News
Rev. Mary Harris, Dean of Students, Retiring - For nearly 20 years, the Rev. Mary Harris, Dean of Students, has been a central figure in the life of Christian Theological Seminary. Upon returning from Christmas break, she notified the Seminary that she would be retiring at the beginning of February. Rev. Harris began working at CTS on June 15, 2000, as Church and […]
CTS Seminary Approval Renewed by The United Methodist Church - Christian Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that the University Senate of the United Methodist Church has renewed the status of CTS as an educational institution approved “for the preparation of candidates for ordination in The United Methodist Church.” Schools that are not officially part of the UMC must uphold certain guidelines and standards in […] CTS Announces Membership in the Association of Hispanic Theological Education and the Hispanic Summer Program - Christian Theological Seminary is excited to announce membership with two organizations, the Association of Hispanic Theological Education and the Hispanic Summer Institute. The Association of Hispanic Theological Education (AETH) is a non-profit organization and network of institutions that is “dedicated to the promotion and improvement of theological education and its impact on the lives of […]
Reflections on the Mixed Methods Preaching Conference - The Lord’s Doing and It is Marvelous in our Eyes Every now and then God blows the fresh wind of grace upon a project or an idea and does the incredible. Such was the case in the September 9-12, 2019, Mixed Methods Preaching Conference hosted by the PhD Program of African American Preaching and Sacred […]
P.E. MacAllister, Executive, Civic Leader, and CTS Trustee, Dies at 101 - Pershing Edwin (P.E.) MacAllister, a prominent Indianapolis executive, civic leader, and member of the CTS community, died on October 23 at the age of 101. He served on the CTS Board of Trustees from 1972-1984 and as chairman from 1977-1984. MacAllister joined with C. Richard Petticrew to endow the MacAllister Petticrew Chair of Biblical Interpretation […]
CTS Statement on Recent Shootings and the Plague of Gun Violence - Sobering. Terrifying. Demoralizing. These are just a few of the words we could use to describe the recent events in the United States. On August 5th, CBS News reported that we have had 255 massacres so far in 2019, with 5 happening within 8 days of that report. Hope that our leaders will be compelled […]
Rev. Nathan Day Wilson to Participate in Seminar about Christian Witness in an Interfaith World - Château de Bossey, Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland – Rev. Nathan Day Wilson, Director of Communications at CTS, will participate in an extensive seminar program on “Equipping Each Other for Christian Witness in a Multi-cultural and Multi-faith World” at the Ecumenical Institute de Bossey from August 5-15, 2019. The Ecumenical Institute at Bossey is the international center for encounter, […] One-of-a-Kind PhD Program Welcomes New Students - Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) announces members of the second cohort of students for the Ph.D. in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric program. Alongside the members of the first cohort of this unique doctoral program, these twelve new scholar-practitioners will ignite a preaching renaissance to revive Christianity in America in the 21st century. The diverse […] Alumni: Connect Students and Audit a Course for Free - Attention CTS alumni! Help us connect with future students and audit a class for free! #CTSConnect Do you know anyone who might be interested in becoming a student at CTS? Right now, any CTS alum referring a prospective student who ends up enrolling will be able to audit any one of the five fall semester […]
Rev. Courtney Buggs Joins Faculty as Visiting Professor of Homiletics - Christian Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that Rev. Courtney Buggs will join the faculty as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Homiletics in Fall 2019. Rev. Buggs was awarded the prestigious Louisville Institute postdoctoral fellowship to serve for two years at CTS. The Louisville Institute is a Lilly Endowment funded initiative that provides support for […]
Fall ’19 Course on the Theological Legacy of James Cone - Indeed our survival and liberation depend upon our recognition of the truth when it is spoken and lived by the people. If we cannot recognize the truth, then it cannot liberate us from untruth. To know the truth is to appropriate it, for it is not mainly reflection and theory. Truth is divine action entering […]
CTS Students Visit Abbey of Gethsemani on Class Trip - Students taking C877, Merton, Ministry, and Contemporary Life, visited the Abbey of Gethsemani, a short distance from Bardstown, KY, on April 11th and 12th. This was part of a Spring semester course on the life, thought, and legacy of Thomas Merton. Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk who lived at Gethsemani Abbey for more than […]
