The Global Forum of Theological Educators

The Global Forum of Theological Educators is an international fellowship of leaders in theological education from every Christian tradition.

GFTE is designed to provide an opportunity for leaders in theological education from every Christian tradition to meet and learn from those doing similar work but whose faith tradition is different from their own. Individual theological educators from each of the six Christian ecclesial families – Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Historical Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Independent (primarily from Africa and China) – convene to provide a common platform to build trust across traditional boundaries, share experiences, and explore commitments and areas for potential collaboration.

GFTE is not controlled by or aligned with any one ecclesial family.

GFTE emphasizes mutual learning among Evangelical, Independent, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Historical Protestant, and Roman Catholic leaders in theological education.

GFTE participants engage as individuals rather than as formal representatives of particular groups, institutions, or associations.

The inaugural meeting of the Global Forum of Theological Educators took place at Familienferienstätte Dorfweil, Germany from May 16-20, 2016 with 86 participants from 37 countries. The three-and-a-half-day agenda included Bible study, worship, and conversations at round tables with individuals from each of the six ecclesial families at each table.

These table conversations were the primary agenda for the meeting. Rather than focus on the presentation of papers, in the usual tradition of academic meetings, participants focused on conversations with each other, intentionally across the usual boundaries, with the goal that all would become better acquainted with one another, share thoughts and experiences related to the education of pastors and Christian leaders, and better understand one another’s work and contexts.

To begin the conversation, brief presentations (20 minutes) were given on six broad topics related to theological education; participants then turned to the others at their tables to pick up the conversation themselves. The six major themes were 1) the unique gifts each ecclesial family brings to the common table, 2) how theological education forms people for ministry, 3) integrity and leadership, 4) what geographical and ecclesial contexts offer to theological education, 5) the role of theological education in God’s mission in the world, and 6) the role of theological education for the future of global Christianity.

In addition to these six sessions, one session brought participants together in geographical groups and another in ecclesial family groups. Each day began with worship (led by a different tradition) and Bible study, again followed by table conversation.

Learn more about the Dorfweil program here.

The outcome of the meeting, as described by the participants, was as the planners had hoped: theological educators met and learned from their counterparts from parts of the Christian world they had not met before. As described in the final report of the meeting to the small group of funders, “People talked across boundaries—both ecclesial and geographical—that many participants had not crossed previously. Perhaps more importantly, people listened to commitments of persons from Christian families that they had not heard before.”

Read the Dorfweil 2016 Concluding Message here.

The Rev. Daniel Aleshire, Ph.D., Former Executive Director of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

Rev. Emmanuel Anim, Ph.D., Dean, Faculty of Theology and Mission, Pentecost University College, Ghana

David Baer, Ph.D.*, Director, Theological Education Initiative

Fr. Stephen Bevans, SVD, Ph.D.*, Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD, Professor Emeritus of Mission and Culture, Catholic Theological Union

The Rev. David Esterline, Ph.D.*^, President and Professor of Cross-Cultural Theological, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rosalee Velloso Ewell, Ph.D.*, Principal, Redcliffe College

Fr. K. M. George, Ph.D., Director, Sopana Orthodox Academy

Kirsteen Kim, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and World Christianity, Fuller Theological Seminary

The Rev. Ruomin Liu, Ph.D., Missions Academy, Hamburg

The Rev. Wonsuk Ma, Ph.D.*, Distinguished Professor of Global Christianity, Oral Roberts University

Sandra Mazzolini, Ph.D., Ordinary Professor, Faculty of Missiology, Pontifical Urbanian University

Most Rev. Rufus Ositelu, Ph.D.*, Primate of The Church of the Lord (Aladura) Worldwide

Katerina Pekridou*, Dialogue Secretary, Conference of European Churches

The Rev. Lester Ruiz, Ph.D.*, Senior Director, Accreditation and Institutional Evaluation, Association of Theological Schools

The Rev. Dietrich Werner, Ph.D., Senior Advisor Theology, Ecumenical Education and Research, Bread for the World

*indicates Planning Committee
^indicates Chair