Taiwan Church News #
2865 22-28 January 2007 This Week: President of Andover
Newton Theological Seminary Visits Taiwan Taiwan Church News 2865 22-28
January 2007 Reported by Chen Huei-su. Written
by David Alexander Dr Nick Carter, the
president of Andover Newton Theological Seminary in
Massachussets, USA, which prides itself on being
America's first theological seminary, visited Southern Taiwan in the company of his wife and Dr. Wan Su Kar, professor of religious studies. On 16th January Dr. Carter addressed the faculty and students of TTCS and later that day, escorted by TTCS president Huang Po-ho and Professor Ong Cheng-bun visited the Taiwan Church Press and Sin-lau Christian Hospital, learning about how the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and its agencies conduct education, literature and medical mission work.
Dr. Carter described Andover Newton, established by American Baptists in 1807, as it faces today’s globalized environment. Theological education in particular, he says, needs global eyes. His team’s visit to centers of theological education and churches in Asia is in part a hope to gain new visions for theological education in the face of new challenges. He expects to visit other regions in the future to establish new partnerships with them and engage Andover Newton in cooperative work with Christians around the world. Dr Carter noted that the direction of theological education has too often been decided by people sitting around conference tables. He seeks partnership and study exchanges so that all sides can listen to different voices and involve more input into decision-making processes. He is specifically open to voices from the tradition of Jewish wisdom literature, which enjoin us all to humble continuous study. At the Taiwan Church Press the team spoke with Chang Li-fu, its president, and learned about the work of the Taiwan Church News, the Heart Farmer Weekly, the new Eyes Bible Reading Quarterly Handbook and other publications. Dr. Carter expressed his admiration for the work of the Taiwan Church Press and his satisfaction with his visit to Taiwan. He was especially appreciative of what he had gleaned regarding contextual theology, a focus of the work of Tainan Theological College and Seminary.
For More Information: ncarter@ants.edu Buddhist
clergy visit Taiwan Theological College
Taiwan Church News 2865 22-28
January 2007 Reported by Staff. Written by
David Alexander On 17th January, Buddhist clergy and theological students from Dharma Drum Mountain Monastery and two colleges of Buddhist studies visited Taiwan Theological College and Seminary, an agency of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, in Taipei. They were accompanied by administrative staff of their respective schools Taiwan Theological College Acting President Cheng Yangen welcomed them. Representatives of the visitors groups and students of the Theological College offered introductions to their schools, describing course offerings and exchanging spiritual testimonies. After discussions Ms. Hsiao Huei-ping led the visitors on a campus tour, introducing and showing the school's library and other facilities. The visit was precipitated through acquaintances developed in recent months as theological schools of all religions nationwide have joined to work out ways to become government recognized and accredited by the Ministry of Education. Members of the faculty and staff of Taiwan Theological College had been hosted at various Buddhist schools several times, enjoying hospitality and learning of the resources of those institutions. Both sides of this dialogue hope for continued good contact and neighbourly relations in the time to come. For More Information: www.taitheo.org.tw Tainan Theological
College Recognizes Volunteers Reported by Staff. Written by David
Alexander At a mid-day ceremony on 15th
January, the "gavel was passed" from the
outgoing to the incoming head of the Tainan Theological
College and Seminary volunteer corps. College president
Dr Huang Po-ho thanked Ms. Huang Su-in, an elder of Band
Memorial Church in Tainan, for bringing together a group
of 28 people, including retired clergy, elders, deacons,
laypeople and some people of other living faiths who help
out in practical ways in the life of the college. Dr.
