Training and equipping Christian ministers, workers, and  the church is the endeavour of the whole of the church  working together. From ministers to expound scriptures  and pastorally care for their congregations, mentors to  come alongside and together with sisters and brothers in  all stages of life, and those extra-congregational and para- church groups and organisations who support the  building up of local churches and mission.

However, in this ecosystem the work of theological  colleges is often shrouded in mystery, either seen as some  hallowed ivory tower or a strange realm far removed from  the realities of the local church. Indeed, at times there has  been significant distrust of theological colleges for these  very reasons.

Yet the work of theological colleges is important on two  fronts, and neither are of the chalk and talk variety. First,  the work of theological education helps our churches to  see the breadth of God’s mission for His world, across  the scope of human history and through the various  means He engages through the church. Second, as a third  space outside of the local church it draws together  members of local churches to gather around a shared  goal of understanding God better. Both of these  —amongst many more—aim to keep us from  myopia and also from the challenges of hubris.

This edition of Essentials aims to peel back the  curtain somewhat, to reveal the great scope of  theological education around our world.

Unfortunately—and ironically—the length of this  issue is slightly shorter than normal, owing to an  eleventh hour withdrawal of one article, due to a  very sad situation in a theological college which only  reinforces the distrust of these institutions.

Nevertheless, those articles that remain serve to lift  our eyes to the scope of God’s work in theological  education.

Rev Dr Christopher Porter, Melbourne Editor