AETH's membership includes educators from different denominations, related accredited seminaries, Bible colleges, Bible institutes, and other similar institutions as well as students who are currently preparing to engage in the field of theological education. While the Asociación is conceived in terms of responding to specific needs and goals in Protestant theological education, membership and participation is open to all who share in the goals and aims of the Asociación.
Since 1991 AETH has grown at a brisk pace. The Asociación is developing several programs that seek to strengthen theological education in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
I. Goals and Objectives
The Asociación has the goal of becoming a strong, viable forum where Hispanic issues in theological education can be discussed in such a way that the participants enrich each other and can seek collaborative responses to common needs. The following objectives are of primary importance:
- To promote and enhance theological education for Hispanic-Americans in Bible institutes, Bible colleges, seminaries, and other programs in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
- To foster communication and cooperation among persons involved in Hispanic theological education, including those from Church-based Biblical institutes as well as institutions of higher education.
- To support Hispanic-Americans presently engaged in theological education.
- To affirm and support educational programs and academic projects directed to Hispanic theological education.
- To provide a channel for communication, cooperation, and advocacy on behalf of Hispanic-American educators and support personnel, as well as their institutions.
- To create a forum for conscientization regarding relevant issues which affect institutions engaged in theological education for Hispanic-Americans.
- To conduct meetings and/or conferences at the regional and local levels, to foster the spiritual, professional, and institutional development of its members.
- To provide means whereby financial resources--particularly those of philanthropic institutions--can be channeled in such a way as to improve programs which usually have no access to such resources.
- To provide a place where any person, school or agency interested in Hispanic theological education may obtain information and guidance. To develop a data base of persons and resources in Hispanic theological education.
- To enroll in the Asociación a greater number of Hispanics and others engaged in Hispanic theological education.
II. Government
The governing body of the Asociación is the Assembly. Under the theme Derramaré mi Espíritu (I shall pour my Spirit) AETH held its first Assembly in Decatur, GA on August 21-23, 1992. The second Assembly was held in La Puente, CA on August 5-7, 1994. The third Assembly was held in San Antonio, TX on August 5-7, 1996. The fourth Assembly was held in River Forest, IL on July 30-August 2, 1998. The Assembly has the power to establish policy, guidelines, and programs. The Assembly convenes every two years, in ordinary meetings also known as Encuentros.
AETH's Executive council is composed by distinguished personalities in the field of Hispanic theological education for ministry. These are:
- Dr. Ismael García, chairperson
- Dr. Elizabeth Conde Frazier, vice-chairperson
- Dr. Awilda González-Tejera, secretary
- Rev. Stan Perea, treasurer
The representatives-at-large are:
- Rev. Aurea E. Alejandro
- Rev. José D. Nieves
- Dr. Juan F. Martínez
The Executive director of the Asociación is Dr. José Daniel Montañez.
AETH's office is on the campus of Austin Seminary.
III. Programs
With help from different philantrophic institutions and contributions from its members, AETH is developing several programs for the next two years. These are:
- Writer's workshops: Given the need to develop and provide published materials which relate the traditional subjects of theological education with the Hispanic context and the need to encourage and train authors of such materials the Asociación develops mentoring programs in the writing of materials for Hispanic theological education.
- Encuentros for different disciplines: There is a need for persons who teach in the same discipline to gather in order to discuss bibliography, pedagogical issues, current trends in their fields, etc. AETH conducts at least one such meeting a year.
- Technical assistance: AETH provides technical assistance for community-based programs of theological education on matters such as library development, field supervision, educational methodologies, etc.
- Joint projects: AETH promotes collaboration and mutual enrichment between ATS accredited seminaries and community-based Bible institutes engaged in the training of Hispanic ministers.
- Regional and local meetings: The Asociación holds regional and/or local meetings, in order to promote greater contact between itself and the grass-roots of theological education.
- "Encuentro" Newsletter: AETH publishes a regular quarterly newsletter which keeps the constituency of the Asociación informed on opportunities for improvement, publications that may be relevant to Hispanic theological education, and innovative programs.
- Research grants: AETH provides small grants for Hispanic researchers who are producing how-to manuals, position papers and studies addressing issues that affect theological education among Hispanics.
- Program for Hispanic Women in Ministry: Under this program AETH will hold regional meetings to explore the important role played by Hispanic women in the church.
IV. Individual Membership
The Asociación is open to three levels of individual membership, as described below.
- Full membership in the Asociación is open to Hispanics in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico who are engaged in theological education as faculty, administrators or other support staff in Bible institutes, Bible colleges, seminaries, Hispanic programs in theological institutions or parachurch organizations, and University programs such as departments of religion, theology or biblical studies. Full membership is also available to non-Hispanics who serve the Hispanic community with the interests and responsibilities described above.
- Affiliate membership in the Asociación is open to Hispanics in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico who are engaged in related agencies, regional or local associations dealing with Hispanic theological education, community-based programs, executive ministers of denominational organizations, members of boards of trustees of institutions defined above and volunteers who work in diverse aspects of said institutions. Affiliated membership is also available to non-Hispanics who serve the Hispanic community with the interests and responsibilities described above.
- Student membership to the Asociación is encouraged among students of those institutions defined above.
To become a member of AETH the interested party must fill an application and send it to our office.
V. Institutional membership
Institutional Membership is available for those institutions defined above, as well as denominational organizations, publishing houses or distribution centers which provide literature and other resources for theological education for Hispanic-Americans, parachurch organizations, and community-based programs with particular interest in Hispanic theological education.