wfn.org | Committee urges stronger partnerships with Presbyterian schools

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Note #6023 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

GA00075
June 27, 2000

Committee urges stronger partnerships with Presbyterian schools

	by Midge Mack

LONG BEACH, June 27 - Finishing its work before noon Tuesday, the Assembly
Committee on Educational Institutions recommended a more strongly worded
version of an overture from Transylvania Presbytery  seeking to strengthen
partnerships  between the PC(USA) and its related schools, colleges and
universities.

	The strengthening phrases, debated grammatically and amended several times,
were added as a result of concerns brought to the committee by Synod of the
Trinity executive the Rev. Tom Johnson. “It’s a matter of process,” Johnson
had told them. “We need clarification of our role, and we need  to be
included in consultation with those schools where we have a relationship.”

	The committee’s other work included approving Laura Mendenhall to succeed
Douglas Oldenburg as the president of Columbia Theological Seminary in
Decatur, Ga., along with new trustees elected by 10 Presbyterian seminaries
and the roster of  institutions of higher education related to the PC(USA).
The committee also authorized the sacrament to be served at a variety of
church-related events.

	Another responsibility of this committee is review of synod minutes and
those of the Council on Theological Education. All but one synod  received
approval from the committee, most with minor exceptions and comments, as did
COTE.

	This committee enjoyed a unique opportunity for in-depth learning about
Presbyterian seminaries through presentations representing both students’
and administrators’ perspectives.  The first panel was comprised of four
seminarians.  The second included presidents of Pittsburgh, Austin and
Princeton seminaries and the dean of Johnson C. Smith Seminary. Both
perspectives explored financial aspects as well as   theological and
sociological advantages and disadvantages of  attending a Presbyterian
seminary versus a non-Presbyterian institution.

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