Liberty University cuts staff from divinity school as seminary enrollment drops

From Christian Post-

For example, Episcopal Divinity School of Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced in 2017 that they were merging with Union Theological Seminary after reporting a net loss of about $7.9 million in assets since 2015.

The Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, the first dean of "EDS at Union," said in a statement released in May 2017 that she was "excited for the challenge" and that "this isn't the typical bad news of a small seminary closing."

"This is the news that this place believed enough in its mission that it went out and found a way to carry that mission forward in a viable fashion, and found a way for the mission to grow," Douglas said at the time.

"EDS is going to continue. The EDS community has found the platform to do that, and they have found a partner in Union that shares their mission. I feel privileged to be a part of this next chapter in EDS' life."

More here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/liberty-university-cuts-staff-school-divinity-enrollment-drops.html

SCHOOLS FOR THE IMAGINATION

From The Living Church-

The difficulty that confronts ordinands is often due less to intellectual rigour than to experience and the imagination. Thanks to the cultural changes of the past 50 years, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, and even Luther and Calvin reside in an unfamiliar world. Very often their concerns and commitments are almost unintelligible, if not repugnant, to late modern people. Over and over again, I’ve heard ordinands complain that Aquinas or Hooker or Tertullian isn’t relevant to today’s ministry. None of this is to suggest that ordinands today are dim or ill-educated. Rather, it points to what’s fundamentally lacking in the preparation of a great many of them: the imaginary.

Many ordinands haven’t had their imagination informed deeply by Scripture or by the experience of life within a worshipping community for a long period of time. Even fewer have grown up in the Church. So, while they may have tremendous faith — and it takes a great deal of faith to put oneself forward for the ministry in the Church of England these days — they often aren’t native to the Church. Their way of understanding themselves and the world is typically formed within the same culture as everybody else: late modern consumerism. 

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/covenant/2018/02/28/schools-for-the-imagination/

Filling an Educational Void

From The Living Church-

When Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) left Cambridge, Massachusetts, last year for New York City, the move gave rise to a new void and a question: where will Boston-area candidates for ordination go for formation and coursework?

One answer is now coming from Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH), which is expanding its newly launched Anglican Episcopal Community of Learning. It is part of a multipronged effort at BU to fill more niches as economic pressures take a toll on the region’s theological resources.

Boston’s collection of major theological schools is shrinking from nine to seven with the departure of EDS and Andover Newton Theological School (ANTS), a clergy training hub for the American Baptist Church and United Church of Christ. EDS has joined forces with Union Theological Seminary in New York. ANTS is moving to Yale Divinity School this year.

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/2018/01/30/filling-an-educational-void/

Millennials fueling resurgence in candidates for priesthood

From Crux-

Father Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh looks out his office window at the courtyard below, marveling at how much his view has changed in just a few weeks.

Once home to green grass and well-manicured shrubs, the courtyard is now a muddy mess. Heavy equipment rumbles throughout the day and temporary fences surround ditches and overturned earth.

O’Cinnsealaigh thinks it’s beautiful. As president of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary at The Athenaeum of Ohio, he knows what this big construction project means for the Catholic Church in Cincinnati.

“We have a future here,” he says.

More here-

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2017/12/31/millennials-fueling-resurgence-candidates-priesthood/

4 Reasons Seminary Shouldn’t Be Hard, It Should Be Harder

From Frederick Schmidt-

I found myself in a conversation with students about the challenges of being a seminarian. There is no doubt that there are innumerable challenges.

For most seminarians Masters work does not cover ground to which they’ve been introduced as undergraduates. Few have majored in religion and, in any event, a religious studies major, which focuses on comparative methods, is nothing like the world of theology. Theology is different in both its approach and subject matter.

There are a number of new disciplines to which seminarians are introduced that receive no mention at all in a religious studies major: pastoral counseling, church history, and homiletics, to name a few.

Read more at

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/whatgodwantsforyourlife/2017/12/4-reasons-seminary-shouldnt-hard-harder/#THSuYxf7RdqCOVDS.99

Nashotah Dean Advances

From The Living Church-

Garwood Anderson, who has been serving as acting dean and president of Nashotah House Theological Seminary, will become interim dean and president with the new year.

