October 20, 2014
Dear Friends,
It appears that the difficult situation at General Theological Seminary is not approaching resolution. There is public notice of efforts being made, but a growing sense of progress, reconciliation, a positivie future, has yet to emerge.
Primary players in this drama include the Dean, the faculty, and the Board of the seminary. An innumerable number of very interested observers are arranged to either side, and many of them have viewpoints to share as well.
Not to be forgotten in the fray are the students of GTS, many of whom have only just arrived this fall to answer in that place a call from God to service. They will learn much from these days. It remains to be seen if what is learned will stand them in good stead in days to come or not.
Torn open here for all to see, whatever be the outcome of the present strife in Chelsea, are the very real questions of how best to prepare men and women for ministry today? And how is the authority carried to address those questions? And who carries that authority?
In Gospel terms, authority is service. And it is service undertaken in common. At General and elsewhere, we seek the grace to recognize the way to that common service.
That may sound like pious drivel. On the contrary, I assure you, it is the definite and difficult path forward, now and always. Let us wish the principal players in the drama every good gift and strength needful to get the job, if not done, underway.
You can access an up-to-date listing of Mercer fall theological/spirituality events today at:
tinyurl.com/MercerFall14
No comments:
Post a Comment