Written by: Diane Riggs February 8, 2023

From Protests to Podcasts: Public Theology at United

For the past 60 years, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has consistently engaged in public theology.

It has tethered its theology to current events and ongoing crises in the world, and engaged in protests, marches, plays and other artistic expressions, publications, politics, podcasts, and more. Public theology is embedded in United’s foundational makeup, and will continue to shape its students and leaders for generations to come. The Justice Shack, created by Hortense MacLeod (’15) and Colleen Cook (’15), is a visceral example.

And, as President Molly Marshall states, “More than ever before, the world needs a seminary like United because we focus on today’s most important questions and urgent needs.”

United’s History of Public Theology

When introducing his public theology course at United, Professor Demian Wheeler offers a variety of ways to define public theology. No matter what expression it takes, public theology passes the litmus test when it is: 1) public, 2) incarnational, 3) interdisciplinary, 4) dialogical, 5) global, and 6) justice seeking.

In sum, Wheeler asserts, “Public theology is the tenacious refusal of parochialism in theology; public theologians refuse to theologize in isolation from the wider publics in which they are situated.” Put another way, public theology is “worldly theology, interpreting important social questions from a distinctly theological point of view and attending to issues that are pertinent to political life, economic life, cultural life, and other sectors of public life… Most importantly, public theology is theology that serves and supports the common good.”

Throughout its history, United—as represented by its faculty, students, and alums—has consistently engaged in public theology. Professors James Nelson and Wilson Yates were early public crusaders.

In 1966, Nelson took students to Mississippi to support voter registration in underprivileged areas, and in 1972 he was among the first religious professionals to engage in the University of Minnesota’s Human Sexuality program. His ground-breaking 1978 book, Embodiment, boldly explored sexuality within the context of theology and cogently argued to end societal and religious discrimination against those in the LGBT community. Above is a photo from Nelson’s Human Sexuality course.

Yates, for his part, was the first white student jailed in the Nashville sit-ins in 1960 (he is pictured on the left here)¹. By 1971, he had introduced a White Racism workshop into the Christianity and Culture course. In late 1974, Yates, then Professor of Church and Community, secured funding from the Archie D. and Bertha H. Walker Foundation to develop resources for a Church and Race program.

Early on, students at United also practiced public theology. In 1967, 20 students demonstrated for civil rights and housing legislation in Milwaukee. A year later students and faculty demonstrated at the Minnesota Capitol on behalf of a fellow student who refused induction into the armed forces. Protests against the Vietnam War and attendance at memorial services were also common.

The first few women enrolled at United staged their own protest against discrimination. Though the seminary instituted a policy of non-discrimination in February 1971, faculty members were (according to Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Rev. Dr. Arthur Merrill²) “both astounded and confounded when [just months later]…three women…confronted them with three demands which specifically affected women students.”

In the intervening years, among other things, United has witnessed and advocated for the common good of ordaining all fit ministers irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity or culture, safeguarding the future of undocumented minors, granting all loving couples the right to legally marry, working against violence and injustice, and preserving the earth for generations to come. In all cases, social justice work has found expression through art.

Public Theology in Action

Minister/Activist/Legislator

Rev. Todd Lippert, a 2003 United graduate and the school’s 2020 Distinguished Alum, has consistently worked toward the common good as a United Church of Christ (UCC) pastor, an active member of ISAIAH (a statewide, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities and other community organizations fighting for racial and economic justice) and, from 2018–2022, a Minnesota state legislator.

With ISAIAH, Lippert focuses on helping immigrants by building coalitions and advancing policy proposals. Speaking about his foray into politics, Lippert says, “I got involved in politics because I believe in the Common Good. Good for a few isn’t good enough.”

