Nonprofit organizations and faith communities working to provide Marion County residents with pathways out of poverty are invited to apply for grants of up to $30,000 from the Christian Theological Seminary Faith & Action Project.

The Faith & Action Project is working to spark a revolution of hope in Indianapolis by leveraging resources to connect, inspire and empower lasting solutions for people living in poverty.

The grant program is a multi-step process. First-round grant applications are due April 15. The application and more details are available here.

At least one representative from the organization must attend the Faith & Action Project Spring Conference on March 11 for an application to be considered. Register for free at https://www.cts.edu/faith-action/spring-conference/. For those applicants invited to the second round, full grant applications are due on May 27. Recipients will be announced by July 1.

Funding for the grants and events has been provided by Faith & Action Project supporters, including the Mike and Sue Smith Family Fund, The Indianapolis Foundation, The Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr., Memorial Foundation, Lumina Foundation and the Petticrew Foundation.

Grants should focus on education, health, affordable housing, employment pathways, and/or networks of support for individuals and families in or on the cusp of poverty.

“This year the Grants Committee will give favorable consideration to efforts working to provide safe and affordable housing,” said Lindsey Nell Rabinowitch, director of the Faith & Action Project at CTS. “We see housing as a human right, but also as a core tenet to a pathway out of poverty.”

Since 2017, CTS has provided more than $990,000 in 42 grants to faith communities and nonprofits as part of the Faith & Action Project. A full list is available at https://www.cts.edu/faith-action/grant-program/#grants .

About the Faith & Action Project

Christian Theological Seminary’s Faith & Action Project serves as a catalyst for action to move people out of poverty, by educating, empowering and supporting Greater Indianapolis’ faith and community leaders.  Through annual public events and grants, the Faith & Action Project seeks to ignite a solution-oriented movement for inclusive well-being in our community. The Faith & Action Project is supported by Mike and Sue Smith Family Fund, The Indianapolis Foundation, The Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr., Memorial Foundation, Lumina Foundation and The Petticrew Foundation.

About Christian Theological Seminary

Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), a fully-accredited ecumenical graduate school open to all with historic roots in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), celebrates its 100th anniversary during the 2024-2025 academic year. CTS offers masters and doctoral degree programs through its School of Theology and School of Counseling, accessible mental health services through the Counseling Center, and collaboration to address systemic social justice issues through the Faith & Action Project. Throughout the last century, CTS has dedicated itself to theological and counseling education, social justice, and community leadership. Through four centennial events this year, CTS will continue to bear witness to God’s liberative, restorative, and life-affirming message.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jen Schmits Thomas, je*@*****nc.com, 317-441-2487

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lane E. Davis as Assistant Professor of Church History and United Methodist Studies, effective July 1, 2024. He will also serve as Director of United Methodist Studies for the Seminary. Dr. Davis brings a wealth of experience in religious studies, teaching, and scholarly research, making him an exceptional addition to the CTS faculty. This appointment demonstrates CTS’ commitment to serving as a seminary for United Methodist Church students by adding a full-time faculty member to represent and support students from the denomination.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lane E. Davis to our community,” said Dr. David M. Mellott, President of Christian Theological Seminary. “Dr. Davis’s extensive expertise in United Methodist history, theology, and polity will enrich our academic programs and enhance our commitment to preparing transformative leaders for ministry.”

Dr. Francisco Lozada, Jr., Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, added, “We are excited about the valuable contributions in theological education that Dr. Davis will make at CTS and look forward to the positive impact he will have for all our students and for Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.”

With a PhD in History of the Christian Tradition from Southern Methodist University, Dr. Davis has established himself as a leading scholar in Methodist studies. His scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed articles, essays, and book reviews, reflecting his dedication to exploring the intersections of theology and history within the Methodist tradition.

Prior to joining CTS, Dr. Davis served as an Assistant Professor of Religion at Huntingdon College, where he taught a variety of courses, ranging from Introduction to Old Testament to American Church History. His commitment to pedagogical excellence and interdisciplinary scholarship will contribute to the vibrant academic community at CTS.

