Persistent Issues Impacting On The Training Of Ministers In The South African Context

Abstract

In the midst of a changing landscape for higher education there is once more the question of vision and purpose of theological education. To what end should theological education be undertaken in South Africa to ‘equip people for ministry’? The time of theological training is crucial for ministers to encourage a mature development of occupational and personal identity and foster a coherent under-standing of their role and function in ministry. Ministerial formation must involve training and equipping pastoral leaders to do theology by involvement at a grassroots level and developing responsiveness to historical, biblical and pastoral dimensions within its context in order to have relevance. This article will present persistent issues facing ministerial formation in South Africa, focusing on the changing landscape of theological education, pedagogical and methodological challenges within the curriculum and the necessary support structures that make for relevant theological education.