WOCATI News: The Newsletter of the World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions
MINUTES OF THE 2003 WOCATI EXECUTIVE
(8-10 December 2003, Newman College, Melbourne, Australia)
At the gracious invitation of ANZATS the Executive Committee met at Newman College, Melbourne, Australia, over three days (8-10 December 2003), according to the annotated agenda (WOCATI-EC 03 Doc. 2) and the time table (WOCATI-EC 03 Doc. 3).Present were all Executive Committee Members, except Leonor Rohas and Daniel Aleshire (apologies).
The Executive Committee members were guests of ANZATS for dinner, with other invited guests representing theological colleges and departments of universities not currently members of ANZATS.
The Excutive Committee also visited the member colleges of two of the four Associated Teaching Institutions of Melbourne College of Divinity, discussing with them a possible theme for the next WOCATI conference, and also experiencing the depth of ecumenical cooperation that exists within and across the diverse theological colleges that constitute MCD.At the beginning a number of papers prepared by the President and the Secretary/Treasurer were distributed (WOCATI-EC 03 Doc. 1). During the meeting a paper on Consensus Decision Making was tabled by Petros Vassiliadis (WOCATI-EC 03 Doc. 11). It was adopted unanimously as the method by which the WOCATI Executive Committee would make decisions. Partly reflecting this, the discussions of the executive tended to be iterative, raising issues in one session, and making decisions in another. For the sake of clarity these minutes group discussion and decisions in subjects rather than historical order.
1. The Future of WOCATI
There is no WOCATI without its member organisations. The Executive Committee realized that in the light of Congress 2002 in Chiang Mai, in this four year term WOCATI needs to be relevant to its constituent members, and to show that it is relevant.It was observed that few members, except the executive know much about WOCATI. At one time a Newsletter helped to inform. That is labour intensive and costly. A journal helps to share and develop quality.
The Executive Committee propose to use the web as a prime means of communication. Specific proposals are in the section on the web and communication.
WOCATI is seen not just as providing a network for communication, but guiding, for example, in breaking out into doing theology. It was suggested that WOCATI should not be neutral but linked to 'causes' for the development of theological education, driven by theology and the gospel, bridging conservative and progressive. During the first two sessions short presentations by Kang Nam Soon (appended) and Hyacinth Boothe (appended) were made, provoking interesting discussion.
2. Financial FuturePetros Vassiliadis shared information about possible funding of WOCATI initiatives by Evangelishes Missionwerk in Deutschland (EMW). Dr. Lothar Engel has indicated that support of ecumenical networking in the field of theological education is part of EMW's mandate. Initiative which could be considered are the meetings of WOCATI.
Petros Vassiliadis put forward the idea of a mid-term symposium which might be funded by EMW, mainly because its theme is within EMW's primary concerns:
· Proposed date March 2005
· Jointly with EMW (and others?) as sponsors
· Theme: "The Mission of the Church and the role of Theological Education in it"; to be refined in the light of further discussions; possibly relating to reconciliation and healing.
· Petros Vassiliadis to write up a proposal for EMW.It was resolved that a Financial Development Committee (FDC) be set up, in order to explore and make application to other agencies to secure the financial future of WOCATI.
· ETE to be approached regarding finance for WOCATI
· ATS to be asked to continue their support of $5000 a year
· Subscriptions from member organisations to be more active sought in the light of WOCATI developing service for member organisations.
· Other bodies/foundations need progress reports on ways in which their funding has been used.
· CWM may be interested in funding work linking mission and theological education
· A universal theme emerged in the executive committee of an issue for the next four years: "Bringing together Theological Education and the Church". This may challenge the academy to focus on the mission needs of the Church.The FDC consists of Edison Kalengyo, Tevita Banivanua, Petros Vassiliadis (chair)
Explore with ATS how the Executive Committee expenses can be most readily reimbursed, especially low value local expenses. Value in having an organisation with long term stability and organisation to hold funds, but an active treasurer can probably work with such an organisation.
Actions
1. Petros Vassiliadis to communicate with Dan Aleshire immediately.
2. Bill Hopkinson to consult with Dan Aleshire, Chris Meinzer, in Pittsburgh if necessary, before the end of February 2004 to determine appropriate working arrangements.
3. Clarify relationship of ATS and WOCATI. Report required by next Executive Committee.
3. WOCATI Congress 2006
Suggested locations: Vancouver, Greece (or Europe in general), Caribbean, Africa. Caribbean was identified as the preferred location.Finance: There are insufficient reserves for WOCATI to pay for all delegates as in 2002. Either requires a sponsor, or that delegates pay a proportion of the cost.
