Table Of ContentSeminaries and the UCC A-39
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Seminaries are schools that provide churches, as well as to a number of • Eden Theological Seminary • Union Theological Seminary
theological education to further the denominations: Harvard, Howard, 475 East Lockwood Avenue 3041 Broadway
ministry and mission of the Christian Vanderbilt and Yale Divinity St.Louis.M063119 New York, NY 10027
Church. The United Church of Christ Schools; Pacific School of Religion 800-969-3627 212-662-7100
relates in covenant to seven seminaries and Hartford and Union Theological • Lancaster Theological Seminary • Vanderbilt University Divinity
and historically to eight others. Seminaries. 555 West James Street Lancaster, School
In 1961 the General Synod of the PA 17603 21st Avenue and Grand
United Church of Christ expressed its 717-393-0654 Nashville, TN 37240 615-322-2776
History and
concern about the relationship of the • Pacific School of Religion • Yale University Divinity School
Background seminaries to the church. Discussions 1798 Scenic Avenue 409 Prospect Street
about theological education were Berkeley, CA 94709 New Haven, CT 06511
One legacy of the Protestant
held for a decade. 800-999-0528 203-432-5303
Reformation to the United Church of
Finally the General Synod decided • United Theological Seminary of
Christ is the belief that clergy should
to designate some schools as closely the Twin Cities
be educated. The Reformers originally Common Practices
related and others as historically 3000 Fifth Street, N.W.
conducted this education in an
related. Subsequently it changed the New Brighton, MN 55112 All seven seminaries of the United
informal manner with older clergy
designation "closely related" to semi- 612-633-4311 Church of Christ, and half its histori-
training one or more people in their
naries of the United Church of Historically related schools are: cally related schools, are known as
homes or studies. As the need for
Christ. The denomination would • Hartford Seminary free-standing. That means they are
trained clergy increased, colleges and
enter into a special covenantal
77 Sherman Street independent of control by the
universities assumed that task.
relationship with the closely related
Hartford, CT 06105 denomination other institutions. They
Many of the earliest universities in
seminaries for mutual support and
203-232-4451 have their own charter, financing and
the United States (including Harvard
and Yale) were established primarily service. The historically related • Harvard University Divinity board of directors.
seminaries did not wish to enter into
for educating clergy. A new system School United Church of Christ seminaries
this covenant, but their current and
began with the creation in 1807 of 45 Francis Avenue are tremendously diverse: Some are
historical contribution was
Andover Seminary, a graduate profes- Cambridge, MA 02138 located in cities, others in suburbs or
recognized by the church.
sional school requiring a baccalaureate 617-495-5761 small towns; some belong to clusters of
degree for admission. These seminaries Seminaries in covenant are: • Howard University School of eight or nine theological schools,
were often independent of colleges and • Andover Newton Theological Divinity others are far from other seminaries;
universities and operated as separate School 1400 Shepherd Street, N.E. some are related to universities, most
institutions with their own boards, 210 Herrick Road Washington, DC 20017 are not; some specialize in particular
administration, faculty and Newton Centre, MA 02159 202-806-0500 aspects of ministry while others don't.
endowment. 800-964-ANTS • Interdenominational Theological The principal function of theological
When the United Church of Christ • Bangor Theological Seminary Center seminaries is to assure a steady flow of
was formed in 1957, Eden, Mission Two College Circle Box 411 671 Beckwith Street, S.W. well-educated leaders, both ordained
House and Lancaster seminaries were Bangor, ME 04402 Atlanta, GA 30314 and lay, for the total ministry of the
training clergy of the Evangelical and 207-942-6781 404-527-7700 church. Most people in degree
Reformed Church. Andover Newton, • Chicago Theological Seminary • Seminario Evangelico de Puerto programs of the seminaries are in
5757 South University Ave. training for positions as ordained
Bangor, Chicago and Yankton were Rico
Chicago, 1L 60637 church leaders-pastors, ministers of
seminaries of the Congregational Ponce de Leon Avenue 776
312-752-5757 Christian education, and ministers to
Christian Churches. Other theological San Juan, PR 00925
youth, older adults and the local
schools had provided clergy for these 809-751-6483
Seminaries and the UCC A-39
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community. Seminaries also train of the Association of Theological It is of vital importance to the life congregation about theological
women and men for many other Schools in the United States and and health of the entire church and education?
specialized ministries: teaching; Canada, the primary accrediting society.
chaplaincies in hospitals, schools, agency for graduate professional
colleges and the armed forces; education in ministry. Several of the
Issues Facing the
evangelistic work; urban or rural 15 schools are also accredited by
ministries; mission work at home regional secular accrediting bodies. Church
and overseas; and ministry in a The purpose of accreditation is to
• What is the importance of having
variety of racial/ethnic groups such assure the church and the general
leaders trained in seminaries
as Hispanics, Native Americans, public that a standard of educational
related to the United Church of
Pacific Islanders, Asian Americans quality is maintained. Accreditation
Christ? Should you encourage
and African Americans. assures the church that graduates of
students to travel a long distance
Seminaries also educate lay these seminaries have been
to attend a seminary related to the
leaders. Several schools have educated about the Christian
United Church of Christ when
extensive programs to help lay traditions (Bible, church history,
another is nearby?
people become more effective in theology) and about the practice of
• Who determines the role of a
their ministries. Usually the aim is ministry (preaching, teaching,
seminary?
to educate people who can then administration, worship). Accredi-
educate others. tation also means that graduates
Continuing education for have had the opportunity to practice
Questions
ordained ministers is also a purpose what they have learned under
of seminaries. Many clergy return trained teachers and supervisors. • What is the United Church of
to seminaries regularly for short Christ seminary nearest to you?
courses, regular classes or What do you know about it?
The Task of the
additional degrees The seminaries • What do you know about any
offer the structured space needed Seminaries three other seminaries?
for reflection, study and new • What might your church do to
The Ninth General Synod called on
skill development. know our seminaries better?
the church and its seminaries to join
Seminaries also serve as a vital • Is any financial support provided
hands in educating new leaders for
resource for the church as it seeks by your church to a United
the church. The Synod said:
insight into God's will. Seminaries Church of Christ seminary? How
The churches need leaders who are
have been diligent in helping the could support be provided or
committed to the Gospel and are
United Church of Christ be faithful increased?
able to proclaim it. They are
to the gospel in relation to issues • Is your church providing an
seeking pastors and teachers who
confronting the church. Faculty and annual amount equal to 2% of
can help persons relate the Faith of
students have contributed through your church's local expense
the Church to individual and social
study, reflection and research at budget to the support of
concerns. The churches seek clergy
seminaries and on committees, theological education and institu-
who understand the pain which is
boards and agencies of the United tions? If not, how could support
present both in the church and in the
Church of Christ. be provided or increased? © 2005, Parish Life and Leadership
world and can face it with hope.'
United Church of Christ • When was the last time you Ministry Team of Local Church
seminaries must meet at least the The task of the seminaries of the Ministries, a Covenanted Ministry of
invited someone from a UCC
United Church of Christ is the the United Church of Christ
minimum educational requirements
seminary to speak to your
education of these women and men.
