Break Down the Walls of Division

2023 Annual Member's Meeting 

Council For World Mission (CWM) 

Changhua Taiwan, June 10, 2023 

 Huang Po Ho 

 Director of Academy for Contextual Theologies in Taiwan

For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility (Eph. 2.14) 

Introduction 

Rev. Dr. Jooseop Keum, General Secretary of Council for World Mission, Distinguished delegations of CWM member Churches, guests and my dear Taiwanese colleagues: It is a great honor to be invited for this opportunity to talk to this annual member's meeting of CWM in my beloved home country of Taiwan. Many thanks to CWM family and general secretary Dr. Jooseop Keum for the invitation.The theme of this annual meeting is "Break Down the Walls of Division" which is taken from the Biblical passage in Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Eph. 2.14), where Paul had tried to convince the Ephesians that they were brought into the Christian community as equals and one with the Jews. And pointed out that this new status of the Gentiles was the fruit of the work of reconciliation through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 

This theme of "Break Down the Walls of Division" not only brings us back to the central message of the Christian faith, which the theologies of modern ecumenical movement derived from, it also timely reflects our critical contexts in the geopolitical tensions and the threats from the rivalry between two empires, that have forced the world to face a potential world war. The theme also reflects the nature of CWM as a missionary body and its commitment to "Oikomene". The very title of "Council for World Mission" shows the pioneering ecumenism of this group. It was changed from its original name "London Missionary Society (LMS)", a sending organization to evangelize the world, into a common fellowship of all missionary partners. Over the years, CWM has implemented many inspiring programs to combat empires and economic globalization, and to decolonize different sociopolitical hegemonic forces and irrelevant Christian mission. The theme thus is duly and urgent. 

 

The Wall to the Gentiles 

A key phrase in this passage which draws our attention is "Break down the dividing wall", this dividing wall has been further described as a "wall of hostility". A dividing wall is created by hostility. We have to be reminded here that the audients of this passage were the Ephesians Gentiles, who were the recipients of the letter and were treated hostile by the Jews. In the former verses, Paul had counting the inferior status of the Gentiles, he said: 

And you he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air... Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called“uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. (2.1-2a,11-12) 

According to Paul's perception, gentile Ephesians status were inferior and contrast to that of the Jews:

 1) The Gentiles were called the uncircumcised by those who had claim to that of circumcision.         Here was the first of the great divisions. 

 2) The Gentiles had no hope of a Messiah; 

 3) The Gentiles were aliens from the society of Israel, and was not the holy people (ho hagios'         laos). 

4) The Gentiles were strangers from the covenants on which the promises were based. 

5) The Gentiles were without hope and without God in the world. 

It is to these downtrodden people of gentile Ephesians that Paul address on this topic of Break Down the Walls of Division. The gentile Ephesians were the one to be segregated by the wall of division, which was built by the self justified superior Jews. Ephesians did not have the ability and power to destroy barrier, yet they were granted the opportunity to cross over the wall to join the Messiah community. Paul was here to remind them the fact that their identity of being a Christian, was not attained through their human efforts or achievement by paying their own prices, nor by the grace from the oppressive Jewish party, But "have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

In another word, the message that Paul constructed in these sentences, are not a command nor an instruction for the Ephesians to take actions to break down the wall, instead, he points out that it is the intention of God, and reminded those who have being segregated outside the walls, that this has been realized through the graceful events of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The wall here that Paul pointed to was a symbolic expression of the curtain of the holy Temple, which was created by the Jewish community to segregate and preventing the Gentiles to approach closer to the holy sanctuary of the Temple. This curtain according to Paul was the dividing wall of hostility. he said: 

by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Accordingly, for Paul to Break down the wall was not the final purpose, instead the genuine purpose was to overcome discrimination and make peace between the Gentiles and the Jews, and to reconcile both of them to God. 

Walls Are Product of Human Spirituality 

Mission： Church in Formation 〔認同：在地宣教〕

本土神學文集第六冊命名為「認同：在地宣教」，英文則以Mission: Church in Formation來標示。試圖把宣教、認同、與教會三者連結起來。宣教是教會形成的激素與定型，甚麼樣的宣教產出甚麼樣的教會。教會因此不只是宣教的果子，也是持續宣教的動力。而宣教missio Dei是一種受差的行動，因此是道成肉身的實踐，真實的宣教必定是像耶穌道成肉身一樣的「認同的宣教」，也就是在地宣教。通過愛與認同，從事的在地宣教，毫無疑問地會建立起釘根本地的教會。本書透過反省筆者任職長老教會總會研發中心期間，主持台灣基督長老教會「21世紀新台灣宣教運動」研發的過程與內涵，以及期間面對全球化議題所做的基督教宣教的論述，配合早年出版之「本土神學與本土宣教」一書，以及年輕時在美國紐約協和神學院跟隨黑人神學家James Cone做研究時翻譯他的一篇短文「教會是甚麼」一起組成，時間前後跨越數十年，範圍涵蓋多層面向，希望從本土神學的角度，將神學理論與實踐結合，來呈現宣教的本質，也印證在地宣教的走向並期許教會能夠持續的本土化，來成為人民的盼望。

