IV

PROCEDURE FOR THE SELECTION AND ENDORSEMENT

OF RELIGION AND THEOLOGY TEACHERS
IN COLLEGES/SEMINARIES/UNIVERSITIES
1. Introduction
TeachersGeneral Conference policy FE 15 15 (see section I, above) has designated Seventhday Adventist ministers/evangelists, theologians, religion/theology teachers, and chaplains as leaders
in ministerial and religious formation.
Implicit in the above designation is the conviction that the teachers in Adventist educational
institutions entrusted with the preparation of pastors and educatorsthe leaders in ministerial and
religious formation must be selected from the best workers who have a positive view of the ministry.
According to Ellenministerial leaders themselves. The concept is clearly expressed by E. G. White:
in the chapter on The Bible Teacher of Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, pp. 431-437.
The initial paragraph reads as follows:
The best ministerial talent should be employed to lead and direct in the teaching of the Bible in
our schools. Those chosen for this work need to be thorough Bible students; they should be men
who have a deep Christian experience; and their salary should be paid from the tithe.1 These.
The emphasis on the best ministerial talent is still relevant today. religion/theology teachers in
Adventist undergraduate and graduate level institutions whose mission is to prepare leaders in
ministerial and religious formation need to first obtain a successful experience as ministerial leaders
in order to have the credibility that students expect from their teachers and mentors.
Most religion/theology teachers in Adventist undergraduate and graduate level institutions are
also expected to teach courses for students who are in academic or professional tracks that do not
include the future leaders in ministerial and religious formation. Many of these students are likely to
become lay leaders in local churches. They need to be inspired to consider that possibility by
someone who is well acquainted with the challenges that face the congregations in the field. Some
are non-Adventist students who may find at the school their best opportunity to understand the gospel
as taught by the Adventist Church. Religion/theology teachers who have had a positive experience as
church pastors/evangelists in leading people to Christ will be best placed to help these students.
The Adventist Church considers all these teachers first and foremost areas ministers. While
they Their salaries are paid from the tithe. They are expected to perform well in their respective
academic communities,. But their function is essentially spiritual, in the context of Seventh-day
Adventist message and mission.
1 Ellen G. White, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 2011), 431437

Religion/theology teachers in Adventist undergraduate and graduate level institutions also

teach courses for students who are in other academic or professional tracks. Students should find at
the school their best opportunity to understand the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6, 7). Some of these
students will become lay leaders in local churches. They need to be inspired by teachers who are
acquainted with the opportunities and challenges of ministry in its various forms. Teachers who have
had a positive experience in leading people to Christ are best suited to help these students and to have
the credibility that students expect from their teachers and mentors.
Their spiritual commitment, in harmony with the theologicaldemonstrated through a lifetime
of unselfish and joyful teaching of the church, selfless teaching ministry, ethical behavior