CTS Welcomes Dr. David M. Mellott as Seventh President - After an extensive search process by the Board of Trustees, Christian Theological Seminary is excited to announce that Dr. David M. Mellott has been named the Seminary’s seventh president. His tenure will officially begin on July 1, 2019. Since 2011, Dr. Mellott has served as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean, and Professor of Theological […]
Prof. Robert Saler Attends International Orthodox Conference as Ecumenical Observer - Prof. Robert Saler, Associate Dean and Research Professor of Religion and Culture at CTS, recently attended the inaugural meeting of the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA) from January 9-12, 2019, in Iaşi, Romania, as the Lutheran ecumenical observer. IOTA is a community of scholars and professionals dedicated to the worldwide exchange of knowledge within the context […]
MLK Day Message from Dr. Leah Gunning Francis - Chalice Press shares a special message and announcement from CTS Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Dr. Leah Gunning Francis. CTS Library Expands African American Collection - The Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) library has been significantly expanding its collection of texts related to the African American religious, cultural, and historical experience to support its new PhD Program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric. This collection, which now totals more than 500 new titles and includes access to several digital academic databases, […]
Statement from President Bill Kincaid on Pittsburgh Temple Shootings - Last Saturday, another gunman opened fire on yet another house of worship. Eleven dead. These eleven will be added to those recently killed at grocery stores, concerts, schools, homes, restaurants, clubs and street corners. October 27 was the 300th day of 2018. It was also the day of the 294th mass shooting of 2018 in […]
Prof. Bill Kincaid Authors New Book - Professor Bill Kincaid, Interim President and Herald B. Monroe Associate Professor of Leadership and Ministry Studies at CTS, authored a new book, Like Stepping Into a Canoe: Nimbleness and the Transition into Ministry. As the subtitle indicates, this new book, which is Prof. Kincaid’s second, addresses the transition from seminary training into a ministry context. […] Tragedy at Table Rock - UPDATE: Emotions ran high when news emerged that nine members of the Coleman family had died in a duck boat accident near Branson, Missouri. We felt grief over the staggering loss of life, confusion over how such a thing could happen, and concern about how the family would deal with such catastrophic circumstances. The […]
CTS at DOC National Convocation - Christian Theological Seminary celebrates the participation of several members of the CTS community in the biennial session of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which recently took place in Birmingham, AL. Every two years the National Convocation hosts a gathering to support its ongoing work and provide opportunities for worship, fellowship, […]
Professor Suzanne Coyle Completes Advanced Practice Certificate at the Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy - CTS Professor Suzanne Coyle completed a Narrative Therapy Advanced Practice Certificate from the Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy. Coyle also recently presented “Integrating Spirituality in a Family Therapy Training Program” at the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration Annual Conference in New York. Coyle is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family […]
CTS Professor Speaks about Suicide Prevention - CTS Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Mental Health Counseling & Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Matthias Beier, spoke on WISH-TV about suicide, the importance of mental health, and what signs to look for in order to tell if someone may be considering taking their own life. Click the image to view […]
Christian Theological Seminary Adds Two Faculty Members - Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) announces two faculty members will join the Indianapolis-based Seminary effective July 1, 2018. Rev. Dr. Kimberly D. Russaw joins the faculty as Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible; and Rev. Dr. Amy Lindeman Allen joins the CTS faculty as Assistant Professor of New Testament. As dialogue in both church and society continues […]
A Step on the Journey - Last week students, alumni, staff, and faculty participated in an experimental art project here on campus. Large footprints were taped to the walls throughout the school inviting people to reflect on their own journey to and through CTS. Each footprint asked a question: What persons and places called you to your journey at CTS? What […]
Faith & Action Project Grant Deadline Approaching - 2018 is the second year the Faith & Action Project will be awarding $100,000 in grants. If you plan to apply for a Faith & Action Project grant, your first deadline is quickly approaching. You must submit your Letter of Intent and Program Summary by noon on May 9th online. Submit here.
