The Office of Theological Education is the liaison between your Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminaries and the General Assembly Council.

From the Presbyterian News Service • April 2, 2008

Conference seeks to strategize ways to tap next generation of African-American leaders

May event dovetails with Blount’s inauguration at Union-PSCE

by Toya Richards Hill

LOUISVILLE — Brainstorming the best ways to tap into and prepare the next generation of African-American leaders for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be part of an upcoming conference at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education (Union-PSCE).

“Calling for the Order of the Day: Pedagogies of African American Presbyterians — Implications for Theological Education” will take place May 5-7 in Richmond, Va. The event dovetails with the historic inauguration on May 7 of Union-PSCE president the Rev. Brian K. Blount, the first African-American president of a PC(USA) seminary. Keep reading about this event.

From the Presbyterian News Service • March 7, 2008

Kirkpatrick to serve as visiting professor at Louisville Seminary

The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick

by Michelle Melton
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

LOUISVILLE — Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary has announced the appointment of the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick as visiting professor of ecumenical studies and global ministries, beginning next fall.

The announcement was made during the “Voices of the Church Dinner,” which was held March 4 in conjunction with Louisville Seminary’s annual Festival of Theology and Alum Reunion. Kirkpatrick was the guest speaker. Keep reading this story.

Seminary students: register for cooperative courses

Presbyterianism: Principles and Practice, an on-site course during the 218th General Assembly, will take place June 20-28, 2008, in San Jose, Calif. Learn more about the structure and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — register for this course.

Celebrate the gifts of our theological schools

The General Assembly designates the third Sunday of September as Theological Education Emphasis Sunday though your church may choose to celebrate on any Sunday of the year. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the gifts of our theological schools and the ways they shape and form the church and its leaders.

Learn how you can lift up our theological schools in your congregation.

Seminary Spotlight

San Francisco Theological Seminary

San Francisco Theological Seminary prepares leaders for the Church of Jesus Christ sent by the Holy Spirit in God's mission to the world. SFTS is committed to the education of students in spiritual formation, critical theological reflection and the skills and arts of ministry, to serve in congregations, the wider church, the classroom and the public sphere. Learn more about San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Together, your seminaries ...

• Offer coursework through master's degree programs to prepare men and women to be pastors, educators, chaplains, therapists, spiritual directors and musicians for congregations and other specialized ministries
• Prepare men and women for a global, multicultural ministry context, whether they will serve in a rural, urban, suburban, small town, international or Third World setting
• Provide continuing education for clergy and lay leaders
• Provide doctorate-level programs for ministers of the Word and Sacrament
• Serve as centers of research, theological discourse and reflection for the benefit of the wider church
• Work with congregations, presbyteries and other educational institutions as consultants and advisors on issues and concerns of the church
• Reach out to youth and other persons who may be called to ministry to facilitate the discernment process

Learn more about your Presbyterian seminaries.

Your congregation can focus on theological education and your seminaries

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. [Read more]