TEAE representatives participated in the 19th ICETE (International Council for Evangelical Theological Education) Consultation, which took place March 3-7 in Albania. This consultation proved to be the most representative in ICETE’s 45-year history.

Participants in the consultation were called to rethink the entire system of theological education and to determine its future.

ICETE Director Michael Ortiz addressed the participants: “We can evangelize, plant churches, translate the Bible into all languages — all of these things need to be done, and they are happening all over the world, thank God for that. It is being accomplished like never before. God is at work in every sphere. But each of these missiological endeavors needs trained leaders to lead these ministries and church communities. Without the work we are doing to educate and train future leaders, all of these ministries will fail.”

Emphasis was placed on the importance of all forms of theological education, both formal education in seminaries, colleges and universities and informal education, which tends to be more flexible and closer to new realities. It was said that one of the problems of theological education is its slow adaptation to rapid changes in the world and society.

It was noted that theological education institutions around the world are facing similar challenges. Therefore, a collaborative approach to addressing these challenges is essential. There is no one course, no one curriculum, no one teacher or professor, no one form of education that can meet all the needs of the Church in today’s world. Yet it is important to see the result of the training — the transformed lives of the students. At the ICETE consultation it was said that the desired result can only be achieved if all those involved in theological education work together. Therefore, this year a significant place in the consultation program was given to collaboration in issue-oriented teams.

Impact Teams have been established from regional participants that will develop important areas of theological education, among them areas such as artificial intelligence and technology, the development of next-generation pastors, and many others. ICETE currently has about 20 Influence Teams.

TEAE delegates met with representatives of various missions and organizations that can strengthen the ministries of educational institutions and programs in Eurasia. Of particular note was a meeting with Michael Ortiz where he offered several options for TEAE to join ICETE. These options will be considered by the TEAE Council and presented at the TEAE General Meeting in April in Almaty.