ONE-MINUTE COMMENTARY
A couple of weeks ago I was in a van on the way to the airport in Bangor, Maine, when the driver detoured to take us by Stephen King's house. I told my seatmate that I wasn't a big fan of Stephen King's, but I love the movie Shawshank Redemption, adapted from one of his short stories. It's about hope and personal transformation in a penitentiary.
One of this month's news items gives another example of prison transformation, made possible by a church and a seminary. With the backing of his local congregation, an incarcerated murderer was recently ordained to the Episcopal priesthood after completing a theological degree through distance education. Having already worked in prison hospice, he started a new congregation of fellow inmates. After he celebrated communion for the first time, the new priest said, "In that moment it felt like my whole life was coming into focus. It felt like I was right where I was supposed to be."
I can hardly think of a better example of personal transformation by the grace of God.
—Jay Blossom
Editor, In Trust Now
IN TRUST ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
In 1990, Pope Benedict XVI (then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) delivered a far-reaching address on Catholic theological education and the formation of priests. Long out of print, the entire text of the address, "Some Perspectives on Priestly Formation Today," is now available only on In Trust Online, with the permission of Ignatius Press.
CHANGING SCENES NOW
Six news items you may have missed
1. INMATE ORDAINED AFTER ATTENDING SEMINARY BEHIND BARS
James Tramel, serving a sentence of 15 years to life at California State Prison at Solano, was ordained a priest on June 18 by the Episcopal bishop of California. Convicted of second-degree murder in 1986, Tramel in 1998 became the first inmate accepted at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, where he earned a master of theological studies degree through a distance-learning program.
Straight to the source...
2. COOPERATIVE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP CLARIFIES STATUS OF SEMINARIES
In late June, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship was rethinking its relationship with its theological education partners, which include four free-standing seminaries, six divinity schools of Baptist universities, three Baptist studies programs at non-Baptist divinity schools, and one "theological university," the Baptist University of the Americas. New rules will likely lead to decreased support for some schools, increased support for others.
Straight to the source (PDF)...
More...
More...
3. NEW BRUSWICK SEMINARY FOLLOW-UP
After a June 17 church trial, the Rev. Norman Kansfield was suspended from ministry in the Reformed Church in America. Dr. Kansfield was forced to step down as president of New Brunswick Theological Seminary earlier this year after he officiated at the wedding of his daughter to another woman.
Straight to the source...
More...
More (free registration required)...
Other media links available on the Web site of Kansfield supporters...
4. SASKATCHEWAN THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL SAVED FROM CLOSURE
The College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, an Anglican Church of Canada theological school located on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan, has announced that it will not close this year. The school's principal, Dr. Walter Deller, reversed an earlier recommendation after two anonymous donors allowed their capital campaign gifts to be diverted to operation expenses.
Straight to the source...
More...
5. ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY FOLLOW-UP
A United Methodist panel has determined that Iliff School of Theology has achieved significant reforms and no longer faces a cutoff in funding from the denomination. After former president David Maldonado left the school last year, the church panel presented the school with a list of 20 necessary reforms. The latest report praises Iliff for making significant strides toward implementing them.
Straight to the source...
Lawsuit settled with former president...
FOCUS ON... GOOD FAITH GOVERNANCE WORKSHOPS
Planning your board's agenda for the coming year? Break away from the usual routine of institutional life and spend time learning and planning around issues of key importance to your school. We promise top-notch faculty, stimulating peer interaction, and up-to-the-minute thinking on a range of governance topics.
Register now to take advantage of significant discounts for charter members of In Trust!
Best Practices in Seminary Governance
(formerly the Practicing Good Faith Governance Core Seminar)
November 10-12, 2005, Louisville, Kentucky
One-Day Governance Workshops
February 9, 2006, Berkeley, California
Feburary 20, 2006, Toronto, Ontario
February 27, 2006, near Washington, D.C.
Fundraising and the Board
March 2-4, 2006, Delray Beach, Florida
For more information, contact In Trust's President Christa R. Klein at 877-234-3895 or crklein@intrust.org.
FROM THE ARCHIVE... IN TRUST'S CONSTITUENT SURVEY
One hundred forty-five seminary presidents and 245 governing board members responded to In Trust's 2004 constituent survey. Presidents said their most critical challenge was a capital campaign; trustees said it was growing the school's endowment.
SUGGEST A TRUSTEE FOR A PROFILE
In Trust magazine wants to publish a profile of a seminary trustee who is also the president of a college or university. Send a suggestion (explaining why your candidate would make an interesting subject) to jblossom@intrust.org.
FEEDBACK
Have a question or topic you would like us to address? Interested in a retreat or mentoring services for your board? Let us know by contacting President Christa Klein at crklein@intrust.org.
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