Anderson joined the faculty in 2007 as professor of New Testament studies. He writes for The Living Church and its weblog, Covenant.

“I hope to continue attracting the brightest and most gifted individuals to the faculty so that the House can lead a renewal in the church in the years ahead,” Anderson told the board recently.

“Dr. Anderson has been an outstanding leader at Nashotah House for many years and brings a level of expertise and commitment that is exactly what Nashotah House needs right now,” said the Rev. John Jordan, a member of Nashotah’s board of directors.

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/2017/12/14/nashotah-dean-advances/

Boston University creates new denominational program for Episcopalians

From Episcopal Cafe-

Perhaps sensing a gap in the wake of Episcopal Divinity School’s departure for New York City to join with Union Theological Seminary, Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) has announced the formation of a new Episcopal denominational learning community.

In collaboration with the Episcopal Dioceses of Massachusetts, the intent of the learning community is to form a community of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to nurturing and preparing Episcopal students for future leadership and service in and through the church. The Anglican Episcopal Community of Learning (AECL) is a specialized program that aims to provide the best possible education in an ecumenical community that values the unique gifts, histories, and ministerial legacies of the denominations represented.

More here-

https://www.episcopalcafe.com/boston-university-creates-new-denominational-program-for-episcopalians/

Boston University creates new denominational program for Episcopalians

From The Cafe-

Perhaps sensing a gap in the wake of Episcopal Divinity School’s departure for New York City to join with Union Theological Seminary, Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) has announced the formation of a new Episcopal denominational learning community.

In collaboration with the Episcopal Dioceses of Massachusetts, the intent of the learning community is to form a community of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to nurturing and preparing Episcopal students for future leadership and service in and through the church. The Anglican Episcopal Community of Learning (AECL) is a specialized program that aims to provide the best possible education in an ecumenical community that values the unique gifts, histories, and ministerial legacies of the denominations represented.

https://www.episcopalcafe.com/boston-university-creates-new-denominational-program-for-episcopalians/

Tradition and Innovation: Seminaries that Change the World, Class of 2017-18

From Huffington-

I loved going to Seminary. It defined me. It challenged me. It shaped me. It broke me down and built me up. Because of it, I am who I am today.

Seminary made me into my best self and from that place I gained the courage to engage in the world with energy, creativity, experience and confidence.

In seminary, I learned about the multi-cultural context of the Bible’s literature. I learned about the courage and stamina of the Hebrew prophets. I learned about the history of our faith. And I learned that ministry didn’t have to look any certain way.

In seminary, I was challenged not to accept easy answers, but to ask tougher questions and then to lead with insight, grace and resolve.

During my field education experience (the “internship” portion of a theological education), I given a training ground, lent a pulpit and a congregation.

More here-

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tradition-and-innovation-seminaries-that-change-the_us_59f9ba38e4b0412aab840c69

A Letter from Dean Kelly Brown Douglas

From EDS-

It is with excitement that I join you as dean as we begin this new season of our life together as EDS at Union. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve this historic institution that has given so much to seminary education, the church and the world. The EDS legacy is strong, and we are all thankful for those whose sacrifices of labor and love have made it possible for us to carry forth this educational mission of ministry.

Today, visionary and transformative theological education is more important than ever before. The nation, the world and indeed the church, need leaders who embody the kind of priestly humility, prophetic vision and principled witness that can address the complicated social and moral challenges of our day. EDS at Union will be a place that nurtures this kind of leadership, and I commit to you that our seminary will be the institution that is really taking on the work of social justice and dismantling racism at the core of the Jesus Movement that our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry urges us to embrace.

More here-

http://eds.edu/news/letter-dean-kelly-brown-douglas

THE VIEW BEYOND THE WALLS

From Bexley Seabury-

Bexley Seabury Seminary sees itself as a Seminary Beyond Walls. This self-characterization, in part, refers to our low-residency/high-context model of theological education that allows people from around the country to study with us from their places of residence and ministry. They do this by participating in our “hybrid” courses that mix weekend or weeklong intensive classes held on campus with online learning in between. They bring their ministry experiences and the realities of their local communities with them.

Being a Seminary Beyond Walls demands more of us than just offering an innovative non-residential educational model. We aim to form leaders who will come to appreciate ministry as a beyond-walls, boundary-shattering activity that provides glimpses of that for which we refuse to give up hope: God’s reign of love and justice in the world.

