Seabury-Western Theological Seminary
As an Episcopalian and a scholar, I was saddened to learn of the decisions that have been made by the executive committee of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. While I understand some of the issues that have led to this point, it is still sad to see any school having to make such decisions.
The Very Rev. Dr. Gary Hall released a memo yesterday that summarizes the decisions made by the executive committee at the recommendation of a planning committee. Among the decisions are the following:
The Executive Committee affirms that Seabury will no longer offer the M.Div. as a freestanding 3-year residential program. This does not preclude offering the M.Div. in other formats.
The Executive Committee accepts the 3 following recommendations of the Planning Committee:
- That Seabury will immediately suspend recruitment and admissions to all degree and certificate programs in this time of discernment.
- That Seabury will enable all current D.Min. students to complete their programs.
- That Seabury will assist all current M.Div., MTS, MA, and certificate students to find alternative arrangements for the completion of their programs as may be required.
In the midst of all the issues facing the Episcopal church and the Anglican Communion right now, it is unfortunately that Seabury has to take these measures. The church needs theologically trained leaders who can shepherd the church through these times, and the loss of the M.Div. at Seabury will mean fewer seminaries that are able to provide such training.
May God grant the faculty, staff, and students at Seabury-Western guidance through this period of discernment, so that they may find their role in the future of theological education in the Episcopal church.
On February 23rd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
[…] the wake of the news out of Seabury-Western on Thursday, I thought I would point people to two short articles in this week’s The […]
On March 6th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I can’t say I’m surprised regarding the recent developments at Seabury. I’ve been looking at their MTS (now MA) program, and their course rotation schedule for the past several years said quite loudly that it was well-night impossible to complete it in the expected two years. That’s always a sign of trouble.
I don’t understand, however, the defeatist death knell that many Seaburians are sounding. I don’t see why Seabury, which is in a strategically placed on the campus of a major university and part of an outstanding consortium of seminaries, couldn’t reinvent itself after the model of Berkeley Divinity School or Bexley Hall, which would be an outstanding step, I think. In that way, the common life that Seaburians rightly value so much would be preserved, and the resources of the school maximized by focusing in pastoral and spiritual formation in the Anglican tradition.