I'm really looking forward to seeing what training model(s) you end presenting.

BTW: I'm pretty sure my Dad's Master's Thesis was related to this topic. Had something to do with alternate methods of training pastors beyond the seminary model, I think.

Little known fact, Piper personally asked me to consider the Bethlehem Institute and as we talked it became more and more apparent that it was (for better or worse) mainly a breeding ground for Piper wannabe's.

Patton's Theology Program may have its place, but it's a far cry from what I am after. It's mainly about making basic Christian education available to as many people as possible. A noble enterprise, but not specific enough to the equipping of missional church leaders.

9 Marks seems more about indoctrination than spiritual formation – trying to convince people what they should think and who they should be rather than equipping them how to think and how to become more like Christ.

How do newer traditional church based education inititives fit into this discussion.

These could take the form of things tied very tightly to one church, like the stuff Piper is doing with The Bethlehem Institute, basically putting a seminary in a church setting.
The other end of the spectrum is things like Micheal Patton's 'Theology Program' that is put together with the intention of being hosted and run in local congregations, but is also available for individuals to do on their own, or to join in an 'online' community setting.
Or some combination of the two, maybe like the 9Marks stuff that Mark Dever does.

Are you putting these under the category of 'traditional' theological education, missional, or something else entirely?

Yes, that bit of church history (and current practice) begs for some serious consideration. Love that you are doing this work. We need lots more of it!

In reply: When the church is in crisis, fairly often in the history of the church, women are allowed to serve in leadership positions. When the tide turns, and the church is more powerful, women are required to take a back seat to male leadership. Naturally, this has lots of implications, but I am sure that it takes both genders together for success, and the Bible supports me on this. Getting this part of mutuality right could change the world. Women doing theology and working for a dying contemporary European church is typical of the church's historical story. But what if men and women could work together without dominance and hierarchy?

Did you know that this is the first time ever that I joined a blog conversation? Greetings at home!

I am curious, not knowing the Swiss context all that well, what does it say that 70% of the theology students at U of Z are girls?

I love that you are working on a trinitarian model of gender roles in Christian leadership. Much like the sad and tired liberal/conservative debate, the complimentarian/egalitarian one is built on faulty assumptions and is therefore lacking in terms of a missional understanding of gender. Please do pass on articles and tid bits that you are finding helpful.

That being said, while this topic is bigger that I am probably going to be able to include (at least substantively) in forthcoming posts, suffice it to say, I take it for granted that we need to be identifying and equipping gifted leaders whether they be men or women.

Thanks again.

I'm going to have to stew on your points a bit, but my first question is what distinguishes a system of missional theological education from the church itself, especially in a post-Christendom context? If there's no need to prepare a professional clergy class, why is there a need for a separate organization? In my mind the Church is tasked with each of those 5 marks.

I can certainly see a need for leadership training, even if it's largely lay leadership (and here I'm making an assumption you haven't established), but that seems to also be a task of the Church. Perhaps in a liminal time, with little resources there's a need for braod cooperation across local bodies to fill the gaps. Is this what you have in mind? Networks of collaborative leadership/theological training that overlay local missional communities?

Sorry, that was a bit stream-of-consciousness wasn't it?