Garrett-Evangelical Recognized as Seminary that Changes the World for a Fourth Consecutive Year
February 11, 2020
This week the Center for Faith and Service announced its list of Seminaries that Change the World: Class of 2020. We are delighted to report that for the fourth consecutive year Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has been recognized by the Center in its listing of Seminaries that Change the World. Each year, Seminaries that Change the World (www.STCTW.org) seeks to identify and promote seminaries and divinity schools that are demonstrating a commitment to service and justice through their curriculum, scholarships, internships, and student-life experiences.
Seminaries that Change the World (STCTW) looks for several things when considering a school, including whether a school is:
Committed to Service and Justice
STCTW schools have made commitments in their curriculum, scholarships, internships, and pedagogy to integrate service, justice and advocacy work. They prepare their students to be change-makers while in seminary and after graduation.
Collaborative
STCTW looks for schools that work collaboratively with other seminaries and divinity schools to share and implement best practices in the classroom and in the world.
Affordable
Based on the belief that financially healthy organizations and churches need financially healthy leaders, STCTW looks for schools that provide scholarship opportunities for students. STCTW schools all award at least some of their scholarship dollars to students who bring real-world service, justice and advocacy experience.
Innovative
The STCTW list is made up of seminaries and divinity schools that are innovative and adapting to the ever-evolving needs of Christianity and the world. These schools are helping prepare clergy, community, and political leaders for the church to come, not the church that was.
“We are really excited about some of the ground-breaking programs coming out of the 2020 class of schools. Theological education is being forced to adapt quickly to the changing landscape of Christianity in America, and these schools are flexible and agile enough to respond to those challenges,” said Alison Burchett, director of the Center for Faith and Service. “This year we are seeing a lot more schools offering online courses as well as certificate programs. These programs help increase access to theological education in a way that traditional residency Master’s programs can’t.” Buchett also noted that schools have developed programs focused on specific social justice causes. “We’re seeing a really serious commitment to specific issue areas. From immigration issues to prison reform to environmental care, schools are leaning into their strengths and building programs that focus on preparing their students to be change-makers on those issues.”
The 2020 Class of Seminaries that Change the World includes:
- Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
- Bethany Theological Seminary
- Boston University School of Theology
- Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University
- Candler School of Theology at Emory University
- Columbia Theological Seminary
- Duke Divinity School
- Earlham School of Religion
- Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Howard University School of Divinity
- Iliff School of Theology
- Jesuit School of Theology in Berkley
- Luther Seminary
- McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University
- McCormick Theological Seminary
- The School of Theology at The University of the South Seminary of the Southwest
- The University of Chicago Divinity School
- Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University
- Union Theological Seminary in New York
- Vanderbilt Divinity School
- Virginia Theological Seminary
- Wake Forest Divinity School
- Wesley Theological Seminary
For more information about Seminaries that Change the World, or to explore this year’s list of schools, visit www.STCTW.org.
About The Center for Faith and Service:
Based out of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, The Center for Faith and Service works to develop new programs and identify existing resources that support the church to be present and relevant in the lives of young adults. Through a variety of initiatives, including Seminaries that Change the World, The Center partners with seminaries, summer camps, colleges, youth corps, denominations and local congregations to create programs and resources that help people connect their passions for service and justice with their faith.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church, was founded in 1853. Located on the campus of Northwestern University, the seminary serves more than 450 students from various denominations and cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders through master of divinity, master of arts, master of theological studies, doctor of philosophy, and doctor of ministry degrees. Its 4,500 living alumni serve church and society around the world.