Representatives from Olivet University attended the 18th Global Consultation of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education, ICETE, C-22 conference in Izmir, Turkey. Joining over 500 participants from over 80 countries, Olivet University came together with schools, training programs, and resource providers to practice new global collaboration strategies.
The event's theme "Formal and Non-formal Theological Education: Behind Dialogue" challenged participants to aim for one common goal: strengthening Christ's Church. Dr. Michael A. Oritz, International Director of ICETE, opened the event with a keynote that encouraged theological educators to have open attitudes towards opportunities for collaboration. The event was to build trust and leverage the strengths of each sector to prepare maturing shepherds to build up Christ's Church around the world through informal and formal education.
ICETE C-22 offered a variety of workshops that covered Future Missionary Training, Competency-Based Theological Education, Theological to Executive Leadership, Practical Tools for Educating Virtue, Current Realities of Theological Education in the North American Context, Expanding Work to Validate Non-Formal Programs, Ethnodoxology's Role in Theological Education, Regional Training for Collaborative Initiative for Ministry Formation, Disciple Making through All Forms of Theological Education.
Morning Working Tracks were also included to have not only listening sessions but also active group gatherings to produce conclusive action steps moving forward. The Working Tracks included Quality Asurays for non Formal Theological Education Programs, Bridging Gaps in Theological Education through Technology, Online and Distance Competencies, Training Pastoral Leaders between Formal and Informal, Assessing and Supporting Spiritual Formation, and Designing Together for Future Next Generation Students.
Inspiration and networking opportunities were fully apparent at ICETE C-22 as schools in both the formal and informal sectors came together to advance theological education on a global scale.
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