"The good ministry is good ministry wherever it exists." With this statement the former president of ICUU, David Usher, began our final day together. Recognized how the local environment shapes our ministries, but added, "Despite the limitations of local area, there is a fluidity, openness and sharing these characteristics of the ministry among us. I want to encourage the possibility of greater fluidity in all ministerial training. "
We learned a lot about differences in education and training in the practice of ministry in different countries, theology and the expectations placed on the minister. This must be the day to find solutions and even reconciliation. This must be the day to discuss what we have to offer each other, and how we could overcome the limits of educational expectations and the credentialing process. It's a lot to say, of course. Be the first conversation.
The most important factor in this critical time is something that has not been discussed: that we are colleagues. None of us checked the credentials of the others on the way to the meeting. We assume from the outset that we were ministers, regardless of our country or church of origin (and we must take into consideration that includes representatives of Remonstrants or 'Unhappy' , and Liberal Religious Community or NPB, of the Netherlands, who are not members of ICUU). We treat each other with respect and seek to learn from each other in our respective ministries. No previous experience of such a meeting collegiality. Very
theme quickly emerged Nihal Attanayake Day One of the Philippines, and member of Executive Committee ICUU was the first to give voice. We want this connection that we descubirto is maintained in some form. Posterioemente in the day, Sara Asher from the U.S. suggest the creation of an International Association of Ministers. Several people volunteered to make it appear (to take upon their shoulders the responsibility of staff and the Executive Committee ICUU - how generous!). We do not know what has to emerge from this process, but something new has begun. Afternoon
presented educational leaders and professional associations. Hoped to learn only the barriers, but despite this fellow spoke in terms of solutions and cooperation. Where expected stiffness (a prejudice on my part, I guess) I found creativity. We had already noticed the level so high that the ministry in developing countries assumes an organic and entrepreneur. That is to say that the ministers come from communities. They are renowned for their natural abilities and their loyalty. That spark is then fed and allowed to grow. Their training is mainly done through a model to become apprentices in the profession, to learn to work with senior minister. It may, or may not have formal education as well, but sometimes it reaches only after ordination.
As someone who grew up with the model of 'go to school to become a minister', I confess I do not quite understand this model of doing things and I tend to suspect him ... what's funny, because I've never been a professor or academic. I learn best by doing, as this allows me to learn from my mistakes.
then Lee Barker and Qiyamah Rahman spoke on the Theological School Meadville / Lombard in the U.S. and outlined a new educational model called "Touchpoint" already in force. It is based on keeping students in their local communities, and what is more important, keep them linked to their church of origin and other practices in communities that could be used. During his 3 years of field work as interns while taking intensive courses and are linked with students and teachers through conference calls and other technological means. In other words, apply some of the best elements in the organizational model found in developing countries ..
Lee Barker was delighted to listen to Africans and Filipinos, and noted that the developed North, particularly North America could learn a lot from this experience.
Alex Bradley of Manchester College delienó the model applied in the Kingdom Reuni always preserves a more direct and pointed out how a changing student body, more and more older people often choose to explore ministry as a second career- requires a similar change for training in your local area.
Perhaps best of this Ministerial Conference ICUU was that its planners did not seek a specific result. Believed it would give us enough time to tell our stories and hear stories of others. This format was great. So
what does emerge from this? One group wants to think of an International Association of Ministers. Another wants to explore cooperation between churches asociciones like, for example, congregations in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, mutual aid associations, cultural and theological. An interesting idea. There is a willingness to share and translate and share resources through the web site of ICUU.
But the biggest surprise for me, and that was perhaps an invitation to humility for participants from developed countries, was the way that Western universities have come to understand how much to teach the churches in the country Developing ministry development. In places that lack of theological schools, they train liberal ministers.
ICUU Ministerial Conference concluded late on Monday July 12, 2010 with a large dose of warmth and passion, a little dancing and a nice party in the bar under the stairs. A brick vaulted room dating from the time of the monks, the bar is dark and cold. There is a great tradition of runirse at the bar ICUU meetings, whether you drink or not. Undoubtedly a highlight moment of the last evening came when he buenavoluntad energy and is bubbled into songs. As usual, the Transylvanian began to sing Popular folk songs, but soon there were responses from the rest of the world ... U.S. folk songs and gospel music, "Land of Hope and Glory" of the British and even Canadian a few songs. It was a warm and lovely end to a good activity.