These days, he is also a Community Minister at Creekside Church, a UCC-affiliated church in Minneapolis. The role, Lippert explains, “involves taking the ministry of Mayflower Church into the world in specific ways.…[T]o address our biggest challenges—halting climate change, realizing racial and gender equality, and dismantling poverty—we must be able to see God’s presence in our neighbors, no matter the color of their skin, their gender identity, or where they live. As we do, we can build more powerful coalitions that will allow us to take on corporate greed more effectively.”

The United alum and trustee who nominated Todd for the 2020 Distinguished Alum award is Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers (’76, ’13). In sharing why she nominated Todd, Sellers states, “Todd models brilliantly the ways in which a graduate theological education at United Theological Seminary prepares one for effective leadership in diverse sectors.”

Teacher/Activist/Online Church Founder

Rev. Dr. Bryan Demeritte, a 2005 alum and adjunct professor at United, recognized a deep need for access to a certain kind of spiritual home and sought to minister to an international audience. The idea for Wild Goose International, as it came to be known, took flight in 2018. As he explains it, Wild Goose was launched at the “intersection of three main public needs with respect to the Progressive Christian movement.”

First, there is a paucity of progressive Christian communities in many countries “and even on entire continents.” As a public figure, Demeritte received numerous requests to create an international “progressive Christian worship and a pastoral/community of faith presence on social media.” Second, a significant number of places in North America are bereft of progressive spiritual church homes, and some people are unable or disinclined to venture into public for myriad reasons. Third, with the advent of online-only ministries over the last decade or more, many would-be parishioners have grown comfortable with that format.

Wild Goose—so named, notes Demeritte, “because of the indigenous traditions around the world that see the image of the goose as one of the Holy Spirit, instead of the traditional dove”—continued to minister to an international LGBTQIA+ faith community until the second year of the pandemic when churches had become more adept at their new model of online programming—one that coincidentally allowed more people to access services. Of his former role with Wild Goose, Bryan asserts, “United’s unique focus on pastoral education, assisted in deep self-reflection, so that those formative processes could reveal summative growth as an ordained leader in congregational ministry.”

Minister/Organizer/Activist

In 2011, when Rev. Terri Burnor (’15) began her journey at United, she explained that her life to that point was “pretty ordinary, in the most mainstream definition of ordinary.” Once she witnessed faculty and alums “living out their values in profound ways,” Burnor charted her own path of public theology through acting in solidarity with frontline communities.

As a participant, intern, minister, and organizer, Burnor has worked with several social justice groups. She was involved with the Poor People’s Campaign, a national movement that unites people to “challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.” Other involvements include the Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, the Worthy Now Prison Ministry Network, and Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, where Burnor currently serves as senior movement builder.

Burnor has also answered the call to show up on the streets and at the State Capitol. Movements she has stood up (or sat down) for include climate justice and Indigenous rights, supporting protection for undocumented immigrants, securing rights for individuals to make their own reproductive choices, and providing people in prison with religious freedom and the message that they are worthy of love and justice. In 2012, when Minnesotans were asked to vote on a marriage amendment that would ban same-sex marriage, Burnor turned her car into a roving billboard for the “VOTE NO” movement.

“We’re a small institution,” Burnor declares, “and yet, when you’re out on the street and in relationship with grassroots organizers, we’re the ones that show up. We’re the ones that you’ll see there. That to me is a testament to who we are as a school.”

Counselor/Theologian/Podcaster

On his podcast website, A People’s Theology, Rev. Mason Mennenga (’22) describes himself as “an aspiring theologian, podcaster, YouTuber, and the internet’s youth pastor.” Mennenga actually runs two podcasts, posts short-form content on YouTube, and shares some of his past writing. He is also a Colorado-based admissions counselor for United.

By its very nature, podcasting is a public performance, and Mason uses this public space to explore intersections between scripture and lived experience. As he explains it, “I wanted to have conversations about theology with people who are doing inspiring and liberating work in the world, and I wanted people, regardless of their theological backgrounds, to be able to join the conversations.”

