Hands to the Plow

During the CETA consultation I accepted two new responsibilities. I was elected as a member at large on the Executive Board, and was nominated as the Coordinator of the Theological Commission. As coordinator, I will be overseeing the publication of CETA's scholarly journal CJET: Caribbean Journal of Evangelical Theology. I will shoulder these responsibilities until the next Consultation which will be held in 2011 in Trinidad. At that time, CETA will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. Below are (1) a picture of the Executive Board of CETA and (2) a Press release reporting on the past consultation.

LEADERS IN THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION MEET IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

PORT-OF-SPAIN — The Caribbean Evangelical Theological Association (CETA) held its 19th biennial consultation March 16-20 at the Anapausis Community conference center in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. Leaders of theological institutions gathered to reflect and interact around the theme of “Strengthening Theological Education in a Changing Environment.”

Comprised of more than 40 undergraduate and graduate institutions scattered throughout the three main language areas of the Caribbean region, CETA was founded in 1971 for the purposes of professional association and the development and promotion of standards of excellence in theological education.

Dr. Las Newman—president of the CETA-sponsored Caribbean Graduate School of Theology in Kingston, Jamaica—launched the event with a stirring opening ceremony address on “Understanding Today’s World.” Throughout the week, delegates heard presentations on timely topics such as Trends in Theological Education, Assessing Institutional Effectiveness, Strengthening Theological Education Through Partnerships, and Education in an Economically Challenging Environment. Workshops provided opportunities to focus on practical issues ranging from resource development and effective governance to mentoring for impact.

Presenters came from the Caribbean region and beyond, and included such names as Dr. Miriam Rodriguez (Puerto Rico), Dr. Pat Glasgow (Trinidad and Tobago), Dr. Randall Bell (USA), Dr. Dieumeme Noelliste (USA & Haiti), Dr. Phillip Gray (Guyana), and Dr. Paul Sanders (Lebanon).

During the weeklong consultation, the Association transacted several items of business including the election of officers for the next biennium. The newly elected leadership consists of Dr. Noelliste (President), Rev. Owen Gordon (Vice President, Jamaica), Dr. Kenneth Ragoonath (Chairman, Trinidad and Tobago), Dr. Errol Joseph (Secretary/Treasurer, Trinidad and Tobago), and members-at-large Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Abson Joseph (Jamaica/Haiti), and Dr. Ramon Alvarado (Puerto Rico).

The next consultation is set for March 14-16, 2011, and will be held again in Trinidad and Tobago to commemorate the 40th anniversary of this influential association. More details and information about CETA are available online at www.cetaweb.info.