Leaders Foster Collaboration Among Adventist Universities, Seek to Strengthen Theology Programs
Dr. Gamaliel Flórez, education director for the church in Inter-America speaks to Adventist university leaders during a three day, meeting to strengthen theology programs. The event took place in Montemorelos University, in Mexico. Image courtesy of Montemorelos University
March 14, 2018 | Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico| Libna Stevens/IAD
Administrators and theology professors across Seventh-day Adventist universities in Inter-America recently met to explore new methodologies for teaching theology.
The three-day meeting, held at Montemorelos University in North Mexico, from Feb. 27 to Mar. 3, saw educators review the updated version of the Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial and Theological Education, as well as examine the direction of ministerial plans in the Inter-American Division (IAD) in the coming years.
“Our universities are preparing pastors to serve in Inter-America and the world so it was necessary to come together to ensure that theology programs are in harmony with the church’s guidelines, plans and methods,” said Dr. Gamaliel Flórez, education director of the church in Inter-America and main organizer of the meetings.
Dr. Gamaliel Florez, education director for the church in Inter-America, said the IAD file photo.
Coming together meant studying teaching methodologies that can allow for closer teacher interchange among the 14 universities spread out in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela, said Flórez.
“For more than 10 years we have been working on strengthening a network with all our universities and because there is an ongoing culture of collaboration, each educational institution can benefit from each other’s strengths,” explained Flórez. This collaboration has brought together a consortium of Adventist universities in the IAD.
Some universities have more scholars than others, and focus on different theology classes, said Flórez. For instance, Colombia Adventist University has three professors who specialize in old testament studies; Montemorelos University, University of Southern Caribbean and the Northern Caribbean are strong with the history of reformation in their theology programs, so on.
“A few of our educational institutions possesses all the theology professors specialized for each of the subjects, ie. systematic theology, old testament, new testament, applied theology, and the like for the entire program,” said Flórez. “Many professors study the classes and teach it, so coming together to provide specialized professors to visit and teach at other campuses would strengthen our universities.”
Online courses, visiting professors for special course sessions, and additional joint ventures will only make theology programs better across borders and oceans, said Flórez.
Flórez added that The Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary (IATS) has a database of available scholars in Inter-America and beyond and they will work together with universities coordinating as needed.
Leaders also took time to examine the plans laid out by the ministerial association of the church in Inter-America which will allow pastors to focus more on discipleship training, empowering members to become disciple-makers in their churches and neighborhoods.
Time was spent going over the newly updated Handbook for Ministerial and Theological Education, the first update in 17 years.
Plans are to establish a basic curriculum for theology schools across Inter-America, one that will set the standard for all.
“This venture will set the course throughout the Division,” said Flórez . “Greater collaboration will make it easier to move forward in preparing stronger ministers to serve the growing membership.”