Matheteuo and Christ’s Strategy

Matheteuo and TEE

Worldwide experience has shown that Theological Education by Extension (TEE) is one of the most effective ways of discipling Christians and providing leadership training..

This can be is achieved through very low-cost, affordable programmes that involve a combination of:

·         Carefully programmed home study.

·         Group seminars led by local tutors.

·         Ministerial assignments and projects agreed with the local church.

These TEE courses can be translated and trans-culturalised into any language, and once properly established can become owned and sustained within the culture concerned. Through the practical assignments TEE gives the opportunity for all church members to be involved in effective service for Jesus in the needy world.

Worldwide experience has demonstrated that the aspirations of TEE can be significantly advanced through:

Ø       An increased understanding of TEE including  the vision and potential, the methodology and the practical application involved. 

Ø       Adequate foundational training for those wishing to establish TEE programmes. 

Ø       A clearer recognition of realistic levels of pump-priming funding needed to establish national programmes. 

Ø       The need to  work  towards indigenous ownership and funding of  the programmes.

Matheteuo and the Russian Experience

In January 2004 our Matheteuo team with other experienced TEE practitioners from Nepal, Pakistan and the UK conducted two weeks of TEE seminar/workshops for a team from the Russian far east.  It was hoped that those having undertaken these two weeks of training in England would be competent as a team to:

1. Set up the necessary TEE organisation required to facilitate the running of TEE programmes on a local, regional and even national basis.

2.       Train other people in the specific skills needed in the areas of education methodology, curriculum development, editing, administration and financial policies, all associated with a well-run TEE programme.

These seminars resulted in the formation of the Open Russian Theological Academy (ORTA), which is already effectively serving a rapidly growing number of churches in the Russian far east and Siberia through TEE.

Matheteuo and Resourcing

The goal of ORTA and other similar national TEE programmes should be to become financially sustainable. This may take several years.  Meanwhile such TEE programmes do require realistic pump-priming finance to cover initial administration, translation, editing, printing and seminar costs. 

When, for example, a Bible College is built, donors understand the cost of acquiring a suitable building, or even investing in bricks and mortar.  However, in the case of TEE, the foundation costs are different, but just as vital.

A TEE programme that has a potential to train thousands of students, may be very low cost on a per student basis, but nonetheless it does require a level and range of investment that is not often recognised.  

• To develop the basis for an  inter-cultural TEE Curriculum.  
• To be able to draw together international training teams to conduct TEE Seminars and Workshops. 
• To establish and manage a ‘Seed Fund’ for the secure launching of National TEE programmes.  
• To establish a ‘Global TEE Resource Centre’ at Axminster, UK and in Seoul, Korea.

Appropriate budgets can be supplied on request for many of the projects we are currently running here in the UK or overseas