the jigsaw puzzle which is the CTM

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One of the key characteristics of not-for-profit organizations is the large number of stakeholders. The Centre for Theology and Ministry is no exception.

The large number of people, organizations and accountabilities that feature in the life of the CTM gives expression to a complex network of individuals, committees, organizations representing the hopes, dreams, expectations and responsibilities for education for ministry.

To gain the full picture of the complexity is like finding and placing all the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Even if a piece is missing one can grasp a fair picture but to fully gain the broad perspective of full appreciation - all pieces need to be taken into account.

This week at the CTM we hosted one of the large pieces of the CTM jigsaw puzzle.

The Uniting Church Assembly’s Ministerial Education Commission met this week in Melbourne. The Commission is a gathering of representatives from each synod involved in the theological colleges of the Uniting Church and those involved in education for the lay specified ministries.

All in all about 23 people spent the two days reflecting on supervision, formation, hearing from each of the synods of their work and their challenges.

Every five or so years the MEC ‘visits’ each college (on a rotation basis) and ‘audits’ the college’s processes to ensure the quality of education/formation being undertaken. The MEC on receiving the recommendation ‘accredits’ the college to continue its work with perhaps some recommendations regarding improvements.

The CTM was visited in March of this year and at this MEC meeting was accredited for ongoing education for ministry within the UCA.

Included in the report was the encouragement to explore developing a community of adjunct faculty, to engage more intentionally with the multi-cultural challenges of ministry education, and a strong affirmation for the Review of Education for Ministry which was undertaken by the CTM Board completed late 2010.