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Methodist educators focus on shaping future leaders

>Aug. 14, 2008

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.

>A UMNS  Report By Linda Green*

Methodist leaders in higher education used global education and
communication as the foundation for their 2008 worldwide gathering in
Argentina to collaborate on ways to develop future Christian leaders for
the church and the world.

More than 200 academics attended the July 10-13 meeting of the
International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and
Universities at the Latin American Educational Center in Rosario. The
17-year-old association has a worldwide membership of 700 Methodist and
Methodist-related institutions.

"As Methodist educators, we aspire to shape the future of our young
women and men so that they can significantly impact local, national and
global developments in a positive way," said Rukudzo Murapa, the
association's outgoing president.

The association was established in 1991 in Brazil and has since held
conferences in England, Northern Ireland and Australia. The resulting
relationships have produced cooperative activities including distance
education networks and exchanges of students, faculty and staff.

The 2008 gathering highlighted the newly launched distance education
program between Africa University in Zimbabwe and Methodist University
in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as well as the United Methodist Conference
Education Center in Maputo, Mozambique.

Participants explored ways to develop competent, spiritually mature and
ethical graduates to face critical global challenges such as sustaining
the environment.

"As this conference has clearly illustrated, we have an astonishing
opportunity if we work together in the solidarity of our association,"
said Ted Brown, who was elected to a three-year term as president of the
organization.

"But with this opportunity we must also acknowledge an enormous
responsibility," said Brown, president of Martin Methodist College in
Pulaski, Tenn. "If you think about it, our institutions are arguably the
most important assets that our churches possess in this modern age. In
terms of today's culture, especially youth culture-the church of the
future-our schools, colleges and universities represent the most
relevant and compelling of the church's ministries."

Participants applauded the United Methodist denominational focus on four
critical areas for the immediate future, noting that education is key to
effectively addressing leadership development, congregational renewal
and growth, engaging in ministry with the poor and stamping out killer
diseases by improving global health.

"What we are seeing is a craving for leadership that is widespread,"
said the Rev. Jerome King del Pino, top executive at the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. "The mission of IAMSCU
is even more imperative these times than in history."

Murapa, who retired in 2007 as vice chancellor of Africa University,
said good leadership plays a critical role in the growth of the church,
as well as in academic and educational institutions. The United
Methodist General Conference has created a Global Education Fund for
Leadership Development, and IAMSCU "is an important vehicle through
which to bring about that new, committed and enlightened leadership," he
said.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.  Evelyn Warren, a consultant to United Methodist
Communications, contributed to this article.

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

>********************

United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org

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