Title: Taiwan's Presbyterians Defer Action on Accreditation of Theological Colleges Taiwan Church News 2820 13-19 March 2006 Reported by Lin Yi-ying. Written by David Alexander
In response to action by Taiwan's Ministry of Education to amend regulations governing private colleges to allow the accreditation of Bible and Theological Colleges in this country, Dr. Huang Po-ho, president of Tainan Theological College and Seminary (TTCS), addressed a decision of the higher education committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) to indefinitely defer action on seeking government accreditation of the PCT's three theological and one bible college. Dr. Huang said that, should the colleges become accredited, they will be limited in the size of their student bodies and the ability of churches to govern the schools will be diminished.
The committee met on 22nd February and requested that the General Assembly appoint a task force to explore the issues of accreditation and write letter directing its schools to suspend any action or lobbying activities with members of Taiwan's legislature towards enactment of the new regulations.
Dr. Huang raised doubt and difficult questions about possibilities for the future of theological education should the colleges receive accreditation. Though the credits gained by students of the colleges would gain academic legitimacy, it would come at a cost. Once a college was accredited, its offerings and spirit would become secularized with all of the lurking dangers that term implies. In other words, theological students are being prepared for church ministry, but if their studies become a matter for government regulation, won't it be reduced to getting a credential rather than offering of oneself? In terms of faith, won't the power of the churches to determine content be compromised?
He wonders whether, should a school wish to submit to the accreditation plan, its boards of directors and governance,