ANZATS - About Us:
The Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools Ltd was formed in 1968 and comprises university theology programmes and the theological colleges and seminaries of the Christian churches in Australia and New Zealand, together with individual members of the Association. ANZATS publishes the peer-reviewed journal Colloquium in May and November each year.
ANZATS Ltd Constitution
The Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools Limited is governed by a Constitution, and registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission as a public compnay limited by guarantee. A copy of the Constitution is available to view here.
ANZATS Ltd - a brief history
The first definite move to set up an association of theological schools was made at the first national conference of the Australian Association for Theological Studies which was held in Sydney in February, 1967. At this conference a meeting of heads of colleges and theological teachers appointed a committee consisting of heads of theological colleges in Adelaide, with Fr John Lewis, Warden of St Michael's, Crafers, as convener. This committee was instructed to draw up a draft constitution for the proposed association and to report back to the second national conference of the Australian Society for Theological Studies in August, 1968.
The Adelaide committee first met on April 3, 1967, and subsequently produced a draft constitution in January, 1968. This was circulated to all heads of colleges in Australia and New Zealand, and in the course of the next few months this draft was amended in the light of advice received from other colleges. The final draft was circulated in May 1968, and submitted to a meeting of heads of colleges on August 26, 1968. After a further two amendments, it was received by the meeting and approved.
In the four decades since, ANZATS has come to embrace theological schools from every Christian tradition in Australia and New Zealand, functioning as a network which encourages communication between them. In 2009 it was incorporated, and in 2012 merged with the ANZ Society of Theological Scholars (ANZSTS), thus taking over responsibility for the pee-reviewed journal Colloquium. From time to time it has represented theological education to governments, and today works closely with the Council of Deans of Theology, which brings togather the heads of all Australian Higher Education Providers in the theology sector.
The main event which ANZATS organises is an annual Conference for member schools’ faculty, sometimes in conjunction with other bodies (such as the international Society for Biblical Literature). Every 2-3 years a Principals’ Conference is arranged, allowing them to confer together in confidence and trust about current issues affecting theological education.
Further information can be found in Geoffrey Barnes, ANZATS: the first 35 years (Sydney: SCD, 2008), and Charles Sherlock, Uncovering Theology: the depth, reach and utility of Australian theological education Adelaide: ATF, 2009) available from the Secretary.
Enquiries about membership should be directed to the Secretary and Executive Officer, secretary@anzats.edu.au.