Pastoral formation in the Caribbean has long been shaped by a complex interplay of spiritual calling, communal recognition, and diverse educational pathways. Yet scholarly attention to how formal, informal, and non-formal theological education collectively contribute to ministerial formation within Caribbean contexts remains limited. This article addresses that gap through a PRISMA-ScR–aligned scoping review of interdisciplinary literature spanning theology, pastoral studies, and general education. Drawing on peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and selected dissertations, the review maps how pastoral formation is conceptualized, the roles attributed to different modes of theological education, and the cultural, ecclesiastical, and historical dynamics shaping ministerial identity in the Caribbean. The findings reveal that pastoral formation in the Caribbean is best understood as a holistic, relational, and contextually embedded process rather than a linear or exclusively institutional endeavor. Formal theological education provides doctrinal grounding and critical reflection, while informal learning through lived ministry and non-formal education through mentoring and structured training play equally formative roles. Persistent tensions between Spirit-led authority and academic preparation are shown to be rooted not merely in ideology, but in colonial histories, Pentecostal and revivalist spirituality, and community-based constructions of authority. Building on these insights, the article proposes an Integrated Caribbean Formation Model emphasizing complementarity rather than hierarchy among formation pathways. The study concludes by outlining implications for theological institutions, churches, denominations, and policy frameworks, and by identifying priorities for future empirical research. In doing so, it contributes a contextually grounded framework for reimagining pastoral formation in contemporary Caribbean ministry.
No video or video abstract has been added for this paper yet.
No MP3/audio version has been added for this paper yet.
AI Review / Language Services
No public AI review, language audit, polish, or translation output has been attached to this paper page yet.
PQS / PPR Status
Paper Quality Score:
Pending
PQS means Paper Quality Score. It may appear as AI Preliminary, Human Reviewed,
or Certified depending on the evidence used.
Learn more
PPR is the post-publication review workflow. PQS is the paper-level score outcome.
PQS is not automatically calculated from imported metadata.
PPR Listing: Not Listed
PPR Comments:
0 completed /
2 required for Human Reviewed PQS.
Pending. PQS is not automatically calculated from import metadata.
References
Behr, F. J. (2020). Theological education in the twenty-first century. Journal of Orthodox Christian Studies, 3(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1353/joc.2020.0000
Birkett, K. (2019). The theological curriculum for twenty-first-century ministry: A UK perspective. Practical Theology, 12(4), 402-414. https://doi.org/10.1080/1756073X.2019.1638576
Blea, J., et al. (2021). Spiritual formation outcomes and curricular strategies in theological education. Christian Education Journal: Research on Educational Ministry. Available via ResearchGate or journal publisher: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/cej
Chiroma, N. H. (2015). Potential of mentoring in theological seminaries. Kairos: Evangelical Journal of Theology, 9(2), 201-220. Available via ORCID/author repository: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9507-0559
Chiroma, N. H., & Cloete, A. (2015). Mentoring as a supportive pedagogy in theological training. HTS Theological Studies, 71(3), 1-8.
Chrispal, A. (2022). Theological education: Which way? In Overcome Excuses and Stupidity…
Condon, T. R. (2010). Educating transformational leaders for the urban context: A study of formal, non-formal, and informal educational experiences in the effective training of urban ministers (Doctoral dissertation, Capella University). Available via ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: https://www.proquest.com
Cunningham, S. (2022). Innovation in seminary theological education: An overview of contributing forces. In Overcome Excuses and Stupidity…
Davidson, J. (2015). The impact of formal theological education on church planter formation (Doctoral dissertation, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary). Available via ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: https://www.proquest.com
de Kock, J. (2024). Spirituality and theological formation: Seven critical perspectives. Journal of Spirituality and Ministry Studies. https://doi.org/10.1177/19397909241234294
Handley, J. W., Jr. (2024). Accelerating formal and non-formal pastor training. In Equipping for Global Mission: Theological and Missiological Proposals and Case Studies (pp. 211-225).
Hewitt, R. (2005). Caribbean perspectives on theological education. International Review of Mission. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-6631.2005.tb00496
Iseminger, S. (2016). Multicultural education in theological education. Multicultural Perspectives, 18(3), 174-179. https://doi.org/10.1080/15210960.2016.1191293
Kemp, R. (2022). Theological education and the church. In Overcome Excuses and Stupidity…
Magezi, V., & Madimutsa, W. (2023). Theological education and character formation: Perceptions of theological leaders and students. HTS Theological Studies, 79(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v79i1.8543
Naidoo, M. (2023). Exploring integrative ministerial education for contextual church leadership. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies. Available via journal open-access platform: https://hts.org.za.
Ndereba, K. M., et al. (2025). Missional theological education and clergy leadership development in Africa. East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.37284/eajass.8.3.3604
Oakley, D. (2017). Seminary education and formation: The challenges and some ideas about future developments. International Studies in Catholic Education, 9(2), 223-235. https://doi.org/10.1080/19422539.2017.1360613
Oliver, E. (2015). Alternative assessment to enhance theological education. HTS Theological Studies, 71(3), 1-10. Available via institutional repository: https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC177993
Oliver, E. (2019). The triangle of effective education implemented for theology. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 75(1). Available via journal open-access platform: https://hts.org.za
Ott, B. (2016). Understanding and developing theological education. Langham Publishing.
Richard, R. (2022). Training of pastors: A high priority for global ministry strategy. In Overcome Excuses and Stupidity…
Riegel, U., & Kindermann, K. (2015). Tracing informal religious learning. International Journal of Practical Theology, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/ijpt-2014-0033
Sandage, S. J., & Jensen, R. J. (2013). Formation-oriented theological education paradigms. Christian Education Journal: Research on Educational Ministry. Available via ResearchGate and SAGE Journals: https://www.researchgate.net https://journals.sagepub.com
Schuth, K. (2016). Seminary formation: Recent history, current circumstances, new directions. Liturgical Press.
Sele, J. P. (2025). Sacred music as a catalyst for theological reflection and social development: A critical review of African Christian liturgical traditions. Journal of Fine and Creative Arts, Music, Media and Communication Studies, 1(2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396717884
Sele, JP; Mukundi, MB (2024). The Role of Christian Education in Shaping Political Stability and Economic Growth in Developing Countries. Greener Journal of Social Sciences, 14(2): 166-174. https://doi.org/10.15580/gjss.2024.2.102024135
Tanzella-Nitti, G. (2025). The role of theology in a university curriculum. In Universities' Purpose and Catholic Identity (pp. 241-260). Routledge. Available via Routledge and Taylor & Francis Online: https://www.routledge.com / https://www.taylorfrancis.com
Tricco, A. C., et al. (2018). PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467-473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850
van der Water, D. P. (2005). Transforming theological education and ministerial formation. International Review of Mission. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-6631.2005.tb00495
Yamada, F. M. (2020). Living and teaching when change is the new normal: Trends in theological education and the impact on teaching and learning. The Wabash Center Journal on Teaching, 1(1), 23-36. https://doi.org/10.31046/wabashcenter.v1i1.1580
Tee Jay Whittaker (2025). Pastoral Formation in the Caribbean: Reassessing Formal, Informal, and Non-Formal Theological Education in Contemporary Ministry. New Spring International Journal. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15580/nsij.2025.1.121825019
