work effectively, without compromising the doctrines, in a church and a world
that are quite different from what they were even 30 years ago.
Students graduating today are facing changes in society unheard of in the
past. As morality shifts to reflect a subjective standard, so our students need to
learn to relate the firm teachings of the doctrines to modern life, a process that
frequently involves different ideas and conflicts about the way forward.
So while a minister’s motivation is the salvation of souls, students today
also need to reflect, in the light of the doctrines, on the pressing issues in the
world and in the General Church today: the role of women, the elements of
the Holy Supper, same-sex marriage, disappearing youth, and so on.
Learning the doctrinal teachings on these subjects is part of the equation;
learning how to communicate them is another. Dealing with the conflicts that
come when different ideas collide is yet another. So aside from learning doctrine
and how to write sermons that speak to modern congregations, students also
still learn the traditional uses of the ministry: teaching religion to children in
schools, how to administer a society and give leadership to their congregation.
But they also learn to listen to people, how to use conflict resolution skills, and
how to reach out to people, by respecting their positions, but at the same time
maintaining the integrity of the Heavenly Doctrines.
While doctrinal study forms the bulk of the education offered in the
Theological School, it is bolstered with courses and experiences designed to
provide graduates with a head start in their new careers. Counselling training
is an essential component, as are business management, communication skills
and education training. This year we are excited to be entering into a new
partnership with an organization called Good Shepherd Mediation Program
to teach conflict resolution skills.
The goal of the Theological School, since it opened its doors in 1877, has
been to educate ministers to serve the New Church by teaching the truth and
leading by means of it to the good of life. This has not changed, much like
Bishop Bostock’s robe. But like the disappearing bowtie, ways of fulfilling the
minister’s commission have changed.
Current developments in the program are designed to help ministers
better serve the modern world by leading people to a greater understanding
of the Lord and His Word, inspiring a commitment to incorporate this into
the ir daily lives, and supporting people in their spiritual journey in our everchanging world.
There are two students in the Theological School this year: Elmo Acton
in his second year, and Jeffrey Smith in his first. Like their predecessors they
are swamped with work piled on by an extensive faculty, and Elmo has an
additional assignment of teaching the high school sophomore boys religion
class.
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