His October 12, 2022 podcast, for example, features Karen González, author of the newly published book Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration. González, who emigrated from Guatemala with her family when she was a child, is a speaker, writer, and immigrant advocate who attended Fuller Theological Seminary and is currently working on her PhD in Christian Ethics.

In the episode, González discusses the way in which her emigration to the U.S. as a child has made her feel as though she does not fully belong in her native Guatemala, or in the U.S. The liminal space she inhabits helps her to write compellingly about the immigrant experience, and she cites texts and stories that show how deeply important the care and succor of immigrants was in the Bible. Yet, she asserts, churches largely ignore this foundational directive for mercy and kindness.

Drawing on works from indigenous theologians, González also argues that the western view of property rights is antithetical to God’s vision for the responsible interdependent relationship that should exist between nature and humans. “It is biblical,” she says, “to view the land as not belonging to us.”

In another podcast, Mason discusses ways to further social justice with Jamie McGhee and Adam Hollowell, authors of You Mean It or You Don’t: James Baldwin’s Radical Challenge. Episodes also cover topics including homelessness, the role of protest in advancing justice, disability justice, racial justice and more.

A wide range of theologians have appeared on the podcast, including Dr. Diana Butler Bass, Dr. Monica Coleman, Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, Rev. Dr. Yolanda Pierce, and Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza. Over time, A People’s Theology has risen to rank among the top one percent of all podcasts.

So You Want to Be a Public Theologian?

The need for informed discourse in the current morass of division and injustice, as in past eras, will not let leaders be still—leaders like you. United welcomes you to this fascinating and ever-growing field of study.

To learn more, consider a degree program or get in touch with Dr. Wheeler.

1. Virgil Glenn, 19, right, carrying a pro-segregation sign, shouts angrily at Wilson Yates, a 23-year-old Vanderbilt University divinity student bearing an anti-segregation poster as both pro and anti-segregation pickets marched up and down the Memorial Square in downtown Nashville April 11, 1960. JACK CORN / THE TENNESSEAN

2. Merrill, Arthur L. United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities: An Ecumenical Venture (New York: The Edwin Mellen Press, 1993), 189.]

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July 16, 2026

Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall to Retire in 2027 Following Six Exemplary Years as President

