MARCH 2020 the Commons

A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY MARCH 2020 The Commons What a decade! With the turning of the calendar to 2020, we look back at the highlights from the last ten years. There is much to celebrate! 2010=2011=2012=2013=2014=2015=2016=2017=2018=2019 The renovation of the John R. Mulder Chapel, 2011 Originally constructed in 1954, the chapel was in great need of restoration after 57 years. President Timothy Brown initiated the campaign to restore the sacred space, and a dedicated committee put much theological thought and planning into the renovation. The result, accord- ing to architect James VanderMolen, was “an ongoing dialogue between the old and the new in which both had something beautiful to say.” In the years since, the form of the new chapel has encouraged us to look for God in the central things: pulpit, table, and font. There we focus on Word and Sacrament, surrounded by the gifts of music, creation, and community. HIGHLIGHTS 2010=2011=2012=2013=2014=2015=2016=2017=2018=2019 Faculty Fellows Program To help prepare leaders for diverse congregations, Western created the Faculty Fellows program in 2009. Racial-ethnic Eric Williams 2009-11 scholars are invited to teach at the seminary part- time while finishing their doctoral studies. In the last decade, “Fearless Feedback” brought students together to six scholars have been encourage and critique each other on their preaching skills. fellows at the seminary, Chris Dorsey The Bast Preaching Initiatives 2011-15 teaching classes in topics such as modern black In late 2013, WTS received a $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment, theology, multi-cultural Inc., to strengthen the quality of our preaching program. ministry, theology and Under the leadership of Rev. Lindsay Small, the Bast Preaching social movements, pastoral Initiatives allowed the seminary to build skills and enthusiasm for care and counseling, and preaching in college students, seminary students, and pastors. Han-luen Kantzer justice/liberation. The grant also sponsored a resident preaching program, bringing Komline 2014-15 Several fellows stayed preachers to campus as a mentoring resource to students. The impact of additional years as visiting the grant lives on in our annual Bast Preaching Festival, held in November. professors. Dr. Kantzer Komline joined the faculty, and Dr. Castillo Portugal continues to serve as an Hispanic Ministry Program Dynna Castillo Portugal adjunct professor. 2015-16 After envisioning a strategic initiative in 2014 to increase cultural diversity and competency by participating in Latino/a theological education, the seminary pressed forward immediately. 2014 Partnered with Instituto Biblico Ebenezer, providing classroom space for the biblical training school for Latino/a church leaders. Duane T. Loynes Gordon Govens 2015-17 2017-18 2016 Dr. Alvin Padilla hired as Vice President of Academic Affairs; he lays groundwork for Hispanic Ministry Program (HMP). 2017 Rev. Joseph Ocasio hired to direct the HMP. Due to growth, two support staff members were added in 2018 and 2019. 2017 Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Ministry contextualized to prepare and empower Hispanic women and men to lead the church. Over 100 students have taken part so far. 2018 Doctor of Ministry made available to a cohort of Portuguese- A new public voice of WTS began in speaking students in Brazil, partnering with Filadelfia University. 2015 with the launching of The LuxCast, 2019 A cohort of Spanish-speaking students began their D.Min. the seminary’s first videocast/podcast. studies in the Dominican Republic. More cohorts are planned for See theluxcast.org future years. 2 THE COMMONS, MARCH 2020 HIGHLIGHTS 2010=2011=2012=2013=2014=2015=2016=2017=2018=2019 Great strides in disability and ministry 12 new In 2013, Dr. Ben Conner, an experienced ministry practitioner in the field professors of theology and disability, joined the faculty of WTS. One of the attractions in 10 years for Ben was the existence of the Friendship House. Through Dr. Conner’s 2011 work, WTS became a leader in the field of disability and ministry by the end of the decade. Dr. Conner was named director of the newly formed Center for Sue Rozeboom Disability and Ministry in the fall of 2019. Associate Professor of Liturgical Theology 2011 Highlights: Travis West 2013 Ministry and Margins course created, the first among many new Associate Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament courses to teach students how people with disabilities interact with 2012 Scripture and how the church can do a better job of including them in the life of faith. Kyle J. A. Small 2014 First director of The Friendship House hired to expand its influence Professor of Church Leadership 2013 and integration into the seminary community. 