Reimagining Theological Education Together (RTET)

Michael A. Oritz
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Through the Reimagining Theological Education Together Podcast, Michael Ortiz engages theological educators, ministry leaders, and church practitioners in conversations about how theological education can more faithfully strengthen God’s people for God’s mission. Whether you are leading a seminary, shaping a church-based training program, or building pathways between formal and non-formal education, you’ll find practical insights and global perspectives to inspire innovation, collaboration, and faithfulness in theological education.

  1. 4d ago

    The Aim of Theological Education is to Support the Church

    Theological education only makes sense when it serves the church and her mission. In this video, I reflect on a bold insight from Linda Cannell and I ask whether our TE programs are turning inward to protect and survive or turning outward to prepare and serve. In this video, we will explore: • What Linda Cannell’s statement reveals about mandate, mission, and why theological education exists • Why some training programs become inward focused and how that weakens their purpose • Why I use the word aim, and why every form of theological education should share one common aim • What I learned from hearing an endless menu of training programs and why collaboration matters • Why collaboration fails without mutuality and a shared agenda centered on the church • What the ICETE Manifesto and Lausanne (Cape Town 2010) say about church, mission, and training • Practical examples that keep aim clear, including church feedback surveys, church planting requirements, generational impact, and TEE Resources: • Linda Cannell book: https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Education-Matters-Leadership-Church/dp/1439205930 • ICETE Manifesto: https://icete.info/resources/the-icete-manifesto/ • Lausanne: https://lausanne.org/statement/ctcommitment Timestamps 00:00 - Linda Cannell and the church as the mandate for theological education 02:25 - The aim of TE: strengthening Christ’s church 08:39 - Measuring effectiveness of TE in churches 12:04 - A closing test: would I send leaders to my own training program?

    The Aim of Theological Education is to Support the Church

  2. Aug 10

    Why Theological Education Leaders Need Margin

    Theological education leaders are often running at full speed. In this video, I share two conference stories that helped me see why margin is not optional if we want to lead well, develop others, and finish our calling with endurance. In this video, I will explore: • What I learned from an intense conference in Africa• Why I believe personal margin fuels leadership capacity and long term reach • How margin creates space for rest, reflection, wisdom, and character formation • A real example of a veteran professor who protects margin and continues to thrive • How the ICETE Manifesto connects formation, wisdom, and flourishing across life • Why building margin helps leaders raise future leaders who can carry the baton forward • How Paul's statement in 2 Timothy reframes my priorities when I think about finishing well Join me as we think through why margin matters for theological education leaders, and if you are enjoying these videos, please subscribe and keep coming back as I continue to reimagine theological education together. Resources: • ICETE Manifesto II: https://icete.info/resources/the-icete-manifesto/ Timestamps: 00:00 - An intense conference in Africa 02:56 - Margin defined: why space fuels leadership capacity and long term reach 04:53 - What margin can look like practically 06:02 - ICETE Manifesto: character, wisdom, and flourishing in every sphere 07:19 - A different conference model: intentional rest, deeper conversations 09:43 - Finishing the race and keeping the faith

    Why Theological Education Leaders Need Margin

  3. Aug 3

    Theological Education Needs Diverse Voices

    Theological education often feels harder to define and measure than evangelism, Bible translation, or church planting, and I am hearing that uncertainty from leaders, younger ministry workers, and even donors across the world. In this video, I ask a core question: is theological education still relevant for the church and society today, and what needs to change if it is going to serve the church’s gospel mission with clarity and credibility? In this video, I will explore: • Why theological education can feel less “quantifiable” than other ministry efforts, and why that affects trust and support • How I define relevance through “voices,” and why the future depends on what I am willing to elevate and embody • What the ICETE Manifesto contributes to this conversation about culture, context, and listening well • Which voices I believe deserve greater attention right now, including peace and reconciliation, women, disabilities, youth, Muslim background believers, technology, and AI • How ICETE Impact Teams can help us collaborate globally around key topics and best practices • Why pew level realities should shape how I evaluate programs and how I train leaders for real church and societal needs Join me as I reimagine theological education around the voices and realities churches are facing right now, and if you are enjoying these videos, please subscribe and keep coming back as we continue to reimagine theological education together. Timestamps: 00:00 - The core question: is theological education still relevant today? 02:33 - Reimagining relevance through voices: elevate and embody 04:39 - ICETE Manifesto: listen to voices, questions, and needs in context 06:54 - Examples of voices: peace, women, disabilities, youth, AI, and more 09:49 - Pew level realities: ask better questions and adapt programs for mission

