Common Commitment

Forum meeting in Manila

由AFTE 主辦菲律賓聖經神學院承辦的亞洲神學教育評鑑與學位互相認可的論壇從2014年元月10-11日在馬尼拉舉行。參加人員除了印度的Senate of Serampore, 東南亞神學教育協會(ATESEA)，福音派的亞洲神學協會(ATA)以及五旬節派的APTA主席和執行長外，包括FTESEA的HS Wilson和Lester Ruiz (也是ATS的評鑑主任)以及本人代表AFTE參與。兩天的會議出乎原本的期待，達成了共同委身的聲明。將此聲明分享於此：

Common Commitment

- Towards Mutuality and Cooperation in

Theological Education in Asia -

The spirit of mutuality and cooperation or "working together" as Christians is grounded in the teachings of Christ.  Since time immemorial Christians of every tribe and nation have found it challenging to resist being exclusive.  Church history reminds us of the fierce competition churches and denominations have undertaken to claim and defend their turf all in the name of Christ.  Even Jesus’ disciples were not spared the competitive spirit.  They complained about someone who cast out demons in Jesus’ name: “we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”  But Jesus replied: “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Lk 9: 49,50). St.  Paul also reminds us that we are many but one body in Christ. (ICor. 12.4-13, Eph. 4. 4-6).

It is in this cooperative spirit that we, the representatives of the Asia Pacific Theological Association (APTA), Asia Theological Association (ATA), Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA), and the Senate of Serampore College, gathered together in Biblical Seminary of the Philippines, Manila on January 10-11, 2014, to discuss furthering mutual understanding and fellowship.

Toward this end, we the participants of this meeting commit ourselves to pursue these Strategic Directions for “Mutuality and Cooperation for Theological Education”

1.     Critically cultivating mutual understanding and stronger fellowship

2.     Exploring resource sharing

3.     Collaborating, reviewing and improving accreditation practices

            We will be considering the following:

1.     Roundtable conversation to be hosted by the Senate of Serampore

2.     Resources sharing such as faculty, student programs and library.

3.     Reciprocal observation on accreditation activities

4.     Research and documentation on variety of accreditation practices in theological education in Asia

  Participants:

Asia Pacific Theological Association                                     Alex Fuentes

Asia Theological Association                                                 Takanori Kobayashi,  Joseph Shao

Association for Theological Education in South East Asia     Ngoei Foong Nghian, Limuel Equina

Senate of Serampore College                                                  Santanu Patro

Foundation for Theological Education in South East Asia      H. S. Wilson, Lester Ruiz,
Association of Theological Schools in the US and Canada     Lester Ruiz
Ecumenical Theological Education WCC                               Dietrich Werner (through Skype)

Asian Forum for Theological Education                                  Huang Po Ho