Her Vision and Leadership Have Transformed United Following six historic and transformative years as President of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall will retire on June 30, 2027, upon completion of the seminary’s 65th academic year. President Marshall secured United’s financial standing, advanced institutional objectives toward long-term sustainability, and catalyzed historic growth in institutional fundraising and student enrollment. Rev. Dr. Marshall assumed her role as Interim President in March 2021 following thorough vetting by a search committee and the Board of Trustees’ unanimous vote. Having served in theological education for more than 40 years, her reputation preceded her. She made headlines as the first woman appointed to the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention. Ordained as a Southern Baptist, she later received the privilege of call by the American Baptist Church. In 1997, she joined the faculty of Central Baptist Theological Seminary as professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, thereafter stabilizing and revitalizing the school as President from 2004 to 2020, becoming the first woman ever to lead a Baptist seminary or divinity school. President Marshall’s respect and renown culminated in her executive report on effective seminary leadership, written for The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) before she arrived at United. Her experiences as a congregational minister, feminist theologian, prodigious academician, and her achievements as an administrator in theological education augured well for the seminary’s future in her care. Less than a year later, her position was made permanent, formally making her United’s tenth president, and, desiring to honor United's legacy, she pursued and received clergy standing with the MN United Church of Christ. United trustees outlined a set of priorities at the beginning of President Marshall’s tenure, on which she began immediate work. She invested much of her first several months in office in forming connections with alums, donors, and faculty. She concentrated her relational acumen on Advancement, and donors responded enthusiastically. In September 2021, United announced the Johnson-Fry Chair in World Religions and Intercultural Studies, endowed by Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson (’17, ’23) and David Fry. Cultivating “respect for the lived religion of others,” as President Marshall often asserts, is a pillar of her scholarship and the seminary’s academic ethos. The Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies, funded by a generous gift from Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski—Professor Emerita of Religious Studies (1976–2004)—and her husband and former trustee, Keith Bednarowski, followed in 2024. Finally, in 2025, a cadre of friends, alums, and former faculty established the Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts. These chairs, paired with substantial growth in endowed scholarships, feature prominently in President Marshall’s legacy and will endure as a witness to her faithful stewardship of alum and donor relations. Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson, Vice President for Advancement, reflects, “President Marshall’s enthusiasm, attention, and engagement with our donors have been important components of her leadership. She has honored our alums and delighted in our students. Molly has valued United’s history even as she has led us into new ways of being. She has built a culture that reflects her dedication, vision, and generosity. She has been a bright light in the broader community, embodying her passion for and dedication to United. Molly arrived with both expertise and heart, and she has shared them generously. She leaves a lasting imprint, and we are better for that. On a personal note, it has been a great gift to be her colleague.” Historic enrollment has been a fixture of President Marshall’s tenure. Between fall 2020 and fall 2025, degree-seeking student enrollment grew 57 percent, with the seminary welcoming its largest incoming class of degree-seeking students ever in fall 2025. In a climate where many theological schools have experienced stable or declining enrollment, United has surged. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS), one of the seminary’s two accrediting bodies, named United in its 2023 Holiday Colloquy Online issue as one of only 18 ATS-accredited seminaries to have demonstrated “steady year-over-year growth during the past five years.” President Marshall has positioned United as a leader in progressive theological education and a model for historically Mainline Christian schools. Commenting on what makes the seminary unique, President Marshall astutely noted United’s “desirable curriculum that emphasizes social transformation, theology and the arts, interreligious engagement, and public theology” and the intentional welcome of “students with myriad religious, spiritual, and theological leanings.” She sharpened and raised the seminary’s prophetic voice, believing that progressive theological education exists to serve the common good. From considerable growth in the Interreligious Chaplaincy program to the establishment of the Sims Scholars Initiative, she has expanded the student body’s depth and breadth. Under President Marshall’s fastidious leadership, United completed a Five-Year Strategic Plan in 2026. David S. Anderson, former Chair of the Board of Trustees (2020–2026), witnessed firsthand President Marshall’s effective management of United’s revitalization and her manifold accomplishments in office. On his close friend and colleague, David writes, “In her writings, President Marshall, Molly to me, once observed, ‘. . . following the Spirit will require of all of us faith—all the guidance we usually get is enough to take the next uncertain step.’ United, in late 2020, was indeed in a state of uncertainty, and President Marshall’s emergence as its next president must be seen as a revelation of the Spirit. She has led United to a platform of stability from which it will move forward with confidence, heeding the Spirit toward an uncertain, as human endeavors are, but bright and sustainable future.” Dr. Kyle Roberts, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, shared the news of President Marshall’s retirement with students this morning. With profound gratitude for her enrichment of the seminary’s faculty and scholarship, he remarked, “President Marshall has been just the leader this seminary needed to reclaim its vision, its vibrancy, and its voice in theological education. She has led a process of internal healing and of increasing external influence. She has been a champion of rigorous but applied theological education for spiritual leadership, supporting and encouraging the faculty in their teaching and the staff in their work. United,” he affirmed, “will always be indebted to her years of service and to her passion and care in moving the seminary to its next stage. United is, once again, a leading voice in progressive seminary education in large part because of President Marshall.” Rev. Dr. Dianne Oliver, Chair of the Board of Trustees, celebrates President Marshall’s transformative tenure and looks toward a bright future ahead. She affirms, “President Marshall’s impact on United is really extraordinary, and she will leave a profound legacy at the institution. Clearly, she has been successful in the ways often highlighted for an outstanding President—record enrollment, expanded academic programs, and financial stability, building a strong foundation for the next steps on United’s journey. Add to these leadership successes Molly’s theological acumen and prophetic voice in challenging times, and it is easy to see the scope of her leadership. Just as importantly, though, Molly has helped create a deep sense of community among the faculty, staff, students, trustees, and the broader community who support the work of United. Her leadership and accomplishments ensure United will keep living into the fullness of its mission and vision as the context for theological education continues to evolve.” Reflecting on her service to the seminary, President Marshall writes, “Serving as United’s President has been a joyful pursuit over these past several years as I have lived into the storied history of this good seminary. I have been invited into a theologically expansive landscape where courageous learning and creative ministries have renewed my own vocation in theological education.” She continues, “Faculty, staff, students, board members, donors, and friends have welcomed me to help craft this chapter of our shared mission. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve as United’s tenth president. (Don’t say goodbye to me yet; there’s still work to be done!)” A Presidential Search Committee, comprised of trustees and representatives from the student body, alums, faculty, and staff, has been engaged in faithful preparation ahead of the public search for President Marshall’s successor. The seminary will share details about this process in the days ahead. Friends and colleagues from throughout President Marshall’s career were invited to submit reflections in her honor. These have been published on our announcement page. United eagerly anticipates celebrating President Marshall and her myriad contributions to the life of the seminary community during special events in spring 2027. Details will be made available in the months ahead. Strengthened and invigorated by President Marshall’s faithful leadership over these six years, United enters its 65th year of progressive theological education, steadfast in its mission: preparing innovative and compassionate leaders for the equipping of churches, other faith communities, and society toward justice and peace. Honoring President Marshall In celebration of President Marshall's tenure, a webpage featuring images, reflections by friends and colleagues, and opportunities to honor her achievements is now available. Visit the link below to learn more. Learn More About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to educate leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling of systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him) Director of Marketing and Communications press@unitedseminary.edu • 651.255.6138