In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Davis is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and a member of the Tennessee Annual Conference. He has been active in leadership in both local congregations and in the denomination.
“I am honored to join Christian Theological Seminary and contribute to its mission of theological education and leadership formation,” said Dr. Lane E. Davis. “I look forward to working with students, faculty, and community partners to deepen our understanding of the United Methodist tradition and its role in shaping the church and society.”

As Director of United Methodist Studies, Dr. Davis will oversee the education and preparation of students affiliated with the United Methodist Church, while also providing theological support to UMC pastors in the Indiana Conference. His leadership, scholarship, and commitment to Methodist education will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of CTS.

Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) is a fully-accredited ecumenical graduate school open to all with historic roots in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). CTS offers master and doctoral degree programs through its School of Theology and School of Counseling, accessible mental health services through the Counseling Center, and collaboration to mitigate poverty through the Faith & Action Project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Seeger
Communications Department
Christian Theological Seminary
ss*****@*ts.edu

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“It is an honor to welcome such an accomplished scholar and highly esteemed leader to our team during this exciting time in our history,” shares CTS President Dr. David M. Mellott. “Dr. Lozada brings a wealth of experience in theological education, New Testament studies, Latinx studies, and seeking innovative solutions to societal issues. His life and career embody CTS’ values, and his commitment to centering marginalized communities will further expand accessibility to the degree programs and resources we offer as we grow to meet the world’s need for transformative leaders.”

Dr. Lozada brings extensive leadership experience to his new role. During his time at Brite, he has been a leading voice in addressing hermeneutical and theological implications regarding how the Bible is employed and deployed in ethnic/racial communities. He serves on the board of the Hispanic Summer Program, guiding its efforts to shape the next generation of Latinx theological and ecclesial leaders, advises the board of Pathways Theological Education, an online program affiliated with the United Church of Christ, and serves as a member of the CPE Professional Advisory Group at Baylor Scott and White Health All Saints in Fort Worth, TX. He has also served extensively in leadership roles for the Society of Biblical Literature.

“Joining Christian Theological Seminary is exciting,” says Dr. Lozada. “It is an honor and privilege to join this esteemed theological school and to serve its faculty, staff, and students and the broader community. I look forward to working with the leadership team and the Board to promote academic and theological excellence and enhance student learning, and I am delighted to work with President Mellott in advancing the values and mission of CTS. I am honored to have been chosen for this new role and look forward to working with all my colleagues to make a difference in the world today.”

Lozada’s leadership, scholarship, and teaching focuses on hermeneutical and justice issues. Past courses he has taught include White Supremacy and Immigration, Historiography and Christian Nationalism, New Testament Interpretation, and Borderlands Travel Seminars. He is the author of Toward a Latino/a Biblical Interpretation and co-editor with Fernando Segovia of Latino/a Theology and the Bible: Ethnic-Racial Reflections on Interpretation. Currently, he serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Biblical Literature and Catholic Bible Quarterly.

Dr. Lozada holds a PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity from Vanderbilt University, a MTS from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a BA in Religious Studies from John Carroll University. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Puerto Rican parents and is Catholic with a commitment to strong ecumenical and interfaith relationships. Lozada is married to Wendi Lozada-Smith and the two share children Nico and Ana.

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As a practical theologian, Nick interrogates how intentional and unintentional practices shape Christian identities and configure worldviews. Teaching in the areas of preaching and worship, Nick is acutely interested in the ways biblical interpretation, tradition, culture, and social location inform public proclamation and liturgy. He has taught coursework at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, Morehouse College, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Columbia Theological Seminary, and Pennsylvania State University – Berks.

Nick is an ordained Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and has served broadly in the local church as assistant pastor, pastor, minister of music, and youth minister. He has a demonstrated commitment to ecumenism and has served in Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Mennonite, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist church contexts. Nick and his spouse NaKisha have twin 6-year-old sons Zayden and Zander. Please join us in welcoming Professor Nick Peterson to our faculty! We look forward to the many blessings his wealth of experience and visionary scholarship will bring to our community.

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 INDIANAPOLIS, IN April 28, 2023 — At the first State of the Seminary address at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), President David M. Mellott, PhD, announced that the Indianapolis-based institution has restructured to form two distinct schools: the School of Theology and the School of Counseling.

