Border Crossing: Collaborative Theological Reflection for Ministry

 

"Border Crossing: Collaborative Theological Reflection for Ministry," funded by a generous gift from the Lilly Endowment, will offer a three year cycle of conferences, consultations, teaching partnerships and reflection groups, all exploring the relationship between the professions of teaching and ministry.

At the Divinity School, Ph.D. and M.Div. students study side-by-side, sharing a common faculty and common coursework, and so we are uniquely situated to look more closely at what might be gained by a richer and more intentional conversation about our companion professions. The project will bring together practicing ministers, Divinity School and seminary faculty, M.Div. and Ph.D. students in a variety of venues designed to enhance the well-informed and deeply-engaged practice of teachers and pastors alike.

Questions may be directed to Daniel Sack, administrator for the Border Crossing Project. Exchange news and ideas about the Border Crossing Project in the project's discussion forum at https://cforum.uchicago.edu/viewforum.php?f=9.

Grant Announcement, Spring 2007

 

The Border Crossing Conference Series

A cycle of three conferences each academic year provide opportunities for ministers, faculty, M.Div. and Ph.D. students to explore the interrelatedness of their intellectual interests and professional pursuits. The autumn conference will examine issues of professional practice that ministers and teachers might hold in common; the winter conference will bring scholars and practitioners together to explore some dimension of religious experience or practice; and the spring conference, which is student-organized, invites broad interdisciplinary conversation around a current concern for public ministry.

All conferences take place in Swift Hall and are free and open to the public.

Border Crossing Conferences, 2007-2008

"Advocacy in the Pulpit and the Classroom,” September 19, 2007
Franklin I. Gamwell, keynote address. (Click to view program and materials from the event.)

"Music in American Religious Experience: Individuals and Communities," January 25, 2008
Scholars, clergy, musicians, and others reflect on the place of music in religious lives and communities.

Fourth Annual Student-organized Ministry Conference, April 18, 2008

 

Lilly Teaching Fellows

The Border Crossing program includes opportunities for faculty, doctoral students, and clergy to collaborate in teaching in the ministry program. In addition to students who anticipate careers in theological education, the program is seeking local practicing clergy to join these teaching teams. The application deadline for teaching in 2008-2009 is June 1. For information on these positions and how to apply:

Clergy Teaching Fellows: Senior Ministry Thesis Seminar

Clergy Teaching Fellows: Arts of Ministry

Pastoral Teaching Partners, 2007-2008
Arts of Ministry: Preaching: Rev. Ayanna Johnson, Pastor, Family of Hope Christian Church, Blue Island
Arts of Ministry: Worship: Rev. Brett McCleneghan, Pastor, Park Ridge Community Church, Park Ridge
Arts of Ministry: Pastoral Care: Deborah Weaver, M.Div., MSW, LCPC, Therapist, Genesis Therapy Center, Chicago

Graduate Student Fellows, 2007-2008
Arts of Ministry: Preaching: David Gregg, Religion and Literature
Arts of Ministry: Worship: Robin French, Biblical Studies
Arts of Ministry: Pastoral Care: Kristel Clayville, Ethics
Senior Thesis Seminar: Alex Vishio, Ethics

Theologians-in-Residence
During each academic year the project will support teams comprised of one M.Div. and one PhD student who will partner with individual congregations for a year of sustained theological reflection on a topic relevant to the congregation's life and witness. The team will work with the congregation to design and implement a variety of educational events, consult with congregational boards and committees, and identify resources for on-going congregational engagement with the topic. Click here for more information.