A group of educators and leaders from the Asia-Pacific Region, the USA, and Europe met from 24 to 27 July in the Philippines to explore how to be more effective in missions through theological education in the Church of the Nazarene. 

This was the continuation of a dialogue started in Singapore in October 2017. The group strategized how to prepare for the changes happening in education across the globe. The church is growing rapidly in some areas of the denomination's Asia-Pacific Region, leaving a high demand for equipped leaders. In other places, the growth has stagnated, leaving the need for a fresh vision and new methods.

The committee believes that the Nazarene theology of holiness as love provides a clear roadmap to effective discipleship, that making disciples is not for a select few but is at the very heart of who Nazarenes are as Jesus’ followers, and that the goal of theological education is to train leaders who in turn train others to fulfill the Great Commission of making Christlike disciples in the nations.

Throughout history, the church used the parish model where most of the work of ministry is left to a few highly trained professional clergy. The region urges a paradigm change where all believers are trained for the mission. This will require cooperation among the local church, districts, and educational providers. Education must be applicable to local contexts, accessible in local languages, affordable for everyone, and with opportunity for continued growth.

In order to fulfill that mission, the region is rolling out a new course of study for ministry. This new curriculum focuses on character formation in context through mentoring and the development of practical skills. It also places importance on learning together through fellowship with God, dialogue with one another, involvement in local churches, and engagement in their local community.

The committee developed the following affirmation statements as a way forward in dialogue and development:

•    We affirm that our purpose is to make Christlike disciples who multiply.
•    We affirm the role and the equipping of the priesthood of all believers.
•    We affirm that theological education is about developing Christlike character in the community.
•    We affirm that theological education begins in the local church with intentional discipleship.
•    We affirm that the theological education process must be relational.
•    We affirm that the educational process is a shared responsibility between educators, church, mentors, and District Ministerial Studies Boards and District Ministerial Credential Boards.
•    We affirm the catalytic role of faculty in the development of students.
•    We affirm the need for the transformational development of college boards, administration, and faculty members to develop the character of students.
•    We affirm the importance of Wesleyan-Holiness theological tradition and accountability.
•    We affirm that we are stronger when we collaborate.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific