The theme of GFTE Virtual 2021 was Conversations on Theological Education as Formation: Practices, Contexts, Futures. Because of the pandemic, the 3-day conference took place via Zoom and our online host, Canvas, from September 29-October 1, 2021. Participants engaged in a breadth of perspectives and conversations on the theme of theological education as formation.
After orientation to GFTE and worship, the first day’s plenary session featured Daniel Aleshire, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, and Matthew Francis on the practice of theological education as formation. Q&A followed with meaningful discussion groups hosted in chat rooms and message boards. Day two commenced with interviews of Samson Fatokun, Elie Haddad, and Myrna Theocharous, who shared on their contextual experiences of theological education as formation. The third day saw Willie Jennings, Cathy Ross, and Amos Yong speak on the future of theological education as formation, with Q&A, a panel discussion, and small group breakouts following. The conference ended with reflections by GFTE leaders and worship.
The list of sessions are as follows. Please click here if you would like to access the videos and conference materials.
- Daniel Aleshire: “The Next Theological Education: Formation as Spiritual Maturity”
- Ruth Padilla DeBorst: “Doing Theology From, and For, Life”
- Matthew Francis: “Holy Week Liturgics as Curriculum: Premodern Practice for Formation”
- Elie Haddad: “Theological Education in an Arab Muslim Context”
- Myrto Theocharus: “The Lord’s Prayer and Theological Formation”
- Samson Fatokun: “Challenges to Theological and Spiritual Formation in Nigerian Theological Context”
- Willie Jennings: “Chasing the Chariot, Following the Spirit”
- Amos Yong: “Futures: God’s, the World’s, and Ours”
- Cathy Ross: “The Future of Theological Education as Formation”