What is the role of theological education on the mission field? Is there a tension between the "academic" work of a theological educator and the "practical" work of a missionary?
In this episode, we are joined by Jon Bare, president of Asia Lutheran Seminary, who shares his extensive experience in global theological education. Jon helps us see that the perceived tension between scholarship and missions is often a false dichotomy. He walks us through the history of theological training, from the relational, mentoring model we see in Scripture to the more structured, academic model common today.
Join us as we explore how to blend the best of both worlds. Learn how today's missionaries, as theological educators, can follow the example of Jesus—the ultimate theological educator—by focusing on a relational approach that equips national partners to not only know the Word, but to be shepherds and do the work of "fishers of men" in their own cultural contexts.
Key Takeaways from Our Conversation:
The goal of theological education is not just to impart knowledge, but to form the whole person—their character, their skills, and their heart for the mission. We can think of this as the "know, be, and do" of ministry preparation.
Throughout Scripture, from Moses and Joshua to Elijah and Elisha, and most importantly with Jesus and His disciples, theological training was fundamentally relational. This involved close mentorship, modeling, and walking together in ministry.
Jesus turned the educational model of His day on its head. Instead of disciples choosing their teacher, He chose them, calling them into a deep, personal relationship with the goal of making them "fishers of men."
The term "seminary" originates from the Latin word for "seedbed" (seminarium). It was conceived as a place to perpetually grow and provide trained pastors for the church's local needs.
A missionary's role as an educator is not to simply "copy and paste" their own training. It involves listening, learning from the local culture, and working together with national partners to apply the unchanging truths of Scripture in their own context.
To keep theological education focused on the mission, it must remain deeply connected to the life of the church. Training should happen within the context of the church's mission, not separate from it, with students serving and applying their learning from the very beginning.
To the new missionary preparing to train workers: Be a pastor to your students. Your primary role is to shepherd the people God has placed under your care, preparing them to be shepherds in their own contexts.
Materials Referenced:
Essay: “Prepared to Serve? Assessment of Seminary Students’ Preparation for Ministry” by Jon Bare (available for download here)
Thesis: “The Student-Faculty Relationship among Male MDiv Students” by Jon Bare (available for download here)
Essay: Jesus, the Theological Educator by Keith Ferdinando
Article: The Role of Theological Education in the Missionary Task by Matthew Hirt
Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag
WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)
WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)
BWM = WELS Board for World Missions
CICR = Commission on Inter-Church Relations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Vicar = a pastoral intern in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran system
Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (WLQ) - A theological journal, published by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that aims to serve pastors and theologians with scholarly articles, book reviews, and reflections on contemporary theological and pastoral concerns.
Pastoral Studies Institute of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.
