The Board for Theological Education came to existence eight years ago, precisely at the Conference that took place between 5th -10th August, 2014, at Port Harcourt, River- State. His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, JP. Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria acted in the wisdom of Conference, established the Board for Theological Education. We also thank God for the labour of all our Chairmen and the pioneer Director, now Rt. Rev. Dr. C. C. Ekebuisi who had laboured assiduously to ensure the Board is where it is today. May I, on behalf of the then Chairman of the Board, Most Rev. Oliver Ali Aba, Archbishop of Benue Archdiocese and Bishop of Otukpo (now Prelate) thank all Board members - past and present - on this noble course.
Within these eight years of existence of the Board, a lot of measures had been introduced believing to be strategic by way of addressing challenges that could have served as hindrance(s) to realizing proper theological education goals within our Theological Institutions. The object for which the Board was established, which we continue to guard jealously. They are:
- 1. The responsibility of auditing all courses and programmes being offered for Theological Education throughout the Conference area.
- 2. Constant review and update of the Curriculum for Theological training of Ministers, Lay Preachers and other categories of Church workers /leaders.
- 3. Exercise regulatory functions with regards to Theological Institutes, Schools of Evangelism and other similar institutions throughout the Conference Area.
- 4. The responsibility of connecting with other Theological Boards within the World Methodist Communion in order to share insights and benefit from development in this area, along with others as may be directed by Conference.
The Conference through the Board had achieved upliftment in the areas of infrastructural development in all our Seminaries. And so our seminaries are improving on daily basis.
The Board for Theological Education - with the help of Conference is doing well in the area of lecturers’ empowerment by way of sponsoring seminars and workshops within and outside the country.
With all these mechanism put in place, enrolment of Lay Preachers currently is on the increase across the Conference Area. Two times, between establishment of the Board in 2014 and 2021, the Board had conducted interviews to implement tenureship of the head of our seminaries, that is, in 2015 and 2020. This is to ensure we sustain fresh ideas in leadership.
With all these mechanism put in place, enrolment of Lay Preachers currently is on the increase across the Conference Area. Two times, between establishment of the Board in 2014 and 2021, the Board had conducted interviews to implement tenureship of the head of our seminaries, that is, in 2015 and 2020. This is to ensure we sustain fresh ideas in leadership.
The Board, from all indications, is definitely moving in line with the Vision and Mission of the Church
Kindly feel free to contact us when you need any information about the Board.
You can reach us on:
Phone: 234 703 077 7678, 08033721058, 08099471043
Emails: mcnbte@methodistnigeria.org, bteconferenceoffice@gmail.com
Thank you.
Signed
Very Rev. Dr. D. K. Fagbiye
Director, Board for Theological Education