Teotihuacan 的日月神廟 - 凝視墨西哥的文化深層

第一次到墨西哥，出發之前既興奮又有點不安。早年在美國讀書時接觸過不少墨西哥人，但從來沒進過墨西哥。算來進出國門超過兩百多次，去過的國家也有三十幾國，近年來都是重複一些較密切交往的國家，很久沒有再探新國度的經驗。因此Concilium今年的編委會選定在墨西哥召開，一直期待著。不過，要到墨西哥除了最近美墨之間為了移民的問題吵得不可開交，加上出發前幾日才看到報導，因為空汙的問題導致學校停課，朋友一聽我要到墨西哥，不是要我注意安全就是小心空氣汙染。

對談，塞納河畔 -- 巴黎天主教大學主辦之「跨文化及跨宗教之理性對談」國際研討會記趣

記憶巴黎

對巴黎一直深植的印象就是浪漫。記得第一次到巴黎應該是一九九四年應邀參加WOCATI一個小組的會議，主要是為了爭辯「處境」在神學學術卓越性上的角色與地位。那次會議與會人數不多，但充滿爭議的討論不但說服我：離開處境的神學是沒有生命的學術，真正的卓越學術必須建立在對週遭生命與環境的人文關懷之上。處境化不但因此成為我這輩子神學努力的執著方向，它也成為北美神學評鑑協會(ATS)對神學教育之卓越性的一個評鑑參考指標 (WOCATI是ATS所支持，為其國際研究類似智庫團體)。

第一次到巴黎當然不會放過艾菲爾鐵塔、香榭大道，以及羅浮宮這些景點。然而習慣上受邀參加國際會議，使用的是邀請單位的經費協助，為了避免ecumenical tourism的惡評，除了必要的公事外，很少作延長行程趁機旅遊的安排。三、四天的會議除了主辦單位帶我們到不同具歷史性的餐廳吃飯，經驗這個古老的城市外，只能利用會議空閒的時間找幾個可抵達的地方溜達一下。鐵塔、香榭、羅浮宮、塞納河畔都到了，然而都是走馬看花，在外圍瀏覽一下，增添一筆人生的到此一遊 (主要還是沒錢也沒時間的窮神學人生活方式吧)。

重返香榭大道

一年多前，印度籍的好朋友，著名的天主教學者Felix Wilfred寫信給我，要我幫天主教頗具歷史性的神學刊物 (THEOLOGICUM) 推薦亞洲區編輯委員，我給了他幾個名單有男的有女的。幾個禮拜後他給我的回信是問如果他推薦我，我願不願意擔任這個編委的工作。我告訴他我不是天主教徒，如果Theologicum沒有教派的限制，我倒真有興趣了解一個具權威的國際性刊物是怎麼在運作它的出版過程。就這樣我被通知受邀參與編輯委員行列。後來看2015年的該刊物編輯與顧問年會的議事錄，才看到這邀請還真經過正式投票。20個委員(我看當次會議出席人數紀錄是18人)我得到13票，是當次會議入選者中在紀錄上票數最高的(我想是因為我的推薦人是Felix的原故，他是目前的執行主席)。而目前的20位編委中竟然只有我一位是非天主教的編委。據說有史以來非天主教徒的編委也只有過兩三位，其中一位大家較熟悉的是德國的新教神學家莫特曼(Moltmann，已於幾年前任期屆滿)。

被通知參與雜誌編委後，馬上就被放入編輯群的工作行列，主要都是用email聯繫。透過email的討論、提議，加上每年一次的年會作統整。一年出刊五期的學術雜誌，2015年的年會中已經把主題安排到2017年底。這段時間不斷接到的通聯都是在累積2018以後的題目。每期刊物都由編委分組負責規劃、邀稿及編輯工作。其嚴謹及用心，編委參與的積極都讓我大開眼界。去年九月(2015)巴黎天主教大學神學院院長Fr. Thierry Marie Courau來信要我準備參加2016年在巴黎召開的年會。並指定我在年會前的一個由該大學主辦，法國道明會、及Theologicum協辦的Symposium中談談東方人的文化與思考模式。

