A Lifelong Call to Learn: Continuing Education for Religious Leaders - Softcover

Robert E. Reber; D. Bruce Roberts

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1566993997 ISBN 13: 9781566993999

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009

Synopsis

A Lifelong Call to Learn is aimed at directors of lifelong learning and continuing education that serve both clergy and laity in Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish seminaries and conference and retreat centers. While proposing new approaches in continuing theological education, it also addresses the need for programs that involve both clergy and laity at the congregational level and that support ongoing interreligious dialogue in our increasingly pluralistic society. The contributors to this book include seasoned practitioners as well as teachers and scholars in seminaries and universities from every part of the country in both denominational and ecumenical settings. The chapters explore historical perspective and educational contexts; theory and research in professional continuing education; innovations in continuing theological education; development, management, and promotion of programs; and directions and resources for the future. Particularly in this time of foment in theological education, when institutional leaders are striving to develop new models for the basic master of divinity degree, this collection will be of keen interest to theological educators in every setting.

About this title

About the Author

Robert E. Reber is president pro tem of Bexley Hall Seminary, the author of Linking Faith and Daily Life, and former dean of Auburn Theological Seminary. As an adult educator, consultant, and coach, for more than thirty years he has developed educational programs for laity and clergy. D. Bruce Roberts is professor emeritus of congregational education and leadership and former director of the Indiana Clergy Peer Group Study Program at Christian Theological Seminary. As a United Methodist pastor, he served churches in Delaware and Massachusetts.

Review

This is one of the most exciting books I've read in a long while. More than a responsible scholarly review of the field of adult continuing theological education, it is a manual for how to create an effective program for lifelong learning. Anyone involved in adult theological education, from seminary to informal peer learning groups, should own this book. --Israel Galindo, Dean and Professor of Christian Education Formation, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond

This is an exceptional resource--comprehensive in its identification of best practices in today's educational contexts and exploration of how lifelong learning has evolved over the past 50 years. After finishing this book, readers will view 'continuing education' in new ways, whether they participate in lifelong learning opportunities or plan them. --Dr. Kenneth J. McFayden, Professor of Ministry and Leadership Development at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education and author of Strategic Leadership for a Change: Facing Our Losses, Finding Our Future.

Striving to learn is to accept an invitation to participate in a thoughtful human community by discovering a transforming power within us in relation to others. Robert E. Reber and D. Bruce Roberts urge us to cultivate excellent religious leaders who can contribute to spirituality in a global context by bringing diverse perspectives on continuing education. --Rev. Dr. HiRho Y. Park, Director of Continuing Formation for Ministry, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1566993997
• ISBN 13: 9781566993999
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 397