Christian Theological Seminary Mourns the Death of Rev. Dr. James Hal Cone - Christian Theological Seminary joins our academic and church communities around the world in mourning the death of Rev. Dr. James Hal Cone. Known as the “father of black liberation theology,” he served most of his career as a distinguished professor of theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York and was the author of a […]
Dick Hamm Reflects on King’s Legacy and the March for Justice - Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm, Interim Vice President for Seminary Advancement at CTS, wrote a piece in the ”Faith and Values” section of the Indianapolis Star on Sunday, April 8, 2018, reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and the march for justice. Read it by clicking on the image below.
CTS Commemorates the Protestant Reformation and the Civil Rights Movement - On Wednesday, April 4, Christian Theological Seminary is convening the community for reflection and discussion of two world-changing events: The Protestant Reformation and the Civil Rights movement. Morning and evening events will explore themes of liberty, social justice and equality espoused by two visionaries and activists named Martin Luther. Both events are free and open […]
CTS Professor Frank A. Thomas at ‘A Ripple of Hope’ Film Screening - On April 3, the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative is hosting a special viewing of the documentary film, A Ripple of Hope in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Afterward, join the filmmaker, Don Boggs, for a special panel discussion with Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F. Kennedy Human […]
Higher Learning Commission Reaccreditation - As a seminary already accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, CTS will host a visit by an HLC reaccreditation team on April 23-24, 2018. In preparation for this visit, CTS has undergone a year-long Self-Study process in 2017 and submitted to HLC a comprehensive report of its findings, judged against five criteria: (1) institutional mission, […]
Confronting the Idol Worship of Guns - CTS professor Matthias Beier was recently published in the Tikkun Daily on the subject of the NRA’s idol worship of guns. “To translate the message of the NRA pointedly: God wants you to have a gun. Only the NRA, America’s pimp for the gun industry, could come up with that blasphemous idea. The narrative that […]
The #MeToo Movement - http://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.wfyi.org/wfyi/audio/NOLI/NOLI_18-03-15.mp3 On WFYI‘s No Limits, CTS Professor Felicity Kelcourse discussed the #MeToo movement as more women speak out about sexual harassment and unwanted advancements. The idea of moving from tolerance to respect, appropriate touch and how the movement impacts different communities was discussed. Professor Kelcourse was joined by Lisa Meece a professional cuddler from Indy. […]
20th Annual Psychotherapy and Spirituality Conference - Celebrating two decades of scholarship and instruction, Christian Theological Seminary is proud to host its 20th annual Psychotherapy and Spirituality Conference on March 16-17, 2018. This year’s honored guest is Dr. Jessica Benjamin. Dr. Benjamin has been a practicing psychoanalyst in New York City for more than 35 years and is a Clinical Professor at […]
First cohort of Yoga Teacher Training graduates! - CTS celebrates the graduation of the first cohort from its new Yoga Teacher Training, which is part of CTS’s new Yoga, Spirituality and Wellness program. The training involves three classes that satisfy Yoga Alliance’s 200 hours of teacher training and provides students with deep knowledge of Christian wellness and formation. Congratulations to: Adrienne Lacy Cynthia […]
Faith & Action Project at Christian Theological Seminary receives $200,000 grant - Local efforts to address the causes of poverty received added momentum in the form of a $200,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation. Awarded to help the Faith & Action Project of Christian Theological Seminary address social justice and racial equity in Indianapolis, the award is part of a $2.5 million program that Lumina President and […]
CTS Library Director, Anthony Elia, Featured in New Book - CTS Director of Library Anthony Elia is featured in a new book, This is What a Librarian Looks Like: A Celebration of Libraries, Communities, and Access to Information. According to the book’s website, “In 2014, author and photographer Kyle Cassidy published a photo essay on Slate.com called “This is What A Librarian Looks Like,” a montage of […]
“God’s Light – A Celebration of 500 Years of Reformation” at CTS this Saturday! - Christian Theological Seminary is excited to welcome the renowned Valparaiso University Chorale and the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra to its campus on Saturday, November 18, at 5:00pm for an exciting evening of music. The evening’s program will consist of Cantatas 79, 80, and the commissioned work Into the Light by composer Jake Runestad. Under the director […]
MAMFT Program Celebrates 25 Years of Accreditation - On September 29, the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Program at CTS celebrated 25 years of accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education with a celebration dinner gathering faculty, staff, alumni and current students in the program. Dr. Nenetzin Reyes, president-elect of Indiana Association for Marriage and […]
Frank Thomas Patheos Article on Healthcare Policy - Reflecting on his faith, his own medical needs, and political ideologies, Prof. Frank Thomas wrote a recent article for Patheos about the current healthcare policy debate in the United States. Read it here.
