Theological News On-Line

Issue 37    May 2005	'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 at r.hille@bengelhaus.de

In this issue:

•  WEA plans for the future and presents its vision to supporters
•  Theological Commission releases new book on its 30 year History
•  Theological News now available on CD-ROM
•  TC welcomes new member from Brazil - Dr. Claus Schwambach
•  WEA response to election of Pope Benedict XVI
•  Langham assists Solomon Islands seminary
•  Book Review: Mentoring: The Promise of Relational Leadership

WEA plans for the future and presents its vision to supporters

Key leaders of the World Evangelical Alliance met in Orlando Fl USA May 1-3 to plan and strategize for the future under the leadership of Geoff Tunnicliffe, Interim International Coordinator and Ndabe Mazabane, Chairman of the International Council. About 40 International Council members, Commission leaders and members, representatives of Associate Members and Affiliates and Regional General Secretaries worked through a series of reports, papers and proposals designed to enable the organisation of move into the future after the recent resignation of its former Secretary-General. The international office, formerly located near Seattle USA, has been closed and all operations transferred to Toronto where they are being managed by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Mr Tunnicliffe has been endorsed in the position of International Coordinator for a two year period. He will work in close cooperation with other leaders of the organisation, especially the Regional Secretaries, who cover Asia, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, Africa and North America. There are now 124 national member alliances.

The WEA gathering was a prelude to the "Move the Stones - the Power of Alliance" conference held at the same location May 3-6, and attended by about 60 friends and supporters of the WEA drawn from mission agencies, seminaries and other ministries. The program included a number of keynote addresses by Regional Secretaries and others reporting on the work of Evangelicals in various parts of the world. They included Godfrey Yogarajah (Asia), Gordon Showell-Rogers (Europe), Sam Olson (Latin America), Kyle Fisk (North America), Ndaba Mazabane (Africa), and Gerry Seale (Caribbean). Godrey Yogarajah also gave a powerful presentation updating participants on the work undertaken by the Evangelical Alliance in Sri Lanka following the Tsunami and Johan Candelin, Director of the WEA Religious Liberty Commission, updated guests with an inspiring report on developments in many parts of the world. During the conference there were workshops on activities of the WEA Commissions and Regions which enabled delegates to discuss and contribute to the planning for work in these different spheres.

An announcement about the Move the Stones conference stated: "Like no other time in history, God's people are facing major global issues on every continent. And as Evangelicals, we have never had greater opportunities to impact the nations with God's love." The gathering was designed to inform participants about these challenges and opportunities through the eyes of the WEA, to encourage them with stories of advancement and progress, to engage them in strategic planning so that the collective resources and influence of Evangelicals could be brought to bear on the opportunities and to equip leaders with greater understanding of how their organisations could leverage their impact locally and globally. The gathering was jointly sponsored by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the National Association of Evangelicals (USA) together with the WEA.

Theological Commission releases new book on its 30 year History

The WEA Theological Commission has released a book telling the story of its ministry, which began officially thirty years ago but had a prehistory commencing in 1968. Written by Dr David Parker, Director of Publications for the TC, the 140 page book is titled Discerning the Obedience of Faith: a short history of the WEA Theological Commission, and is an updated and expanded edition of articles first published in the Evangelical Review of Theology during the 30th anniversary year, 2004. It contains 24 photos illustrating most of the key leaders and events, a list of TC publications and an appendix with its main activities and events. It has been published for the TC by Theological Book Trust, Bangalore, India, and is available for purchase at a cost of US $5 plus postage from India or from the TC Office in Australia (see contact details elsewhere in this page).

In 1968 Dr Bruce Nicholls, serving on the faculty of Union Biblical Seminary, Yeotmal, India, was appointed Theological Coordinator for the World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF), and with the assistance of Mr John Langlois, began the Theological Assistance Programme (TAP). In 1969, they began publishing WEA Theological News. This work developed rapidly and in 1974, the WEF developed the TAP by establishing it as a Commission. Dr Bruce Nicholls served as Executive Director until 1986. He was succeeded by Dr Sunand Sumithra, Dr Bong Rin Ro, and then Dr James Stamoolis. Currently, Dr Rolf Hille of Germany serves in the dual role as Executive Director and Chair of the TC.