ministry, and a strong personal devotional life, will greatly influence the churchs future. They
represent the church, and they will be effective in their function as long as they retain the confidence
of the church.
2. The Role of BMTEs and the IBMTE
General Conference Working Policy (GCWP) FE 20 20 5. b and f (see chapter 1, above) has
designated responsibility to the IBMTE to develop guidelines and core standards for faculty
selection and to affirm the faculty authorized to teach in these programs at General Conference
educational institutions through the process of denominational endorsement voted by this board. A
similar responsibility is designated to division Boards of Ministerial and Theological Education for
its institutions in GCWP FE 20 25 5.c. 1 and .e.
General Conference Working Policy FE 20 25 establishes that within each world division General
Conference policy FE 15 20 indicates that, within each world division, the Board of Ministerial and
Theological Education (BMTE) is to provide oversight, supervision, guidance, and coordination to
the preparation that Church- supported institutions offer to pastors, evangelists, theologians, teachers
of Bible and religion, chaplains, and other denominational employees involved in ministerial and
religious formation.
According to General Conference policy FE 20 2015 15, the International Board of
Ministerial and Theological Education (IBMTE) works in cooperation with the world divisions in
providing overall guidance and standards. . . . Educational institutions operated by the General
Conference are directly under the IBMTE.
Thus the rolerespective roles of the BMTEs and the IBMTE isare to provide supervision,
standards, coordination and guidance on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and in support
of worldwide unity, to implementthe implementation of the process that the church has outlined for
educating ministersthe education of leaders in ministerial and teachers in religion. At the same time
thesereligious formation. These boards, andworking in coordination with the boards of institutions
designated to offer such programs, recognizewill not remove the primary responsibility of teachers to
act in accordance with the mission and beliefs ofor stifle the Church and within this context, to
express wholesome creativity and enjoy academic freedom to pursue probing questions, to contribute
to scholarly discussion, and to publish the findings of their research.2 of faculty in religion/theology
programs.
The process of endorsement recognizes that there must be latitude for scholarship that creates
new knowledge within biblical boundaries. Denominational endorsement reflects the commitment of
a teacher to support Seventh-day Adventist fundamental beliefs and mission in teaching, and to abide
by the voted denominational statements Pastoral Ethics, Academic and Theological Freedom and
2 Academic and Theological Freedom and Accountability in Seventh-day Adventist Educational Institutions. Adopted by
the Annual Council Executive Committee, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, October 1987. (See Appendix
7) Check appendix numbering in revised Handbook.

Accountability, 28 Fundamental Beliefs, Code of Ethics for Seventh-day Adventist Educators, and
Methods of Bible Study as they relate to teaching.3 This will be evidenced in the teachers track record
of teaching and scholarship. The teacher is responsible to apply for and retain endorsement.
3. Selection and DenominationalInitial Endorsement of a Religion/Theology Teacher
a. Background and Experience
A potential candidate for a post-secondary the position of religion/theology teaching position
teacher at an Adventist college, seminary, or university must meet the specifications in chapter VIII
(below) and evidence the following:

CommitmentCommitted to Jesus Christ, Hishis gospel, and Hishis

passion to save the lost

LoyaltyA loyal and active Seventh-day Adventist, dedicated to the

message and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as evidenced by membership
and active involvement in the local church

A positive example in family/social relationshome life

Good teaching and mentoring skills, integrating faith and learning in

the context of nurturing students to be productive members of both church and society

Spiritual leadership

Good teaching skills

A historyspiritual leader

3 See appendices #, #, #, and #.


Years of productive ministerial experience (e.g., as a pastor, evangelist,
chaplain, Bible instructor, literature evangelist, and the like)

An appropriate earned doctoral degree in the discipline or a degreethat

is normally higher than the highest degree program in which he/she is expected to teach

Scholarly presentations and publications in the discipline

Presentations, publications and service(or qualifies for churches and the

denomination (e.g., sermons, publications for lay publications, other forms of
ministry)acceptance into an appropriate doctoral program).
b. Application DocumentsDocumentation
A potential candidate for a post-secondary the position of religion/theology teaching position
teacher shall provide to the institution in which he/she plans to serve documentation that includes, but
is not limited to, the following:

A Curriculum Vitae, including

Personal and family information

Degrees earned, including area(s) of specialization, (majors/minors), attaching copies
photocopies of transcripts and diplomas of all earned undergraduate and graduate
degrees, certificates of continuing education, etc.
Work experience after earning the first degree, including names of
employing
organizations/institutions and of supervisors
List of all publications (articles, books, etc.) and unpublished theses, position papers,
etc.
A minimum of three personal references

Personal written Statement of Purpose, including

An autobiographical essay focusing on the candidates spiritual journey

Reasons why the candidate is committed to being a religion/theology teacher
The candidatesprospective teachers understanding of the work of the religion/theology
teacher in the context of the message and the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church
The candidates commitment to teach in accordance with the Churchsthe churchs
fundamental beliefs, with
particular emphasis on Seventh-day Adventist
distinctive teachings
Written recommendations, including at least one from a present colleague, one
from a pastor, one from a dean or major professor, and one from a church leader, that

demonstrate suitability to be involved in the formation of Seventh-day Adventist pastors and

teachers, and the candidates effectiveness or aptitude as a mentor and teacher.