重返巴黎，難掩再次親炙香榭大道與塞納河畔的想望。26日深夜的飛機于27日清晨抵達戴高樂機場。通關的時間拖了近一個小時。由於要自己搭計程車入城，得先換錢，哪知太早抵達，在機場找不到那麼早開門的換錢店鋪。問來問去最後在地下室找到一間換了歐元，進到住宿的地點已經十一點左右。住的是道明會修道院改裝的宿舍(Maison Eymard)，制式化的管理，連門房人在裡面不是辦公時間(10-12am, 14-18pm)找他問事情都會告訴你我不在上班。房間要兩點才能進入，還好接待我的修女幫我協調，同意我把東西先拿進房間，等裡面整理好再進住。修道院宿舍剛好在香榭大道旁不遠，放好行李洗個熱水澡後就獨自到凱旋門附近溜噠。車流人群，寬廣行人道上的露天咖啡座，喚起終年忙碌遺忘已久的浪漫心緒。多麼希望生活中能偶而有機會像這樣悠閒的飲啜一杯咖啡，一、兩好友無所目的的聊開。

對談的背叛與救贖

我的專講被安排在開幕後第一場三個演講中的一講。另外兩位講者一位來自法國里昂大學，另一位是巴黎天主教大學的教授，共同主題是文化與宗教理性的概念。大會分成全體會議(plenary) 及圓桌會議。圓桌會議每場分成十五、六組。全體會議有五場每場三個專講，我和Felix是亞洲區被安排專講的兩人。圓桌會議有四場，每組兩到三人報告，總共有有上百人作分享。由台灣輔仁大學來的陳文團教授，陳德光教授也都負責在分組中當主持及報告。專講後的討論時間不多，我的專講題目是「漢人文字、語言的特質與其思考模式對宗教與神學的影響」。應該是整個會議專注在歐洲傳統哲學思辯的氛圍中較為突出的主題。會後很多與會者有不少正面的回應與讚許。

信仰與理性可以並存嗎?宗教對談是人類的救贖還是良心的背叛? 宗教信仰與教義可以作為對談的標的嗎? 在全球化、恐怖主義橫行的當代社會中如何透過對談增進人類福祉?會議的主題可以說包羅萬象，內容異常豐富。會中除了主要的天主教學者與信徒與會以外，少數新教徒，還有回教與佛教的學者法師參加。令我感動的是與會者的熱烈與對學術顯現的高度興趣。每場全體會議都可以看到搶位置的爆滿狀況，甚至到最後一場都還有許多人沒位置可坐，要坐在走道上去。這與台灣的各種學術會議，第一天盛況之後，會場逐漸空蕩蕩的情況真有天壤之別。對學術的執著與熱情，亞洲(台灣)要努力的空間還真有一大段路要走。

在巴黎與陳文團教授重逢是個驚喜。陳教授八、九年前與我到海德堡一起參加會議熟識後，一直保持斷斷續續的聯繫，身為哲學大師，在台灣桃李遍佈的學者，他的平易近人，親切友善，是我很敬重的學者。從台大退休後，一直沒機會再見面。沒想到在第一天的開幕會後從身後一隻友善的手拉住我，才知道這次會議除了我之外還有來自輔大的四、五位學者參加。輔大與巴黎天主教大學的神學院有合作關係。類似的研討會雖人數沒這次多(這次也是慶祝道明會創會八百年的活動之一)，在兩校間輪流主辦也有一段時間。希望未來在台灣舉辦時能讓更多不同大學的學者有機會一起參與。

會議第二天晚上，大會安排到塞納河坐船遊河晚宴，氣氛熱烈，三個小時的遊河晚宴，看著河岸一群群悠閒人群，一棟棟上百年上千年古堡建築。一償巴黎浪漫的想像。順便一提在會議中遇到一位河北來讀博士班的修女，以及一位從台北來讀歷史博士班的輔大校友，都很親切的帶我利用時間去繞了一圈大教堂及諾特丹聖母院。有他鄉故人的親切。這次會議的籌備工作也有讓我驚異的地方。在還沒出發來法國參加會議之前，在台灣就接到主辦單位寄給我的電子郵件，其中是先把每場會議的現場轉播youtube 網址規劃出來，會議的現場就直接傳上網址。在我演講結束同時，我已經可以在網址上找到自己的錄影影片。Fr. Thierry的領導能力可見一般。

