WORLD STUDENT CHRISTIAN FEDERATION ASIA PACIFIC REGION

Concept paper for Women Doing Theology

Theme : Women and the Bible – Women as Leaders

 

 

Rationale

Since the start of WSCF AP Regional Women’s Programme in 1985, it has always made a conscious focus in the emphasis of reading and studying the Bible from the female’s  perspective as well rather than follow the conventions of doing theology. Our regular programme, Women Doing Theology, has enabled many young women to acquire extensive knowledge in understanding the essence of women in the Bible and the various Feminist Theologies, enabling them to learn the true meaning of an inclusive and holistic way of Christianity. They are able to see with new eyes the Bible and the society as young Christian women.

 

While these programmes serve as a basic foundation for women, WSCF AP Regional Women’s Programme need to start looking at organizing programmes that will empower young women to a more advanced level in women’s biblical knowledge and skills. In other words, while keeping the basics, there is also a need to move beyond to a greater challenge, creating future leaders in the process.  To fulfil this task, the Federation needs to impart knowledge and most importantly, relevant skills to these young women leaders. Not only will this encourage them to be better challenged, it will also help to prepare their contribution of their knowledge, energy and enthusiasm to the women’s work in making the Federation as well as the ecumenical movement more dynamic and spirited.

 

From the various evaluations done in our past women’s programmes, there was an expressed need for specific skills training especially on conducting Bible Study, inputs on facilitating women doing theology, and writing Meditations.  This expressed need is largely due to the fact that while the young women leaders have attained adequate knowledge on understanding the essence of women doing theology, the skill of conducting similar courses in their own National Movements is very much lacking. This lack of skills training often frustrates their enthusiasm in contributing their knowledge and inspiration.  Thus, it was a realization that acquiring knowledge constitutes only a part of the empowerment process, and to make this into a full process the young women leaders need to learn how to make concrete contributions back to their movements and to the Federation.

     

The Federation and the ecumenical movement is in a constant need of leaders, hence, it is our responsibility to cultivate and generate young leaders, and especially women leaders to uphold the heavy task of women’s empowerment, ecumenism and a holistic Christianity.  Thus, the Regional Women’s Programme of the Federation, decides to widen the curriculum of our essential programme, Women Doing Theology (WDT). From the next WDT onwards, we plan to include modules on skills training relating to conducting Bible Studies, facilitating inputs on women doing theology, and writing Biblical Meditations.

 

Hence, in light of this, WSCF AP the WDT programme targets on the following goals and objectives:

 

A) Goal :

1.       To develop future young women leaders to make contributions back to their own movements as well to the Federation.

2.       For WDT programme to become an annual study course with a regular curriculum akin to that of an institute for women’s studies. 

3.       To develop a WDT module eventually by these leaders to be used as resource guide for the national movements

 

 

B) Objectives :

·         To develop and explore resources in feminist bible study, women doing theology, women’s stories, songs and liturgies;

·         To equip young women leaders with necessary skills training for the above;

·         To enable the young women leaders contribute their knowledge and inspiration to their own National Movements and to the Federation;

·         To motivate these leaders to continue their active involvement in their own movements as well as in the whole ecumenical movement;

·         To provide a regular resource and a study course for potential young women leaders to equip themselves adequately in anticipating movement involvement.

 

Components/Activities

·         Sessions of the Bible and Women in Church history

·         Sessions on Gender Analysis in Gender Discrimination and Injustices

·         Sessions on Conducting Creative Worship and Liturgies From the Experience of Women

·         Sessions on Conducting Bible Study and Writing Meditations From the Experience of Women

·         Discussions on plans for standardizing the Women Doing Theology Resource Guide

 

Date & Venue:

1st – 10th September 2002, Aotearoa/New Zealand

 

Target Group  

This workshop targets at SCMers who are keen to learn more on doing theology from a woman’s perspective as well as acquiring knowledge on creative methods of conducting Bible Study, Liturgies and Writing Meditations. These SCMers need to actively contribute these skills and knowledge back to their own SCMs, especially to the women SCMers.

 

Criteria for Participants:

1.       Students majoring in Theology or Students who are keen in Theology

2.       Senior Friend participant needs to be actively involved in her own SCM and ideally, sits in the Committee

3.       Participants should possess basic knowledge on Gender Issues

4.       Participants are expected to organise workshops in their SCMs upon their return to share their skills and knowledge

 

Number of Participants:

14 women from all National Movements plus 3 from Host Country

1 regional staff and 1 Regional Women’s Committee member

3 Host Committee Members

Total Number : 22 people