Several developments in theological education were evident in the period 1970-1990.

      The first of these was the increasing involvement of the three Colleges with theological institutions associated with other mainline Christian churches. The pioneer in this field was the College of the Bible, which had been affiliated with the Melbourne College of Divinity since the 1960's. When the MCD became a teaching institution, rather than a purely examining body, through the establishing of four Associated Teaching Institutions, the College of the Bible linked with Whitley College, the Baptist Theological College, in order to teach the B. Theol. Together they constitute the Evangelical Theological Institution, one of the ATI's. For the purpose of their degree work the faculties of both colleges function as a single faculty with a student body drawn from both Colleges.

      The Churches of Christ (NSW) Theological College was actively involved in the establishment of the Sydney College of Divinity in the mid-1980's. It is presently a constituent member of the SCD. Kenmore Christian College was also involved in negotiations that led ultimately to the establishment of the Brisbane College of Theology, though it did not elect to join that body. Churches of Christ students have also been associated with the newly constituted Adelaide and Perth Colleges of Divinity.

      Several other developments are also worth noting. The first of these was the establishing of an Institute for Continuing Education in Ministry. This was a joint initiative involving the three Colleges, the Federal Conference and Christian Projects. ICEM offered a post-graduate Diploma in Ministry. By 1990, however, the ICEM Graduate Diploma was no longer being offered. Recognizing the need for continuing education in ministry, The Churches of Christ Theological College at Mulgrave [the College of the Bible was relocated to Mulgrave at the beginning of 1989 and renamed, Churches of Christ theological College at the 42nd Federal Conference in Canberra in the same year] developed a Graduate Diploma in Ministry, designed to train ministers for specialist ministries. It has proved very popular, particularly in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. A more rent development has been the decision of the Churches of Christ (NSW) Theological College to build its programme around practical ministry experiences, a sort of mix between traditional theological education and Theological Education by Extension.

      Agitation for more skills-oriented ministry training led to the formation, through the initiative of Barry McMurtrie and the Wollongong Church, of the Institute for Contemporary Church Leadership.

      It also needs to be noted that arch-conservatives, unhappy with the theological education offered in Australian Colleges, continued to encourage young people to study in Restoration Seminaries in America.

      Two farther significant developments need to be noted. The first has been the stress that began to be placed on the importance of spiritual development in theological education in the mid-to-late 1980's. Graeme Chapman argued that spiritual development should be central to theological education in Spiritual Development: The Purpose of theological Education: An Examination of the Purpose, Content and Context of Theological Education. The second was the setting up, by the 41st Federal Conference, of a Task Force on Theological Education and Ministry Training, which reported to the 42nd Federal Conference in Canberra in Canberra in 1989.

1. ETA (Evangelical Theological Association)
2. ICEM (Institute for Continuing Education in Ministry)
3. ICCL (Institute for Contemporary Church Leadership)
4. American Colleges

1. ETA

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT MADE THE 24TH DAY OF APRIL 1979 BETWEEN THE COLLEGE OF THE BIBLE OF CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AUSTRALIA AND WHITLEY COLLEGE, THE BAPTIST COLLEGE OF VICTORIA WHEREBY IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

      1. Subject to this Agreement, the parties hereto (the member Colleges) shall continue to co-operate as a group in maintaining a teaching institution under the Constitution set out in the Second Schedule hereto (the Constitution) for the purpose of being an associated teaching institution of the Melbourne College of divinity: that teaching institution is known as The Evangelical Theological Association (the Association).

      2. Any other institution or body which qualifies as a member College in accordance with the Constitution shall become a member college and a party to this Agreement when the First Schedule hereto is duly signed on its behalf.

      3. Within the limits of its resources as they exist from time to time, each of the member Colleges shall make available to the Association such of the services of its academic staff and such use of its library and lecture rooms as the association may reasonably require; but nothing in this Agreement or in the Constitution is to be construed so as to derogate from the responsibilities of the Principals or members of the staffs of the member Colleges to them respectively and each of the member Colleges shall have the control of its library and lecture rooms.

      4. Each of the member Colleges shall contribute moneys to or for the purposes of the Association in such amounts or calculated by such means as may from time to time be requested or recommended by the Senate set up by the Constitution and granted or approved by the governing bodies of the member Colleges respectively. If within four (4) calendar months from the day on which it is received a governing body does not grant or approve a request or recommendation for a contribution of moneys any grant or approval of a corresponding request or recommendation previously given by any other governing body or governing bodies shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and any moneys paid pursuant thereto shall upon notice in writing given to the Association by or on behalf of such a governing body be repayable to it by the Association.

      5. A party of this Agreement may withdraw from it by giving to the other or others at least twelve (12) months' notice in writing of its intention so to do such notice expiring on the 31st day of December in any year.

      SIGNED on behalf of The College of the Bible of Churches of Christ in Australia and by authority of its governing body.

F. Chipperfield      
Chairman of the Board of Management      

      SIGNED on behalf of Whitley College: The Baptist College of Victoria and by authority of its governing body.

O. C. Abbott      
President      

2. ICEM

A.C., 1982, p. 3.

      Providing opportunities for ministers to study further, gain greater ministry skills, theological understanding and biblical insights was the reason representatives of the three Churches of Christ Theological Colleges met together in Melbourne.

      Christian Projects Ltd. has generously provided funds for Continuing Education for Ministers serving Australian churches. The funding is available on the understanding that it is used federally.

      Dr. W. Tabbernee, Principal of the College of the Bible, arranged through Christian Projects Ltd. for the Principals, or their representatives, of the three colleges to meet to develop co-operatively a program of continuing education. The ready acceptance of the invitation to explore and discuss possible approaches was exciting.

      At the conclusion of the intensive two-day meeting the three representatives, Dr. K. Farmer, Principal, N.S.W. College, R. Edwards, Lecturer, Qld. College, Dr. W. Tabbernee, Principal, C.O.B., together with I. Allsop, Director of the Federal Board of Christian Education and Assistant Secretary of the Federal Conference Executive, had developed a substantial proposal and program. This will be presented to the appropriate Boards, Conference departments and funding bodies for ratification early in 1982.

      Provided the expected approval is received Continuing Education for Ministry will now be a valued priority in the work of our Federal Brotherhood and be a unique and exciting co-operative venture between the three Colleges and the Federal Conference Executive.

3. ICCL

A.C., 1986, p. 221.

      An exciting new venture in Theological training is being undertaken by the Wollongong City church and the Churches of Christ Theological College in New South Wales. Called the Institute for Contemporary Church Leadership, it will offer training for "men and women who are self-starters, who have a strong call to ministry and believe God wants his church to grow." The establishment of the Institute was featured at the recent N.S.W. State Conference.

      The training will be "Church based." Students will train within the life of a dynamic growing church (Wollongong has grown in Sunday attendance from 95 to over 750 in six years). Based in Wollongong, students will attend lectures at the Church of Christ College and at the University of Wollongong. The practical training will happen within the Institute and in growing churches throughout Australia.

      The Institute offers a Diploma in Ministry issued jointly by the Institute and the N.S.W. Theological College. Students choosing to study to degree level will complete 1/2 of the Bachelor of Theology Degree as well as a wealth of practical training.

      Majors will be offered in Church Leadership, Counselling, Creative Arts and Youth. The President of the College is Barry McMurtrie, senior minister of Wollongong church. Barry said, "Our dream is to find a handful of talented students and expose them to the best of theological study and training in entrepreneurial skills. We pray that this group will help launch a new period of dynamic growth in Australian Churches of Christ.

4. AMERICAN COLLEGES

A.C., 1984, p. 68.

To the Editor,

      The question "Why Australian young people go to America to attend Bible College" was asked in a previous issue of the "A.C." It is not surprising that Christian young people take the opportunity to travel to other countries especially where exciting things are happening. However there is a difference between independent Bible Colleges in America and Bible Colleges in Australia.

      They believe the Bible to be the infallibly inspired word of God. They believe in our distinctive position of being an undenominational fellowship of autonomous churches seeking to reproduce the New Testament church. They believe in repentance and baptism as the scriptural demonstration of saving faith, and as such necessary for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. They believe in the need to separate from all unholy alliances and corrupt forms of Christianity in order to propagate the pure gospel.

      When faculty, students and supporting churches all speak the same thing there is a spirit of love and peace and a real concern for lost souls and God's glory. These are the things that appeal to some young people in Australia.

      Perhaps we need to establish a training institute in Australia that stands for, believes and teaches the principles and convictions mentioned in this letter.

Doug Willis (Springwood, Q.).      

      We have given the Principals of our three Colleges the opportunity of reply to Doug Willis' letter.

To the Editor,

      It is very understandable that a few young people choose to attend Bible College in America. There is much to commend the American "Churches of Christ" ministry training opportunities. However those Colleges reflect the resourcefulness, diversity and general approaches of our American Churches and as such may not always be the most effective training for those seeking to minister in Australia. Hence we would encourage people who want to minister in Australian Churches of Christ to do their initial training in one of our Australian Colleges. Perhaps, if they want to, they could do some post-graduate training later, in America or elsewhere.

      Our three Australian Churches of Christ Colleges present and reflect the Australian ethos. Each has worked very hard to ensure that there is a strong evangelically oriented presentation of the Biblical emphases of the restoration movement and an effective equipping for practical pastoral ministry. We enjoy a strong co-operative relationship of mutual respect. We contend that the present Australian Churches of Christ Colleges adequately reflect the diversity that exists within Australian Churches of Christ, while at the same time presenting in our co-operation with and respect for one another, the unity and brotherhood which we have thankfully managed to maintain.

--Mr. R. Edwards,      
Principal, Kenmore Christian College.      
--Dr. K. Farmer,      
Principal, Churches of Christ in      
N.S.W. Theological College.      
--Dr. W. Tabbernee,      
Principal, College of the Bible.      

[NOF 674-677]