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Resolution Number: 1979-A106
Title: Record Policy on Theological Education and Accredited Seminaries
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this General Convention hereby records the following as its present conviction concerning the preparation for ordained ministry in this Church and the role of its accredited theological seminaries:

  1. That these seminary communities represent a unique combination of intellectual vigor, of informed opportunities for shared reflection which bring together differing perspectives and backgrounds for theological formulations, and of a community setting for liturgical life and for priestly and diaconal formation;
  2. That such a setting, as described above, possesses manifest advantages for the preparation for full-time stipendiary service in the ordained ministry;
  3. That preparation for ordination to the special ministries provided under Title III, Canon 8 and 10, Section 10, may take place in diocesan programs;
  4. That assistance by these seminaries and special diocesan programs to each other should be seen as an opportunity for a wider service to the Church in the area of theological education, and that these seminaries and programs should seek and welcome this mutual assistance;
  5. That these seminaries must continue to be regarded as essential centers for theological reflection and for spiritual development for the whole Church;

and be it further

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Board for Theological Education bring together various agencies concerned with theological education of the Church at all levels to develop strategies for greater coordination and planning.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 1979 (New York: General Convention, 1980), p. C-73.

Legislative History

Author: The Board for Theological Education
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Education

House of Deputies

On the fourth day, the Committee on Education presented its Report #4 on Resolution A-106, on Accredited Seminaries, and recommended adoption with amendment as follows:

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Whereas, the following Resolution was adopted at a joint meeting of the Council of Deans and Seminary Trustee Bishops, December 8, 1978, for presentation to the 66th General Convention through the auspices of the Board for Theological Education; therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this General Convention hereby records the following as its present conviction concerning the preparation for ordained ministry in this Church and the role of its accredited theological seminaries:

  1. That these seminary communities represent a unique combination of intellectual vigor, of informed opportunities for shared reflection which bring together differing perspectives and backgrounds for theological formulations, and of a community setting for liturgical life and for priestly and diaconal formation;
  2. That such a setting, as described above, possesses manifest advantages for the preparation for full-time stipendiary service in the ordained ministry;
  3. That preparation for ordination to the special ministries provided under Title III, Canon 8 and 10, Section 10, may take place in diocesan programs;
  4. That assistance by these seminaries and special diocesan programs to each other should be seen as an opportunity for a wider service to the Church in the area of theological education, and that these seminaries and programs should seek and welcome this mutual assistance;
  5. That these seminaries must continue to be regarded as essential centers for theological reflection and for spiritual development for the whole Church; and be it further

    Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Board for Theological Education bring together various agencies concerned with theological education of the Church at all levels to develop strategies for greater coordination and planning.

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #39)

House of Bishops

On the fifth day, HD Message #39 on Resolution A-106 was referred to the Committee on Education.

On the eighth day, the Bishop of Dallas, Chairman of the Committee on Education, moved concurrence with HD Message #39 on Resolution A-106.

The motion was seconded by the Bishop of Newark.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #145)

Report Reference:   Board for Theological Education, Reports to the 66th General Convention, 1979, pp. AA-309-AA-339.
Abstract:   The 66th General Convention endorses a four-part statement as its present conviction concerning the preparation for ordained ministry in this Church and the role of its accredited theological seminaries.