St. Mark’s UCC Gifts an Endowed Scholarship to United

United graduates have an impact on United in countless ways. President Molly T. Marshall notes that they are, in fact, our letters of recommendation. They embody the educational experience they had at United in the work they pursue, in how they live out their faith traditions, and in the impact they have in the world. We see this in myriad ways. There is the alum who is a recurring donor and the alum who creates a legacy gift to support future students. There is the alum who introduces President Marshall to a new donor. And there is the alum who sees another person’s interest in theological education and encourages them to pursue a degree at United. Recently, we have seen up close the impact of the work of Rev. Jennifer Jaimez (’98). Jennifer’s first call was to St. Mark’s UCC in Bloomington, Minnesota, which was founded in 1954. Jennifer served at St. Mark’s for 28 years and, like other pastors, she had a significant influence on members and the broader community. St. Mark’s also had an impact on United. During Jennifer’s ministry, eight students from United completed nine-month internships at St. Mark’s. As interns, these students were part of a learning community that helped them hone skills in teaching, preaching, counseling, and administration. The congregation, along with Jennifer, mentored and encouraged them. They have all gone on to do a multitude of things: serving in nonprofits, rural churches, city churches, and more. St. Mark’s investment in United students had a significant impact. As for many congregations, the pandemic was difficult for St. Mark’s. Three years ago, they made the painful decision to complete their ministry and intentionally repurpose their assets while it was still their choice. In addition to supporting the Minnesota Conference UCC and the Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority, they made a significant gift to United. A relationship that began with mentoring interns grew into a newly endowed UCC scholarship. The St. Mark’s endowed scholarship will provide financial support for UCC students who wish to attend seminary. This gift creates an enduring legacy for St. Mark’s and will provide support for future students. As the gift was announced, their moderator, Cindy Russell, said, “This gift will defray the cost of seminary education. Support for future leaders of the church remains important as the church continues to evolve into new ways of being the church.” This spring, we have been blessed to establish several new endowed scholarships in addition to the one from St. Mark’s. Estate gifts from Joanne* (’82) and Thomas* Rohrict, and Elden* (Yankon, ’55) and Norma* Zuern have created a lasting legacy and investment in United. A recent gift from George (Mission House, ’55) and Joyce Schowalter will allow them to see, while they are living, the impact of scholarship support. Currently, 57 percent of scholarships are covered by generous gifts and endowed scholarships. The other 43 percent is paid out of United’s annual budget. Each scholarship gift, each new endowed scholarship, or gift to an already endowed scholarship, helps us expand offerings to our students. We don’t want financial limitations to become a barrier for students who feel called to attend United. Your scholarship gifts supported Jennifer while she was a student. Her experience at United, along with the skills she has learned along the way, helped her shepherd St. Mark’s for more than two decades and through the difficult decision to complete their ministry. Your gifts to United continue to make this happen. We give thanks for the lasting legacies created by these and many other faithful donors. __________________________ * Deceased

