The Church and seminary should “do together what we cannot do separately”

OC’s fourth 2010 Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development took place August 9-13 in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for South Asian schools. The event was hosted by OC partner Lanka Bible College and Seminary (LBCS). Thirty leaders from 17 strategic training programs and churches in the region attended the Institute, representing Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

During the four-day Institute themed “Re-envisioning Seminary-Church Relationships,” church and seminary leaders interacted with each other in order to build partnerships and be mutually beneficial in meeting each other’s needs. Participants focused on creating a culture of dialogue between seminaries and churches; exploring mutual expectations; understanding the importance of the context of the seminary, church and society; and offering training that responds to the needs of church and society.

One participant said, “Since the seminary exists for the Church, the seminary must establish a very close link with the Church.” Another echoed these thoughts, saying, “The relationship between the Church and the seminary is important because we are the Body of Christ….There are many things that the Church and seminary can and should do together for a greater impact;...[we should] ‘do together what we cannot do separately.’”

The next Institute for Excellence will take place September 21-24 at Ghana Christian University (GCU) in Accra, Ghana. Click here for the 2010 schedule.

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