In 2007, ATESEA seminaries developed Guidelines for Doing Theologies in Asia,[2] responding to the many challenges facing the region, including religious fundamentalism, ecological problems, natural disasters, globalisation and post-colonialism.

The first full meeting was held in 1959 under the leadership of Benjamin I. Guansing of the Philippines and John R. Fleming was elected as the first executive director.

The commission is composed of the Executive Committee of ATESEA plus two people elected by the association, normally chosen from the Graduated School Senate.

Many countries in the South East Asian region do not have a formal accreditation process for Christian theological education.

[5] ATESEA has 95 member institutions in Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.