Chaplaincy in the Time of COVID-19
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals and other health care facilities have become the front lines, and we have honored and celebrated our health care workers serving our nation’s most vulnerable populations. For the church, the role of chaplain has also been elevated, particularly as most buildings have been shuttered in favor of social-distanced worship and…
Read MoreOnline-Only Course of Study Registration Approaching
Fall 2020 registration for the Course of Study program begins in August. This year’s fall session will be available online only. The program is designed for licensed local pastors, those who are certified for ordained ministry and those under appointment in the United Methodist Church. Course of Study is a specialized continuing education program prescribed…
Read MoreGuiding Emerging Ministers Through Vocational Discernment
People from all walks of life are called to share God’s love with a hurting world, drawing upon their own unique gifts and experiences. How can faith leaders offer support to those in their churches and communities who may be discerning such a call? Dr. Anne Walker, Executive Director of the Oklahoma campus of Saint…
Read MoreWhat Is There to Prevent Me? by alumna Rev. Colleen Riley
What is there to prevent me? One’s narrative identity Acts Ch., 8:27-37 Ethiopian Eunuch Recently I read about a concept called narrative identity as it was described by Dan McAdams, Personality Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University. McAdam’s premise is that we use autobiographical narrative to find meaning using our own lived history. …
Read MoreFollowing God
by Dr. Melissa Pearce, Director of Alumni & Partner Relationships As we sat on the steps of her first appointment, First United Methodist Church of Guthrie, Oklahoma, I grappled with the juxtaposition of her age and the poise with which she detailed her call to ministry and her habit of “following God” faithfully and intentionally.…
Read MoreA Statement on the Police Killing of George Floyd
We are dismayed and outraged about the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by the lethal force of Officer Derek Chauvin. Floyd had been handcuffed and pushed to the ground, whereupon Officer Chauvin forcibly pressed down on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes as depicted in an independent video of the scene. In spite of Floyd…
Read MoreRedesigned MACM Prepares Students for Leadership in Less Time
Those called to serve in ordained or lay ministry can now finish their seminary education more quickly at Saint Paul School of Theology. Our newly redesigned Master of Arts in Christian Ministry prepares students to lead in the church and beyond in just 38 credit hours. The program focuses on the social and cultural context…
Read MoreOIMC Immersion Experience
by MDiv student Tylar Gregg I am a young Native woman from Oklahoma. I have spent the majority of my life feeling like I was part of two worlds but also excluded from both at the same time. This has caused me to work towards reconnecting to my Native community and learning more about my…
Read MoreAlum Rev. Dr. Lois Glory-Neal: A Story of Boldness
by Alumni Director Dr. Melissa Pearce As I sat across from Rev. Dr. Lois Glory-Neal listening to her story, her earrings caught my eye. They were stunning Native American hand-beaded artistry in the shape of a cross. The colors were vibrant orange, red, yellow, and blue, and the chevron pattern sharp. Each bead had been…
Read MoreStudents, Faculty Continue Theology Classes Online Thanks to Zoom
Challenging times have a way of getting us out of our comfort zones to explore new ways of doing holy work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students and faculty at Saint Paul School of Theology continue to participate in seminary courses, thanks to Zoom. That includes students enrolled in face-to-face classes, which have temporarily moved online…
Read More