Integration in Theological Education
Forming integrated ministers is the goal of all theological schools, yet perspectives vary on what exactly integration means and how it should be practiced. While the question of integration has long been a central concern for theological educators, the subject has not yet received significant attention in terms of scholarship. In order to explore more deeply the diverse issues and challenges involved in integration, the Seminar on Integration in Theological Education and Ministry seeks to bring together seminary faculty, administrators, and pastors from a variety of Christian traditions.
In fall 2010 two initial gatherings were held with seminary deans, field education supervisors, and faculty across the theological disciplines to explore the way in which course work, field education, personal formation and the transition into ministry work together to integrate knowledge, practice, and identity. A core seminar is currently being assembled to explore issues of integration over the next three years.
The central questions for the Seminar on Integration in Theological Education include:
- What models of integration exist in theological education? How do different ecclesial traditions influence the ways theological schools think about integration?
- What are some of the best efforts in horizontal and vertical integration in theological schools today? What is missing?
- What can theological education learn about integration from professional education in other areas? How does integration happen in law, medicine, engineering, nursing, and education?
- What kind of opportunities and literature would help theological educators across disciplines do integrative work? What resources are needed to help students do integrative learning?
- What do we know about integration as it expresses itself in the practice of ministry in forms of learning, vocation, practical reason, judgment, imagination and competent practice over time?