Theological News now available on CD-ROM

All issues of the TC newsletter, WEA Theological News since its inception in 1969 up to the end of 2004 are now available on CD-ROM. The CD which is available from the TC's Australian office (see contact details elsewhere in this page) is fully searchable and also presents each page of the newsletter in its original format in PDF for easy reading. The CD costs US $35 including postage. WEA TN has been issued quarterly but there have been some occasions when it was not published.

During the 35 year period included on this CD, a wide range of news of evangelical theology and theological education has been covered, as well as information about the work of the TC itself. It therefore provides an invaluable easily accessible record of global activity. It will enable libraries and others who have not been able to receive the newsletter from the beginning to have the information it contains available to their readers.

TC welcomes new member from Brazil - Dr. Claus Schwambach

Dr. Claus Schwambach of Brazil was appointed as a member of the WEA Theological Commission at its 2004 meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. As an outstanding young leader of the church in Latin America, the TC is pleased to welcome him to the team and looks forward to his participation and contribution.

Dr. Schwambach clcrschwambach@ceteol.com.br is General Director of the Faculdade Luterana de Teologia (FLT) in São Bento do Sul SC, located in the south of the country. He is also Coordinator of Post-graduation Studies, and has recently become General Editor of FLT's theological review Vox Scripturae - Revista Teológica Brasileira. He holds the Bachelor of Theology from his own institution which was formerly known as Centro de Ensino Teológico (CETEOL), and has studied at Eberhard- Karls-Universität Tuebingen, with doctoral studies at Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet, Erlangen-Nuernberg.

Dr Schwambach is Brazilian by birth and is married, with the three children. He has worked as a missionary in Timbó/Benedito Novo (Brazil) with the Missão Evangélica União Cristã and also in the Casilla Dos of Paraguay with Union Evangelica del Paraguay. He joined FLT in 2002 as a part-time professor of Systematic Theology, a post which he now holds on a full time basis. He has published many academic and popular theological and biblical articles in Portuguese and German. His dissertation is Rechtfertigungsgeschehen und Befreiungsprozess. Die Eschatologie M. Luthers im kritischen Gespräch mit der Eschatologie südamerikanischer römisch-katholischer Befreiungstheologie von L. Boff und J. B. Libânio

WEA response to election of Pope Benedict XVI

Statement of the Executive Committee of the International Council of the World Evangelical Alliance following the election of Pope Benedict XVI

April 25, 2005

The World Evangelical Alliance extends congratulations to Pope Benedict XVI as the new leader of the Catholic Church. At this important time in history we recognize the need for all Christians to strive for Christian values and the proclamation of the Christian message in a secular world. It is critical that Christians around the globe promote a culture of life, care for the vulnerable, and justice for the oppressed.

WEA International Coordinator, Geoff Tunnicliffe states, "There remain significant theological differences between Evangelicals and Rome, not least regarding the nature of the Church and its worship, the locus of its authority, and the status of non-Catholic Christians, particularly in regions where the Catholicism is dominant. Yet despite these differences, we hope that the significant dialogue and cooperative action between Evangelicals and Catholics which emerged under Pope John Paul II will continue and develop."

We shall pray for the Catholic community in this time of transition.

Langham assists Solomon Islands seminary

Langham Partners Australia (LPA) in association with its parent body, Langham International, is marshalling special assistance for a seminary in Solomon Islands. It has suffered from the significant social unrest which has hit the isolated country in recent years. Communications with the outside world suffered and the Christian community lost many of the links that were previously available to it. With the assistance of other South Pacific nations, including Australia, many of the problems are being addressed.

Through Patrick Cole, an Australian working in the Solomons, LPA has made contact with Bishop Patteson Seminary (BPS) to bring extra financial support. BPS, founded in 1970 and located on Guadalcanal Island, trains ministry candidates and other workers for the Church of Melanesia (the Anglican church in the Solomons), together with ministry candidates for other denominations. It offers diploma and certificate level courses. In 2004 there were 120 full time students, with 80 studying the diploma course and the remaining 40 studying the certificate course. However, BPS has no internet connection, and the library needs additional resources.

LPA has organised a Langham Literature grant, to be underwritten by the Australian body, which is also looking for other ways to assist the seminary. BPS is also seeking Greek New Testaments and Hebrew Bibles to meet the needs of its biblical languages students. Because LPA considers the role of BPS in Solomon Islands to be so strategic, it will continue to assist this work and will also look for opportunities to establish links with other seminaries and colleges in the South Pacific who train men and women for Christian ministry.

