The Challenge of Ministerial Formation

• Published in: Missiology: An International Review
• Main Author: Riebe-Estrella, Gary
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 1992
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/009182969202000211; https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/009182969202000211

Formation for ordained ministry needs to take U.S. Hispanic culture with utmost seriousness. This means recognizing, on the one hand, the plurality of Latino cultures within the United States, and on the other, the various levels of acculturation to and integration with the dominant Anglo culture. A culturally responsible program of theological education must acknowledge the importance of historical and cultural “location”; its method must be that of reflection on praxis and must challenge students to do theology rather than to memorize theological conclusions. The year 1992 offers an opportunity for a genuine encounter between the North Atlantic church and the Latino cultural worlds.