我把我專講的第一場網址聯結在此：

Cerner le concept de rationalité culturelle ou religieuse

https://youtu.be/BkXMt_mI8eQ

Establishment of Asian Academy of Christian Studies and

Launching of International Journal of Asian Christian Studies

International Consultation

Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies, Chennai

27 & 28 November, 2015

Rationale & Back Ground

The publication of The Oxford Handbook of Christianity in Asia is now acclaimed internationally for its high academic quality and original perspectives. Over 40 scholars of international stature were part of this project and contributed to shape the Handbook. The Handbook is viewed as an important source and instrument for a critical study of Christianity in Asia and its public engagement with society, culture, education, politics, history, etc.

An international conference (5-7 November, 2014) closely following at the heels of the publication of the Handbook brought together contributing authors, other scholars, faculty and research students here in Chennai for two days for a very engaged discussion. The conference led to the realization of a distinct Asian identity of Christianity with implications in the fields of public life, education, interreligious relationships, etc. The intense conversations led to the formulations of two proposals with reference to the future engagement of Christianity in the field of public life, education, interreligious understanding etc.

A proposal emerged from the conference of constituting an Asian Academy of Christian Studies which will help to bring together scholars across the globe studying and researching in the field of Christianity in its multiple encounters with the Asian societies. The creation of such an international body will help to promote cutting edge researches by Asian scholars. It will be open also to scholars from other parts of the world. The academy as a permanent body will further facilitate interaction among scholars on Asian Christianity.

Objectives of the Academy

• To study and research on Christianity as an integral part of Asian history and tradition.
• To promote a forum for Asian Christian Intelligentsia to dialogue with the larger society and critically reflect on its social, political, economic and cultural situation.
• To provide an interdisciplinary basis for Christian social engagement.
• To facilitate the meeting and interaction among Asian Christian intellectuals and channel their human resources towards transformation of society.
• To promote inter-religious understanding and religious freedom in dialogue with peoples of other faiths.

A second proposal that followed was the creation of an International Journal of Asian Christian Studies with an Editorial Board, consisting of outstanding scholars from Asia, Europe, USA, etc.

Objectives of the Journal

·         To study Christianity as a part of the socio-cultural processes of Asian people

·         To relate Christianity with current socio-cultural issues of different regions of Asia from an interdisciplinary perspective.

·         To study and research on Christianity with reference to the life context of marginalized peoples, minorities, ethnicities, etc.

·         To study and research the interaction of Christianity in the public sphere.

·         To explore various forms of Asian indigenous Christianities and their expressions from an interdisciplinary perspective.

·         To promote interreligious understanding and religious freedom through enlightening researches and reflections.

Impact of the Academy and the Journal

Issues of Christian mission, social engagement, education, culture, etc. are situated in a definite context with many interacting forces and factors. Christianity finds itself in Asia at the intersection of these forces and factors which also create its unique contours in the Asian continent. The Academy and journal will have impact on the way Christianity encounters the Asian reality and interacts with it. The studies and researches the Academy will promote and the journal will publish will lead to an enlightened understanding of the interface between Asia and Christianity in today’s circumstances, particularly in the field of social transformation. They will help to see and practice in a new light Christian mission, pastoral ministry, inter-religious relationships, social and educational engagement.

Editorial Board

There will be an Editorial Board of scholars drawn from Asia and other parts of the world. And there will be also an International Advisory Board.

Periodicity

The Journal will start as biannual. After a period of five years, it will be turned into a quarterly.

Publication & Marketing

To be able to reach out as widely as possible, the journal will tie-up with a well known international publisher who will promote and market it in Asia as well as in other continents.

Administration & Organization

The proposed Academy of International Journal of Asian Christian Studies will have its centre of operation at the Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies (ACCS). A secretariat will be set up which will coordinate the work of editors, publishers and contributors. ACCS has experience in this matter. It houses also the secretariat of 50 year old international journal Concilium which is published in six European language editions and five times a year. The expertise of the Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies will be channelized to organizing and coordinating work of International Journal of Asian Christian Studies.

