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A Handbook of Theological Education in World Christianity, released at the Edinburgh 2010 conference, provides "a world-class resource for all of us who feel a need for continuing ecumenical formation", says the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.
The handbook brings together more than 90 expert contributions on recent developments, challenges and trends in Christian theological education. It also contains regional surveys of ecumenical and denominational trends and models in theological education conducted on all continents.
The handbook includes a service section which lists the internet addresses of associations of theological schools, digital resources for theological research and education and a new international directory of theological schools: oikoumene.org/theological-schools-directory
Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote in one of the three forewords that with this publication “a new stage has been reached in the important history of ecumenical cooperation and learning in the area of theological education. The Handbook provides a very important resource and world survey which should enable regional associations of theological schools, mission boards and church leaders in Christianity to become aware again of the crucial importance of theological education for the renewal of the church’s mission and service.”
WCC president Rev. Dr Ofelia Ortega wrote that the handbook opened "new paths in theological education", and Robert J. Schreiter of the Catholic Theological Union in his foreword calls it a "vital resource" for the training of future church leadership.
The book was produced in the framework of the international Edinburgh 2010 study group on theological education under the leadership of the Ecumenical Theological Education programme of WCC.
Its first copy was presented to the Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, moderator of the WCC Central Committee at the book launch in Edinburgh on 6 June.
More information on the WCC Ecumenical Theological Education programme
More on the Edinburgh 2010 study group on theological education
The Handbook of Theological Education in World Christianity is published by Regnum Books International and has some 800 pages. ISBN: 978-1-870345-80-4
The group of editors consisted of Namsoon Kang, Bright Divinity School, Texas, president of WOCATI; David Esterline, McCormick Theological Seminary and Institute for Cross-Cultural Theological Education; Joshva Raja, Queens Foundation, Birmingham; and Dietrich Werner, WCC.
