So it turns out that Meadville/Lombard Theological School (where I received my Master of Divinity in 2000) has chosen to continue its journey alone after all. That is fine. I am sure that there are good reasons not to form the "Theological University" with Andover Newton. I can think of a few. Not the least of these issues is the physical distance. However, I will miss the "both-and" tone of the epistles from this merger-not merger. For every email sent saying that ANTS and M/L were working as a team, there was one explaining that they were really different institutions and would remain so. They were much more entertaining than the ones I got when M/L was merging with Starr King. Still, they aren't quite as fun as all the blog posts when that fell through.
I have no complaints with the choice to break off talks. I will say that there seems to be a pattern and it is a bit confusing. It may be that this all feels quite different while sitting in Hyde Park. However, as a dedicated Meadville/Lombard observer for many years, I find that this constant change in direction makes it hard for me to say nice things all the time. I like to say nice things about my seminary, but they keep me spinning...and spinning...and spinning....
I still haven't figured out what the new curriculum is about. Thank God I am not in school! That means I have the time...and little or no pressure. In fact, I think I will wait a while to see if that changes, too...
Here is the link to the press release from the seminary.
One can hardly expect stability from a UU seminary at a time when the UU leadership has put forth a bizarre new strategy for ministry which seems to involve training lay folk to replace paid staff, making no serious mention of such matters as pastoral care and theological educational leadership from the pulpit. It is one thing when public opponents want to eliminate your professional status, quite another when your own leadership sets off in that direction.
ReplyDeleteThis is an unstable time for all seminaries. Meadville has had the courage to be innovative and take the risk of trying interesting things. The price of that risk is that some ideas don't work out well. Congrats to Meadville for trying! Alums, you should be proud. Students, take note: congregational life is unstable in these days, too.
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