Certificates of Clinical Pastoral Education units or other specialized ministerial

training
Denominational credentials (e.g., ministerial license, ordination, chaplaincy
endorsement, denominational teaching credential)

Certificate of endorsement (or date of application for endorsement).

c. Search Committee, Personal Interview, and Institutional Board Approval

The selection process of a post-secondary religion/theology teacher should normally include
the following steps:

 The formation of a search committee, appointed on the joint initiative of the institutional head and the
institutional board chairchairman, that includes adequate representation from the institutional
administration, religion/theology faculty as well as church leaders from the area/region served by the
school (Division, Unions, local fields) and the respective BMTE. (Some denominational and/or
BMTE leaders may be involved in the search process even when they cannot be physically present at
all committee meetings.)

Advertising the available position through proper denominational and professional channels in order
to create a diverse pool of qualified candidates, if appropriate.

A review by the search committee of the list of potential candidates, followed by interviews of the
most promising ones. (Candidates not carrying a current endorsement from the local BMTE should
apply immediately for endorsement.) After arriving at a consensus among the committee members,
normally two or three names are ranked and recommended to the chief institutional administrator.

The recommendation of one or more names to the institutional board for approval, following
agreed upon institutional procedures.
d. Endorsement to Teach Religion/Theology

In order to operate as a Seventh-day Adventist educational

After board approval, the president of
the institution accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association, all faculty teaching at least halftime religion/theology courses must hold currentwill send to the teacher a letter-contract with detailed
information on employment, along with a copy of the BMTE guidelines and procedures for his/her
future ecclesiastical re-endorsement or be .
At this point, the BMTE representatives who were involved in under review status.
Step 1:4
An academically-qualified Seventh-day Adventist considering employment/the search process will
notify the secretary of the BMTE, so that the new teacher may be issued a certificate of endorsement
gives consent. Copies of the endorsement will be sent to abide by the following denominational
statements in his or her teaching:
28 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists
Pastoral Ethics
Code of Ethics for Seventh-day Adventist Educators
Academicthe teachers supervisor and Theological Freedom and Accountability
Methods of Bible Study
The individual also attaches those items listed in 3. b above such as CV, transcripts, personal
Statementthe chief administrator of Purpose, letters of reference, etc.
4 Funding is needed to expand the ACM database to accommodate workflow and these extra steps.

Step 2: BMTE reviews and approves denominational endorsement. Anthe institution may request
expedited review in special cases.
Step 3: BMTE recommends names to IBMTE for recording at the next IBMTE meeting
(April/October).
Step 4: IBMTE issues endorsement certificate with electronic signature of respective BMTE chair
and secretary.
Step 5: . The ecclesiastical endorsement of a post-secondary religion/theology teacher shall be valid
until the year of the next full institutional evaluation visit by a committee of the Adventist
Accrediting Association (AAA), in conjunction with which the re-endorsement process will take
place.
4. Re-Endorsement of a Religion/Theology Teacher
Nine months prior to the next visit by a committee of the Adventist Accrediting
Association, the institutional administration will make available to each religion/theology teacher the
current BMTE application form and instructions for re-endorsement (see appendix C, suggested
model letters #3 and #5). Normally, all faculty serving at least as half-time teachers of
religion/theology courses shall apply. Some of the documentation requested below may be already
available as part of the institutional rank and continuous appointment (tenure) procedures.