Stages Leading to the Realization of the Project

1. An initial exploratory consultation will discuss the nature of the academy, its scope, membership, structure, functioning etc. It will also discuss the orientation to be adopted by the proposed journal and chalk out the guiding principles, nature, scope, readership. It will also explore possible publishing houses with whom the journal can tie-up for publication and marketing. The consultation will pool the names of scholars who could serve on the advisory board of the journal. It will also suggest a larger pool of names for membership in the academy and criteria to be part of it. 
2. Convocation of the first editorial board meeting. The editorial board will go deeper into the deliberations of the consultation and fine tune the orientation of the journal, its nature and scope. It will lay down the editorial policy and other technicalities for publication and distribution. The Academy and the journal will work in tandem.
3. The constitution of the Academy and selection of international office-bearers.
4. Publication of the first issue of the journal. March 2017.

  

Prof. Dr. Felix Wilfred

Founder-Director

Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies

Chennai, India

Operational Structure of the JOURNAL

Chief Editor

·         Felix Wilfred

Associate Editors

·         Herman Teule (West Asia)

·         Sebastien Peyrouse (Central Asia)

·         Wesley Ariarajah (South Asia)

·         Jose Mario Francisco (South-East Asia)

·         Huang, Po-Ho (East Asia)

·         Wong, Angela Wai Ching **

Members of the Editorial Board

1.      Annie Kunnath

2.      Anri Morimoto

3.      Archie Lee

4.      Ataullah  Siddiqui

5.      Dieter Becker

6.      Edmund Chia

7.      Edward Xu

8.      Edmond Tang

9.      Francis X. Clooney

10.  Georg Evers

11.  Glenn Shive

12.  Gnana Patrick

13.  John Clammer

14.  John Prior

15.  Jonathan Y. Tan

16.  Jude Lal Fernando

17.  Julius Bautista

18.  Marshal Fernando

19.  Michael Amaladoss

20.  Paul Hwang

21.  Peter Phan

22.  Xing Ping

** We need to add a few women scholars. Could you kindly propose a few names?

 Advisory Board

David Suh

D. Preman Niles

Catelino Arevado

Philip L. Wickeri

Lee, Wing-On

Pushpa Joseph

(Could think of more people)

Institutional Members

Irish School of Economics - Jude Lal Fernando is exploring

Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras - confirmed

Ateneo de Manila University – Mario Francisco – could you confirm?

United Board for Christian Higher Education - Glenn – to be contacted

Woori Theological Institute (WTI), Korea – could be approached

Central Asia – Sebastien – Could you think of some institutions?

Middle East – Herman – Could you think of some institutions?

Vidyjyoti Theological College, India – could be included.........

More institutions are in the pipeline ....

** I have added the name of Dr. Wong, wia ching Angela from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, since there is no woman representative.

Great Gift of Festschrift from Friends

Gratefully Received the Precious Gift of Papers Contributed from Honorable International Friends 

新增說明文字

Doing Contextual Theologies in Asia
Essay in Honour of Huang Po Ho
Contents

Acknowledgement

Contributors

M. P. Joseph: Foreword

1. Fu Ya Wu: The Development of Contextual Theology and Po Ho's Contribution

2. Ya Tang Chuang: A Theological Hermeneutics of the Other for Inter-religious Dialogue

3. Wati Longchar: Asian Liberation Theology: Location and Methodology - An Indigenous Perspective

4. Edmund Kee-Fook Chia: Contextualizing Evangelii Gaudium in Asia

5. H.S. Wilson: Contextual Theologies to Theologies of Connectivity

6. K.C. Abraham: A renewed Call for Prophetic Ecumenism

7. S. Wesley Ariarajah: Towards a More Radically Indigenized Asian Christian Missiology

8. Hope S. Antone: Expanding Christian Education for Mission

9. Limatula Longkumer: Critical Pedagogy and Its Implication for Theological Education

10. Hong Jung Lee: "I am at the Mercy of the Rats": Seeking the Kenotic Interdependent Way of God's Economy of Life

11. Sze-kar Wan: Love and Violence: An Exegetical Reflection on Christian Political Engagement in Asia

12.Emanuel Gerrit Singgih: Trapped in a Contradiction: Buildings as Symbol of Service to Religion or to Community?

13. Atola Longkumer: Indigenous Religion/s in Asia: Enlarging Theological Curriculum

14. Dietrich Werner: Global Learning in Theological Education in The 21st century - Perspectives From WCC-ETE

Embracing the Household of God

My new book on "Embracing the Household of God -- A Paradigm Shift from Anthropocentric Tradition to Creation Responsibility in Doing Theology" is published as PTCA book series no. 7. This is a new shift of theological endeavors to a more inclusive and holistic concern of the mission of theology. Thanks to my good friends and brothers: Dr. Wati Longchar and Dr. M.P Joseph for their tireless works to bring this book out. The supports from ETE WCC for the publication is also appreciated. 

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