THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIANITY?
Claremonters weigh in on national series on Patheos.com

President Jerry D. Campbell, professors Philip Clayton and Monica A. Coleman, and recent alum James Kang were invited by the national website Patheos.com to comment for a week-long series “The Future of Christianity” from a mainline perspective.  Click on the links below for the full essays, and leave your comments at Patheos.com.

Who are the Samaritans Today?
by President Jerry D. Campbell

“Christians, in all our remarkable diversity, cannot be dispassionate observers in the religious affairs of this century, nor can we think of ourselves as religious conquerors. Either makes us a divisive force in the global culture. If we as Christians are not actively and positively engaging our communities and building bridges with other people of faith (and people of no faith), then we are necessarily contributing to religious divisiveness and segregation.”

New Visions: Or, Church for People Who Aren’t So Sure about Religion
by Philip Clayton, Ingraham Professor of Theology

“What does ‘church’ look like when you take it out of the box, replant it, and let it grow organically? It’s going to stretch and challenge you; it’s going to take openness to forms and practices you’ve never seen before: churches that meet in pubs … churches that have no leaders … churches that don’t have buildings, denominations, pastors, or sermons … churches that don’t meet on Sundays, that consist mainly of people who don’t call themselves ‘Christians’ … churches whose participants are drawn from many different religious groups …”

Black Church Walk-Out
by Monica A. Coleman, associate professor of constructive theology and African-American religions

I had a dream that all the oppressed people in black churches staged a walkout. They Facebook-ed, tweeted, texted, called, put flyers on car windshields, and grabbed the arm of the person next to them. Most of the women went first: the ones teaching Sunday school, heading committees, cooking food for the pastor’s aide society, and the ones sitting on the side of the pulpit. Then the gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered, transsexuals, and otherwise queer-identified folk … In my dream, they didn’t march or picket or stop tithing.  They just left.

From the Future, With Love
by James Kang, M.Div.’10,  lead pastor of Greenhouse District,
a UMC congregation of young Asian-Americans in Pomona, Calif.

A father and Methodist minister imagines a congratulatory letter to his newly ordained minister daughter, in the year 2050:  “Thank God that a group of young pastors and laity could feel God calling us toward a different church process, one that was more flat and collaborative than hierarchical and competitive … Today, there are more people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s in worship attendance than those in their 50s, 60s, and 70s because our church made the sacrifice for young people like you.”

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Philip Wogaman Named Interim Dean at Claremont School of Theology
National figure to bring steady hand during transition of leadership

Dr. J. Philip Wogaman has been named Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean at Claremont School of Theology for the 2010-2011 academic year while the School searches for a permanent dean.

Wogaman is a prominent figure in national religious, academic, political and interfaith circles.  He is professor emeritus of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he taught from 1966 to 1992 and served as academic dean from 1972 to 1983.

From 1992 to 2002, he was Senior Pastor of the historic Foundry United Methodist Church, a large congregation in the heart of the nation’s capital, where he also served as spiritual counselor to President Bill Clinton, among other political leaders.  He wrote about that experience in the best-seller From the Eye of the Storm: A Pastor to the President Speaks Out (1998).

Wogaman also served as interim president of Iliff School of Theology from 2004 to 2006, and interim pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Omaha, Neb., in 2008-09.

“Claremont School of Theology has always attracted intellectual, religious and cultural  luminaries from across the nation,” says Jerry D. Campbell, president of the School.  “Philip Wogaman is the latest in a long line of insightful minds on this campus, and he will be an able and affable leader as we begin the search for a permanent dean.”

Wogaman has been a popular commentator and has made national appearances on Good Morning America, Today, Larry King Live, News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Nightline, Crossfire, C-Span, CNN, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, BBC, Canadian Broadcasting System, and The Charlie Rose Show.

He has also served as president of the American Theological Society and the Society of Christian Ethics, and has authored 21 books on Christian ethics, morals, and politics, including To Serve the Present Age: The Gift and Promise of United Methodism (1995), An Unexpected Journey: Reflections on Pastoral Ministry (2004), and Moral Dilemmas: An Introduction to Christian Ethics (2009).

As the former president of the Interfaith Alliance, he also has been an outspoken supporter of interreligious dialogue and conflict transformation.