The BMTE re-endorsement process includes the following steps:5

a. The candidate submits to the immediate supervisor (department chairperson/dean) the
application with an updated list of publications and other unpublished materials produced by the
teacher during the current endorsement period, along with a self-evaluation and a statement of his/her
commitment to the churchs fundamental beliefs, with particular emphasis on Seventh-day Adventist
distinctive teachings.
b. The teachers supervisor attaches (to the application form and supporting
documentation) student evaluations of the teacher from the last two years, peer evaluations (as
available), and the supervisors own professional evaluation of the candidate for re-endorsement. All
these documents are then sent to the appropriate institutional administrator.
c. The institutional administration forwards the application and supporting documents,
with its own recommendation regarding re-endorsement, to the secretary of the BMTE so that they
may be received at least three months prior to the Adventist Accrediting Association evaluation visit.
d. The BMTE chairman and secretary choose two or more individuals to review the
application and accompanying documents and to submit a written evaluation of the candidate. The
same individuals are then recommended to the secretary of the Adventist Accrediting Association to
be part of the committee that will conduct the institutional accreditation visit.
e. If, in the judgment of the BMTE secretary and chair, the documentation and evaluation
support re-endorsement of the candidate, his/her name will be included in the BMTE agenda for
action and the secretary will inform the BMTE members who will be part of the AAA evaluation
visit. Once the BMTE acts favorably, the secretary shall send to the applicant a certificate of
endorsement (with copies to the teachers supervisor and the institutions chief administrator), which
will be valid until the next AAA accreditation visit. Teachers who have received their initial
endorsement within two years prior to the AAA visit will normally be automatically recommended to
the BMTE for re-endorsement through the next AAA accreditation visit.
f. If, in the judgment of the BMTE chair and secretary, the evaluation of the documents or
other factors raise questions about the suitability of the candidate to continue serving as an Adventist
religion/theology teacher, the BMTE secretary shall contact the chief administrator of the institution
where the applicant teaches to seek clarification. The secretary shall also arrange for appointments of
the members of the BMTE that initially evaluated the teachers application, with the teacher, the
teachers supervisor, the chief administrator of the

5Divisions may request IBMTE authorization to use alternative procedures (cf. II.6, above).

institution, and the institutional board chair. These meetings will normally take place at the time of
the AAA visit. Following the appointments, the members of the BMTE participating in the AAA visit
will recommend to the BMTE either re-endorsement or under review status, providing the rationale
in the latter case. The secretary will informin writingthe applicant, his/her supervisor, and the
institutions chief administrator and board chair of the recommendation that will be taken to the
BMTE. Once the BMTE acts on the recommendation, the secretary will communicate the decision to
the applicant, with copies to the supervisor, the chief administrator, and the board chair.
g. When a religion/theology teacher is called by a division in which he/shewho has not yet
been endorsed is called to work in another school, the BMTE/IBMTE endorsement will be
transferredoccur concurrently with the transfer of the teacher process (see IV.3.c., above). An
endorsed teacher who transfersis transferred to another school will normally be placed under the reendorsement cycle of the calling institution. A teacher who is assigned under review status will not
be available to teach in another Adventist school until clearance has been received from the
BMTE/IBMTE.
Normally, all faculty serving at least as half-time teachers of religion/theology courses shall apply for
endorsement.
4. Periodic Review of Effectiveness of Religion/Theology Teachers With Respect to Mission
BMTE endorsement to teach is normally valid up to five years. Endorsement is reissued at the time of
reaffirmation of accreditation of the institution by the Adventist Accrediting Association. A member
of the BMTE shall be included in an accreditation Visiting Site Team.
The focus of accreditation is upon evidence that an institutions policies, systems and processes foster
and sustain achievement of mission. The AAA supports the right of each institution to pursue its
educational mission under the guidance of a governing board elected by its constituency, the right of
the faculty to teach, carry out, and publish research, and the right of students to learn and to develop
their God-given talents. However, the exercise of these rights must not interfere with the institutions
obligation to provide quality education within the context of the beliefs, mission, educational
philosophy and practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.6
The institution shall provide to the Adventist Accrediting Association in its Self-study evidence that
criterion 12.6 and 12.8 (cf. 12.3, 12.4, 12.7, 12.10, and 12.11) are satisfactorily met, 7 demonstrating
there is a robust and transparent evaluation process in place to assure that each faculty member is
6 Adventist Accrediting Association Accreditation Handbook Part I: Philosophy, Purpose and Types of Accreditation, I-5,
April 9, 2013.
7 Criteria 12.3 A description and assessment of the involvement of faculty in the spiritual development (formation)
program of pastoral and theology students, including all distance education and/or non-traditional programs.12.4 A
description and evaluation of how faculty remain involved in the life of the church at all levels (e.g., evangelism and
training of lay members) and how this impacts their classroom activities.
12.6 A description and evaluation of the procedures of the Board and administration for ensuring that the academic
programs and faculty are focused on and supportive of the message and mission of the church.

