Vocation

September 2, 2020
Chaplaincy ministry social justice social transformation Vocation

Unexpected Healers: How the next generation of chaplains is changing the way we think about spiritual care

Back when I was a CPE educator in a large, metropolitan hospital system, I often gave my students an interactive assignment for their first day of training. I asked them to place themselves in busy lobbies, cafeterias, and waiting rooms at their assigned hospital, then sit at a table with open faces, a video camera, and a sign that said, “Tell Me What a Chaplain Does?” (more…)

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May 16, 2019
Discernment ministry New Students Progressive Christianity social justice social transformation Vocation Voice

Why Now is the Time for the Religious Left to Pursue Faith Leadership Positions

Who gets to claim religious values? In recent debates about Democrat presidential candidate Pete Buttigeig, Franklin Graham ridiculed the religious left: “Using new terms like ‘Progressive Christianity’ & ‘Christian Left’ may sound appealing, but God’s laws don’t change.” Buttigeig is openly gay, a veteran, and self-identifies as progressive. He is also a Christian in the Episcopal denomination. To some, Buttigeig is a contradiction. Evangelical Erick Erickson even implied that the Episcopal Church is not really Christian. As a progressive seminary, United denies that a far right, ultra-conservative Christianity is the only way for people to live out their faiths. Members of the religious left must pursue leadership positions and reclaim what it means to be a person of faith in today’s world. (more…)

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May 9, 2019
Marginalization New Students Vocation Voice

Why Being Marginalized Makes You a Better Faith Leader

Being marginalized is often framed as a deficit, but when it comes to being a faith leader, experiences of marginalization can prove to be an asset, as can be attested by many in congregations around the country, in the Civil Rights Movement, even in the Bible. Many who are marginalized -- whether because of race, age, career, gender or sexuality-- are inspired by their struggles to take up spiritual leadership, can see what more privileged people miss, and are prepared to navigate diverse communities. (more…)

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May 3, 2019
Religion Theology Vocation

Do You Want to Be a Professor of Religion or Theology?

At United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, one option of study is the concentration in Religion and Theology, available both for the MA and MDiv degrees. An MDiv can prepare students to become pastors, ministers or religious leaders whose ministerial focus is religious or theological education, while those pursuing an MA might become public theologians or teachers of religion/theology in private schools or churches. However, one of the most likely outcomes for either an MA or MDiv student in this concentration is moving on to a PhD in Religion or Theology in preparation for teaching. (more…)

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April 26, 2019
interfaith social transformation Theology Vocation Voice

Why You Should Consider a Christian Seminary — Even If You’re Not a Christian

As a queer, Jewish artist, when I told my friends and family that I would studying at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, many were confused. “So like, are you becoming a priest?” some would ask. Others more directly retorted, “But you’re Jewish!?!?!?! Why would you want to do that?” The fact is, there are numerous reasons why I think it is important to study at a progressive, pluralistic seminary rooted in Liberal Christianity. Three key reasons are that Christianity is a defining theological and ideological component of our culture; that being in conversation with Christians helps us better understand our own traditions; and that our presence and voice helps decenter Christianity as an assumed norm. (more…)

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