Alum Rev. Todd Lippert (’03): Living a Public Ministry

As Rev. Todd Lippert was growing up, his life was dominated by two constants: music and church. Both of his parents were music teachers. His dad was the high school choir director, and his mom was the elementary school music teacher. Though his family had been Baptist for generations, they ended up attending a United Church of Christ (UCC) church where his mom was hired to play the organ. It was also much closer to home than the nearest Baptist church. “I always took Christian faith very seriously,” Todd asserts. “The church was a sacred and holy place to me.” In seventh grade, Todd remembers talking to his father. “I was at the bottom of the stairs talking to my dad at the top of the stairs. And that was when I said for the first time, ‘I wonder if I might want to be a pastor someday.’” But, Todd adds, “the idea was really terrifying to me,” so he put it out of his mind. At the University of Iowa, he pursued a music degree. During a philosophy class toward the end of college, a professed atheist professor began asking some of the same questions about faith that Todd was confronting. “I was wrestling with whether I was a Christian or not.” Deciding on Seminary The turning point came one Sunday morning after graduation when Todd and his wife were at church. At the time, he was selling Yellow Pages ads and contemplating an MBA. “I hated it,” Todd confesses. “I was miserable.” Watching the preacher at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, he thought, “Maybe I could do that, and maybe I need to pay attention to this call to ministry that keeps bubbling up.” United was the first UCC seminary that came up on the computer, and when Todd visited, “it felt like home for me as soon as I arrived.” Since his wife was doing graduate work at the University of Minnesota, they moved to the Twin Cities. “At United,” Todd recalls, “I had the space to figure out how Christianity was meaningful and how this faith fit together for me.” Professors who welcomed and encouraged his questions were key to his faith formation, and the “liberation theology that moved through the curriculum, with its focus on justice, was extremely appealing to me.” Todd was also inspired by his classmates. “I saw the student body deeply engaged in the political and social questions of the day.” At United from 2000 to 2003, Todd experienced the Bush v. Gore lawsuit, 9/11 terror attacks, Minnesota senator Paul Wellstone’s tragic death, and the Iraq war launch as he was earning his MDiv. Public Theology Justice-seeking activism, Todd asserts, “really cemented my understanding that the body of Christ is about bringing the realm of God into being wherever it is. And that was something that would have to make my life better and make my community better.” Since graduating, Todd has worked as a UCC pastor, a Minnesota state legislator (2018–2022), a community organizer with ISAIAH, and a community minister with Creekside Church. The clergy organizing work during Operation Metro Surge was especially impactful and reconnected him with United. Todd went through “nonviolent direct action training with Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock, one of the authors I read.” He also worked with Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler, his former Hebrew scripture professor. United, notes Todd, equipped him “to be able to understand what is going on in our world, and in our communities, and I had the tools to get better and better at that, reading the present through a biblical and theological lens.” He is extraordinarily proud of the way the church showed up in Minnesota and grateful for United. “I really want,” Todd concludes, “the love-your-neighbor values of the church to be a force in our public life, not an afterthought. I want it to be a force in our political life.”