INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

The main concern of theological education should be to disciple and edify those whom God has called to the ministry and help them be of service to the King.  Theological education fails to the degree that it excludes gifted individuals who should be preparing themselves for the Lord's service.  In the last twenty years, the renewal of the early church method of theological education has arisen to solve the problem of exclusion and train many more of the men whom God has gifted to be ministers.  This has been referred to as the Extension Seminary Movement.  A purpose of Theological Education through Discipleship and Edification is not to do away with traditional seminary training, which has its merits, but to provide for another alternative approach to educating future ministers.  Theological Education through Discipleship and Edification allows a broader base of selection in the development of church leadership.  It can reach out to any person, in any local congregation, at any age, in any occupation, at any stage in the development of spiritual gifts, and prepare him for whatever ministerial position God has gifted him.

Theological Education through Discipleship and Edification (TEDE) may stimulate many groups to evaluate their concepts of the ministry and challenge some traditional ways.  TEDE may call into question the educational philosophies and methods observed in the traditional residential programs.

It is the purpose of this study to look at:  (1) TEDE throughout history;  (2) the crisis in theological education and an answer;  (3) TEDE -- what is it?;  (4) two historical church growth methods and TEDE in action; and see that the proof is in the pudding of TEDE.