Christian Theological Seminary Stands for DACA - The United States appeals to many outside its borders as a land of opportunity. Many parents brought their children here for a future that seemed otherwise out of reach, and they have become a rich part of our nation’s fabric. The Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was created to offer a path to […]
Nashville Statement Omits a Key Christian Tenet: Love - Have you read the Nashville Statement? It’s written by a group of people professing to be Christian and calling themselves “A Coalition for Biblical Sexuality.” The statement is a quick read, which is good since it is painful. It’s like ripping off a band aid – you want to get it over as quickly as […]
Hurricane Harvey Relief - Like many of you, we’ve been watching reports of the devastation from Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in Texas and Louisiana with a heavy heart. Countless heroic individuals have been working tirelessly to rescue people from their homes and set up temporary shelters. Soon these communities will begin the long road to rebuilding. In this Wednesday’s chapel […]
Six Poverty-fighting Projects Selected for Grants - Projects working to help Hoosier families and individuals escape poverty have received a $125,000 boost in the form of the inaugural round of Faith & Action Project grants. Organizers had intended to award $100,000, but increased the grant pool after reviewing proposals. Six area programs will receive grants aimed at helping them expand their reach […]
CTS Statement Regarding Events in Charlottesville, VA - As the interim president, dean, and faculty of Christian Theological Seminary, we join leaders in this country and around the world in condemning the recent violence and hatred in Charlottesville, Virginia – a vibrant city of vital history and beautiful diversity. We offer prayers for the family and loved ones of the woman killed, Heather […]
CTS and Butler Collaboration Update - CTS President Matthew Boulton and Butler President Jim Danko discuss the CTS/Butler collaboration. Dear CTS Friends and Family, Greetings from Christian Theological Seminary. As many of you know from periodic updates, forums, and conversation over the last two years, CTS and Butler University have been exploring options for collaboration and space-sharing. On the CTS side, […]
Discipleship Project Cohort Visits Washington, D.C. - For their final activity together as students, members of the third CTS Discipleship Project (TDP) cohort traveled to Washington, D.C. the week of commencement to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Most students in this cohort will graduate this weekend, having completed their M.Div. degrees, while those pursuing dual degrees […]
Dr. Frank A. Thomas installed in the Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller chair of Homiletics - On Tuesday, May 9, Dr. Frank A. Thomas was officially installed in the Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller chair of Homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary. Professor Thomas becomes the third occupant of the chair, preceded by professors Calvin Porter and Ron Allen. In 1986, the Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller chair was created […] Christian Theological Seminary Launches Search for Faculty Position in Biblical Studies - As the 2016-17 academic year concludes and a new class of seminarians prepares to matriculate, Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) is commencing a search for a new faculty position. The Indianapolis-based ecumenical Seminary with ties to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is seeking a faculty member in biblical interpretation. The full-time position will be tenure-track […]
CTS Alum Bere Gil Soto to Serve as Reconciliation Program Minister - Congratulations to CTS alum Bere Gil Soto (MDiv and MAMFT, 2016), upon being named Program Minister for a new collaboration between the General Church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Indiana Regional Office. The shared initiative between the General and Regional expressions of the Christian Church was created to address the implications […]
CTS Awards Honorary Degrees to Renowned Faith and Social Justice Advocates - Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) will award honorary degrees to two of the nation’s most influential faith and social justice advocates during commencement exercises on Saturday, May 20. Rev. Dr. William Barber, II, President of the North Carolina NAACP, pastor at Greenleaf Church and founder of the “Moral Monday” movement; and Jim Wallis, president and founder […]Faith & Mental Health Conference - Faith & Mental Health Conference Register for this two-day mental health training conference in Indianapolis at CTS. Open to the public.
