Lancaster Theological Seminary : 2004 Seminar
Key Contacts:
Riess W. Potterveld, President
Anabel C. Proffitt, Dean of the Seminary
Lee C. Barrett III, Professor of Theology
Greg Carey, Associate Professor of New Testament
Larry Evans, Dean of Students and Director of Field Education
Anne T. Thayer, Associate Professor of Church History
Created by the Sovereign God,
in witness to the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
empowered by the Holy Spirit,
Lancaster Theological Seminary of the United Church of Christ celebrates its catholic and evangelical heritage in the reformed tradition and participates in the ecumenical ministry of Christ's church by: educating and strengthening leaders for congregations of the United Church of Christ and other denominations;
enabling other Christian vocations in church and society;
fostering lifelong learning;
stimulating critical theological reflection;
nurturing a worshiping and caring community; and
working for the justice and peace that mark the reign of God, to whom be the glory forever!
Amen.
The one sentence version reads: Lancaster Theological Seminary is called by God to educate and strengthen leaders for congregations, other settings of ministry, and society.
The seminary was established in 1825 by members of the German Reformed Church. The faculty and trustees now describe the seminary as a regional, ecumenical seminary with historic ties to the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations. Over half of its students are affiliated with the UCC. Significant numbers of students are affiliated with the Presbyterian and United Methodist denominations. Overall students are affiliated with 19 different ecclesiastical traditions.
LTS offers three degree programs (M.A.R., M.Div., and D.Min). Utilizing Lilly Endowment, Inc. grants, the seminary has developed an extensive program of continuing education for seasoned pastors and a program focused on youth leadership development. The continuing education program is called “Alliance for the Renewal of Ministry” and has over 120 pastors involved in a three-year sequence of retreats and plenary sessions on campus and in their home region.
The seminary is developing its web site (www.lancasterseminary.edu) and currently working to re-design its branding and graphic representation. We are seeking a major grant to upgrade technology infrastructure.
The fifteen faculty members include the president and dean; we have an enrollment of 170 (headcount) but an unusually high FTE because we have a high density of both resident and full-time students. The curriculum places emphasis on a three-year sequence of ministerial formation called “Ministry Studies” (MS). Students meet weekly for two hours with six – eight peers, a faculty member, and a pastor/preceptor from the region. Field education (contextual education) occurs during all three years of the M.Div. and involves placements in both parish and non-parish settings. All students in the M.Div. are required to participate in a cross-cultural global trip once during their three years of study. Countries visited in January term have recently included India, Cuba, South Africa.
The seminary has 1,600 living alumni/ae and we estimate that 80% of graduates serve in some form of ordained ministry. Other graduates pursue chaplaincy, counseling, education, non-profit sector, mission field, etc.