challenged SPABC to more active participation in the global context of theological education.

The business of the association included the welcoming of a new member college, New Covenant International Bible College (Auckland, New Zealand) and the appointment of a new President, Dr Deane Woods, Principal of Adelaide College of Ministries. Dr Stephen Raison, Principal of Bible College of South Australia, was appointed as the new Vice-President, and Les Crawford was re-appointed as Secretary/Treasurer. The conference closed with the celebration of Communion led by Rev David Cook, Principal of SMBC the conference's host college. The next Biennial Conference will be held at Bible College of Victoria in Melbourne in 2005.

SPABC News Release

TC Member Writes on Key Ethical Issues

Dr. Brian Edgar, Convenor of the Australian Evangelical Alliance Theological Commission and member of the WEA TC has made available two papers on key ethical issues. One paper which appeared in an abridged form in the mid year issue of the Alliance's journal Working Together is on Pacifism, Just War and Peacemaking: Dimensions in the Twenty First Century.

It explores the dramatic changes that have taken place in the way war is now conducted. New styles of warfare present new ethical problems. The other paper is Research on Human Embryos: right or wrong? Dr. Edgar, who is a member of the Australian Government's Gene Technology Ethics Committee (GTEC), teaches at the Bible College of Victoria in Melbourne Australia. Both papers can be obtained by contacting bedgar@bcv.vic.edu.au or visiting the AEA website, www.evangelicalalliance.org.au

Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE) News

WEA Globalization and World Evangelism Consultation

(report from Dr. Paul Cedar, Executive Chair of the Lausanne Administrative Committee)

The Missions Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance hosted a very significant consultation from May 31 to June 6 in Vancouver, Canada. The theme of the consultation was "Globalization and World Evangelism." Some 165 missions leaders participated from 50 nations of the world. A number of leaders from the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization were among the participants including David Claydon, LCWE International Director, Paul Cedar, LCWE Chair, and Robyn Claydon, LCWE Deputy Chair.

New Issue Groups for 2004 FORUM

Dr. David Claydon, International Director for LCWE, reports that a number of new topics have been added to the list of Issue Groups for the 2004 Forum for World Evangelization. Because of this, applications for involvement in any of the Issue Groups will remain open until August 31st. Dr. Claydon says, "These new topics take into account the many suggestions we have received since the announcement of the topics." The additional Issue Group topics are: Reaching the Youth generation; Empowering women and men to utilize their gifts together for the spread of the gospel; Making disciples of Oral Learners - reaching the visual and oral learners of the world; Reaching the Diaspora present in our own lands; Funding evangelism; Effective Education for Evangelization (with a stream to focus on mission in theological education); Medical ethics and the impact of an ethical stance on the relevance of the gospel in today's world; Business as mission;

Lausanne Committee for Jewish Evangelism

The Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism (LCJE) meets as an International Conference in Helsinki, Finland from August 7 -12, 2003. Please pray for the interaction of mission leaders and representatives from agencies coming together out of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin and North Americas.

Congress on Evangelism in Finland

A nationwide Congress on Evangelism will be arranged in Helsinki on January 21-25, 2004. The main organising and economic responsibility is given to the Finnish Committee for World Evangelisation (FCWE). The Congress will be carried out by wide cooperation of Finnish Churches, Missions, evangelistic organisations and other evangelical societies - from the Orthodox Church to Pentecostals and new independent churches. The main theme of the event is a basic and uniting Christian truth: The Faith in Jesus Saves. There is a strong emphasis to get the younger generation involved both in preparation process and in the Congress itself.

LCWE ENewsletter, July 2003 To subscribe, email naomi@lausanne.org and for more information about LCWE, www.lausanne.org

New African Seminary Tackles Local Needs

The Rwanda Evangelical Faculty of Theology (FATER) was established in the year 2001 by the 29 member Alliance of Evangelicals of Rwanda (AER). The move to create FATER was influenced by incidents in Rwanda's recent history that practically destabilized all the country's institutions, the need of reconciliation and unity, the shortage of trained leaders and theological institutions in the country, and the difficulties involved in sending students abroad

It was decided to establish immediately a Faculty that would initially offer a university level first degree theological program, but gradually introduce other programs including a centre for research and professional ministry training. FATER'S operations began in a small hall within the building of the Inkurunziza Church in the city center of Kigali. Thirty five students from various churches/denominations affiliated with the AER began classes in November 2001, and another group of 14 students began classes in December 2002. Currently, FATER carries out its operations in a rented property at Kicukiro, Kigali.

FATER is governed by the Administrative Council whose members are elected from among the Legal Representatives of member churches/denominations of the AER. It sees itself an institution owned and managed by the churches, whose programs focus on community needs and are demand-driven. It is guided by the conceptual framework of excellence in management, and is accountable to its stakeholders. FATER has many needs, including teachers, scholarships for faculty development, library development, office equipment, vehicles and property. For more information, contact contact Rev. Inno Festus Mashanda, Dean of Faculty at P. O. Box 4210, Kigali, Rwanda or adminfater@jesusanswers.com

Portuguese translation of accreditation standards now available

ACTEA is pleased to announce the availability of its "Standards and Procedures for Accreditation at Post-Secondary Level" in the Portuguese language. This is in response to requests by lusophone schools primarily in Mozambique and Angola. The full Portuguese text of the standards are available through ACTEA's web site at:

www.theoledafrica.org/ACTEA/Standards/

ACTEA gratefully acknowledges the assistance of AETAL, the Association for Evangelical Theological Education in Latin America, in the translation process.

ACTEA eNews, No. 13

Important Message for leaders of National Evangelical Fellowships and Theological Commissions

The printed version of this publication, WEA Theological News for July 2003, contained a special message for leaders of National Evangelical Fellowships and their Theological Commissions written by the Dr Rolf Hille, Executive Chair of the WEA Theological Commission. This article invites leaders of NEFs and TCs to respond with news of their activities and to discuss ways in which the WEA and the National TC's can work together to further our aim of 'promoting biblical truth by networking theologians.'

We hope we have included all NEFs in our new updated mailing list, but if there are NEFs which do not receive this printed copy by mid-late July, please contact us.

WEA Theological News On-line

This is an electronic edition of WEA Theological News (ISSN 0260-3705) published by World Evangelical Fellowship Theological Commission; Chair: Dr Rolf Hille www.worldevangelical.org/theology.html

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WEA Theological News

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WEA Theological Commission On-Line Forum

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