Leading Theologically

What does our Christian faith have to say about the conflicts we experience in our lives and our world? Many of us grew up believing that conflict in our churches and communities was a sign of Things Gone Wrong. But what if there are other ways to consider — and respond to — conflict through the lens of faith? Join Lee and Associate Director of the Louisville Institute, the Rev. Dr. Aimee Moiso, for a conversation that is bound to be a learning experience for all involved!

William Yoo calls his 2022 history of slavery and anti-black racism in the Presbyterian Church, What Kind of Christianity. It is a great question and one that many Presbyterians know woefully little about. As Kwok Pui-Lan observes about the book, "In the global reckoning of Black Lives Matter [this book] is indispensable for understanding America's painful past." Come learn more about Dr. Yoo and this incredible book!

Did you know that prior to reunion, there were several all-Black governing bodies in the PC(USA)? Rev. Dr. Ed Newberry will be with us to discuss their legacy, including the history of Catawba Presbytery. A new video, a project of the Presbytery of Charlotte and the Presbyterian Foundation, tells the story of Catawba. Take this opportunity to listen in on a great conversation with Newberry, an unofficial historian for the PC(USA). Your questions and participation are encouraged and welcome!

A curator of sacred space, a writer, an artist, a strategist, a listener and a world adventurer": this is how the Rev. Jenny Warner describes herself. Sought after as a preacher and retreat leader, Jenny tends the sparks of new life to help communities dream, work, and birth new realities alongside God. Join Lee and Jenny for this conversation about Strategic Spiritual Leadership and how her congregation is living out its mission as “a Base Camp Building a More Loving World.

An innovative and collaborative leader, the Rev. Dr. Asa Lee was called as President of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary as it steps boldly toward nearly 230 years of service as an school. What does is take to lead a historic institution today? Courage and Curiosity. Join this conversation to learn more about Dr Lee, this style of leadership, and Pittsburgh Seminary!

What are the challenges and hope facing the evolving Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? Join Lee for a conversation with the Rev. Dr. Frank Clark Spencer as he shares how the Board of Pension - where he serves as President - is uniquely positioned to offer the Church innovative and creative tools that support the well being of ministers amidst this change.

As co-moderators of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Shavon Starling-Louis and Ruth Santana-Grace are profoundly interested in who God is calling and to what purpose. They are excited about how seminaries hold vocation and discernment as central to their mission and formation process. They notice how seminaries are responding to the changing needs of the church. What needs and changes are they noticing and who and what are people of faith responding?

Do you know a seminarian who would be a good candidate for a pastoral residency? Maybe you are that seminarian? What are these residencies all about anyway? How long are they and what do they entail? What role do they play for all involved?

Applications just opened for positions in 2023. Join the Rev. Lee Hinson-Hasty in learning more about pastoral residencies alongside the Rev. Chris Henry who is Head of staff with Lake Fellow Residency at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN, Rev. Savannah Demuynck who served at Myers Park Presbyterian in Charlotte, NC and now is an Associate Pastor at Lake Murray Pres in Chapin, SC, & Rev. Angela Ryo who served at First Presbyterian in Ann Arbor, MI and now is Transitional Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian in Muncie, IN.

What are the ways the Spirit is moving in theological education and the church?

The Rev. Dr. Beth McCaw is passionate about bi-vocational ministry, and outside-of-the-box forms of being the church - and the two of those related. In fact, Beth is both on the faculty at the University of Dubuque and the Presbytery Leader for Glacier Presbytery where they are experimenting with creating a chapel relationship from a New Worshipping Community. They are raising up their own preachers along with looking to traditional seminary graduates along with creating an ecumenical multi-staff parish among five ELCA, UMC and PCUSA churches with lay and bi-vocational teaching elder leadership. As Beth puts it, “It is a very exciting time in the church if we can get past our nostalgia and fear. The world is as thirsty as it has ever been and so there is some urgency to this call as well.”

Join Lee and Beth for this conversation!

What does ministry with young adults look like in a Covid-shaped world? What it probably doesn’t look like is a peer group that meets at the church.

Join us for this conversation with Kenda Creasy Dean. We’ll explore some emerging data on young people and faith—how the past three years put these trends in overdrive, and where the Spirit might be leading us in these uncharted waters. We will focus on her new book Innovating for Love as well as her research where she is learning that congregations that do the best with young adults are those that score highest on innovation.