We in this seminary community of learners, lay and ordained, are teaching each other to look beyond the walls of church and academy to see what is happening in our local, national, and global communities, and to hear what God is calling us to do and to be in response to that call. Lately, we don’t like much of what we see. We see blatant discrimination, exclusion, and rejection of God’s beloved. We see truth-denying disregard for the health and wellbeing of our planet and of its creatures. We hear unapologetic hate-filled and judgmental rhetoric against immigrants and Muslims, and undeserved blame cast upon those who are sick, poor, and most vulnerable.

More here-

https://www.bexleyseabury.edu/view-beyond-walls/

Episcopal Church of the Central Gulf Coast announces opening of seminary in DeFuniak Springs

From Florida-

This past week Bishop Russell Kendrick, of the Episcopal Church of the Central Gulf Coast announced the church would be opening an educational facility on Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs next month in the church rectory adjacent to St. Agatha’s Episcopal Church.

Making the announcement, Kendrick work has been underway for the last two years to establish a local school for the education, formation, and transformation of those called to ordination either as a deacon or as a priest.

Kendrick says what began two years ago as an idea is now set to become a reality this September, with seven students already signed up.  “We have a team of instructors and a dean, and a curriculum,” said Kendrick in his formal announcement.

Describing the School for Ministry as a residential model for formation,  Kendrick said students will learn and live together for one weekend each month for over ten months for a period of three years.


More here-

http://fosterfollynews.com/2017/08/15/episcopal-church-of-the-central-gulf-coast-announces-opening-of-seminary-in-defuniak-springs/

Nashotah Dean Resigns

From The Living Church-

The Board of Directors regrets to announce that it has accepted the resignation of the Very Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D., as Dean and President of Nashotah House. Fr. Peay has served as Dean and President since February, 2015. Fr. Peay notified the Board that his decision to step down is based upon a number of personal factors, including the need to assist full recovery from a recent, non-life-threatening health issue and a desire to facilitate new leadership at the House. The Board, consequently, is delighted that Fr. Peay has accepted an appointment as Research Professor of Homiletics at Nashotah House, effective September 1, 2017, and will remain a member of the House community after he steps down as Dean and President on August 31.
More here-

http://livingchurch.org/2017/08/07/nashotah-dean-resigns/

Frank Yamada: In the face of challenges, there is hope for theological education

From Faith and Leadership-

Frank Yamada’s faith journey has been unconventional.
And, he said, it has provided great training for his new role as executive director of The Association of Theological Schools (link is external).

“I have always been someone who was eager to learn about the different ways that Christian faith was practiced in community,” he said. “My faith journey has prepared me well for ATS’ ecumenical work to promote excellence in theological education.”

Raised in a Buddhist family, Yamada became a Christian at the age of 19. This set him on a path that has included a charismatic, evangelical megachurch, a nondenominational church plant, a Korean immigrant church, an Assemblies of God college, Presbyterian and Episcopal seminaries, and ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).


More here-

https://www.faithandleadership.com/frank-yamada-face-challenges-there-hope-theological-education?utm_source=FL_newsletter&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=FL_topstory

Fuller Theological Seminary closing campuses after decline in admissions

From Christian Today-

The influential US evangelical institution Fuller Theological Seminary has suffered a significant decline in admisisons to its regional campuses, forcing it to close several of its locations. The seminary said it was grieving the loss, but 'retooling for a different world'.

The news of the closure was released in an email to Fuller students on July 17. The largely California-based seminary says it has seen an expansion of its 'global footprint', with enrollments reaching 6,500 a year across 260 courses due to the widened capacity of online and distance-learning teaching.

Fuller's provost Joel Green wrote: 'However, the significant increase in online enrollment has been matched by a decrease in enrollment on our geophysical campuses. To offer one snapshot, while winter quarter online enrollment has increased by almost 50 per cent from 2013-17, enrollment on our regional campuses has decreased by about 30 per cent during the same period.'

He added: 'This shift from our geophysical classes to online brings with it certain challenges. Primary among those is the increasing difficulty of attracting enough students to foster a genuine learning community in some of our regional campus classrooms – a difficulty that has had a negative impact on the financial sustainability of some of our regional campus efforts.