The 19th Annual Psychotherapy and Spirituality Conference - Dr. Roger Brooke, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Military Psychological Services at Duquesne University, will deliver a public lecture at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) on Friday, April 20, from 7pm to 9pm. Titled “The Soldier’s Heart: A Moral and Spiritual Calling,” Dr. Brooke’s lecture will engage civilians, veterans, mental health care […]
CTS Enhances Discipleship Project to Include Non-Residential Cohort Members - Five years after Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) introduced The Discipleship Project as an immersive and experiential program for Master of Divinity (M.Div) students, the Indianapolis-based Seminary is opening up the program requirements to include individuals living off-campus. CTS accepts 12 students into The Discipleship Program each year. Each receives full tuition at CTS—paid for the […]
500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation Panel - Christian Theological Seminary and the Liberty Fund will host three events in 2017 exploring how the Protestant Reformation continues to impact faith, civil and secular communities 500 years after the momentous movement transformed the Christian church. Open to the public, the first panel discussion titled, “The Continuing Significance of the Protestant Reformation” will be held […]
Find Your Call, Live Your Dream - God has great things in store for you. Find out how you can find your call and live your dream with an education from Christian Theological Seminary. Have questions? Contact the Admissions Office.
Christian Theological Seminary Announces President’s Departure - The Board of Trustees of Christian Theological Seminary today announced that after six years at the helm of Christian Theological Seminary, Matthew Myer Boulton will step down from the presidency on August 1, 2017, in order to return to his first love of teaching, writing and academic work. “While we were saddened to hear this […]
Faith & Action Project 2017 Spring Conference - Prepare to be inspired as you learn about best practices for fighting poverty at the Faith & Action Project’s Spring Conference on Tuesday, March 14, at the Christian Theological Seminary. Throughout the day, best-selling authors, community advocates and change agents will come together from across the United States and here in Central Indiana to explore […]
CTS Counseling Center Offering Free Couple’s Check-Ups - Central Indiana couples can invest in the health of their relationship all month long by attending a free Couple’s Check-Up screening offered by the Counseling Center at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS). Free screenings will be offered on a walk-in basis on Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, January 14. Complimentary screenings are also available by appointment […]
Jewish Liturgical Music: A DIY Experience, January 23 - Music is interwoven in faith traditions throughout the world and in sacred literature such as the Bible and the Talmud. On Monday, January 23, Rabbi Reuben Zellman, Director of Music at Congregation Beth El in Berkley, California, will present a free, do-it-yourself introduction to Jewish liturgical music from 7pm to 8:30 pm in Room 166 […]
IMPD Commander Chris Bailey on Responding to Harassment - As incidents of harassment appear to be increasing around the globe, throughout America and right here in Central Indiana, CTS staff reached out to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department North District Commander Chris Bailey for his thoughts on how an individual should respond when experiencing or witnessing an act of harassment. In his response, Commander Bailey […]
Dayspring Center Donations - Christian Theological Seminary staff, faculty, students and friends are making Christmas brighter for local families and children who find themselves homeless. Through December 15, CTS is collecting donations for 14 families – including 134 children – currently served by the Dayspring Center and its Wellspring Transitional Housing program in Indianapolis. The Dayspring Center (insert link: […]Becoming a Public Theologian: Christian Activism in the 21st Century - The inaugural CTS/OPEN course invites lifelong learners and CTS degree students to explore how pastors and theologians are expanding their missions and ministries beyond congregational communities to serve the common good. Becoming a Public Theologian: Christian Activism in the 21st Century will be offered Monday, January 23, 2017, to Friday, January 27, 2017, at St […]