2015 Graduate Certificate in Disability and Ministry (GCDM) created; Chuck DeGroat first 10 students enroll in the Fall of 2016. The GCDM helps church Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality and lay leaders recognize, appreciate, and incorporate the gifts and 2013 perspectives of people with disabilities in various ministry settings. 2016 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability hosted for the first Kristen Deede Johnson Professor of Theology time, welcoming 160 attendees from around the country. It was also and Christian Formation 2013 hosted in 2019 and will be again in 2020. 2016 Henry Luce Foundation Grant of $425,000 awarded for “Enabling Ben Conner Professor of Practical Theological Education: Preparing the Next Generation of Christian Theology 2013 Leaders—Presence, Intention, and Dimension for MInistry to, with, and by People with Disabilities,” spearheaded by Dr. Conner. John Brogan 2018 The original six Friends graduated Professor of 2014 from Friendship House, having New Testament undergone huge growth in independence and living skills, Han-luen Kantzer Komline Assistant Professor of Church allowing them to live on their own. History and Theology 2014 2018 Two Henri Nouwen Doctoral Fellows joined the faculty for two Suzanne McDonald years as they finish their dissertations on an aspect of disability studies Professor of Systematic and contribute to the seminary’s work on disability and ministry and Historical Theology 2015 2019 The first symposium on disability and ministry David Komline Assistant Professor of held, with lectures by Dr. Church History 2016 John Swinton, founder of the Aberdeen University’s Centre for Alvin Padilla Spirituality, Health, and Disability Professor of Sarah Barton L.S. Carlos Thompson Nouwen Fellow Nouwen Fellow New Testament 2019 2019 The Center for Disability and Ministry created at WTS. Dan Flores Assistant Professor of Theology A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 3 HIGHLIGHTS 2010=2011=2012=2013=2014=2015=2016=2017=2018=2019 Generous donors make “Our New Day” capital campaign successful, 2018 Over $16M was donated to WTS, allowing major renovations and the completion of the Jack and Mary DeWitt Learning Center and the Dick and Ethie Haworth Leadership Center. An additional $10M in endowment gifts was pledged. Thank you! bit.ly/cooklibrarytour Increasing Enrollment Enrollment increased 40% in the last New President, decade! This is attributed to our array of 2019 new programs, certificates, and a revised theme-based Doctor of Ministry program. The decade ended with the retirement of Dr. Timothy Brown and the inauguration of Dr. Felix Theonugraha as the 12th president of Western Theological Seminary. Student borrowing dropped 38% Thanks to financial support from Lilly Endowment, Inc. from 2013-19, Western was able to engage the issues of student debt and financial literacy (both personal and corporate). The seminary introduced new curriculum, created resources, and adjusted financial aid procedures in efforts to increase student understanding of finance and to reduce borrowing. 4 THE COMMONS, MARCH 2020 A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY You don’t always know what you need by M.Div. Student Chris Godfredsen I remember back in 2015 sitting journey winds down, there are many in the WTS Admissions office telling reasons I am grateful for the decision the director at that time, Mark I made to enter seminary. Professors Poppen, that the reason I was challenged me to own what I believe applying was because I wanted to be true. I learned from fellow to learn, but “I don’t really need students on the online discussion seminary to change me.” boards, and I even tried on some Well…I’ll admit it. Five years new ways of thinking in the process. later, I am not the same person who They were all pretty gracious with had that conversation with Mark. me as I explored my faith and the I am a healthier leader, I’m more reasons I have for believing what I curious, and I am so thankful for the believe. The real gift is that I now have experience of attending Western. relationships from coast to coast that As part of the distance learning Staff welcome back DL student Chris will last a lifetime. And beyond all of Master of Divinity program, Godfredsen to campus, October, 2017. that, I have a deepened love for our students are required to go to the U.S./Mexico border between Douglas, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! campus for a week in the spring and AZ and Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. fall, which is called intensives. The Our hosts at Frontera de Cristo led us Chris Godfredsen serves on the Synod of the Heartland staff as the East/ first intensive week was a seminary- on a journey to taste and see what life on West Sioux Classis Leader. He is a altering experience for many of us. the border is like for border patrol and for pastor to pastors and a catalyst for Rev. Dr. Chad Pierce was our migrants desperate to get to the USA for strengthening and starting churches. Greek professor (I contend that safety and opportunity.

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