The Future Mercer School: what should it look like and where should it be?

October 27-29, 2014

Dear Friends,

The Mercer Board of Trustees willl meet Wednesday evening, October 29 for the second time in 2 months.  This meeting will feature in its entirety an open discussion about how best to fulfill Mercer School of Theology's mission for the present and future.

Experience over the last decade has shown decreasing interest on the part of laity, and a following trend by clergy, to come to Mercer at Garden City repeatedly to take part in an ongoing course.  This appears to hold true even when we know that the subject matter is of interest to many.

How do we address this effectively?  I think we need to consider:

(1) more Mercer events off-site in other locations in the diocese, as we began to do last year;
and:

(2) more resources, including taped lectures, podcasts and textual resources placed on the internet, and thus available to anyone, anywhere at any time,
and:

(3) more one-day substantial, well-planned and well-executed gatherings on a given topic or ministry in the church.

I look forward to hearing what our Board will advise on Wednesday evening.  

Do you have ideas?  You can comment here at Open Gates. Or tweet us @MercerTheology #MercerFuture.  Your ideas are valued.

As always, can access an up-to-date listing of Mercer fall theological/spirituality events today at:
tinyurl.com/MercerFall14

Blessings,
John McGinty+

Dean
Canon for Formation 
The Very Rev. Canon John P. McGinty
Dean
Canon for Formation