Wogaman, who begins the appointment in August, will step into a role recently vacated by Susan L. Nelson.  Dr. Nelson served as the academic dean from 2006 until she stepped down and went on sabbatical this summer for health reasons.

Established in 1885, Claremont School of Theology is an ecumenical and inter-religious institution of The United Methodist Church, situated in Southern California among the prestigious Claremont Colleges.  The School recently embarked upon the Claremont University Project to create a multi-religious university alongside the School of Theology to educate religious professionals, scholars and leaders from all religious backgrounds for service to society and the world.  For more information, go to www.cst.edu.

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Online Classes Offer Opportunities for Enrichment
One-month online intensives provide resource for Life-long Learning

As part of an initiative to provide life-long learning opportunities, Claremont School of Theology is launching a series on one-month online intensives on topics designed for church leaders and laity in search of professional and personal enrichment.

Four classes will be offered (See below for course  descriptions)

October 18 — November 12, 2010

• It’s a New Day: Leading in a Changing World
• God Beyond Borders: Building Interreligious Community
  

February 28 — March 25, 2011

• Short-term Spiritual guidance
• No More Lone(ly) Ranger: Learning to Lead with Teams

The courses, designed and taught by Claremont faculty,  will be offered fully online and open to all students.  No admission process is required.  Learning resources and questions for online conversation will be posted weekly, with weekly participation expected for a time commitment of approximately 5 hours per week.  The classes have limited enrollments of 15 students per class, so reserve your seat today.

For those seeking continuing education unites, each course carries 2 CEUs and/or a certificate of completion.  The tuition charge per course is $150.  For more information and to register, contact lifelonglearning@cst.edu.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GOD BEYOND BORDERS: BUILDING INTERRELIGIOUS COMMUNITY
October 18 — November 12, 2010

Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook
Professor of Practical Theology and Religious Education

The United States is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, and yet many individuals and congregations struggle with establishing authentic relationships with people of other religions. Drawing on the wisdom and experience of interreligious leaders, this course offers an opportunity for clergy and lay people to reflect on the potential for interreligious community in their own location, as well as gather some practical skills and resources for this task.  A foundational conviction is that interreligious dialogue not only deepens the understanding and respect we have for other religious traditions, it can profoundly impact our understanding and experience of our own faith.

IT’S A NEW DAY:  LEADING IN A CHANGING WORLD
October 18 — November 12, 2010

Rev. Sue D’Alessio
Executive Director, Center for Leadership Development (UMC California-Pacific Annual Conference)
and Adjunct Faculty (CST)

Models of effective leadership have changed significantly in the past decade. The church is in a time of deep, challenging change. This course explores the challenges of how, in this time of change and uncertainty, we can be more effective leaders. Then it provides practical methods for ways to identify, train, nurture, and empower responsive and responsible leaders who serve as effective, faithful, spiritual disciples, both in the local congregations and in the community.

SHORT-TERM SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
February 28 — March 25, 2011

Rev. Dr. Duane Bidwell
Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Spiritual Care, and Counseling

Spiritual guides have much to learn from short-term psychotherapy. This course provides a way that pastors, chaplains, and other spiritual caregivers can provide spiritual guidance that honors the person, recognizes the context of care offered “on the run,” and remains true to the historical ways that spiritual direction has been provided in the Christian traditions.

NO MORE LONE(LY) RANGER: LEARNING TO LEAD WITH TEAMS
February 28 — March 25, 2011

Rev. Sue D’Alessio
Executive Director, Center for Leadership Development (UMC California-Pacific Annual Conference)
and Adjunct Faculty (CST)

Teamwork involves different skills in leadership than working as a lone leader. This course explores the processes of developing our strengths and learning to collaborate with others in teams.  It provides practical ideas for ways to balance and build the team in order to create greater synergy for more dynamic, effective ministry in the congregation as we serve together to make a difference in people’s lives, in our communities, and in the world.

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Doctor of Ministry: Urban Ministry in a Global Era
Visit Day Introduces New Program at Claremont
Wednesday, August 4, 2010  |  10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Lunch provided)

Pastors, denominational leaders, community organizers, and other prospective doctoral students are invited to a special event on Wednesday, August 4, to learn about a new Doctor of Ministry program at Claremont School of Theology.

