The Council on Theological Education (CTE) is comprised of the presidents and deans of the four Disciples seminaries, two divinity houses and the Disciples Seminary Foundation. Other members of the council include a representative from the College of Regional Ministers as well as the President of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries. The Council recently met in Indianapolis on March 21-22 and had the opportunity to engage in conversations with representatives from the Association of Theological Schools. Chris Meinzer, Senior Director of Administration and CFO of ATS, shared information on ATS enrollment with a focus on Disciples students while Dr. Frank Yamada, Executive Director of ATS, presented information on the status of denominationally affiliated theological education. Both presentations offered the opportunity for members of CTE to engage in conversations concerning the challenges and opportunities facing Disciples theological institutions today.
In addition, representatives from each school shared news and current changes taking place on their respective campuses. Here are a few highlights from each school:
Brite Divinity School
A search is currently in process to find an instructor to teach Methodist studies. In the fall a search will begin for a scholar to teach classes on the Black Church in America.
Christian Theological Seminary
Rev. Yolanda Norton will join the CTS faculty in July as Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible. CTS anticipates making an appointment for the coming academic year in New Testament as well.
CTS continues its re-accreditation process this spring, having received a positive recommendation from the Association of Theological Schools in March and is anticipating the accreditation review visit from the Higher Learning Commission in April.
The completion of reconfiguring and updating classrooms and offices as part of the CTS/Butler University shared space arrangement is nearing completion.
Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago
The Divinity House will celebrate its 125th year of training students in 2019, with celebrations scheduled throughout the year and special events taking place on Memorial Day weekend.
The Divinity House has just completed a search for a professor of the History of Religions, with a focus on Africa. Two other searches are currently underway.
Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt University
The Divinity House is in the midst of a planned leadership transition, as Mark Miller-McLemore steps down after 23 years as dean. The House will engage an interim leader for a year as it makes careful transitions to a new leader and model.
The House’s partner, Vanderbilt Divinity School, is implementing a new curriculum in the fall of 2018. A major part of this transition is a reduction in the hours for the MDiv from 84 to 72. In addition, interdisciplinary “concentrations” will be introduced in areas such as Prophetic and Pastoral Congregational Leadership, Chaplaincy, Prison Studies, and Spirituality and Social Activism.
Finally, the Divinity School is renovating, adding to its building better teaching and gathering spaces, including a chapel, and places where the community can discover, question and create change.
Disciples Seminary Foundation
DSF currently serves the largest number of students in its history, with 118 Disciples enrolled in the four partner campuses in Seattle, San Anselmo, Berkeley, Claremont and San Diego as well as online programs across the United States, and 39 students enrolled in the certificate programs in Spanish. DSF’s interests and growing edges include new church planting, Disciples and ecumenical formation, and multiculturalism.
Lexington Theological Seminary
Dr. Richard Weis retired as Dean after the 2017 spring semester. After a thorough search process, Dr. Loida Martell was called to serve as Dean at the beginning of the 2017 fall semester. Dr. Martell also serves as Professor of Constructive Theology.
LTS also received a grant from the Lilly Foundation to do research on bi-vocational ministers, a growing segment within those called into ministry. This process includes surveying ministers in Kentucky who self-identify as bi-vocational with the goal of identifying the types of theological education that offer the best preparation for ministry.
Phillips Theological Seminary
In addition to serving as Dean, Dr. Nancy Pittman will become Interim President May 1.
Four searches for new faculty members are nearing completion with new hires in the areas of Disciples History, New Testament, Diaspora Studies and Practical Theology.
PTS has taken the Ministry Training Program (formerly the MidAmerica Center for Ministry) under its wing, relaunching it on January 1, 2018. This program will continue the work of training persons for local church ministry, providing continuing education and making ministry training available to a broad audience, including laity.
