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Theological Education

 


The Office of Theological Education is the liaison between congregations, the denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminaries, and the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Our work is designed to nurture and support the importance of informal theological education in congregations and the vital way formal theological education—your seminaries—nourishes the life of worshiping communities. Learn more about your Presbyterian seminaries.


Theological education happens in all sorts of ways in a Christian’s life, whenever we ask questions, go to Sunday school and Bible studies, express doubts, inquire with our curiosity, or go to seminary. Theological education is a path of discernment and learning to think about God, who God is, and what it means to live as a beloved creature of God in the world.

In theological education, people engage in conversation and discussion, listen to the insights of others, bounce their ideas off of one another, and generally seek to deepen their understanding of what it means to live with God. Formal theological education – seminary education – exists in order to maintain the training for leadership of a culture of reflection within the church. Those who are formally trained become equipped to nurture and support the informal and more wide-spread examples of theological education that exist throughout our denomination.

In the end, theological education, both formal and informal, is all about growth in our Christian lives, deepening the relationship we have with God and the relationships we have with each other through God, in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Involve your congregation with Theological Education

Inform your congregation about the rich diversity of theological institutions related to the PC(USA) by choosing one seminary to be highlighted each month during the year. Interpretive printed materials and videos are available from the schools.

Provide information to your congregation about lecture series and continuing education courses offered by our seminaries and encourage their particcolumbia_cover_photoipation.
Encourage church school classes, youth groups and church organizations to “adopt” theological students and demonstrate support by sending cards, letters and gifts throughout the school year. Invite students to share with the congregation about their studies and campus life.
Provide practical experience for seminary students by involving them as ministry interns in the life of the congregation.
Make arrangements for church school classes or groups to visit campuses of PC(USA) theological institutions to learn more about the schools and to interact with faculty, staff and students.
Build interest in the pursuit of theological studies and Christian ministry as a vocational choice by including study and discussion about those options in church school classes and youth groups.
Establish study/action groups for people who are seeking clarity about their personal call to ministry and opportunities to pursue theological studies. Provide travel money for individuals to visit PC(USA) seminary campuses during orientation weekends.
Take advantage of seminary faculty resources by studying books and/or inviting professors to preach, speak or lead retreats for the congregation. Issue invitations early to reserve time on faculty calendars and expect to offer an honorarium as well a reimbursement for travel expenses.

The Office of Theological Education, a program of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, provides staff support for the Committee on Theological Education, builds partnerships between ministry leadership programs and the seminaries, serves as an information hub for the church about PC(USA) seminaries, and coordinates and publicizes cooperative projects involving the seminaries.

The Office of Theological Education staff can be reached by phone at 502-569-5122.

Please send mail to the Office of Theological Education at this address:

Office of Theological Education
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202

 

Your congregation has a stake in your seminaries

You may be getting along just fine right now … but where will your next pastor come from? Who will lead the church in 10 years? 20 years?

Tomorrow’s leaders need your prayers and support today, along with your encouragement to attend the PC(USA) seminary that will provide the educational foundation they need to develop Christian disciples among our children, grandchildren and future generations.


 

Support your seminaries through the 1% Plan

The Theological Education Fund (1% Plan) calls for each congregation to make a voluntary contribution of 1 percent of their local operating budget to fund PC(USA) seminaries. For more information, contact the Presbyterian Foundation, which now houses the Theological Education Fund.

Resources

Funding your ministry in time of crisis

Responding to a shortfall in revenue during the Covid-19 pandemic featuring The Rev. Jon Moore Presbyterian Mission Agency Mission Engagement Advisor and The Rev. Princeton Abaraoha, field staff for African… Read more »

2016 Leader Survey Report

The Leader Survey Report is based on an annual survey of new worshiping community leaders. It provides the most in-depth research on demographics of new worshiping communities. This report, part… Read more »
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