The new program focuses on “Urban Ministry in a Global Era“.   The program will utilize an intensive cohort model so that students meet only twice a year for 2-week intensives, allowing them to continue in their current professional roles while studying for their doctorate.  Students will also be paired with a Ministry Mentor throughout the program, for support and guidance.

Visit Day participants will have the opportunity to talk with program faculty, tour campus, and learn about financial aid.  Please RSVP online.  For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions at (909) 447-2507.

Academy for Jewish Religion, California (AJR/CA)
Announces Fall Class Schedule

CST Students and Alumni/ae can enroll in select
AJR/CA electives beginning this fall

The Academy for Jewish Religion, California, announced this week a number of elective classes open to students and alumni/ae of Claremont School of Theology.  Fall classes at AJR/CA meet on Sunday through Tuesday, and begin after the high holy days, on Sept. 19.  (Fall classes at CST begin August 31.)

Classes being offered by AJR/CA include:

• World of the Bible (Marvin Sweeney)
• Medieval Jewish Thought (J. B. Sacks)
• Jewish Themes in American Literature (M. Osborne)
• Intro to Chumash (J. Gereboff)
• Intro to Mishnah (T. August)
• Dreaming as Spiritual Practice (T. Frankiel)
• Psalms (M. Glazer)
• Chumash w/ Hasidic Commentaries (M. Gottlieb)
• Holocaust Responsa (D. Bouskila)
• Spirituality & Torah (Stan Levy)

For more information on classes and cross-registration at AJR/CA and CST, please visit the Course Schedule page or contact the CST registrar at registrar@cst.edu.

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UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LIFTS SANCTIONS FROM
CLAREMONT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

CLAREMONT, Calif.— The University Senate of The United Methodist Church announced on Friday that it is lifting its sanctions from Claremont School of Theology, reinstating the School’s full affiliation with The United Methodist Church and unfreezing church funding to the School.

“We are extremely pleased that the University Senate has affirmed our United Methodist status,” said Rev. Dr. Jerry D. Campbell, president of the School. “Even though the Senate does not endorse the ‘University Project,’ their decision allows us to continue on toward this vision. I think that the review came about in the first place because some people were worried that we were turning a United Methodist-related seminary into something very different. But we were able to show the review committee that we had no such plans.”

The United Methodist News Service first reported the story on Friday.

When it placed Claremont on “public warning” last Jan. 21, the University Senate said the School had failed “to consult fully” with church authorities on a new mission statement that included plans for a multi-faith University Project. It also cited the School for not submitting recent financial audits.

Claremont’s current audit was in process at the time of the warning, so the School was able to submit a clean audit, as well as other required reports, in ample time for the University Senate’s on-site review at the end of April. Furthermore, Claremont was able to demonstrate that the School of Theology will retain its Christian character and mission, as well as continue to produce Methodist ministers, by remaining separate from, but affiliated with the University Project.

The Project, which is intended to become a graduate university with a number of academic schools, is built on a consortium of religious institutions, including a Jewish rabbinical and cantorial school, a Muslim school for imams and scholars, and Claremont’s Christian school. The Muslim and Jewish groups that are joining Claremont to co-create this multi-religious consortium were announced at a press conference on June 9

Claremont believes this new affiliation will better equip its Christian students for ministry in today’s world.

“We want to be able to facilitate love among our different traditions in order that we can begin to solve the big problems,” President Campbell said.

“This is not an attempt to mash together the faiths to create a watered-down religion that’s acceptable to all, but inspiring to no one,” he continued. “If you come here as a United Methodist, we believe you will leave here as a United Methodist who better understands his or her neighbors, which in California and much of the world is a multi-cultural and multi-religious mix. We need leaders who understand other cultures and religions and can reach across boundaries to work for the common good.”

President Campbell was happy with the University Senate’s decision.

“We thought that the University Senate’s on-site review went well,” he said, “but all the same, their announcement came as a big relief. Our United Methodist ties are extremely important to us.

“From its beginnings,” President Campbell added, “Methodism has reached out to other denominations to promote justice in the world. In this tradition, Claremont was originally established to be intentionally ecumenical. We believe that reaching across religious lines, without abandoning our own beliefs, is in keeping with this heritage.”

