Reimagining Theological Education Together (RTET)

Are seminaries and Bible colleges truly forming Christlike leaders—or just delivering content? Despite thousands of theological training programs worldwide, many remain overly Western, disconnected from local contexts, and weak in cultivating transformed character. In this episode, you'll discover:- Why more content isn’t the same as more transformation- How “polycentric” and indigenous models are reshaping global theological education- Practical ways to assess real character and spiritual growth in ministry training- How local leaders are creating context-based programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin AmericaTrue theological education isn’t about information—it’s about formation. Join us as we reimagine how to equip leaders who reflect Christ and renew the church worldwide.Resources:• ICETE Manifesto II https://icete.info/resources/the-icete-manifesto/

Most people still think of missions as something that flows from the West to the rest of the world. But that era is over. Today, the Global South, Latin America, Africa, and Asia, is not only receiving missionaries, it's sending them. From Ethiopia to Brazil, the church is growing, maturing, and leading global mission efforts in unprecedented ways.In this video, we will uncover:• Why “polycentric missiology” is reshaping missions today• How this shift is transforming theological education worldwide• What true mutuality and global collaboration could look likeThis isn’t just a change in geography, it is a fundamental shift in how we understand and support the global church. And it is already redefining theological education everywhere.Links• WEA https://worldea.org/• ICETE Manifesto II https://icete.info/resources/the-icete-manifesto/

Theological education is in crisis — not because of lack of passion, but because of deep fragmentation. Around the world, formal, non-formal, and informal training programs often operate in silos, unable to meet the overwhelming demand for equipped church leaders. Without collaboration, no single sector can keep up with the church’s explosive growth.In this video, we will uncover:• Why fragmented theological training is failing the global church• How cross-sector collaboration can close the leadership gap• What happened at ICETE’s C-22 gathering in Turkey and why it matters• Practical examples of schools and ministries working together in Latin America, Africa, and AsiaThis isn’t just a challenge for educators, it’s a defining issue for the future of the church. And it’s time we face it together.Links mentioned in this episode:• ICETE: https://icete.info/

The global church is growing faster than leaders are being trained. How can theological education rise to meet this urgent need? In this episode, we unpack the ICETE Manifesto II and explore why theological education must be re-centered on God’s mission. Together we discuss:• What it means to integrate mission and theology• How COVID reshaped seminaries and training programs worldwide• Lausanne’s challenge to conduct a “missional audit”• Why theological education must serve the church’s mission—not just its own survivalThe reality is stark: while the U.S. has one pastor for every 230 people, many regions have only 1 for every 450,000. Renewal isn’t enough—this is a call to recalibrate theological education to equip leaders for the future of the global church.Links:• ICETE Manifesto II: https://icete.info/resources/the-icete-manifesto/• The Hope of the Gospel by Mark Young: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Gospel-Theological-Education-Evangelicalism/dp/0802878865• Lausanne: https://lausanne.org/

Most Christians in the U.S. don’t realize the crisis happening across the global church. Here, the ratio is about 1 trained pastor for every 230 people. But in much of the Global South, it’s closer to 1 trained pastor for every 450,000 people. The church is multiplying faster than leaders can be equipped — and the gap is only growing.In this video, we will uncover:- The data behind the global leadership imbalance- Why theological education matters more than ever- Stories of leaders like Obdiel who represent thousands facing this reality- What this means for the future of the church worldwideThis isn’t just a statistic — it’s a global crisis most people never hear about. And it demands our attention.

Welcome to Reimagining Theological Education Together! If you care about strengthening the Church through prepared leaders, this podcast is for you.As I engage with theological education around the world, I have become convinced that there are important global perspectives that help us rethink how we understand theological education. This podcast envisions a growing global community of theological education leaders who consistently imagine ways their programs might further strengthen God's people for God's gospel mission.If you care about forming the next generation of church leaders, consider subscribing and joining our journey as we Reimagine Theological Education Together.