More here-

Episcopal Divinity School’s 8-acre campus for sale in Harvard Square

From Boston-

The Episcopal Divinity School is selling its 8-acre campus at 99 Brattle Street in Cambridge’s Harvard Square area as it prepares to decamp for Manhattan’s Union Theological Seminary in late 2018.

Because of its location, the property, which includes more than a dozen buildings totaling 155,374 square feet, will instantly become one of the biggest and most well-positioned commercial listings in the entire Boston region when the school officially puts it on the block sometime after June.

Episcopal Divinity has not disclosed an asking price yet. However, Cambridge Day’s Marc Levy notes that a July 2016 analysis prepared for school trustees said a sale could add $25.5 million to Episcopal Divinity’s assets by the start of the next decade.

More here-

https://boston.curbed.com/2017/5/25/15690400/episcopal-divinity-school-cambridge-harvard-square

Episcopal Seminary That Stopped Giving Degrees Amid $7.9M Asset Loss to Join Union Theological Seminary

From Christian Post-

Episcopal Divinity School of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a theologically liberal seminary founded in 1974, will move its personnel to Union's campus.

EDS spokesman Jim Naughton directed The Christian Post to a May 19 statement that noted the Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas will be the first dean of what is being called "EDS at Union."

In comments that were part of the statement, Douglas explained that she was "excited for the challenge" and that "this isn't the typical bad news of a small seminary closing."

"This is the news that this place believed enough in its mission that it went out and found a way to carry that mission forward in a viable fashion, and found a way for the mission to grow," stated Rev. Douglas.


Read more at

http://www.christianpost.com/news/episcopal-seminary-stopped-giving-degrees-amid-7-9-million-asset-loss-join-union-theological-seminary-184732/#zUQ800G1bt5Okpe1.99

‘THEOLOGICAL’ THEOLOGY AND MINISTERIAL TRAINING

From The Living Church-

This academic year, in preparation for ordained ministry, I have been studying at General Theological Seminary. As I anticipate ordination, I have been reflecting on my experience of formal theological education over the last thirteen years, and thinking what it will come to mean in ministry.

The purpose of theological education is not obvious. While some academic institutions and most churchly ones continue to offer ostensibly theological education, many of the Church’s members and clergy nevertheless do not acknowledge that theology has much of a purpose. A few days ago, a priest whom I had just met congratulated me for studying at GTS, which, she alleged, thankfully prepares “worker priests” rather than “scholar priests.”

More here-

http://livingchurch.org/covenant/2017/05/15/theological-theology-and-ministerial-training/?platform=hootsuite

Episcopal Divinity School to stop granting degrees in June 2017

From ENS-

Episcopal Divinity School will cease to grant degrees at the end of the upcoming academic year, the seminary’s board of trustees decided July 21 on a 11-4 vote. During the next year, the board will explore options for EDS’s future, some of which were suggested by a specially convened Futures Task Force to make plans for EDS’s future.

“A school that has taken on racism, sexism, heterosexism, and multiple interlocking oppressions is now called to rethink its delivery of theological education in a new and changing world,” said the Very Rev. Gary Hall ’76, chairman of the board, in introducing the resolution. “Ending unsustainable spending is a matter of social justice.”

The options suggested to the task force include merging with another theological seminary, establishing a center for Abrahamic studies, becoming a center for continuing education, fostering lay ministry, and using the seminary’s assets to fund scholarships for seminarians devoted to working on issues of peace and justice.

More here-
 
http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/07/21/episcopal-divinity-school-to-stop-granting-degrees-in-june-2017/

Among M.Div. graduates, a new crop of transgender students

From Colorado (via RNS)-

Like other graduates of Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity, Adam Plant walked onstage earlier this month to accept a diploma and a hug from Dean Gail O’Day.

Unlike them, his journey to the Master of Divinity degree took a significant detour.

Three years ago when he began his studies, Adam was a North Carolina woman with a desire to plumb the intersection of faith and sexuality. By the time of the graduation ceremony, Plant had found acceptance and peace as a man.

More here-

http://gazette.com/among-m.div.-graduates-a-new-crop-of-transgender-students/article/1576988