Taiwan: Chinese Theological Education Consultation

March 19 2008, Taiwan Adventist College, Taiwan 

A Chinese Theological Education Consultation met at Taiwan Adventist College Health Center from March 17-19, 2008 to evaluate, discuss and propose new strategies for Chinese ministerial training. The Northern Asia-Pacific Division Education department invited presidents and chairmen of the religion departments from Hong Kong Adventist College, Taiwan Adventist College, and Mission College in Thailand. Because of the urgent need for broader consensus the president of the Adventist International Institute of Advance Studies (AIIAS), the president of Sahmyook University, its Academic Dean, and its Dean of the School of Theology were invited. The Ministerial Association Secretary and Director of Education of the Chinese Union Mission also attended the meetings.

Dr. Onn Liang and Dr. Miguel Luna suggested the importance of a paradigm shift in Chinese theological education during their devotionals. They emphasized that the focus be kept on the mission and vision of theological education as a whole new perspective, a clear purpose that reflect the reason for its existence. “As leaders, we are supposed to envision the future. By considering the potential that such education holds and looking beyond the limitations that exist. Plans include using all available tools to make the project workable and feasible.”

The main purpose of the consultation was to create a master plan for theological and ministerial training of Chinese speaking students. “The greatest challenge we face is out lack of human resources”, participants admitted. “For this reason, it is important that our colleges and universities work together. To provide this type of theological education we need to have the same purpose and share our human resources.” The consultants remarked about the need to use different approaches, programs and different methodologies. Despite previous discussions on how to develop the Chinese theological education and implementing certain approaches over the past few years, there remains a lack of a more comprehensive and global solution toward the ministerial training of Chinese speaking students. Although the challenges and difficulties remain, the consultants believed that it is imperative to continue toward theological education with the assurance of faith and guidance of Jesus Christ.

Participants of the consultation shared their appreciation for the convocation and the core of recommendations hoping to see accomplishments for Chinese theological education.