The South Pacific Association of Theological Schools is an ecumenical partnership serving theological education in the Pacific region. SPATS seeks to strengthen its member schools and their churches by facilitating networking and information-sharing.
SPATS’ challenge is to bring together a multi-lingual, multi-cultural and geographically scattered membership. The twenty-five member schools are spread across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, from Tahiti in the east to Vanuatu in the west, from the Marshall Islands in the north to the Aotearoa in the south. The area encompasses the three major Pacific regions: Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia.
The Association was established by Pacific churches in 1969. It is governed by the SPATS Council, the Executive Committee, and the General Secretary, who has overseen the day-to-day operation of the Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, on a full time basis since 1998. The Secretariat staff gives administrative support to each of our programmes preparing our publications and newsletters in the Secretariat using desktop publishing computer software.
SPATS enjoys an information-sharing relationship with the Associations of Theological Schools (ATS) of North America, the Australia-New Zealand Association of Theological Schools (ANZATS) secretary@anzats.edu.au and the Association of Theological Education in the South East Asia (ATESEA) atesea@info.com.ph . SPATS is a member of the World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions (WOCATI) and the World Association of Christian Communication (WACC). The Association is registered as a Charitable Trust under the laws of Fiji, and is guided by a Constitution and By-Laws.
Banmatmat Bible College, Vanuatu
Bishop Patteson Theological College, Solomon Islands; Email: bishopptc@yahoo.com
Ecole Pastorale de Bethanie, New Caledonia; Email: Jacob.xowie@cyberdidact.com
Ecole Pastorale de Hermon, Tahiti; Email: hermon@mail.pf or info@hermon.pf
Fiji College of Theology and Evangelism, Fiji; Email: afcfj@connect.com.fj
Fulton College, Fiji; Email: David.Macdonald@fulton.ac.fj
Kanana-Fou Theological Seminary, American Samoa; Email: kafouseminare@yahoo.com
Malua Theological College, Samoa; Email: mtc@lesamoa.net
Marshalls Theological College, Marshall Islands
Methodist Davuilevu Theological College, Fiji; Email: ctdm@connect.com.fj
Methodist Deaconess Training Centre, Fiji; Email: deaconessorder@connect.com.fj
Moamoa Theological College, Samoa; Email: prin_mtc@ipasifika.net
Pacific Regional Seminary, Fiji; Email: prs@connect.com.fj
Pacific Theological College, Fiji; Email: admin@ptc.ac.fj
Piula Theological College, Samoa; Email: piula@lesamoa.net or fatumea@lesamoa.net
Salvation Army School for Officer Training, Fiji; Email: SFOT_FIJI@nzf.salvationarmy.org
Seghe Theological Seminary, Solomon Islands; Email: seghe@pipolfastaem.gov.sb
Sia’atoutai Theological College, Tonga; Email: mohenoa@siaatoutai.to or mohenoa@kalianet.to
St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College, Fiji
St. John the Baptist Theological College, Fiji; Email: stjohn@connect.com.fj
Takamoa Theological College, Cook Islands; Email: vngaro@oyster.net.ck
Talua Ministry Training Centre, Vanuatu; Email talua@vanuatu.com.vu
Tangintebu Theological College, Kiribati; Email: tangintebu@tskl.net.ki
Te Rau Kahikatea, New Zealand
The College of the Diocese of Polynesia, New Zealand
United Theological College, Australia; Email: utc@nsw.uca.org.au
University of Auckland School of Theology, New Zealand
Residential & Postal Address
30 Gardiner Road, Nasese, Suva
P.O. Box 2426, Government Buildings
Suva
Fiji
www.spats.org.fj
Tel. (679) 330-3924 or 330-1942
Fax (679) 330-7005
Hope, Healing and Wholeness in the Context of HIV/AIDS – A Curriculum for Theological Schools in the Pacific
The Church and Violence Against Women – A Theological Education Course for Theological Schools in the Pacific
Building a House of Writing – A Booklet on Writing Skills for Theological Schools in the Pacific
SPATS works through its four main programmes: Accreditation, Pacific Journal of Theology, Weavers and Institutional Strengthening.
Accreditation
The SPATS’ Accreditation Commission offers a consultative and supportive service to member schools wishing to provide their students with internationally recognised qualifications. They produce and review the SPATS’ Handbook which sets out standards, curriculum guidelines and a self-assessment process. This helps each school reach and maintain a programme that fulfils the mission statement of the Association.
Pacific Journal of Theology
The Pacific Journal of Theology stimulates Christian theological reflection and writing from the many Pacific cultural perspectives. In order that a Pacific theology might take its place among other emerging theologies gaining credibility in the global church. The Journal acts as a forum for exchanging ideas, and records and preserves for future generations what is still largely an oral faith tradition. It is published twice yearly, usually following a major theme, and enjoys a worldwide circulation, particularly among theological libraries. Subscription forms and back issues are available upon request.
Weavers
Weavers, the women in theological education committee of SPATS, has mandate to promote and advocate theological education for women among Pacific churches. Weavers originated in a workshop on Women and Ministry in the Pacific held by SPATS and Pacific Conference of Churches in 1989. The Weavers committee and Co-ordinator have worked together since then to raise awareness, foster better relationships with church leaders and principals, and listen to and advise on the needs of women in the churches and schools.
Institutional Strengthening
The Institutional Strengthening programme aims at enhancing the institutional growth of member schools. Seminars help faculty members of theological colleges with teaching and learning skills. Capacity building consultations help member schools to stay abreast of the new issues and ideas affecting Pacific people. The seminars and consultations are SPATS’ way of committing itself to promoting Pacific talent and developing the skills of people, the instruments of God’s gifts.
Last revised: 30 January, 2007
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