Huang noted that the contribution of the group has been
substantial. They have done telephone fundraising work,
increasing the number of persons who pledge regular
contributions to the college from 200 (two years ago) to
700 at this date. In addition, some volunteers specialize
in landscaping, cleaning, and mailroom operations. Their
spirit of love for the school and their willingness to
contribute both time and energy to the For More Information: www.ttcs.org.tw Tainan Theological
College Announces Two English-language Master’s Degree
Programmes Applications are due on before 31st
March for admission to two programmes of Tainan
Theological College and Seminary which focus on upgrading
the qualifications of theological educators from Asia and
the Pacific. The Master of Religious
Studies (MRS) Degree Programme aims to provide a
basic understanding of theological disciplines as a
foundation for further graduate study or for general
educational purposes. The programme falls into the
classification of "intermediate"
post-baccalaureate degree as defined by the World
Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions in
1997. Its content is a group of 8 courses
comprising 24 graduate level semester credits divided
into four core and four elective courses. The core
subjects are in history, theology, biblical studies and
ecumenical studies. Candidates who wish to do an
extended paper in place of an elective course are
encouraged to do so. The degree requires a minimum of one
year of full-time year residence or its equivalent to
complete the courses. A candidate is expected to
complete the degree requirements within 3 years after
registration. All courses are offered on the main campus
the college in Tainan, Taiwan. Admission to the degree programme
requires a baccalaureate degree from a government
accredited institution or from a theological college
accredited by an agency recognized by WOCATI. Admission
is open to students whose background and academic records
indicate the ability to engage in graduate level study
for academic pursuits or personal development. Applicants
must demonstrate ability to do graduate level theological
study in English, either by providing a TOEFL score of
400 (97 on the computer version) or above, or evidence of
English language ability certified by a local
standardized exam upon submitting an application. Full cost of the programme,
including tuition and fees and a single room on campus
for a year come to US$6,000. Board and books will run
approximately US$3,000 more. In
cooperation with the Christian Conference of Asia, 6
scholarship supported positions are open each year for
all TTCS English language medium of instruction degree
and certificate courses. In cooperation with the Council
for World Mission and the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan,
a further 6 scholarship supported positions are open each
year for all TTCS English language medium of instruction
degree and certificate courses. The Master of Theology
(M.Th.) Degree Programme is designed for those who
seek to undertake scholarly research and reflection for
pastoral or teaching ministries through broadening
theological knowledge and to gain research skills for
more advanced research degrees. The English
Language M.Th. degree focuses on the discipline of
Theology. It has been created to meet the demand for
well-informed leaders for the Churches in Asia. It
conforms to the design for an "Intermediate
Professional Degree" as defined by the World
Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions in
1997. It builds upon ten years of TTCS experience
with international students who have attended this school
through an exchange program operated in conjunction with
the Council for World Mission (CWM). The M.Th. Programme in Theology
addresses concerns raised by contextual approaches to
theological thinking in the third world, aiming to equip
scholars and church leaders to encounter present
realities from a Christian perspective. For decades, TTCS
has pioneered the development of third world theological
discourse that takes political and cultural contexts
seriously. Though third world theology and its
logical development has a primary place in the program of
study and research, TTCS welcomes candidates from all
regions and churches who desire to sharpen their
knowledge of Christian tradition and its function. The M.Th. degree can be completed in
one year of full-time study. Part-time students or those
not completing the required thesis paper within that year
may hold their registration open for up to three years to
allow time to finish the degree. Admission requirements:
1. Eligible candidates will already
hold a 4-year (or equivalent) university degree plus the
Master of Divinity (or equivalent) degree. Both
prerequisite degrees must be from schools recognized by
regional accrediting agencies. 2. Proficiency in English language
(as demonstrated by a score of 500 on the TOEFL written,
173 on the TOEFL computer version, or 5 on the IELTS.)
Candidates whose secondary and higher education was
conducted in English may apply for exemption from the
examination requirement. 3. Applications for the academic
year commencing in September are due in Tainan on 31st
March of that calendar year, including all supporting
documents and payment of the application fee. Degree requirements: The M.Th. degree requires the
completion of four core courses, two electives and
submission of an accepted thesis paper. Core courses are:
a) theological methodology; b) theological inquiry of
contextual reading of the Bible; c) survey of contextual
theologies; and d) theological discourse in Taiwanese
context. The thesis, of 80-120 pages on a
topic approved by the programme committee, is written
under supervision of a faculty-appointed advisor. The
degree will be granted only after the successful
completion of the thesis. Full cost of the programme,
including tuition and fees and a single room on campus
for a year come to US$6,000. Board and books will run
approximately US$3,000 more. In cooperation with the
Christian Conference of Asia, 6 scholarship supported
positions are open each year for all TTCS English
language medium of instruction degree and certificate
courses. In cooperation with the Council for
World Mission and the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, a
further 6 scholarship supported positions are open each
year for all TTCS English language medium of instruction
degree and certificate courses. TTCS additionally offers
a few scholarship-supported openings every year to
students in the M.Th. Degree Programme. For more information: www.ttcs.org.tw Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages. Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw You may translate and re-use the
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