The Wabash Center's Dialogue On Teaching

Drastic shifts causing de-centering Theological Education calls for more than managerial responses.  This project promotes ways of surfacing and exploring different ideas, different voices, and justice-minded changes.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Ted Smith (Candler School of Theology - Emory University).

The necessity of faith formation through public ministry is underscored now during the rebellions, pandemic and US economic uncertainty.  Showcasing a new text: From Lament to Advocacy: Black Religious Education and Public Ministry (2020) for use by faculty, staff, and students.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Annie Lockhart-Gilroy (Phillips Theological Seminary). 

With the peculiar upheaval of COVID-19, and the recent, flagrant events of racist violence, what competencies are needed by institutional leadership? What does it mean to lead change in this moment of volatility? What courage is necessary? What approaches in higher education will bring new stability in a more equitable society? Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Rev. Stephen Lewis (FTE - Forum for Theological Exploration) and Rev. Matthew Williams (Interdenominational Theological Center).

What will it take to teach toward racial justice and away from white supremacy?  Thinking about ways to incorporate minoritized voices into the entire curriculum.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Jill Crainshaw (Wake Forest University Divinity School). 

The current rebellions and outrage is appropriate given the history of race politics in the USA.  White scholars are called to use their curiosity, imagination and teaching competencies to embed into the curriculum anti-racist content, tactics, and strategies.  Find ways not to let racial violence be overwhelming; practice deep listening, dialogue and community building with minoritized people.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts a conversation with Dr. Jan Love (Candler School of Theology - Emory University).

What if this moment of waiting is full of meaning and seeing, anew?  Fostering ways of knowing, nimbleness, and sensitivity for teaching and the teaching life.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Michael Shire (Hebrew College).

What if scholarly endeavor was about podcasting?  Twenty-first century knowledge production and making intellectual products accessible means podcasts! Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Leah Payne (George Fox University). 

While the learning curves of faculty are sharp and while there is uneven institutional change – re-tooling and adapting to virtual environments is happening.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Israel Galindo (Columbia Theological Seminary). 

While the mission of theological education remains solid, the institutional turmoil has been exacerbated by the crisis of the pandemic.  These two prominent presidents will discuss the ramifications, implications and possibilities for seminaries during this societal upheaval.  Additionally, they will discuss the heightened uncertainty of the vocations of religion and theology scholars in the academy.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Stephen G. Ray, Jr. (Chicago Theological Seminary) and Dr. Angela D. Sims (Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School).

What if this is a moment to recast educational institutions toward integrity and imagination?  This threshold moment could be a time for justice in education.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Maureen H. O'Connell (La Salle University).