Wrapping up Manila

Dear friends and colleagues,

As we focus on the theme of financial sustainability and organizational change at this week’s Institute in Manila, I’m struck by what many of the seminaries who are represented here are already doing, by God’s grace.  Yes, there is room for improvement.  Yes, the storm clouds are on the horizon.  Yes, many schools will need to envision and implement changes in their financial and educational methods.  But, given the current responsiveness of these schools to their current contexts and the quality of their leadership, I’m confident that they will be able to make the changes necessary to not only survive, but also to thrive.

Here’s a taste of the kinds of ministries represented by these 50 seminary leaders from around southeast and east Asia.

* A seminary here in Manila has a focused ministry on the Chinese community.  Over 100 of their students come from mainland China.  Over 200 alumni have already returned and are serving the Christian community in China, both official and “unrecognized” congregations.  Almost all of the students are given scholarships funded by the Chinese community in Manila.

* Another seminary here in Manila has as its vision to train Christian leaders who will impact society through the “7 mountains” of cultural influence – education, government, media, arts and entertainment, business, family, and religion.  They have agreements with various agencies of the Filipino government for the training of (for instance) army officers, university faculty, Christian business-people, and mayors and governors.  They offer a variety of educational programs through non-traditional means.

* Eight seminaries here in the metro Manila area have formed a consortium to offer masters and doctorate degrees with a variety of different subjects.  Each of the degrees is hosted by one of the eight consortium members.  This sort of deliberate collaborative effort allows for maximum use of resources.

* A seminary in South Korea focuses on those who desire to be trained in English rather than in the Korean language.  Most of the students are Koreans who will serve in mission fields around the world.  As a result of the Institute, the seminary wants to begin an online program in order to serve these alumni through continuing education.

This is just a slice.  Many of the other schools here are equally effective in serving their own churches and contexts.  But they realize that to become even more effective, and to be able to sustain these ministries into the future, for many, there will be changes ahead.

Pray for these leaders.  Tomorrow we will be wrapping up our Institute.  Each school will be finalizing its Ministry Action Plan – steps they will be taking to implement what they are learning this week.

Warmly in Christ,

Scott

Bolstering change in Bangkok

Dear friends and colleagues,

Manoch Jangmook is the president of Bangkok Bible Seminary, the most influential institution for theological education in Thailand, a country where the majority are Buddhists, but with a growing Christian community.  BBS began 40 years ago, an outcome of the dedication of a missionary along with collaboration of Thai church leaders and fellow missionaries from Overseas Missionary Fellowship and the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  In 1971 the school began with 5 students and a budget almost entirely supported by Western dollars.  Today the seminary has over 500 students in a variety of programs serving Thai churches and is funded mainly from Thai sources.

A few pictures of BBS:

BBS students helping out in the Tsunami area

Students studying in the library

BBS students sharing Jesus' love to children

We asked Manoch to share about the role of the leader in financial sustainability of the seminary.  He described the legacy of the first missionary principal, a man of prayer, dedication, conviction, and vision.  He was a model of the kind of graduates the seminary was committed to forming – leaders of integrity, with a heart for evangelism, and skills for pastoring Thai congregations.  His successors at the helm of BBS brought other gifts and qualities to the leadership of the school.  Manoch’s conclusion was this:

“The activities of BBS’s leaders to the local Christian community brought respect and reputation to the seminary.  As a result, it has grown through financial support and public relations.”

Following Manoch’s presentation, we spent the next session in our table groups, discussing the question, “What are five most important qualities and skills of a seminary leader contribute to financial sustainability?”  Afterwards we shared our collective wisdom and experience with the 50 other participants who make up the Institute this week.  One group talked about vision, belief in the vision, and ability to communicate it to others.  Some groups focused on the leader’s integrity, character, and walk with God.  Some talked about administrative skills such as the ability to develop a strong team and then be able to delegate to them.  The responses were varied and wide-ranging.  And, that was part of the point – there’s no “silver bullet” to the matter of financial sustainability for the seminary, but the right kind of leader plays a vital role.

While there is no single formula to financial sustainability, it’s an incredible blessing when we see God’s provision for God’s people who are fulfilling God’s purposes, like for Manoch and Bangkok Bible Seminary.

Keep praying.

Warmly in Christ,

Scott

Manila: Storm Clouds on the Horizon

The image of “storm clouds on the horizon,” which I used in the opening presentation this afternoon for the Institute, was particularly appropriate for the context.  More on why in a few lines.

Today we began our seventh Institute for Excellence for the year, gathering over 50 leaders of seminaries from about 20 seminaries located through southeast and east Asia including Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.  As with previous Institutes this year, we are considering questions regarding financial sustainability for seminaries and programs where leaders for the Church are being developed.

The storm imagery coincides with a typhoon that is now pouring torrents of water on northern parts of the Philippines.  Last night I slept through the sounds of trees bowing to gale-force winds and the torrential rains pounding the streets here in metro Manila.  Several airports in the Philippines were closed, and we were concerned that many arriving by air wouldn’t make it.  As the Lord would have it, though some arrivals were delayed, all of our overseas participants have now come.  It is some of the locals who are yet to arrive, as many of the roadways are flooded.

I used the picture of the storm clouds to portray the very serious conditions that some seminaries are either now experiencing or are very close to it.  Our Overseas Council research points to storm clouds which threaten the very existence of some of the seminaries around the world we have the privilege of working with.

* Full-time enrolment of students is decreasing in some seminaries.  This is especially true for smaller seminaries.

* Gifts from overseas are declining in proportion to income from local sources.  (That can be a good thing!)

* Operating expenses in many seminaries are becoming an increasing burden.

Not every school is experiencing these storm clouds, nor are they being experienced to the same extent in every region of the world.  But it is clear that for some seminaries the traditional financial and educational models which they now use will need to be adjusted, or perhaps radically changed, if schools are to continue to fulfill their purpose.  So, while the mission of developing Christian leaders will not change, new sustainable models and methods will need to be employed.

In sum, that’s why were gathering this week.  And, though the storm clouds gather, and in some cases have already burst, if earlier Institutes are any indication, the sun is beginning to shine through.

Pray for informative sessions, fruitful discussions, and realistic action steps to be formulated.

Warmly in Christ,

Scott

Manila Update

The Institute for Excellence moves to Manila in the Philippines this week. So did Typhoon Pedring (http://bit.ly/pjEc8q). We are in close conversation with Dean of the Institutes, Scott Cunningham, and it looks like things are expected to be moving smoothly, in light of this weather. Scott has asked us to pray for those traveling to the Institute this morning. 

This is an interesting Institute, as this region has a wide variety of training centers with varying degrees of challenges. Some of the centers have strong donor bases, and some continue to utilize traditional models of training that prove to be effective and possibly sustainable in this region. There are also many training centers with stories significantly different from these.

Please pray with us:

1. For those traveling this AM

2. For the leaders to be refreshed and reinvigorated by working with their peers throughout this week

3. Training Centers to be augmented through the outcomes of this week

4. The Spirit to be filling the attendees throughout the week