Annual Report 2023

Dear Members of the CTS Community,

As I reflect on the year behind us and look forward to the year ahead, I am filled with gratitude and optimism. The 2022-2023 year was not just a page in the history of Christian Theological Seminary; it was a chapter of resilience, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to our mission and values. I hope you will join me in appreciating the diverse beauty of the tapestry that is CTS, woven of many threads that make possible the formation of visionary leaders and the practice of faithful leadership in action.

This year saw the announcement of Two Schools, One Mission at Christian Theological Seminary. The creation of the two signifies the distinct ways in which prospective students can engage in our degree programs. The School of Theology focuses on holistic formation and development of students, supporting their flourishing as humans and as religious leaders. The School of Counseling addresses the rising need for mental health professionals, allowing us to train more highly qualified therapists to enter the field. We recognize the growing need for this service, as our Counseling Center offered over 11,000 client sessions this past year. It is clear that at CTS, the practical application of knowledge is equally as important as the formation of compassionate and skilled therapists.

Our cultural climate and current events make it clear that our community, and the wider world, require an approach to Christian ministry that goes beyond doctrinal adherence to address issues of injustice, oppression, and prejudice. The changing dynamics of congregational life, the demands for mental health professionals, and the necessity for mental health resources within our faith communities are undeniable. Now more than ever, we need well-trained theologians and counselors living out our values and guiding our community to places of belonging and healing. The world needs to see our faith in action – serving the world through serving the church, fostering justice, compassion, beauty, and abundant life for all.

As you review this Annual Report, it is my hope that you take note of how its design replicates the many fabrics that come together to make CTS a leading theological and counseling institution, threads of both formation and practice. Our commitment to academic excellence and forming excellent theologians and counselors continues, as does our long-standing commitment to supporting the church, enhancing interfaith relationships, responding to mental health needs, and mitigating poverty. My hope is that you will spend some time with this digital annual report experiencing the warmth of what has come to pass and hope for what is yet to come.

Finally, I want to personally express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to each member of the CTS community, past and present, for the beauty you bring to the CTS tapestry. The future is bright, and I am excited to continue this transformative path with you.

In the Spirit,

David M. Mellott, PhD
President