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Contact:

Claudia Pearce  |  Director of Public Relations
1325 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 482-2040  |  cpearce@cst.edu

President Jerry Campbell Calls
Press Conference for Major Announcement

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 11 a.m. (PST)
[Click here to chat while watching the video]

Jerry Campbell, president of Claremont School of Theology, called a press conference on Wednesday, June 9, at 11 a.m. to make a major announcement about the future of The University Project at Claremont School of Theology.

“You probably have already heard about the interreligious vision known as The University Project,” Campbell said, in an email to supporters of the School.  “Tomorrow, you will learn much more about the concrete steps we are taking to make this vision a reality.”

The press conference is not open to the public. Video of the event will be posted on this page.

Announced in 2008 by the Board of Trustees, The University Project is an ambitious plan to establish a free-standing graduate university alongside Claremont School of Theology with a focus on leadership and scholarship across religious traditions.

Affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Claremont School of Theology has a long history of educating religious leaders. Founded in 1885, the School embraced an ecumenical vision upon its move to Claremont, California, in 1957.  The University Project is the latest expression of this commitment to openness and diversity.

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“URBAN MINISTRIES IN A GLOBAL ERA”
New D.Min. program to meet twice a year in 2-week intensives
Degree Program Information |  Admissions

Our cities, of all shapes and sizes, are changing faster and faster every day. Today, many  geographic areas are affected in tangible ways by fluctuations in the global economy. They also are characterized by  racial, ethnic, religious, and economic diversity, rendering the old models of urban ministry – built on assumptions of neighborhood stability and congregational homogeneity – long outdated.

This new intensive Doctor of Ministry program will equip ministerial professionals with the perspectives and tools to better address the challenges of religious leaders working in our globalized social realities.

Urban ministry specialists Helene Slessarev-Jamir and Michael Mata will lead this ground-breaking program, which integrates theological, biblical, social-scientific and practical concerns in a cohesive and creative curriculum.   Classes meet twice a year (once in Claremont, once at a site in Los Angeles) and are organized around an incoming cohort of students and ministry mentors.

Read more about classes, faculty and degree requirements on the program Web page.

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PROCESS THEOLOGY SUMMER INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES CLASSES
Special week-long session to runs June 7-11, 2010
Registration and Schedule

Classes for the 2010 Process Theology summer Institute have been announced, including sessions with John B. Cobb, Jr.; Marjorie Suchocki, Ronald Farmer and Bruce Epperly.  The non-credit classes are hosted by Process and Faith, an organization of the Center for Process Studies.

This year’s courses span a variety of topics, including process spirituality, biblical studies, secularism and film.  Courses are only $300 per class.

Headed by Marjorie Suchocki, Process & Faith  is an organization dedicated to providing practical applications of process-relational theology to all aspects of faith life: spirituality, education, preaching and worship, biblical interpretation, counseling, and ministries of justice.  The organization provides web-based and other process-related resources for practical use, including lectionaries, curricula, bibliographies, hymns, and easy-to-understand introductions to process theology.

Go to their resources page for details.

LOCAL GALLERY FEATURES CST’s MODERNIST BUILDINGS
Campus structures designed by famous mid-century architects
OBJCT Gallery at the Packing House|  Photo Gallery

Even though the popular cable program Mad Men is set in the stylish 1960s New York City, many of the original campus buildings at CST evoke the same mid-century modernist sensibilities.  So much so that original architectural watercolors and photos of CST’s structures are being featured in a local exhibit entitled Claremont Modernism.

The free exhibit runs through the end of May at the OBJECT Gallery, located in the Claremont Packing House, 540 W. First St. in Claremont.

The exhibit also features examples of the late Sam Maloof, a famous furniture craftsman and lifetime trustee of Claremont School of Theology.  The Claremont United Methodist Church and Claremont Congregational Church are also featured, alongside photos and artistic  drawings of other local residences, churches, and educational buildings.

One recently discovered watercolor features an alternative design believed to be of what today is the Colwell Building.  It was purchased by the exhibit curator at a local garage sale.  An enlargement of this piece hangs outside the east entrance of the Packing House.

For more information, contact OBJECT Gallery.

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