SPRING 2012 THE PHILADELPHIA SEMINARY PSMAGAZINE Listening to the Voicesof a Changing Church Message from the dean ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION This issue’s academic focus, featuring a lead article by President Philip D.W. Krey and my editorial, takes a close look at the future of theological education, and all the seminary is doing to remain appropriate academically in this challenging time. This issue features stories from Prof. David Grafton about our reaccreditation process, alumni, a seminarian, and Trustees. — J. Paul Rajashekar Theological education in North America has and society, such as declining membership in our undergone change and will continue to do so, congregations, growing numbers of un-churched reflecting shifts in church and society. Every in society, affordability of a full-time pastor, decade or so, the faculty at The Lutheran pervasive biblical illiteracy in society, increased Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) cost of theological education, dwindling financial undertakes a curriculum review and introduces a support from our church constituencies, increased “new” curriculum for the MDiv and MAR degrees. debt load of our graduates, declining number of You might ask, “What’s wrong with our candidates for ministry, and the emerging reality existing curriculum?” of religious and cultural pluralism in our midst. Actually, our current curriculum has served us LTSP has continually sought to reinvent itself well since 2004, when it was introduced with an by broadening the range and appeal of theological overarching theme of “Public Theology.” Judging by education in the present context. We recently the assessment data, the curriculum has fulfilled its introduced two new degrees: Master of Arts in objectives. The effectiveness of our curriculum is Public Leadership (MAPL) was begun in 2009 in measured through various instruments, including collaboration with Fox School of Business and the measures of student learning outcomes at various School of Social Work Administration of Temple stages of their study. The Curriculum and Assessment Committee University in Philadelphia. This degree is intended to attract oversees the effectiveness of the curriculum, proposing changes when students interested in Christian ministry (especially service to social necessary, and reports the assessment data regularly to the faculty ministry organizations), but who are not seeking ordination. Valuing and the Board of Trustees. the importance of qualified teachers in theological institutions we Dr. Mirnalini Sebastian is the Director of Assessment and also launched a PhD program in Public Theology in 2005. Institutional Research, and compiles our assessment data gleaned Committed to Christian ecumenism, we have established a not only from students but also faculty, alumni, bishops, contextual “Methodist Advisory Committee” with faculty member Dr. Karyn education supervisors, and judicatories. Our objectives include Wiseman as director. LTSP is certified by the University Senate of making sure that our graduates are not only well-prepared academi- the United Methodist Church (UMC) as a recognized institution cally, professionally, and spiritually, but also are well-equipped with for UMC students. An “Advisory Committee for Anglican Studies,” pastoral skills and fit to undertake the challenging task of ministry with faculty member Dr. Storm Swain as director, has been in in today’s world. Assessment is an ongoing process. We spent the existence for several years. These initiatives, together with the Urban academic 2010-2011 listening to various voices in special Theological Institute (UTI) program (now over 30 years old!) and convocations about our curriculum and how it is being taught. geared toward the African American constituency, are intended to Once in a while, when LTSP alumni visit the seminary, some- provide support for students from a variety of church traditions. one will ask me: “What theologians are you reading these days in We’ve responded to congregational needs by adding concentrations Systematic Theology?” They don’t often recognize the names I cite. to our MDiv and MAR curricula helpful for these times: Metropolitan/ They were expecting me to say, Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Emil Bruner, Urban Ministry, Black Church, Multicultural Ministry/Mission, Soren Kierkegaard, and the like. I remind them that we live in a Latino, and recently, Interfaith Studies. We have made efforts to offer different century. The challenges and issues we face and the contexts “online” courses in collaboration with The Lancaster Theological for life today are vastly different from what theologians once Seminary. experienced. The necessity to adapt is inevitable. In addition, our curriculum offers “Spanish for Ministry.” This past fall we embarked on yet another curriculum review. Recognizing the reality that Spanish is becoming the second Assumptions and objectives that framed our existing curriculum language in the U.S., we are offering “Basic Spanish” this spring must be rethought given the changes we are experiencing in church semester for students, faculty, and staff. continued on inside back cover PSWinter12_Q7 REV:PS master template 4/2/12 3:23 PM Page 1 EDITOR/DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Merri L. Brown WRITERS PS MAGAZINE SPRING 2012 John Kahler Mark A. Staples PHOTOGRAPHY John Kahler FEATURES Maria Fumai Dietrich Roxi Kringle Embracing the Future Strategically: Listening ........................................................ EDITORIAL BOARD to the Voices of a Changing Church 12 Merri L. Brown Chair Perspective: Education That Respects Lois La Croix ........................................................................................ David D. Grafton both Tradition and Change 13 Louise Johnson Trustee Perspective: Helping Seminarians Embrace the World ..............14 John Kahler Philip D.W. Krey Alumni Perspective: While We Wait, As We Work..............................................16 John V. Puotinen J. Paul Rajashekar Student Perspective: Vocational Challenges and Opportunity ........................17 CORRESPONDENCE The Future Shape of Theological Education ................................................................18 PS, The Lutheran Theological Seminary Global Perspective: Speaking the Universal Language of the Gospel ........................19 at Philadelphia, Two Faculty Perspectives: The Hunger Crisis: A “Walking the Walk” 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119 Public Theology Approach ..........................................................................................................20 Telephone: 215.248.6311 or 1.800.286.4616 Email: [email protected] An Exhaustive Self-Study: Why? ......................................................................................22 Visit us online: Ltsp.edu PS is a publication of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and is distributed without charge to alumni/ae, DEPARTMENTS faculty, staff, and friends of the seminary. Message from the Dean ....................................................Inside front cover © Copyright 2012 The Lutheran Theological Seminary Offerings ............................................................................................................................2 at Philadelphia Alumni News........................................................................................................24 Volume 94 Number 1 News and Notes..........................................................................................26 Centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Lutheran Theological Faculty/Staff Activities ..................................................................26 Seminary at Philadelphia seeks to Passages/In Memoriam ........................................................28 educate and form public leaders who are committed to developing and Philanthropy..................................................................29 nurturing individual believers and communities of faith for engagement Around Admissions ..............................32 in the world. Look for this icon throughout the magazine for extra Web content! ONTHE FRONT COVER: President PAGE 20 PAGE 22 Phil Krey is featured, listening to the voices of a changing church. PSWinter12_Q7 REV:PS master template 4/2/12 3:24 PM Page 2 OFFERINGS Muhlenberg 300: September 6 Celebration What a birthday!Tribute to Patriarch Henry Muhlenberg recalls a proud legacy that launched the Lutheran Church in colonial times Keynoter Martin Marty urged listeners to be inspired by Muhlenberg’s organizing and gathering ideas as a means to think about how to creatively renew and energize today’s church If only the Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, father of the Church. St. John’s, Riley explained, traces its beginnings to Lutheran church in North America, could have been there to see 150 years earlier when Muhlenberg arrived in North America and the celebration of his 300th birthday party at The Lutheran “planted” St. John’s in 1742. Three weeks later against all advice Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) September 6, 2011. and determined to carry out his call from Halle in Germany to Had he been present, he certainly would have been familiar with serve three struggling Pennsylvania churches, Muhlenberg boarded the drenching, windswept rains he regularly described in his an ill-equipped sloop in November for a dangerous, storm-tossed journals and that accompanied his travels through the colonies and journey to Philadelphia. Riley