The last truly ecumenical body in New Zealand is set to expire in two years, posing questions for the future of a highly regarded theological qualification.

The Ecumenical Institute of Distance Theological Studies (EIDTS) has served notice on its tutors and students that it will close after Easter 2015 because of a drastic cut in government funding.

More than half of its $225,000 annual budget – around $138,000 – has come from the Tertiary Education Commission, until this year.

Fortunately, EIDTS has enough cash in reserve to stay in business for two more years, allowing the current crop of students to move towards graduation, but the logistics of closure are still “heartbreaking” for director Linda Cowan.

EIDTS is based in a modest ownership flat in the Christchurch suburb of Riccarton, and there’s palpable sorrow as Linda and her academic registrar, Sue Haley, timetable their own demise.

Pride, too – because EIDTS has fulfilled an unseen but vital role in theological education across the churches for 20 years, especially among laypeople.

As many as 95 students all over New Zealand are currently studying for the Licentiate of Theology (L.Th) through EIDTS, alongside five Scholars in Theology. And Linda is determined not to see any of them “stranded” when the institute closes.

She’s already talking to Auckland and Otago universities about cross-credits towards a B.Theol degree and other qualifications, but that exercise is painful in itself because it poses real questions about the future of L.Th itself.

Up to 102 students have gained their L.Th through EIDTS, and a further 21 are expected to graduate within two years.

Add the many hundreds of ordinands who have passed through St John’s College with an L.Th from the Joint Board of Theological Studies – forerunner to EIDTS – and you have an alumni that spans generations of pastors, preachers and teachers. And others with no religious affiliation at all.

But the EIDTS closure impacts on more than the student body: it’s likely to mean the breakup of a teaching diaspora that encompasses 47 tutors and moderators from every Christian walk.

“We have a community of scholars that can’t be equalled,” Linda says. “They’re truly ecumenical and the best in their fields…”

Scholars such as music professor Colin Gibson, historian Allan Davidson, Bible exegete Judith McKinlay, geographer Garth Cant, theology professor Paul Trebilco, and pastoral theologian Mary Caygill…

The list reads like a who’s who of mainline Christianity – hardly surprising when you realise that many of these people have been denominational leaders as well as scholars and pastors.

The loss of government funding in no way reflects on the quality of EIDTS teaching. It’s just that tertiary money is increasingly precious and therefore has to be targeted at students under 25, particularly Maori and Pacific Islanders who need work qualifications.

In fact, Linda thinks EIDTS has been lucky to get as much as it did. “Most of our students are aged between 50 and 80 years,” she says. “And over 60 per cent are women.”

In effect, then, EIDTS has majored largely in second-chance education. For the voluntary sector, moreover. And that doesn’t lift the government job stats.

Linda is quick to defend the worth of older students, though. “Most of our students are doing amazing work and building up social capital,” she argues.

“The church has become so reliant on lay volunteers, that I worry about what will happen when EIDTS isn’t there to educate them.”

She worries, too, about what will become of L.Th when EIDTS gives up the administration.

St John’s College or Trinity College in Auckland may choose to pick it up, but first they will have to meet NZQA requirements for papers at the highest level.

They’re also not as well geared to distance education as EITDS has been.

“A feature of EIDTS has been our flexibility and caring,” Linda says. “We don’t tick completion boxes, which means students can gain a theological qualification at their own pace.”

Another feature is the annual residential schools which EIDTS has held around the country. Twelve students and tutors attended the last one, in Dunedin, and relished the experience not only as a spur to theological understanding but also as an opportunity to meet like-minds from all over.

So what lies ahead for Linda and Sue when the doors close in 2015?

Well-earned retirement, especially for Sue who has been with EIDTS since its inception in 1993. In a way, Sue knows more about those at the heart of ministry than any bishop or moderator.

“But before we go we’ll celebrate what EIDTS has done for ecumenical education,” Linda says with a determined tilt. “There deserves to be a jolly good party at the end.”

Put it in your diaries. And think about some outrageous party hats.

The Rev Brian Thomas L.Th is online editor for Anglican Taonga. He also is moderator for the L.Th homiletics paper.

• • • • 

Who are the brains behind EIDTS?

The Ecumenical Board of Theological Studies represents four denominations: Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist and Salvation Army.

Members are: Rev John Daniel (chair), Rev Jill van de Geer, Mrs Nicola Grundy, Very Rev Dr Graham Redding, Rev Chris Honore, Rev Peter Osborne, Mr David Wardle and Rev Dr David Bell.

Members of the EIDTS Academic Committee are: Rev John Hunt (chair), Rev Dr Ken Booth, Rev Dr Judith McKinlay, Dr Kathleen Rushton, Rev Dr Terry Wall and Bishop David Coles.

The Licentiate in Theology (L.Th) consists of 15 papers (360 credits) from five subject areas: Hebrew Scriptures, New Testament, Church in History and Context, Theological Studies, and Ministry and Mission.

EIDTS also offers an Associate Diploma, Ministry Certificate, Certificate for Lay Preachers, Certificate for Lay Ministry Teams, and Scholar in Theology (S.Th).

But EIDTS will not accept any new students after this year – unless they intend to complete only one paper.

For further information, go to the website: www.eidts.ac.nz