Theme: To be decided in 2004 when the constituency has been consulted. A general theme which has commended itself in Melbourne is "Relationship between the Church's Mission and Theological Education"
Constituency: Exclusively delegates from member organisations, or open? Decision not taken.
Process: Participants should be involved with the congress, and engage in a process leading up to the Congress. Constituency to be consulted about the shape and purpose of the Congress at the proposed mid-term congress. The Congress should have an outcome which has been approved by the constituency.
Date: Target date end of 2006
It was resolved that a Congress Planning Committee (CPC) be set up, consisting of Petros Vassiliadis, chair, Hyacinth Boothe, Bill Hoppkinson.
4. Constitutional Revision
1. Legality of WOCATI as an entity to be explored.
The Committee made a formal resolution that it wished to register as a legal entity and appends its constitution as its aims to this resolution.2. New arrangements for elections. Look for more transparency, and the ability of the Congress to nominate.
3. Preamble to constitution does not contain the word "Christian". A change may be appropriate after a wide consultation with all WOCATI member Associations.
4. It may be appropriate to rescind B4.1.3.
5. B4.1.4 proved difficult to execute during the previous executive when there were many resignations. It may be appropriate to revise.
It was resolved that a Constitutional Change Committee (CCC) be set up, consisting of Tevita Banivanua, chair, Kathleen Williams, Leonor Rojas) to bring to 2004 Executive Committee recommendations which will be referred to member Associations during 2004/5.
5. Communication and Website
1. Wish to take over the collection of subscriptions as part of a communication stream between WOCATI executive and member associations.
2. Explore with ATS how the Executive Committee can take responsibility or share responsibility for developing the www.wocati.org website, as this is seen as central in providing services for member organisations which in turn helps to justify the membership fee of WOCATI.
3. The Executive Committee resolved to set up a Web and Communication Committee (WCC, consisting of Bill Hopkinson, chair, Nam Soon Kang, Kathleen Williams) given a remit
4. It was also resolved that a sum not more than £1500 per year be allocated to WCC for not longer than the term of the Executive, and subject to review at each Executive Committee, to make changes in the light of 2 and 3 above, and bring a report to the next Executive Committee.,
5. Link websites, be more proactive in providing website area for members without a website, and reporting from the regions
6. It was resolved that the Business Committee minutes from Congress 2002 to be put on web (WOCATI-EC 03 Doc 5).
7. It was resolved that the Executive Committee minutes from post-Congress 2002 to be put on web (WOCATI-EC 03 Doc.4).
8. It was resolved that the Executive Committee minutes from Melbourne 2003 to be put on the web (WOCATI-EC 03 Doc. 10)
9. In principle the minutes of the Executive Committee shall be published, unless there is reserved business.
10. The WCC to produce a new brochure in English which would be available on the web as a pdf document, and be available in limited quantities in paper.
11. We identified that we do not know what member organisations require of WOCATI, and an initial aspect of communication will be consulting about what member organisations need from WOCATI.
12. We recognise that 'high level dialogue' is desirable communication which will lead to raising the quality of the work of member organisations
13. We recognise that there is not always a medium for hearing African voices in theological education
14. We recognise that there are calls for a body for world-wide accreditation. The initial view of the executive was that WOCATI could encourage dialogue, but did not take a view on the desirability of a body for world-wide accreditation.
15. Some communication issues:
a. Flow of information from one part of the world to another, such as sharing new methods of teaching.
b. Reflection about leaving western modes behind.
c. Modes of theological education.
d. Deepening and sharing the vision of theological education, envisioning theology as national/regional/local.
e. Sharing information about curriculum development, breakdown of disciplines.
f. Extending and renewing ideas of theological education, such as, the doing of justice.6 Committees
Financial Development Committee (FDC)
Edison Kalengyo, Tevita Banivanua, Petros Vassiliadis (chair)Web and Communication Committee (WCC)
Nam Soon Kang, Kathleen Williams, Bill Hopkinson (chair)Congress Planning Committee (CPC)
Hyancinth Boothe, Bill Hopkinson, Petros Vassiliadis (chair)Constitutional Change Committee (CCC)
Leonor Rojas, Kathleen Williams, Tevita Banivanua (chair)
7 Next Executive Meetings
1. It was decided that the 2004 Executive Committee be met in Fiji.
Proposed dates, within 20 to 25th July 2004.
EMW may be invited as a second consultant if we have funds from them, or sponsorship for the proposed mid-term congress.
2. 2005 in Germany or Africa, if Caribbean is not chosen for the 2006 Congress.
3. 2006 decision to be made.