supportive of the message and mission of the church. The institution will provide a list of the names
of all religion/theology faculty who teach more than half time for whom endorsement is to be
reissued. For faculty for whom there are no concerns in the evaluation process, IBMTE will issue an
endorsement credential stating that the endorsement is in effect until the next Adventist Accrediting
Association visit, currently scheduled for _____.
The Adventist Accrediting Association has a clear and publicly available process for submitting
concerns regarding schools and teachers through the www.adventistaccreditingassociation.org
website. Where concerns have been expressed, AAA holds the institution accountable to make a
recommendation for under review status to the BMTE. If there are persistent and significant
problems or complaints submitted to the institution, the BMTE and the Adventist Accrediting
Association,8 the BMTE may place an individual under review for a year or remove the
endorsement for cause.
5. Appeal Process9
The individual has the right to appeal to the IBMTE. The appeal process includes the following steps:
1. Institutional appeal and review
2. BMTE appeal and review
h. A teacher under-review may reapply within one year. When the teacher reapplies, the
school administration may arrange for a follow-up meeting between the faculty member and
representatives of the BMTE to discuss further, with the involvement of the applicants supervisor,
the issues that led to the decision and to explore ways of addressing them. The BMTE representatives
will then send to the secretary of the BMTE a written recommendation regarding the re-application. A
12.7 A description of how (a) the faculty/dean/department chair and (b) other faculty in the department/school are selected
to ensure they understand the needs of the church and are fully supportive of church mission.
12.8 A description and evaluation of the procedures for receiving feedback and evaluating faculty performance (including
support of mission). This should include an assessment of how processes that respond to perceived problems ensure (a)
fair treatment of faculty and (b) that the institution will transparently uphold Adventist uniqueness.
12.10 Identify and evaluate the processes that ensure effective communication is sustained between the department/school
and the wider church constituency on issues such as program content, the specific needs of the immediate constituency,
etc.
12.11 Identify and evaluate the means used to assess and improve the effectiveness of the pastoral and theological
education program in meeting its stated mission. This should include evidence of regular input from recent and past
graduates, as well as employers.
In Form B, the identical criteria are enumerated 7.3, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.10 and 7.11.

8 See AAA Complaint Policy. http://adventistaccreditingassociation.org/images/stories/docs/aaa_complaint_policy.pdf

9 Divisions may request IBMTE authorization to use alternative procedures (cf. chapter II.6, above).

favorable action by the BMTE will lead to the issuance of the certificate of endorsement to the
applicant. If the BMTE, by a majority vote, does not approve the new application, the BMTE
endorsement is withdrawn. The BMTE secretary will communicate the decision to the applicant, with
copies to the supervisor, the institutions chief administrator, and the board chair. It is expected that
the chief administrator and the board chair will address the matter.
3. IBMTE appeal and review
A teacher who is assigned under review status will not be endorsed to teach in another Adventist
school until clearance has been received from the BMTE/IBMTE.
6. Expiration of Endorsement
5. Concluding Remarks
In order to operate as a Seventh-day Adventist educational institution accredited by the
Adventist Accrediting Association, all faculty teaching at least half-time religion/theology courses
must hold current ecclesiastical endorsement or under review status.
When a faculty member no longer teaches religion/theology courses at least half-time, the
chief administrator of the institution will inform the secretary of the BMTE so that the teachers
ecclesiastical endorsement may be placed into inactive status for a period of five years. If not
renewed within that time frame, the endorsement will expire.formally withdrawn.