About the Selection Process
Anyone who’s ever made a list knows it’s the best way to win enemies and lose friends.
Most lists are generated by “impartial benchmarks” that determine “excellence.” But despite claims of impartiality, all criteria has in its DNA a bias. The questions one should ask is whether the list (whether made by a human list-maker or a sophisticated algorithm) recognizes its own bias, and how it impacts the results.
Seminaries that Change the World does not make a claim to impartiality. We are totally partial - we look to partner with schools that are engaged in the difficult work of equipping their students to change the world.
We seek to partner with schools that are:
Most lists are generated by “impartial benchmarks” that determine “excellence.” But despite claims of impartiality, all criteria has in its DNA a bias. The questions one should ask is whether the list (whether made by a human list-maker or a sophisticated algorithm) recognizes its own bias, and how it impacts the results.
Seminaries that Change the World does not make a claim to impartiality. We are totally partial - we look to partner with schools that are engaged in the difficult work of equipping their students to change the world.
We seek to partner with schools that are:
Committed to Service & JusticeOur schools have made commitments in their curriculum, scholarships, internships, and pedagogy to integrate service, justice & advocacy work. They prepare their students to be change-makers after graduation.
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CallaborativeWe look for schools that play well in the sandbox. These are schools that work collaboratively with other seminaries and divinity schools to share and implement best practices in the classroom and in the world.
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Affordable We believe that financially healthy organizations and churches need financially healthy leaders. We look for schools that provide scholarship opportunities for students - and bonus points if a school gives scholarships based on real-world service, justice & advocacy experience.
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InnovativeWe look for schools that are innovative and adapting to the ever-evolving needs of Christianity and the world. Our schools are helping prepare clergy, community, and political leaders for the church to come, not the church that was.
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Getting to Know the Schools
Through campus visits, conversations with students, faculty, administrators, and peers, and investigations into programs, mission, curriculum and campus cultures, we have come to know these schools and their people. We have confidence in their mission and respect for their efforts.
But while we are inspired by the schools that are part of Seminaries that Change the World and confident that they are, indeed, changing the world, this is in no way an exhaustive list. Seminaries that Change the World represents schools that applied and wanted to be part of the program. It's intended to be a starting point for prospective students trying to make sense of the chaotic and complicated landscape of theological education. But it is only that - a starting point. Our hope is that this list will serve as inspiration for other schools seeking to deliver flexible, agile, affordable theological education.
Through campus visits, conversations with students, faculty, administrators, and peers, and investigations into programs, mission, curriculum and campus cultures, we have come to know these schools and their people. We have confidence in their mission and respect for their efforts.
But while we are inspired by the schools that are part of Seminaries that Change the World and confident that they are, indeed, changing the world, this is in no way an exhaustive list. Seminaries that Change the World represents schools that applied and wanted to be part of the program. It's intended to be a starting point for prospective students trying to make sense of the chaotic and complicated landscape of theological education. But it is only that - a starting point. Our hope is that this list will serve as inspiration for other schools seeking to deliver flexible, agile, affordable theological education.
History of STCTW
In the first year of Seminaries that Change the World, the list of schools was based solely on institutions that I knew. The first list was comprised of schools that I had visited and had made connections with students, faculty and administrators. When we announced the list for the first time in a Huffington Post article, we quickly learned that the site was a much-needed resource for the idealists committed to service and justice we were hoping to serve.
Realizing the limitations of this strategy, we put a tab on the first version of the website and invited schools to apply for the next year’s "class.”
The following year, schools submitted an application that asked for extensive information about the school’s activities around community engagement. In order to ensure buy-in by the school community, a signature page was included that required signatures from the Presidents or Dean, a faculty member, and at least three students.
The Process Today
Much of the application process remains the same today. The questions have changed some, but the idea remains the same. We want to know: Is your school integrating faith and service? Are your students engaged in meaningful justice and service work? Are you supporting them financially, academically, and pastorally to connect their passions for changing the world with their exploration of faith and theology?
In addition to demonstrating their commitment to integrate service and justice with faith and theological exploration, schools are required to make a commitment to work together to advance our common goal. Together, we hope to connect and infuse theological education with service and social justice work, and to collectively challenge stereotypes and break down barriers to theological education.
Unlike some lists, this effort recognizes aspirations as well actual results. We do this because we recognize that theological education is in the midst of a tremendous transformation and that the innovations that are being brainstormed, tested, and launched should be lifted up and celebrated.
Questions on this year's application:
Reminder & Disclaimer
Seminaries that Change the World is a collection of distinct, quality institutions that have put themselves forward and come together in their efforts to attract, train and launch service-minded faith leaders. It is not a list of “the best of,” nor is it exhaustive. There are many institutions that are not listed here that are worthy of consideration. We encourage you to explore them as well. If this site helps lead you to the right fit – a place where you can learn, serve, and develop your sense of vocational call and some skills to get you there – then we will have accomplished our goal.
In the first year of Seminaries that Change the World, the list of schools was based solely on institutions that I knew. The first list was comprised of schools that I had visited and had made connections with students, faculty and administrators. When we announced the list for the first time in a Huffington Post article, we quickly learned that the site was a much-needed resource for the idealists committed to service and justice we were hoping to serve.
Realizing the limitations of this strategy, we put a tab on the first version of the website and invited schools to apply for the next year’s "class.”
The following year, schools submitted an application that asked for extensive information about the school’s activities around community engagement. In order to ensure buy-in by the school community, a signature page was included that required signatures from the Presidents or Dean, a faculty member, and at least three students.
The Process Today
Much of the application process remains the same today. The questions have changed some, but the idea remains the same. We want to know: Is your school integrating faith and service? Are your students engaged in meaningful justice and service work? Are you supporting them financially, academically, and pastorally to connect their passions for changing the world with their exploration of faith and theology?
In addition to demonstrating their commitment to integrate service and justice with faith and theological exploration, schools are required to make a commitment to work together to advance our common goal. Together, we hope to connect and infuse theological education with service and social justice work, and to collectively challenge stereotypes and break down barriers to theological education.
Unlike some lists, this effort recognizes aspirations as well actual results. We do this because we recognize that theological education is in the midst of a tremendous transformation and that the innovations that are being brainstormed, tested, and launched should be lifted up and celebrated.
Questions on this year's application:
- What Scholarships do you offer that recognize and reward an individual's commitment to service and justice work?
- Describe the Opportunities that students have to engage in the world while they are in school.
- Describe any Field Education/Contextual Education placements that connect faith and justice both with churches and with non-profits.
- Briefly describe several courses that integrate current social issues with academic study.
- Profile at least one professor who teaches a course connected to faith and justice/service.
- Select a social justice area where there is particular engagement on the part of the campus, student service, course work and institutional involvement.
- Identify three alums that are integrating faith and service through their ministry.
- Describe any academic degrees that you offer which integrate faith and service.
- Include your institution’s mission statement or any additional statements about the school you would like listed.
Reminder & Disclaimer
Seminaries that Change the World is a collection of distinct, quality institutions that have put themselves forward and come together in their efforts to attract, train and launch service-minded faith leaders. It is not a list of “the best of,” nor is it exhaustive. There are many institutions that are not listed here that are worthy of consideration. We encourage you to explore them as well. If this site helps lead you to the right fit – a place where you can learn, serve, and develop your sense of vocational call and some skills to get you there – then we will have accomplished our goal.
Seminaries that Change the World is a program of The Center for Faith and Service. It was conceived of and built by Rev. Wayne Meisel, the former Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Service.