The Seventh-day Adventist educational institutions have always been an integral part of the Seventh-day Adventist church and it is the mission of the Board of Ministerial and Theological Education (BMTE) to foster the dialogue and communication that will maintain that close connection.  It is understood that the higher education institutions in the North American Division (NAD) are operated by their independent boards of trustees who are appointed by their various constituencies.  The BMTE does not have constitutional authority over the institutions but given the make-up of the BMTE it has significant influence with the educational institutions of the NAD.

It is therefore the mission of the BMTE to use its influence to help educational institutions picture their place in the constellation of Seventh-day Adventist institutions as well as the Seventh-day Adventist Church at large.

The NAD BMTE is a sub-committee of the General Conference International Board Ministerial Theological Education and reports and makes recommendations to the NAD Administration toward the end of developing coherence in the ministerial and religious education of the NAD. View the latest revised Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial and Theological Education from the International Board of Ministerial and Theological Education here.

BMTE recommends policies and procedures regarding the establishment of new ministerial study programs and gives guidance in the development and expansion of the ministerial and theological curriculum. For example, currently a subcommittee entitled Masters in Pastoral Ministry Study Committee is looking at the efficacy of pastoral ministry masters degrees that fall outside of the current working policy.

BMTE fosters communication among Division office and educational institutions of Religion & Theology Departments, and Union and Conference administrators, promotes the development of the theological training that will prepare graduates to effectively address the issues and concerns of contemporary society, creates a forum for essential conversations relevant to theological harmony in ministerial education and professional development throughout the North American Division, seeks additional ways to support the spiritual and professional development of faculty involved in ministerial programs and collaborates with North American Division Higher Education Council and the Association of  Adventist Colleges and Universities.

One of the major accomplishments of BMTE is to oversee the development of the Core Qualities for Effective Ministry that serve as the guidelines for pastoral development from undergraduate, Master of Divinity, Internship, and Continuing Education. View the current NAD BMTE membership here.