The formation of two schools is an extension of CTS’s strategic planning process that began in 2020 and involved input from more than 400 stakeholders, including thought leaders in theological education, alumni and community leaders.

“Creating these two schools is an evolution of the life-changing work and training that has been taking place at CTS for nearly a century. It’s also an affirmation of our commitment to address the gap in accessible mental health services,” said Dr. Mellott. “While CTS has offered counseling degrees for decades, mental health professionals in our region don’t often know about us. Furthermore, they don’t typically know about our Counseling Center, even though we provide thousands of client sessions every year—projected to be 10,000 sessions alone just this year.”

As CTS began implementing its strategic plan, it heard from therapists and those that employ therapists about the increasing need for qualified mental health professionals. Even more, CTS noted that when looking at the pool of therapists, African American and Hispanic populations are particularly under-represented. CTS also received feedback from pastors and others in ministry about the need for mental health resources, not only for their congregations, but also for themselves.

“God is calling us to participate in the transforming of this world,” said Dr. Mellott. “By strengthening congregations and addressing the mental health crisis in this country, we are doing just that.”

About the School of Counseling at Christian Theological Seminary

The School of Counseling offers a Marriage and Family Therapy degree and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. Both programs honor diversities of race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity and physical ability through their respective curriculums and clinical training. This emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion is also carried forth in the programs’ emphasis on integrating spirituality in the therapeutic enterprise.

Both counseling degree programs offer extensive onsite practicum experience at the CTS Counseling Center, where students see individuals, couples and families with supervised oversight. Additionally, all students participate in therapy themselves in order to provide empathetic care. Upon graduation, students can apply for licensure—in any state—as a marriage and family therapist or clinical mental health counselor through completing either degree program.

 About the School of Theology at Christian Theological Seminary

The School of Theology prepares leaders for a changing world as they proclaim God’s liberative, restorative and life-affirming message. It incorporates the Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry, and PhD in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric degree programs, as well as certificates in theology and yoga. CTS seeks to serve the world through serving the church, and we believe that our school of theology brings a distinctive voice, informed by these commitments, to contexts where the questions of the human family are asked, and easy answers are not provided.

Learn more or apply now at cts.edu

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Contact Information:

Christian Theological Seminary
Lori Long
(317) 225-3490
ll***@*******************ce.com

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According to IU Health, Dr. Gunning Francis will “provide direction to ensure engagement in ethical practice, quality spiritual and pastoral care, and effective philanthropy within the organization and the communities where IU Health is active.” She is looking forward to this vocational expansion, and to serving as a promoter of well-being for all Hoosiers. In her new role, she will be part of a leadership team that operationalizes health equity, putting IU Health’s values into action and making them a reality for employees, patients, and the community at large. She will serve as equal parts educator, minister, and administrator, bringing her skill sets together in a way that takes a big picture view of what health equity and well-being looks like.

When asked about her fondest memories at CTS, Dr. Gunning Francis immediately mentioned times of gathering. “The photo I keep visible on my office bookshelf is from our solar eclipse launch party. It was a moment prior to the Covid-19 pandemic when our community enjoyed music, laughter, and even solar eclipse shaped cookies made by Maarten and Laura. I love it because it is exemplary of a great community gathering, something so simple but so representative of the CTS spirit.” Dr. Gunning Francis holds dear any time that staff, faculty, and students were brought together, particularly when organized around social justice issues. She shares, “It’s so enlivening that CTS as an institution has sought to engage in real issues of disparity that impact residents right here in our own community.”

Leah also cherishes her time as an instructor, joking “every once in a while they let me teach, and every single time that has been one of my favorite things to do. I loved the opportunities to spend dedicated time with students, learning more about them and engaging them in critical theological reflection.”

While there are many things Leah learned during her time at CTS, she particularly values experiencing the way our community is present with one another, even when it is not possible to be present in person.  She says, “The human spirit for resilience is more powerful than I think we’ll ever know. In March 2020 when we had to shut down campus due to the pandemic, at that time nobody knew whether they would live or die. I was so proud to see how the CTS community exhibited such care, grace, resilience, and faith through that completely unchartered and scary time. I learned it’s at a time of crisis when people need you most, and I seek to embody that in my new position.”

