Mission Statement

To ensure the provision of quality bicultural theological education in the
context of Aotearoa/New Zealand and Polynesia.

 

To advance the mission and ministry of the Church by ensuring:

  1. the provision of theological education, ministry training and other education (which may be determined by Te Kotahitanga from time to time);
  2. the development and management of the constituent colleges;

  3. the needs and priorities of residential education and ministry training of each Tikanga are met.

 

Principles:

  1. The context for the provision of theological education, ministry training and other education, in Aotearoa/New Zealand and wider Oceania.
  2. Theological education, ministry training and other education should be bicultural and appropriately bilingual.
  3. Production and development of Christian leaders as critical thinkers capable of exercising transformative education everywhere in God's world, and to meet the needs of each Tikanga.
  4. A teaching programme that integrates theology and practice.
  5. Programmes should express the themes of social justice, ecclesiology and church, and creation and environment.

  6. Programmes are designed to maximise and utilise multiple entry points in any year.

Definitions:

  1. Contextual Theology emerges out of a dialogue with people about their economic, political, and social contexts, which is deeply informed by issues of culture and identity. It is rooted in a critical and communal reading of the Bible that seeks to discern the presence of the life-giving God in a suffering world. It affirms and uplifts the role of women in the theological enterprise. It is a reflection on God's transforming action in an increasingly globalised world. It is prophetic and critical, hopeful and life-affirming. It participates in Jesus' solidarity with the marginalised and privileges their voices. It is a theology that fosters engagement and action.

  2. Theological education develops the objectives of the Anglican Church's Mission Statement (above).

  3. Quality Bicultural Theological Education:
    1. Honours contexts: historical, ecclesial, geographical, cultural;
    2. Honours the received tradition; engages with contemporary perspectives;
    3. Exposes power interests and historical injustice;
    4. Engages critical thought; analytical and emancipatory skills and practice;
    5. Confronts 'otherness'; respects diversity; explores 'togetherness';
    6. Speaks more than one language: moves beyond self/group , reference;
    7. Relates to professional practice in ministry.



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