In 2013, Dr. John Marsden became president of Midway University. In the years since, the school has seen exciting changes and dramatic growth in enrollment. In July 2015, the college changed its name to Midway University. At the beginning of the 2016 fall semester, enrollment in the day college was opened to men and the largest class in the school’s history was welcomed to campus. In 2018-19, 3 additional sports will be added to the athletic program, bringing the total number of sports to 20. In recognition of his leadership, President Marsden recently received an Excellence in Education Vision Award. To read more about this award and the exciting changes taking place at Midway, 
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Olivia Adams is attending DePaul University in Chicago, IL where she will study film. Olivia served on her school’s student council, was Student President of the Theater Department, and participated in the Disciples Indiana Region Youth Leadership Team, among other things. Linda McCrae, Olivia’s home pastor at Central Christian Church in Indianapolis, described Olivia as “intelligent, insightful, able to engage in mature conversation.”
McKinnon Anderson is from Mount Carmel, IL and is studying business and accounting at Eureka College. McKinnon is “always reaching out to help those in need,” according Rev. Leslie James Summers, Jr. of First Christian Church of Mt. Carmel, and “is not afraid to take charge in a loving way.” Her leadership roles include regional youth events, deacon at her home church, and Band Council President, among others.
Iris Jang is pursuing her interest in film at Chapman University. Among many activities demonstrating her leadership, Iris interned at the Children’s Choir of the Korean American Music Academy, was a teacher for Korean Bethel Church’s kindergarten ministry, and co-captained her school’s tennis team. “Iris has such a unique perspective in life,” says her teacher, and she “made a commitment to using her talents to help other people.”
Tristan Spangler-Dunning is from Mitchellville, Iowa and is attending Chapman University while focusing on history. He served as CYF Camp President, church deacon, has preached at church and at a regional assembly, and has held lead roles at plays. Rev. McKinna Daugherty of Altoona Christian Church said that Tristan is “passionate about social just with a heart for the underdog” and that “he displays excellent leadership skills...”
Clay York is attending Transylvania University in Kentucky. Clay has been active in the Kentucky Region through youth programs and locally, serving as deacon and worship and wonder leader. Clay has also participated in church-sponsored mission trips and volunteered at the TJ Samson Hospital. Clay, according to Rev. Anne Bruce, “is well versed in what it means to live in community” thus “an easygoing but passionate leader.”
Kaylie Allen attends Bethany College in West Virginia and is interested in elementary education and psychology. National Honors Society, Drill Team Leader, Church Deacon, and General Assembly Workshop Leader are a few examples of Kaylie’s leadership roles. According to Rev. David T. Chafin of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in WV and Pa, Kaylie is “a shining example to the church and to the world.”
Linnea Blakemore is a dancer attending the University of Southern Mississippi. She has been a tutor, dance teaching assistant, served on local and short-term mission trips, and has served First Christian Church in Birmingham as a deacon, worship and wonder leader, and more. Rev. Troy A. Tatum affirms that Linnea is “a person of strong faith and integrity” and someone who “embodies what it means to be a servant-leader.”
Paulina Garcia Gonzalez is from La Jolla, California, is attending Chapman University and is interested in psychology. She has participated in mission trips sponsored by Torrey Pines Christian Church, and serves as leader of her church’s kids’ ministries. Additionally, she was captain of her school’s Varsity Swim team and Water Polo team. Paulina’s English teacher says that she “will try and try and try to make [the right thing] happen.”
Emily Swett is pursuing her interest of music education and music therapy at James Madison University. She provided leadership for various theater-related clubs at school and has counseled, and worked as cook, for various summer camps in the Capitol area. Robert K. Degges, Senior Pastor at Bethany Christian Church, says that Emily has a “desire to help others” and reaches “beyond her comfort zones to make a difference.”
Fellows gathered together this past November in Chicago for the annual Leadership Fellows Retreat. Students had an opportunity to strengthen their relationships to one another, converse about community, societal transformation, and global awareness, and to join in fellowship. Additionally, fellows had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Reggie Williams, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary; and, from Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope, Associate Professor in the School of Accountancy of DePaul University and director of the documentary All the Queen's Horses. Before departing Chicago, fellows worshipped with Root & Branch Church, a recent Disciples church plant in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood.