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Higher and Theological Education

The Moral Dilemma for United Methodist Schools

So far as I know, every United Methodist-affiliated college or university would either describe itself or agree with the description of “non-sectarian.”  It means that we do not require anyone to go to chapel, take a particular religion course, or

Stephen Rankin July 17, 2014July 17, 2014 Emerging adults, Higher and Theological Education, Religion, The Church, United Methodism 2 Comments Read more

Getting Practical, II:

Robert Benne (Quality with Soul) argues that for a church related school to carry out its mission consistent with its identity, a critical mass of committed Christians involved in leadership is a “necessary precondition.” (pp. 179-180)  I’d like to try

Stephen Rankin June 30, 2014 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Emerging adults, Higher and Theological Education, Religion, The Church, United Methodism No Comments Read more

Getting Practical: What would a Robustly Christian Vision for UM Schools Involve?

In response to my previous post about UM leaders not giving up on church related colleges and universities, a friend challenged me with some probing questions.  He couldn’t see, for example, how my claim that we can develop a robustly

Stephen Rankin June 27, 2014 Doctrine/Theology, Emerging adults, Higher and Theological Education, Religion, The Church, United Methodism 5 Comments Read more

UM Leaders: Don’t Give Up on Church Related Higher Education

I’ve been working for a UM-related college or university since 1995.  During that time, in a variety of ways, I’ve heard an alarming number of church leaders admit that they have essentially given up expecting denominational schools to make any

Stephen Rankin June 25, 2014June 25, 2014 Emerging adults, Higher and Theological Education, Ministry, Religion, The Church, United Methodism No Comments Read more

Purist or Pragmatist? Quick-and-Dirty Thoughts on Higher Education

Two articles I have read recently rev my mental engines on higher education.  Warning: a rant looms. Like getting caught in a whirlpool, two major opinions go round and round in higher education: 1.  We’re losing the liberal arts and

Stephen Rankin December 12, 2013 Higher and Theological Education, Religion 1 Comment Read more
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Meet Steve

I serve as Executive Director of the Spiritual Maturity Project, a ministry some of us have recently started.  For 25 years I worked in higher education as a professor and chaplain and before that as a pastor.  I love to help people grapple with big and basic questions to grow into real ,grown-up Christian discipleship.

I ruminate on all manner of theological, biblical, historical, and cultural topics. I believe followers of Jesus need to be more like members of Issachar’s tribe, able to read the times. Read more

 

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