'E-learning' to enhance theology studies in Europe
 |
|
Beginning in 2008, online theological courses
will be offered in German and English to enhance pastoral education in
the United Methodist European Central Conferences. A UMNS photo by Mike
DuBose.
|
By United Methodist News Service
March 2, 2007 | REUTLINGEN, Germany
United Methodist pastors and seminary students will be able to
receive basic theological education though "e-learning" under a new
long-term strategy for pastoral education in Europe.
The online courses are to be available in German and English beginning in 2008.
Bishops and representatives of seminaries and annual conferences
mapped out a three-year plan during a landmark summit Feb. 10-11 in
Reutlingen. The group is working to strengthen clergy and lay leadership
development in the European Central Conferences.
"The summit was a big step forward, as we agreed to share resources and to build up a platform for e-learning.""The
summit was a big step forward, as we agreed to share resources and to
build up a platform for e-learning," said Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, who
leads three annual conferences in Germany.
E-learning, or electronic learning, uses computers, the World Wide
Web and other technologies to provide wider access, flexibility and
enhanced learning through a combination of methods.
The e-learning classes are not meant to provide a total theological
education, said the Rev. Mary Ann Moman, a staff member of the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
"We hope they will get their basic theological education in
university or seminary settings, but this program does bring the
Methodist classes to Europe-theology, ecclesiology and history," she
said.
Landmark summit
 |
|
Bishops Rosemarie Wenner and Øystein Olsen
participate in a summit in Germany to strengthen clergy and lay
leadership development in Europe. A UMNS photo by the Rev. Mary Ann
Moman.
|
The summit was the first event in Europe bringing together the
denomination's European bishops and representatives of conference boards
of ordained ministry and United Methodist seminaries with staff of the
denomination's Board of Higher Education and Ministry "to develop a
broad vision for lay and clergy leadership development throughout the
continent of Europe," said the Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, the board's
top executive.
The summit also was attended by Üllas Tankler, executive secretary
for Europe and North Africa with the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries, as well as leaders in pastoral and lay training from across
Europe.
Wenner joined Bishops Øystein Olsen of the Nordic and Baltic Area,
Hans Växby of the Eurasia Area and Patrick Streiff of Central and
Southern Europe to call together delegates for the summit.
"We discussed which kind of leadership we need as Methodists in
Europe (and) how can we develop theological training for pastors in the
small churches and language groups all over Europe," said Wenner.
Moman said it is particularly important to bring Methodist classes to
Europe, where churches in the Methodist tradition are in the minority. A
paper issued by the summit explained there is a plurality of Methodist
identities in Europe. "Nevertheless we must ask the questions of what we
have in common, what are the essentials, what unites us and what ought
to be binding us," the paper stated.
Online courses
The United Methodist theological schools in Europe created a
committee to develop the online courses. Wesley Theological Seminary in
Washington is assisting the group and plans to videotape the lectures at
the Oxford Institute this summer. Students will be able to view those
lectures in German and English online, according to Moman.
The group agreed on two priorities:
-
Providing education and training for students interested in
ordination as elder or deacon in The United Methodist Church or the
equivalent in other Methodist church traditions
-
The education and training of local pastors or the equivalent in other Methodist church traditions
Summit participants looked at the importance of cooperating to
develop plans in preparing leaders who can guide the church in
responding to the needs and circumstances of the communities in which
they live. The group also considered relational legislation in
preparation for the 2008 General Conference, the top legislative
assembly of The United Methodist Church, meeting April 23-May 2 in Fort
Worth, Texas.
The 2000 General Conference established a fund for theological
education in post-communist Europe, but the 2004 General Conference cut
the support and established a fund for global education. The conference
did not provide apportionment money for the fund but designated it as a
World Service special, meaning the fund would depend on contributions
from individuals, annual conferences, local churches and other
organizations. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and
Ministry initiated a campaign to raise up to $4 million to provide
technical support and scholarship aid to United Methodist-related
institutions of higher learning in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America
and the United States.
This story was adapted from a news release by Mark P. Nelson, Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary, in Tallinn, Estonia.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Related articles
United Methodist Board creates global education fund
Financial pressures force European seminaries to get creative
Russian seminary symbolizes United Methodist vision, service
Theological education expands in Eastern Europe
Resources
European Central Conferences
United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry
Ministerial Education Fund
United Methodist Seminaries
Wesley Theological Seminary | 
Translate
Korean News
