Methodist educators focus on shaping future leaders

Outgoing president Rukudzo Murapa addresses the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities July 10 in Rosario, Argentina.UMNS photos courtesy of Tibaldo Fotografias.

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.