Since its founding in 1946, ATFE represents more than 100 theological schools across the United States and Canada. ATFE enjoys affiliate status with the Association for Theological Schools (ATS). Every accredited ATS seminary or divinity school requires an experiential component that provides a place to practice ministry and a corresponding space to reflect on its practice. This nexus of integration is an intended consequence carefully nurtured by the field educator. Ministry experience, theological reflection, peer engagement, the classroom, consultation, and emulation of ministry professionals are some of the important tools available to us.
Every two years we gather for a conference which provides professional development workshops and excellent keynote speakers, while also connecting field educators with one another. During the consultations, we engage current issues related to theological field education while also seeking to shape creative visions for theological education in the future, develop new patterns for the changing contours of ministry and discover imaginative ways to prepare persons to serve God effectively and faithfully in the church and in the world.
Becoming a Member
Please view the Why Join ATFE page for information on membership. There you will find online membership forms which you can use to join ATFE right now. Thanks for your interest in ATFE!
2007 Steering Committee Visioning Session
The Chair of ATFE for the 2005-2007 biennial period, Abigail Johnson, invited former Steering Committee Members and representatives from each of the ATFE caucuses to gather for a Visioning Session on January 21, 2007. Using a process designed to name what we celebrate, lament and hope, the session provided a space to name our experience and vision for theological field education in general, and specifically for the future of ATFE. The conversation and priorities that were set during that session have helped to guide future discussions and decisions. Here is a brief summary of that session.
ATFE Organizational Documents
- Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
ATFE History
- History of ATFE.pdf
- 1993 Statement on Excellence in Supervision, Adopted at the 22nd Biennial Conference