Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago : 1999 Seminar

Institution Name: Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Address:
1100 East 55th Street
Chicago, IL 60615-5199

Phone: 773-753-0700

Key Contacts:
Kathleen Diane Billman, Dean of Academic Affairs-Elect
Richard Bliese, Adjunct Professor of Mission and Evangelism
James K. Echols, President
Ralph W. Klein, Dean
Richard J. Perry, Jr., Assistant Professor of Church and Society and Urban Ministry
Barbara Rossing, Assistant Professor of New Testament

LSTC used its grant (1) to foster a spirit of trust within the LSTC faculty so that diverse perspectives and interests could be explored and negotiated in a win-win spirit and (2) to structure a conversation (about teaching and learning in a diverse context that may call for curricular change) that would lead to decision-making and risk. The project involved a series of conversational steps, including a shared reading program for faculty in which each division suggested two books for the entire faculty to read. The project culminated in an extended faculty retreat on curriculum review. The faculty learned (1) that conversation carried on in service to change is fraught with concerns about power and choice, (2) that having appointed times and places for conversation was important, and (3) that conversations carried on without the pressure of immediate decision-making were also necessary. The monthly space the seminary created for open conversation about different concerns seemed to foster that elusive spirit of trust it sought to nourish.