    Theological Education Needs Diverse Voices

  4. Jul 27

    Tools to Equip & Empower: Background, Growth, and Stories

    Tools to Equip & Empower (TEE) is quietly transforming how the global church equips leaders—by bringing training to people where they live and serve, not pulling them out of their context. In this episode of RTET I’m joined by Graham Aylett and Rosana Longgat to unpack what TEE is, why it began, and how it’s strengthening discipleship and pastoral formation across Asia and beyond. We begin with a powerful story from Nepal: a believer rejected because of leprosy who later used TEE training to plant 17 churches in eight years—a vivid reminder that accessible theological education can fuel resilient, grounded gospel leadership. In this video, we will explore: • What TEE (Tools to Equip & Empower; formerly Theological Education by Extension) is, why it began, and how it works globally • The TEE learning rhythm: personal study, small-group discussion, and real-life application • How facilitators, assessment, and partnerships (including Graham Aylett, Rosana Longgat, and Increase Association) strengthen church-based training Join me as we reflect on how TEE can help the church disciple widely, train deeply, and lead faithfully—especially in contexts where traditional models can’t keep up with rapid growth and urgent leadership needs. To hear more about TEE and the Increase Association watch my previous podcast "An Old Solution for a New Challenge: TEE in Malaysia" https://youtu.be/tqIeDsuEaKE Links: • Increase Association: https://www.increaseassociation.org/ • Open Theological Seminary: https://ots-trust.org/ • Re-Forma: https://www.re-forma.global/

    Tools to Equip & Empower: Background, Growth, and Stories

  5. Jul 20

    From Vipers to Vision: Stories of TE in India

    Theological education in India is being reimagined under real pressure—and with surprising creativity. In this video, I share key lessons I gleaned from listening to 27 seminary leaders across India describe their challenges, pivots, and hopes. In this video, we will explore: • How seminaries stay rooted in historic mission while adapting for today • Leadership realities: focus, staff change, and “legacy staff” challenges • Innovation in urban contexts (including Mumbai) and flexible program delivery • Why vulnerability, assessment, and collaboration are shaping stronger outcomes Join me as we reflect on what India can teach the global church about strengthening leaders and sustaining theological education for the future. Links to resources: • ATA India: https://ataindia.org/ • ATA (Asia Theological Association): https://ataasia.com/

    From Vipers to Vision: Stories of TE in India

  6. Jul 13

    Diversity of Theological Education in India

    Theological education is being reshaped by rapid change—especially across the Global South, where growing churches and shifting finances are straining traditional seminary models. In this video, I share what I learned in India after hearing seminary leaders’ challenges and hopes firsthand. In this video, we will explore: • Why India represents one of the most complex and diverse environments for theological education today • The reality of isolation and limited margin faced by many seminary leaders • How recent restrictions on foreign funding are forcing institutions to rethink sustainability • The creative ways seminaries are responding—from agriculture and small businesses to schools, hospitals, and community partnerships • Why vulnerability, collaboration, and reimagining old assumptions are essential for moving forward Join me as I share what I gleaned from these conversations, and stay tuned for the next video as I continue to reflect on what theological education in India can teach us today. Links to resources: • ATA https://ataasia.com/

    Diversity of Theological Education in India

  7. Jul 6

    Equipping Millions for Mission: The Vision of TEE’s Global Network

    Church-based theological training is undergoing a global shift as TEE (Tools to Equip and Empower) and the Increase Association demonstrate how flexible, contextual, church-centered models can equip leaders more effectively than formal programs alone. Their bold vision: empower all Christ followers for mission, ministry, and leadership right where they live and serve. In this video, we will uncover: • How TEE became a global movement shaping church-based training• Why the Increase Association’s vision is reframing theological education • What the Equippers Conference in Malaysia revealed about emerging leaders • How TEE programs are forming pathways into accredited seminaries worldwide • How assessment and church partnership are redefining “field-ready” training This isn’t just about one training model — it’s a glimpse of how collaboration and church-based equipping could reshape global theological education and invite us to reimagine what’s possible. Links: • Increase Association: https://www.increaseassociation.org/ • ICETE Manifesto II: https://icete.info/resources/the-icete-manifesto/

    Equipping Millions for Mission: The Vision of TEE’s Global Network

  8. Jun 29

    An Old Solution for a New Challenge: TEE in Malaysia

    Theological education is facing a global challenge—not because of lack of commitment, but because traditional models can’t keep pace with church growth. Formal seminaries alone cannot meet the overwhelming demand for trained pastors, especially in the Global South. So what’s the solution? In this video, we will uncover: • The history and vision behind TEE (Tools to Equip and Empower), a strategy born in the 1960s to take training to pastors instead of waiting for them to come to seminaries • Why this approach matters today as churches multiply faster than leaders can be equipped • What I learned during my recent trip to Malaysia, where TEE is innovating with multilingual programs and bridging gaps between formal and non-formal education • Inspiring stories of pastors and churches—from midnight gatherings of migrant workers to cross-sector partnerships—that show how theological education can be reimagined for a changing world This isn’t just about education—it’s about the future of the church. And it’s time we think creatively, work collaboratively, and face this challenge together. Link: • Increase Association https://www.increaseassociation.org/

    An Old Solution for a New Challenge: TEE in Malaysia
See All (15)

Trailer

About

Through the Reimagining Theological Education Together Podcast, Michael Ortiz engages theological educators, ministry leaders, and church practitioners in conversations about how theological education can more faithfully strengthen God’s people for God’s mission. Whether you are leading a seminary, shaping a church-based training program, or building pathways between formal and non-formal education, you’ll find practical insights and global perspectives to inspire innovation, collaboration, and faithfulness in theological education.

Information