Global Institute of Theology

8 June - 1 July 2012 Yogyakarta, Indonesia

GIT 2010 Students in Grand Rapids, United States

I am very glad to be able to mention a voice from my heart and my context that makes me clear of my identity and my vision as well. I learned a lot.

The multinational mixture of the students was certainly a tremendous experience for my worldview perspectives.

Lal Hhim Puii (Myanmar)

Satnarine Ramnath (Trinidad & Tobago)

GIT has been an eye-opener. It has exposed me to great opportunities. GIT: learning, sharing, discovering, fellowship. Brigitte Rabarijaona (Madagascar)

Wezzie Mtonga (Malawi)

GIT is a wonderful sharing and learning platform. It opens a whole life process of being ecumenical: a unique chance.

Kinda Tegwende Leonard (Burkina Faso)

Living and learning in the context of Javanese culture and society

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) will hold its third Global Institute of Theology in Indonesia from 8 June to 1 July 2012. The Institute will be held in collaboration with, and under the academic auspices of, Duta Wacana Christian University, Yogyakarta, on the island of Java.

The purpose of the Global Institute of Theology is to give theological students and faculty from all over the world the opportunity to learn, teach, and do theology in an intercontextual and ecumenical way, situating the theological task in local, regional and world contexts. The specific goals of the Global Institute of Theology are to: 1. build a community of learning and faith as students and faculty work together on vital themes in Bible and theology today and create for ourselves an immediate international context;

2. encounter contemporary biblical and theological approaches in their interconfessional, intercultural, and interreligious dimensions. This will include the study of lived and living missiologies and the ongoing WCRC study on Reformed identity and mission;

3. introduce the varying contextual perspectives on the Christian witness of the global Reformed family bearing in mind our understanding of Gods mission in every continent, and being aware of what all our churches have to learn from Reformed witness in every land; 4. strengthen global networks of sharing and reflection among theological students and faculty, church workers, theological institutions, and churches for continuing action and reflection in the WCRC. This will also contribute to the ecumenical formation of a new generation of church leaders within the Reformed community.

These four goals will be reflected in the way in which we organize the Institute. We will be meeting in Yogyakarta in Indonesia, in the context of a nation that has the worlds largest Muslim population and where Christians have lived in interreligious relations for generations. We will meet in the heartland of the rich and ancient Javanese cultural traditions that have also influenced the expression of Christian faith. And we will meet in a society that has an emerging economy but where the deep division between poverty and wealth is a daily reality. What a privilege it will be to learn from the perspective and experience of scholars who come to the Institute from this local context and also from radically different contexts! The Global Institute is intended for theological students and pastors beginning their ministry. WCRC is concerned with the intercontextual formation of new generations of Reformed leaders who are fully aware of the faith dimension of contemporary challenges such as economic injustice and environmental destruction and who are committed to interfaith solidarity, spiritual renewal, church inclusiveness, and Christian unity. The Global Institute of Theology is intended for:

1. female and male studentsup to 50 from all continents preparing for the Christian ministry at a theological seminary related to a WCRC member church, or 2. pastors in their first years of ministry recommended by the WCRC Applicants should have a particular interest in ecumenical theology and mission. Efforts will be made to select a student body and faculty that will reflect gender and regional balance, and thus the diversity of the Reformed family in the world today. The Global Institute of Theology will work through lectures, seminars, exposures, contextual experiences, the sharing of stories, and participation in the life of the churches in Indonesia.

Students and faculty will meet regularly together both inside and outside the classroom.

CURRICULUM

All students are required to take a core course (for 2.0 credits) and two of four possible elective courses (for 2.0 credits). Academic credits according to international standards will be granted by Duta Wacana Christian University. The language of instruction of the Global Institute of Theology will be English.

Core Course

Theme for the core course: God of life, revitalise our spirituality... our theology... and our praxis.

The choice for the theme of the core course has been inspired by the theme for the assembly of the World Council of Churches in 2013: God of life, lead us to justice and peace. The theme of the core course will be developed in three subcourses: 1. Spirituality and worship 3. Ethics and praxis 2. Living out Reformed theology and identity

ELECTIvE CoURsEs
1. Poverty and wealth 4. Mission and youth 2. Theology of creation and disaster

3. Reformed theology and interreligious life

CooRdInaTIon and faCULTy

The Global Institute of Theology will be coordinated by an international team which will bear responsibility for all matters related to the curriculum, administration, and financial arrangements. The coordinating team will also appoint an international faculty. dR. Bas PLaIsIER President of the Global Institute of Theology

