Tag: social enterprise

Featured Post

September 18, 2026

United Launches National Search for Its Next President

The Position Profile and Application Are Now Available Today, the Presidential Search Committee, on behalf of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, is opening the national search for the seminary’s next leader. This comes after the July announcement of Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall’s 2027 retirement following six transformative years of institutional growth and expansion. United’s next president will helm a dynamic school with a student body that has more than doubled in size in just ten years; a world-class faculty of artists, scholars, and theologians; and a diverse and interreligious student body preaching in pulpits, ministering in ICUs, leading nonprofits, and organizing for the common good. In a message shared with the United community, trustee and committee chair Rev. Dr. Kenneth V. Daniel (’81) describes the committee’s work in concert with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller (IM) to help “the seminary step into the next chapter of United’s mission and ministry.” Describing the ideal candidate, Dr. Daniel writes, “We are seeking an engaged leader who will join our mission to inspire creative scholarship, advance innovative pedagogy, develop leaders of distinction, and move the school forward to increased sustainability and global impact.” As of today, the public profile of the President’s role, as well as the application, is available to prospective applicants. Additionally, the public is invited to nominate individuals for consideration by the Committee. The application is linked on an official landing page that features Dr. Daniel’s note and a list of the committee members and their affiliations. The committee includes trustees as well as current and former faculty, student, staff, and alum representatives. Each faithfully brings their experiences to bear on their assignment. Dr. Daniel urges qualified leaders from myriad backgrounds to consider applying, writing, “Leaders from interfaith and ecumenical traditions, academic disciplines, relevant professional and denominational roles, and innovators in educational practices are invited to consider this unique opportunity.” Visit the link below to learn more, nominate a candidate, or submit your application. Apply or Nominate a Candidate 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. Search Committee Contact Grace Pennings Guenthner (’26) Administrative Assistant, Presidential Search Committee pssearch@unitedseminary.edu

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July 22, 2026

Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and the MN Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) are delighted to offer a one-day workshop on congregational fundraising, a partnership made possible by a denominational grant. On Saturday, November 7, registration starts at 8:30 AM, and the seminar begins at 9:00 AM. Cultivating Generous Congregations maps the new landscape of religious giving and stewardship and provides tools to build a culture of generosity unique to each congregation’s needs and challenges. As the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving says about the training: “We invite you and your ministry team to participate in a seminar experience that could change the way you and your congregation approach giving and generosity. Cultivating Generous Congregations (CGC) is an interactive seminar offered… in partnership with denominational or network organizations, demonstrating how pastors and ministry leaders can unearth and energize congregational generosity by exploring the significant and necessary steps to creating lasting cultural change within a congregation. Interactive segments of CGC explore theology, the role of adaptive leadership, fiscal transparency, and the importance of donor care, with action steps to impact the exploration and experience of generosity for both laity and clergy. This course can be tailored for many faith traditions or demographics.” According to The Lake Institute, this seminar will help participants: rethink their role in church/meeting finances; become better stewards of their donors’ gifts; and awaken an ongoing spirit of generosity within their communities. Registration To learn more or ask questions, contact Rev. Wendy Vander Hart, Generosity Officer, via email or by phone at 612.465.7181. For questions related to United, contact Ryan Currens, United’s Institutional Major Gifts Officer. You can learn more about the course and the Lake Institute here. > Access the Institute’s Cultivating Generous Congregations Flyer here. > Who Should Attend? This event is designed for pastors and church leadership. Whether you are an ordained minister, deacon, elder, or lay leader, we welcome all members of a congregation’s pastoral staff and leadership team. Cost Registration is $200 per UCC team of 3–6 people, including the pastor. The reduced course fee is made possible by grant funding. Registration costs $245 per non-UCC congregational team of 3–6. Teams should include at least one pastor and at least two church members. For any team that has more than six members, each additional member will be charged $50. Venue This event is being hosted at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Click here for directions and parking instructions. >

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February 25, 2026

Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and the MN Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) are offering a one-day workshop on congregational fundraising, a partnership made possible by a denomination grant. Cultivating Generous Congregations maps the new landscape of religious giving and stewardship and provides you and your team with tools for building a culture of generosity unique to the congregation’s needs and challenges. As the Lake Institute says about the training: “We invite you and your ministry team to participate in a seminar experience that could change the way you and your congregation approach giving and generosity. Cultivating Generous Congregations (CGC) is an interactive seminar offered… in partnership with denominational or network organizations, demonstrating how pastors and ministry leaders can unearth and energize congregational generosity by exploring the significant and necessary steps to creating lasting cultural change within a congregation. Interactive segments of CGC explore theology, the role of adaptive leadership, fiscal transparency, and the importance of donor care, with action steps to impact the exploration and experience of generosity for both laity and clergy. This course can be tailored for many faith traditions or demographics.” According to The Lake Institute, this seminar will help participants: rethink their role in church/meeting finances; become better stewards of their donors’ gifts; and awaken an ongoing spirit of generosity within their communities. Registration Register at this link. To learn more or ask questions, please contact Rev. WendyVanderHart, Generosity Officer, via email or by phone at 612.465.7181. For questions related to United, please contact Ryan Currens, United’s Institutional Major Gifts Officer. You can learn more about the course and the Lake Institute here. > Access the Institute’s Cultivating Generous Congregations Flyer here. > Who Should Attend? This event is designed for pastors and church leadership. Whether you are an ordained minister, deacon, elder, or lay leader, we welcome all members of a congregation’s pastoral staff and leadership team. Cost Registration is $150 per team of 3–8 people, including the pastor. The reduced course fee is made possible by grant funding. Venue This event is being hosted by United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Click here for directions and parking instructions. >

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August 12, 2025

Sacred Spaces as Social Enterprise: Managing Resources for Financial Sustainability

Many faith communities are facing a financial crisis due to dwindling membership and reduced giving. By taking a Social Enterprise perspective, faith leaders can discover new ways to stabilize finances and enhance their mission. This free 60-minute seminar, led by Dr. J. Howard “Jim” Kucher, an adjunct professor of Social Entrepreneurship at United, will introduce you to some of the concepts needed to begin the journey. Also an associate professor of Social Innovation at the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Jim is an award-winning teacher and internationally recognized thought leader in social entrepreneurship. He is the lead author of Social Entrepreneurship: A Practice-Based Approach to Social Innovation, published in 2022 by Edward Elgar Publishers. Jim also works as a consultant to leading and emerging social benefit initiatives to help them improve outcomes and increase sustainable revenues. He has successfully secured more than $70 million in working capital on behalf of mission-oriented enterprises and helped more than 100 area nonprofits and social enterprises develop new models for meeting their constituents’ needs while increasing their organization’s sustainability.  Jim holds a doctorate in Public Administration with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship and an MBA with an Entrepreneurship specialization from The University of Baltimore. He has also earned certification as a project management professional and a new product development professional. He has been recognized as a Baltimore Renaissance Seed Scholar, an Unsung Hero of Small Business, and a Fulbright Specialist Scholar in Social Entrepreneurship. His current research explores the field of economic theology and its practical application in faith-based social enterprise. This event is being hosted at United and online; for those attending onsite, please be advised that Dr. Kucher will be appearing via video. We hope you can join us in person or on Zoom for this free and unique educational offering.

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