The Carroll Institute partners with “teaching churches”. This workshop is based on the premise that such a partnership is essential because just as education does not equal public school, theological education does not equal theological school. Theological education is for the whole people of God and theological schools are simply one way to get the job done. Forming effective networks is, therefore, a key task for institutions in the 21st century. However, this partnership also necessitates that those involved in the Institute and in the teaching churches be clear about the nature of the church as an institution and as the people of God.
| File | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| BH Carroll Distinctives | PDF, Word | |
| Congregational Development Workshop | PDF, Word |
The general consensus in the ATS membership (accrediting agency for North American theological schools) is that the theological curriculum is now “hopelessly overcrowded” with subjects and programs—limiting effectiveness in both the professional and academic development of leaders. Whole most faculty would disown the assumptions that learning happens automatically, that the teacher induces learning just by speaking or coerces learning by examinations, the structures of higher education, focused as they are on teaching rather than learning, create a climate where these assumptions are difficult to avoid. The perception of faculty as subject matter specialists requires activities that can hinder their development as learning specialists—as those who facilitate learning. A focus on learning and the development of learning specialists is a major challenge for theological education. Could the 21st century be the “Learning Century” in theological education?
| File | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| BH Carroll Distinctives | PDF, Word | |
| Learning is More than Just Methods | PDF, Word | |
| The Issue in Teaching is Learning | PDF, Word | |
| The Learning Century Introduction 15 minutes | PDF, Word |
The familiar form of theological schooling has remained relatively unchanged for over 200 years. ATS recently invited schools to submit proposals for innovation grants. Leaders in the Majority World now know that the forms they inherited from the west are inadequate for their realities. They are actively creating new models. What is possible? What do you want the Carroll Institute to look like ten years from now? How do you envision its role in the global community of theological education for the whole people of God?
