Sisters and Brothers:
Like you, I’ve spent the last several months trying to understand the recent news from Seabury. Like you, I have spent the last few days reeling from Thursday’s announcement. Like you, I have been dealing with the stages of grief, certainly not neglecting to spend some quality time on denial and anger.
Nevertheless, the time has come to move on to acceptance, and see what good we can find in the aftermath of this tragedy. I have a vision for the future of Seabury-Western that will honor its past, guarantee its part in the future of Episcopal theological education, and also recognize the very real financial situation which it is facing.
My idea is based on several premises. Firstly, I believe that the current administration of Seabury is being honest about the present situation, and sincerely desires to see Seabury succeed in the future. Secondly, I believe that the struggles facing theological education in the Episcopal Church include: a) more capacity to train leaders than is currently needed and b) increasing costs of that education. Thirdly, I believe that these challenges are going to become more pronounced as time goes on rather than less.
And that’s why I’ve been uneasy with the proposed forward pathways, such as providing the MDiv in an alternate residency format. It seems to me that modified residency or entirely online programs would effectively address neither the over-capacity of the seminary system, nor the incredible costs that seminarians are asked to bear.
That’s why I’m proposing that Seabury step out in faith and model true transformative resurrection. I propose that Seabury entirely cease operation as an educational institution on June 30, 2009 (or as soon thereafter as possible) selling all its property, repaying all its debt, and remaking itself as the Seabury-Western Legacy Fund. This fund would be dedicated to the mission of providing education and formation for Episcopal Church leaders by providing scholarships and fellowship to the Seabury-Western Scholars.
A board of directors, similarly composed to the current Board of Trustees, (i.e. the bishops of Chicago and Minnesota, diocesan representatives, alumni/ae, and such other persons as the board feels will be helpful) will each year select the Seabury Scholars from among those nominated for the program. In making their selections, the board will consider the traditional ideals of Seabury-Western—Anglican comprehensiveness, academic rigor, congregational development, sacramental theology, and missionary zeal. In addition to the scholarships, the Seabury-Western Scholars would also gather from time to time for fellowship, common prayer, and spiritual formation. One might think of Seabury-Western Scholars as being similar to the Episcopal Church Scholars program, but for the MDiv level.
In addition, as a sign of the continuing legacy of Seabury-Western, I propose that those Seabury-Western Scholars who complete their programs receive the traditional Seabury Cross. I further propose that those alumni/ae of Seabury who already hold the Seabury Cross and who give a special gift to the Fund in the first year (the size to be determined by the Board of Directors) be awarded the Seabury Cross in gold as recognition of their past fidelity to Seabury and their continued faith in its future.
??????My friends, the Church no longer needs as many seminaries as it has, but it needs Seabury men and women more than ever. By releasing our beloved school from its physical body, we can ensure its spirit lives on forever. Won’t you please join me in praying about this vision of Seabury and asking the faculty, staff, students, trustees, friends, and other alumni/ae to do the same? And if you become convinced, as I am, that this is the direction that Seabury should go, please contact Dean Hall and Elizabeth Butler to share your thoughts. God bless you all, and God bless Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.
In Christ,
Micah T.J. Jackson (MTS ’04)