Seminary Update

The first classes of the new Community of Christ Seminary began September 3, 2002. Fifty students were enrolled, exceeding expectations and requiring an additional section to one of the courses. Many of these are volunteer ministers who undertake seminary work at their own expense, desiring to enhance their effectiveness in Christian service. Our international student body includes students from Australia, Canada, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Nigeria, and Wales. And remarkably, a third of the students are not church employees.

For fall term we offered two on-line courses (ministerial issues and two sections of Christian theology), taught by Jerry Nieft and Sue McLaughlin of Temple School, and Shandra Newcom-Wolsey (former campus minister and instructor of religion at Graceland University’s main campus in Lamoni, Iowa). Apostle Dale Luffman has provided face to face instruction for the history of Christian thought, which meets one evening a week.

Our spring schedule will be much busier. In January and May 2003 church leaders from around the world will come to Independence for three weeks of intensive study. Up to two graduate courses can be completed in each session. We will offer the study of Christian history, spirituality, ethics, contemporary culture, and Community of Christ scriptures. In addition to those previously mentioned, our faculty includes former Temple School director Paul Edwards, church historian emeritus Richard Howard, and theologian in residence Tony Chvala-Smith. Luffman will continue to offer the second half of his evening course, and another former Temple School director, Wayne Ham, will teach world religions over the Internet. We expect that our total enrollment will continue to grow.

The seminary continues to offer the master of arts in religion, a 36-hour degree emphasizing academic preparation for ministry. The new master of arts in Christian ministries (61 hours) builds on this academic foundation by offering training in the practical skills of ministry, such as preaching, pastoral care, and worship leadership. This program uniquely features specialization tracks in areas such as church planting, ministry to children and youth, congregational consulting, listening skills, and spiritual formation. We are busy creating foundational courses in the various emphases. We are also locating mentors who can provide supervision as students acquire practice in their chosen specializations. These tracks are also available to non-degree students as certificate programs. Many people prevented from coming to Independence for extended periods of time will be able to complete these courses of study as long as mentors are available in their area of residence.

We are anxious to be an institution of learning for the whole worldwide church. Meeting the ministerial training needs of all our international fields is a difficult but exciting challenge. The seminary is working closely with members of the Council of Twelve to develop appropriate educational plans.

We are committed to developing a 90-hour master of divinity degree by the fall of 2007. That step would prepare us to receive the accreditation of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. With a focus on practical ministerial excellence, this organization will offer us valuable consulting services and possibilities for grants. We also look forward to sharing our story with its members. Our specialization tracks and international spirit will, I am sure, be of great interest. We have already developed excellent working relationships with leaders of the ATS, and have benefited from their advice.

ATS accreditation will require the seminary to employ six full-time faculty members. This represents more than a doubling of our current operational budget. Tuition paid by the World Church and individual students, as well as generous personal gifts, currently allow us to avoid deficits. We are very grateful for many services provided by both Graceland University and the World Church. To achieve all our goals we are currently devising careful plans for extensive fund raising. We hope to develop a multi-million-dollar endowment to lessen the financial load on the university, the church, and the students.

I want to recognize those who are providing outstanding leadership as the seminary becomes a reality. Our superb seminary committee of Graceland’s board of trustees is expertly led by Vicki Ross as chair. Members Paul Booth, Geoff Spencer, Frank Kelley, and Calvin French bring much wisdom acquired during many years of dedicated church service. We are fortunate that Helen Pearson Smith long taught and directed worship at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. We also benefit from the academic expertise of Jeanne Thomas Allen of Temple University. Apostle Jim Slauter has been of great assistance in creating strong cooperative links with the World Church, and I could not do without the excellent work of my administrative assistant, Tere Naylor. We are so grateful for the warm support we continue to receive from the leadership of Graceland and Community of Christ.

After teaching at the Graduate Theological Union and in Graceland’s undergraduate religion program, I am very honored to serve as the seminary’s dean. I want our church to grow. We have an important message to share. In today’s competitive religious environment, we must provide practical professional ministry that can build up strong congregations dedicated to the promotion of peace and justice. The seminary exists to help those called to God’s service to enhance the effectiveness of their ministry. We will continue to honor our long tradition of volunteer ministry. The seminary seeks to serve not only church employees, but everyone desiring to grow in the ability to magnify their calling.

We ask for your continued support and prayers as we seek to provide a center of educational excellence in the service of the church. We invite all to our first annual seminary convocation at the Stone Church sanctuary at 7 p.m., January 5, 2003. President Grant McMurray will be our speaker, I will be formally installed, and a festive reception will follow.

—Don H. Compier reporting
Dean, Community of Christ Seminary