EPTA

August 2010: Anne Dyer reports on a recent trip to Los Angeles for an archiving seminar but in another attender's words -Ladrian Brown sums up our time there:

 We express our sincere gratitude to the University of Southern California, where the PCRI is coordinated, for their wonderful hospitality during a training workshop held on the USC campus in Los Angeles, California.  The week’s activities included instruction on the principles of archiving and hands on training in current archival techniques.  The week ended, or climaxed, with a deeply inspiring tour of LA that took the PCRI team to the Bonnie Brae House, where the fire first fell in the Azusa Street Revival, the Dream Center where Saints minister to the needs of countless souls both naturally and spiritually, and Angelus Temple, founded by Pentecostal legend Aimee Semple McPherson.   

Though our group was composed of a small number of archivists from varying countries, Pentecostal backgrounds and professions, God’s unifying hand was seen throughout the week as we celebrated our inter-connected histories and charge to preserve literature from the mighty move of God known as the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movement. 

Spring 2010: John Cooke reports on the Swedish Pentecostal Bible Teachers' Conference -many of whom are EPTA members.

Here in Sweden we’ve just had our annual meeting for the Swedish Pentecostal bibleteachers, at Bjärka-Säby bible school near Linköping.

It was a good conference. The first 2 sessions were an analysis of Paul's pedagogic and an interesting discussion on what is a distinctive "Pentecostal" pedagogic, and ifwe apply that in our teaching.Johan Arvidsson from the University of Linköping was the lecturer / discussion leader.

 The other main sessions were historical. The theme was the Anabaptist movement and its relevance for European Pentecostalism. Jonas Melin (a scholar from our school in Mariannelund) led those sessions.

 We also discussed, in shorter "workgroups" the question of whether or not a bible school can become an alternative church for students during their studies, and what factors influencethe teacher's character.

The group has been working on a book which was inspired by a question raised at one of our meetings several years ago. We were discussing literature available on the subject of "The Christian Faith". The Swedish translation of Bruce Milne's book was the one most widely used, but it was felt that something else was needed which reflected the Scandinavian Pentecostal way of working with this subject, and the educational ideology adopted within the Folk High schoolmovement, of which all our schools are a part. The Prototype has finally come out and is being tested by the students and staff at the main Folk high schools and also their extension church-based courses. Suggestions for changes and improvements will be submitted to the editors latest 15th December, and ”Libris” will finally publish the book officially in March 2010.

Scholars and theologians connected with the various schools and courses were given the job of writing on a particular theme or subject. Martin Boström and Jan-Åke Alvarsson have jointly edited the book and written the preface. Jan-Åke has written the introduction to the book, which sets the stage for the theme:

"In the light of his coming".

The book is divided into 4 main sections:

1. Jesus and Salvation.

2. The Spirit, the church and evil

3.The Bible, God and Man.

4. Hope - The kingdom of God and eschatology

 The book is mainly intended for use as a textbook in the Swedish bible schools and seminaries. However, it can also become a valuable tool for church bible study groups / cell groups. Study questions are included at the end of each section.

Correspondent.

John Cooke, Linköping, Sweden        16^th November 2009.

Jan Ake Alvarsson- is now Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Uppsala University! Congratulations!

Rev. Dr. William K Kay is now Professor of Theology - Rev. Professor William K Kay DD - at the only remaining Chair of theology in the University of Wales, now based in Glyndwr University, Wrexham, Wales. Congratulations again!