Leah has left an indelible impact on CTS, our student body, and the work we do to join God’s transforming of the world. Please join us in wishing Rev. Dr. Leah Gunning Francis unparalleled success as she continues that good work in her new role as IU Health’s Senior Vice President and Chief Mission and Values Officer. We look forward to experiencing the positive impact of her leadership in our community for years to come.

Read the full press release from IU Health at this link.

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The CTS Compelling Preaching initiative seeks to help preachers love and improve their preaching by strengthening souls and transforming communities. The program is an extension of the African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric PhD in developing “practitioner-scholars,” learners deeply connected to the church and engaging in scholarship from the perspective of their location in ministry. This three-year initiative empowers preachers to be able to story themselves, to share not just a good sermon, but a deep level of spiritual and personal accountability where the Holy Spirit has revealed the truth of God and they have the homiletical skills to effectively organize and deliver what they have received. The program targets a national audience of preachers from diverse denominations and traditions.

“We are thrilled the CTS Compelling Preaching initiative was selected as a recipient of this groundbreaking grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. It represents another tremendous step that CTS is taking to connect our educational programs to meet the needs of the church on the ground, pulpit, and laity. This program fits squarely into CTS’ mission and specifically the mission for the PhD program: we believe the history, beauty, depth, power, and sheer genius of black preaching can generate a preaching renaissance to revive American Christianity in the 21st century,” said Program Director Rev. Dr. Frank A. Thomas.

The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative. Christian Theological Seminary is one of 32 organizations receiving funding in an invitational round of grants for the initiative, which is designed to help Christian pastors strengthen their abilities to proclaim the gospel in more engaging and effective ways.

“We are excited about the work that these organizations will do to foster and support preaching that better inspires, encourages and guides people to come to know and love God and to live out their Christian faith more fully,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion.  “Their programs will serve a significant number of aspiring and current preachers who are working to reach and engage increasingly diverse audiences both within and beyond congregations.”

The Compelling Preaching Initiative is part of the Endowment’s longstanding interest in supporting projects that help to nurture the religious lives of individuals and families and foster the growth and vitality of Christian congregations in the United States.

About Lilly Endowment 
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. The principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. In addition, the Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.

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Christian Theological Seminary  (CTS) is a fully-accredited ecumenical graduate school with historic roots in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that offers master and doctoral degree programs to form ministers, counselors, and laity to serve as leaders of the church and the world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Seeger
Communications Department
Christian Theological Seminary
ss*****@*ts.edu

Media Images for the CTS Compelling Preaching Initiative

Christian Theological Seminary – The Compelling Preaching Initiative, PhD Program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric

PhD Program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric Leadership. (from left) Assistant Director Rev. Dr. Courtney Buggs and Director Rev. Dr. Frank A Thomas

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Tapper comes to the position with a wide array of personal and professional experience. His credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Manchester University, a Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University, and his Master of Divinity degree from CTS. Following graduation from seminary, he served as a Chaplain for IU Health and as the Faith Formation Coordinator for Indianapolis’s First Mennonite Church. As cofounder of the Kindred Collective, author of The Mix blog, and current host of two podcasts that dive into important issues from theological, sociological, and political lenses, Tapper keeps an ear to the ground while exploring ways to include the marginalized in abundant living. Most recently, he served as an associate for resource consulting with the Center for Congregations.

Ben shares, “I believe that part of my life’s call is to ensure that someone notices those on the margins. I myself have lived large portions of my life on the margins. I have felt lost and invisible, and suffered due to oppression that was both personal and systemic. My seminary degree from CTS helped me better understand how to use my unique gifts and life experiences to shine light on the things that others wish to ignore while calling forth the power and capability of those that have historically been sidelined by the powers that be. That’s the work that I’ll continue to do as the chief diversity and equity officer for the city of Indianapolis.”

When asked how the CTS community can support him in his new role, Tapper suggested: “One thing that people can do is check out the SAVI racial equity scorecard. It details different measurements of racial equity for Indianapolis. I would encourage people to check out that scorecard and to take note of the racial inequities that exist. Then they can commit to learn more about the issue, donate to an organization that’s addressing the issue, or get directly involved with those that are trying to solve the problem itself.”

