In 2024, we mark the 130^th Anniversary of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries! Today, we take time to briefly reflect on the profound historical journey of this invaluable ministry in the life of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) over the past 130 years.

Our story begins in the late 19th century, a time marked by great social change and intellectual fervor. In 1854, Alexander Campbell wrote in the Millennial Harbinger, “Colleges and churches go hand in hand in the progress of civilization.” Bethany College, Campbell’s own College was already in existence at this time (founded in 1840) as was Bacon College (1780) which became Transylvania University.

As we move into the early 20th century, the landscape of higher education continued to evolve with several Disciples affiliated institutional charters born including Chapman University (1861), Columbia College (1851), Culver-Stockton College (1853), Drury University (1873), Eureka College (1855), Hiram College (1850), Texas Christian University (1873), William Woods University (1870) and many more. Committed to this purpose, in 1880, the Disciples of Christ also established the College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky laying the foundation for what would later become Lexington Theological Seminary. The establishment of the college and seminary symbolized the commitment of the Disciples of Christ to academic excellence and spiritual growth.

In 1894, the American Missionary Society established the Board of Higher Education signaling the need for a new era of collaboration and cooperation among educational institutions affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Board of Higher Education played a crucial role in fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among educators and administrators in more than a dozen new affiliated colleges established during this period. Moreover, in 1898, the establishment of “Education Day” began a tradition of congregational connection and impact with the newly formed institutions of higher education. By 1903, this day evolved into what is now the “Thanksgiving Special Offering” supporting our colleges, universities and graduate theological institutions.

The mid-20th century brought about significant changes in the field of higher education and leadership ministries for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Following the Great Depression in the 1930’s and the post-war years 1940’s, the need to restructure the role and purpose of the Board of Higher Education led to a new mission: “To promote Christian education by assisting colleges and other educational institutions fostered by the Disciples of Christ; to promote comity, cooperation and unity among these institutions…in brief, to be a means of national cooperation for higher education.”

The 1960s and 1970s were marked by a renewed emphasis on social justice and inclusivity within the Disciples of Christ community. During this time, many of our affiliated colleges and universities actively participated in the civil rights movement and other social justice causes. Disciples of Christ institutions served as beacons of hope and centers of activism, inspiring a new generation of leaders committed to creating a more just and equitable society. By 1968, the Disciples adopted a church-wide restructure which included the renaming of the Board of Higher Education. However, it was not until October 21, 1977, that the new Division of Higher Education was officially in place. The mission of the Division played a pivotal role in promoting academic excellence, fostering a spirit of innovation and inquiry within our educational institutions, providing recommendations for faculty, encouraging collaboration, and facilitating gatherings of scholars such as the Association of Disciples for Theological Discussion (ADTD).

From the late 20th and to the early 21st centuries, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) continued to uphold its commitment to higher education and leadership ministries. The Council on Theological Education (CTE) was established to coordinate and collaborate among Disciples-related theological institutions. Similarly, supporting campus ministries became a priority adding the Council of Higher Education Ministries (CHEM) to the Division’s mission offering a print resource to equip chaplains and campus ministers entitled Footnotes - honoring the “on the ground” work of ministry with students, faculty and staff. In 2002, adopting the strategic priority of leadership development among emerging pre-college, college, seminary and Ph.D. students, the name of the ministry changed once again to become the Higher Education & Leadership Ministries (HELM) and represented a new chapter in our community's dedication to nurturing and empowering future leaders.    

Today, as we reflect on the past 130 years of history within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we are reminded of the resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our community to the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and justice. Our educational institutions have served as crucibles of transformation, shaping the minds and hearts of countless individuals who have gone on to make a positive impact on the world around them. As we look to the future, let us reaffirm our commitment to higher education and leadership development within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Let us continue to cultivate a spirit of curiosity, exploration, and lifelong learning. Let us strive to resource, empower and equip future leaders with the tools they need to navigate an ever-changing world with grace, wisdom, and compassion. Finally, let us honor the legacy of those who came before us and pave the way for generations yet to come. May our commitment to higher education and leadership ministries be a beacon of light and hope for all who seek to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.