The Association for Case Teaching was established in 1978 to promote the use of case studies for improving the quality of theological teaching. The "case method" is a means of participatory and dialogical teaching and learning by group discussion of actual events. ACT was a professional association of college and seminary faculty members, pastors, denominational and ecumenical staff persons, lay leaders, church professionals and other interested persons who utilized the methodology of "case teaching" in their educational and training roles. Its membership included individuals and institutions from throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia.