Vorming van ’n man van God: evaluering van internasionale debatte oor predikantsopleiding in die lig van perspektiewe uit 1 en 2 Timoteus

Abstract

Moulding of a man of God: an evaluation of international debates on pastoral training in the light of perspectives from 1 and 2 Timothy
During the past 50 years a wide variety of discussions, re-flections and debates on theological education has been pu-blished. These debates and reflections were stimulated by the following factors: On the one hand there is an explosion of church growth in developing countries. On the other hand there is an alarming decline in church growth in developed countries. There is also deep concern about the lack of impact of church-es on the transformation of communities. Church leaders are often not succeeding in stimulating and equipping believers to be effective witnesses in the world. These factors have given rise to the question: How should theological education be re-structured to become a vital factor that leads to spiritual growth as well as growth in numbers of churches? Serious questions about the godliness and spirituality of church leaders, of pastors and seminary students are raised. This article evaluates inter-national tendencies in the light of principles and perspectives from Paul’s epistles to Timothy.