Moderator of the Core Group for Theology of the World Communion of Reformed Churches Dean of the Global Institute of Theology

dR. PETER WyaTT

Associate professor emeritus and immediate past principal Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, Canada Dean of Students of the Global Institute of Theology

dR. aRUna Gnanadason

Former WCC Executive Director for Planning and Integration Chaplain of the Global Institute of Theology

REv. Joan WyaTT

(Assistant) Professor emeritus of Contextual Education at the Vancouver School of Theology and Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, Canada

dR. doUWE vIssER

Secretary of the Global Institute of Theology

Executive Secretary for Theology of the World Communion of Reformed Churches Professor of Social and Professional Ethics, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Head of the Centre for Business Ethics and Professionalism of Duta Wacana Christian University

dR. yahya WIJaya

In addition, faculty members will be drawn from theological seminaries situated throughout the world. a Global Institute of Theology in cooperation with theological institutions from around the world Through the Global Institute of Theology, the World Communion of Reformed Churches intends to strengthen its ties with theological institutions related to its member churches as well as facilitate further communication and cooperation among theological schools from different regions of the world. Significant aspects of the institute such as the recruitment of prospective students, securing the financial resources necessary to enable students from countries in the South to participate, and the general academic requirements for its operation will be considered in consultation with supporting theological institutions.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches is submitting three requests to theological institutions related to WCRC member churches: 1. that each school pray for the work of the Global Institute of Theology; 2. that each school approached by WCRC appoint up to three students to attend the Institute, and, if necessary, facilitate their participation; 3. that each school help to facilitate the participation of Reformed students from the South. All completed applications should be sent before 1 december 2011 to If you would like to know more about the Global Institute of Theology, contact our website www.wcrc.ch or visit one of the WCRC member churches. dr. douwe visser executive secretary for Theology World Communion of Reformed Churches 150, route de ferney Po Box 2100 1211 Geneva 2 switzerland Email: dvi@wcrc.ch

GIT 2010 Students at the Uniting General Council, Grand Rapids, United States

I must say this was the best school of my life.

The GIT is a great opportunity to meet and make friends with Christians around the world. I have really enjoyed the whole experience. I have been encouraged by the thoughtfulness and friendliness of the students and staff. I will remember you all fondly. James Church (United Kingdom) GIT 2010! Awesome!! And the students... I have no words to explain!! I have hope for tomorrow with these kinds of people. I am blessed a hundred. Maaike de Reuver (the Netherlands)

Merve Itona (Switzerland)

GIT... Awesome! Best thing: to meet all those different, special people. Great International Tour, Gleeful Intellectual Time, Graceful Itinerant Travel, Gracious Intelligent Teasing, Global Institute of Theology GIT 2010: awesome people, the wonderful Chicago, small, beautiful, tiny Grand Rapids... blessed are we for having had this exposure and opportunity.

Lucy Wambui Waweru (Kenya)

Janine Williams (South Africa)

WCRC sUBsCRIPTIons Reformed World Reformed World is a theological journal focused on global ecumenism and the worldwide family of Reformed churches. It is published three times a year March, September and December with various themes. The volume for 2011 is 61. Reformed World 1 year 1 year solidarity subscription Single issue USD 20.00 40.00 15.00 CHF 25.00 45.00 20.00

Reformed Communiqu

Reformed Communiqu is a newsletter about and for WCRC member churches. It is published four times a year March, June, September and December and is distributed free of charge. Financial contributions are welcome. All prices include the cost of surface mailing.

PayMEnT oPTIons 1. Via the WCRC website: www.wcrc.ch

3. By bank transfer: see website for banking details World Communion of Reformed Churches 150, route de Ferney PO Box 2100 1211 Geneva 2 Switzerland

2. By cheque to: World Communion of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, PO Box 2100 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland

CaLLEd To CoMMUnIon, CoMMITTEd To JUsTICE

We are a communion of Protestant churches in 108 countries. Our 230 member churches are Presbyterian, Congregational, Reformed, Waldensian, United, and Uniting. The combined membership of these churches is an estimated 80 million people.

Who we are

WCRC coordinates joint church initiatives for economic, ecological and gender justice based on the member churches common theology and beliefs.

What we do

Our objectives are to foster unity among our member churches and promote economic, social and ecological justice. WCRCs member churches believe that Christian faith is based on actions which respond to the spiritual needs and economic and social rights of all people in society and that this includes ensuring responsible use of natural resources.

Why

WCRC is committed to collaborating with other church movements on issues of common concern such as climate change, gender justice and theological dialogue. WCRC is supported principally by membership contributions of finances and human resources. It also seeks funding for the Global Institute of Theology 2012. If you are interested in donating funds, please contact Dr. Douwe Visser at dvi@wcrc.ch www.wcrc.ch

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