All Cod's people are called to minister. During the last twenty years churches all round the world have devised new programmes of theological education by extension to equip people for ministry in the context of their varied life, work, and socio-cultural settings. Ministry by the People presents reports of such extension program- mes in the different parts of the world and, especially through the opening chapter, a critical framework by which the churches and their institutions can re-examine their visions of theological educa- tion and renew their efforts to equip all God's people for ministry.

Theological education by extension offers new possibilities. It provides essential theological tools and opens doors to ministry for people previously excluded by age, educational level, family situa tion, social position, language, race, sex or occupation. It establishes new relationships between theological education and the church, teachers and students, theory and practice, theology and context. clergy and laity. It not only equips many more people for ministry but also engages those whose gifts and service most qualify them for leadership

Dr F. Ross Kinsler currently serves on the staff of the WCC's Pro- gramme for Theological Education. For 13 years he worked in Guatemala, and helped to pioneer theological education by exten sion