To listen to Ben’s podcasts, visit:

Center for Congregations Podcast

What Would It Take Podcast

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CTS’s redesigned Master of Divinity degree program now offers remote learning options for completing classes without eliminating the traditional in-person classroom experience. Consistent course offerings and individualized degree mapping allow students to complete the required credit hours at their own pace with minimal on-site intensives. “Thanks to this structural redesign, online options are enhanced by periodic weeklong in-person intensives that will allow students to form face-to-face bonds to last a lifetime. The new format and classroom technology exponentially increases access to the program without diminishing its excellent content and strong relational foundation,” says Associate Dean Dr. Rob Saler. 

CTS classrooms feature new technology that ensures remote learning is just as valuable and viable as in person attendance, creating an equitable experience for students across different mediums. Classroom setup allows instructors to interact with all students, whether they are physically in the room or attending class virtually. Education Technology Specialist Melissa Trahyn shares, “Classrooms now have a screen at the back of the room facing the instructor, two cameras (one with a view of the room and one with a view of the instructor), five microphones that pick up all sound, and a smart whiteboard at the front of the classroom. The camera focused on the instructor and follows them as they move, allowing faculty members the freedom to use their natural embodied movements in teaching. The screen in the back allows the instructors to feel like they can talk facing all students, whether they are physically in the room or attending remotely. Think of it like the last row in the class – that board is part of the classroom circle and conversation. It shows pictures and video feed of all the students attending class virtually.” Location is no longer a firm limitation – interested students can now experience CTS from wherever they call home. 

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree prepares graduates for multiple kinds of ministry and community leadership, including parish ministry, many types of chaplaincy, and non-profit and for-profit service-based environments. The program takes place in a variety of learning formats with an emphasis on community life, peer learning, and supervised ministry experiences. 

Reflecting on the excitement and importance of the changes, Dr. Saler shares, “In a time when the spiritual lives of so many are an evolving mix of online and embodied relationships, this degree will give students deep formation in navigating these waters on behalf of the church and world.” 

To learn more about the CTS MDiv program, click here. 

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The celebrated leaders selected to the third cohort include a nationally renowned author, influential pastors, a distinguished professor, and visionary storytellers. “CTS is blessed to welcome this third cohort of phenomenal scholar-practitioners into our PhD Program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric.  They bring a wealth of diverse experiences and interests that will inform their research and enliven their passions.  I look forward to formally welcoming them to the community,” shares Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Rev. Dr. Leah Gunning Francis.

Cohort 3 members are:

• Rev. Dr. Charity Fisher of Norfolk, VA
• Dr. Aisha R. Lovens of Jersey City, NJ
• Rev. Jason C. Reynolds of San Jose, CA
• Regan E. Robinson of Hammond, IN
• Rev. Dr. Charles Wesley Thurman, Jr. of Kansas City, MO
• Reverend Dr. Michael W. Waters of Dallas, TX.

Current PhD student and member of Cohort 1 Rev. R Janae Pitts-Murdock emphasizes the value of the program, sharing “the unrelenting intensity of intellectual inquiry is consistently matched by the authentic collegiality of my cohort, the contagious vision of Dr. Frank A. Thomas, and the vital contribution that our research will make to entities well beyond the Church and the Academy.”

Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in 2016, the PhD program welcomed its first two cohorts of students in 2017 and 2020. The program aims to develop practitioner-scholars connected to the church and the academy with critical awareness of the history of African American preaching and other forms of sacred rhetoric in the United States, the theologies informing this history and practice, the signature skills involved in the practice of African American preaching and sacred rhetoric, and the gifts these traditions can offer the wider, global church. Students complete their studies in a cohort experience with an initial focus on course work followed by comprehensive exams and culminating with a written dissertation.

The PhD program grew out of the visionary leadership of Rev. Dr. Frank A. Thomas, Founding Director and the Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary with the unwavering support of the Christian Theological Seminary Faculty and Board of Trustees. Thomas serves as the Director of the program, and Rev. Dr. Courtney Buggs, Assistant Professor of Homiletics, serves as the Assistant Director. Administrative and clerical support is provided by Program Coordinator Rose Arant.

More information about the PhD program can be found by clicking here.

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