Langham Partners Australia News (adapted) wendy.toulmin@langhampartnership.org.au

Book Review: 

Mentoring: The Promise of Relational Leadership 
Walter C. Wright (Executive Director of the De Pree Leadership Center at Fuller Theological Seminary) Waynesboro, GA: Paternoster, 2004 ISBN: 1-84227-293-4 Paperback, 160 pages Notes and Index

Reviewed by Rev Dr John Sweetman, Malyon College, Brisbane, Australia

Walter Wright's book is written to provide guidelines on the development of personal mentoring relationships for those who are not experienced in this process. It is mainly a practical book that makes extensive use of the wide experiences of its author who has made mentoring the foundation of his leadership ministry. By the end of the book, you feel that you know Wright and his priorities very well.

I couldn't help but be impressed that someone who has had such significant organizational leadership roles as, for example, the President of Regent College (Canada) for 12 years, could devote so much time to one-on-one mentoring. Perhaps the key is the way Wright perceives leadership. He states, "Leadership is a relationship between two persons in which one person seeks to influence the behaviour, attitudes, vision, or values of another. It is always a relationship and always rests in the hands of followers." For Wright, leadership and mentoring are two sides of the one coin; personal relationships are foundational to both and one inevitably leads to the other.

On the one hand, this book does little to augment our understanding of mentoring. However, it does provide references to other material on mentoring and leadership that display Wright's knowledge of the field of leadership, but there is no indication of research on mentoring beyond the personal experience of the author. If you are looking for new information or critical interaction with the literature on mentoring, you will probably be disappointed.

On the other hand, it does set out to motivate and educate leaders on the importance of mentoring, and this it does extremely well. If you are unsure of the benefits of mentoring or are uncertain as to how to establish or develop an effective mentoring relationship, then this book has a mountain of helpful hints and practical advice flowing from years of experience of its author at the highest Christian leadership level.

Wright focuses on formal mentoring relationships which he defines as "intentional, exclusive, intensive, voluntary relationships between two persons (usually with agreed on goals or objectives)." Major chapters deal with the importance of character, what makes a good mentor, the nature of mentoring, how to build a mentoring relationship, what to look for in a mentoree and mentoring relationship, and the provocative questions that empower mentoring.

I found the most interesting chapter (entitled "Ambiguity") explored the tensions involved in relational leadership. Although the chapter's connection with mentoring was tenuous, being that tensions in leadership make mentors vital, it was a fascinating examination of the tensions that provoke the work of leadership. Wright's experience as a College president made his illustrations in this chapter personally pertinent to my situation as Principal of a Theological College. For those involved in leadership in theological education, the book is worth the read for this chapter alone.

Wright's heavy reliance on personal illustration is both a strength and weakness of the book. It certainly grounds his ideas in practice and shows that leadership by mentoring is a reality. It is also strongly motivational to read the catalogue of differences that mentoring can make in a variety of practical situations. However, a number of the stories are repeated in different contexts throughout the book, which sometimes gives the impression that it is cyclical and lacking in direction. In particular, Wright's idolisation throughout the book of Max De Pree, while probably thoroughly deserved, could be seen as biased since Wright is Executive Director of the De Pree Leadership Center.

One new thought that I gleaned from the book was Wright's emphasis on mentoring as a relationship governed by the mentoree. He states, "Mentors are resources to assist persons in their own self-directed leadership development." So he posits that the responsibility for the mentoring relationship rests on the shoulders of the mentoree not the mentor. This means that the mentoring agenda is driven by the mentoree not the mentor.

Let me finish with a gem I found in the book. Wright says, "There is no best model of mentoring. What is important is trust, honesty, belonging, encouragement and hope." This accurate and insightful statement flies in the face of those looking for a mentoring formula or system. Mentoring is about real relationship as Wright constantly emphasises. I must say that judging from his approach and experience, I would really benefit from being Wright's mentoree.

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 http://www.worldevangelical.org/theology.html 

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WEA Theological News

The printed version of WEA TN is published quarterly. To subscribe send your name and address to the editor, Editor, WEA TN, 17 Disraeli St, Indooroopilly Qld, Australia, 4068 Enquiries dparker@pacific.net.au  Fax (+61 7) 3878 3108. For private subscribers, a voluntary donation equivalent to approx US$10 for 2 years is invited to assist with production costs. Donations can be sent to the editor in US $$, Euros, Sterling or Australian $$ (payable to Theological Commission) Institutions using a subscription service - details on application.

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