Join CTS in Celebrating #Giving Tuesday - Support CTS and be part of a global day of giving on Tuesday, November 29. #Giving Tuesday is a movement harnessing the power of social media to spur end-of-year giving. After the commercial focus of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, #Giving Tuesday is a call for people to give back to the […]
CTS Announces Recipients of Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs - The gift of respite, reflection and renewal is being awarded to 146 U.S. congregations — including 29 Indiana congregations — via the 2016 Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program grants and Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations. The program provides pastoral leaders with a respite from the daily demands of parish life, allowing them time […]
Myer Boulton Published in Huffington Post on Looking Beyond Semantics - Names can quickly become misnomers. Take for example the term “Nones” which was widely publicized in outlets such as the New York Times and NPR following publication of a Pew Forum study last fall. Amid the media frenzy, a trend toward less affiliation with specific religions became erroneously interpreted as a trend away from religious […]
Kincaid’s new book examines pastoral education - The phrase “finding one’s voice” has become a pervasive yet elusive metaphor for identity. How is the pastoral voice developed and what components come together to define a pastor’s voice? In his new book, Finding Voice— How Theological Field Education Shapes Pastoral Identity, (Wipf and Stock Publishers) CTS Director of Field Education and Herald B. […]
¡Santo! offers deep, broad view of Latino culture - The National Catholic Reporter (NCR) Book Club recently praised the book ¡Santo! by Edwin David Aponte, the vice president and academic dean of Christian Theological Seminary. NCR says the book sheds light on the history and future of the Latino community revealing the broad and complex nature of a culture that many Anglos have not […]
Anti-Apartheid Activist Appointed to Joint Position - INDIANAPOLIS—Christian Theological Seminary and Butler University have appointed world-renowned South African theologian Allan Boesak as Desmond Tutu Chair for Peace, Global Justice, and Reconciliation Studies, a new four-year position held jointly with both institutions. The title recognizes Boesak’s influential activism against racial apartheid in the 1980s in his native South Africa, where he worked closely […]
Are You Free? - Are you hindering someone else’s freedom? Are you even free yourself? In his new book Freedom in Resistance and Creative Transformation, CTS Professor Michael Miller argues that despite the claimed importance of freedom in the Christian faith—not to mention a host of other secular settings—there continues to be interpersonal, socio-political, and religious power hierarchies that […]
A New CTS Vision - Commencement celebrations at CTS this spring are about more than mortar boards and matriculates. The seminary is also celebrating the commencement of a new CTS Vision. Read the entire document: A Strategic Vision for CTS (PDF). Below, CTS President Matthew Myer Boulton elaborates on the Vision Document recently approved by the CTS Board of Trustees. […]
The Stone-Campbell Movement: A Global History is published - The publication of The Stone-Campbell Movement: A Global History concludes a seven-year journey for Scott Seay, Christian Theological Seminary Associate Professor of the History of Global Christianity. Professor Seay served as managing editor of the book, working with general editors D. Newell Williams, Douglas A. Foster and Paul M. Blowers, as well as 10 contributing […]
The Dream Today - Fifty years after the April 12, 1963, Good Friday arrest of Martin Luther King in Birmingham, Alabama—where he famously penned, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”—Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) commemorated the half-century anniversary of a momentous year in the American Civil Rights movement. Some of the world’s most renowned and influential thought leaders on Dr. King’s […]
