CBTE Must Pass a Fidelity Test Before It Claims the Name

A Bible college moves several classes online, appoints pastors as mentors and asks learners to complete ministry projects. Its brochure now calls the programme competence-based. Another programme retains fixed courses, fixed pacing and final examinations but adds a list of graduate competencies. A third allows learners to progress at different speeds but provides little structured formation, moderation or appeal.

Each programme may contain worthwhile innovation. None should receive the CBTE name merely because it uses ministry language, flexible delivery or a competency list. Competency-Based Theological Education (CBTE) is not one technique added to an inherited programme. It is an educational architecture in which contextual competencies govern the learner's pathway, formation, mentoring, evidence, progression and award.

CBTE also remains distinct from Kenya's general occupational Competency-Based Education and Training, or CBET. Bible-college CBTE draws upon the wider competency movement, but ministry formation requires theological judgement, spiritual and character formation, ecclesial context and careful governance of authority. A fidelity test should therefore ask whether the programme actually embodies these commitments, not whether its publicity uses the recognised vocabulary.

The organisers of the CBTE 2027 Gathering describe an agenda that includes a shared pastoral competency framework and discussion of the values that distinguish a substantive CBTE programme. This provides a practical setting for asking whether the name matches the education actually offered. Gathering programme.

A programme that claims CBTE…