This online edition is the authoritative version of the Seminary of the Southwest's Catalog. It contains all changes and updates made since the 2007-08 Catalog was printed in April 2007.

Certificate Programs for Youth Ministry and
Christian Education

This seminary program offers professional certification, a solid foundation of skills training and theological education for youth ministers and directors of religious education. One-week sessions are held in June and January each year at the seminary. Each session includes instruction, discussion, theological reflection, practical ministry skills, worship and spiritual formation. Professors from the Seminary of the Southwest and other educational institutions make up most of the faculty of the Certificate Programs.

The program awards certification on the Basic, Associate or Advanced levels upon completion of two sessions. Lay and ordained persons are welcome to enroll in the program. A college degree or GRE scores are not necessary for enrollment. The Diocese of Texas offers CEU’s for clergy in the Diocese of Texas. Molly Bennett, a veteran director of religious education and consultant throughout Province VII, is the director of the seminary program.

Additional Instructional Programs

Continuing Education

A variety of opportunities for continuing education and reflection are available at the Seminary of the Southwest. Ranging from individually initiated projects to formal course offerings, these programs of theological renewal are available to clergy and laity.

Formal work in a residential program is usually offered during the summer, and in recent years these programs have presented the following offerings by noted theologians, pastors, and scholars: “When Optimism Dies: Preaching Hope in a Time of Conflict” – The Rev. Dr. Roger Paynter; “Seeing the Unseen” – Nora Gallagher; “Stirring the Pot: Exercising the Liturgical Imagination” – The Rev. Dr. William Seth Adams; “Church Music – Where have we been? Where are we going?” – Dr. Russell Schulz; and “The Bread That Gives Life to the World” – The Rev. John Lewis and The Rev. Jane Patterson.

The Diocese of Texas awards 12 CEU credits for the completion of this course, and clergy in other dioceses may be eligible for formal credits as well. Here is additional information and registration information.

English Language Instruction

Proficiency in English is necessary for study at ETSS even though some classes are offered bilingually. Foreign students whose English is less than adequate may be admitted for a period of study at the University of Texas intensive English program before beginning their theological courses. Persons interested in this possibility should request further information from the Director of Admissions.

Special Assistance

Although opportunity varies from year to year, the seminary offers several types of special assistance in addition to the Spanish and English language instruction described above. These may encompass tutorial assistance in particular courses; coaching in speech for preaching and liturgical reading; and a writing center that provides help with English composition, analysis and argument.

Lectureships

The Seminary is host to three principal annual lecture series which provide a platform for speakers of interest on campus and in the community at large. The Blandy Lectures in the fall are sponsored by the Alumni/ae Association; the winter Harvey Lectures by the Student Association; and the Bishop Claude Payne Lectureship in Mission and Leadership. These are supplemented by other lectureships, including the one sponsored jointly by the Seminary of the Southwest and the Southwestern Network of Women’s Ministries.

Topics and lecturers in the past few years have been:

• “Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It” – Jim Wallis of Sojourners

• “The Bible – America’s Iconic Book” – the Rev. Professor Peter Gomes

• “Ministry to a Wounded World” and “Spirituality and Culture” – Sister Joan Chittister, author and leading voice in contemporary spirituality

• “Jesus and Judaism – The Connection Still Matters” – Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, prominent Jewish New Testament scholar and Professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School

• “Believing Is Only the Prelude to Knowing” and “Little Enemies and Little Fears” – the Rev. Richard Rohr, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation

• “The Words in the Crossings – Proclaiming the Gospel in a Pluralistic Community” – the Rev. Eric Law, author and consultant on racism and cultural diversity

• “Mind the Gap – Forming a New Generation of Leadership for an Aging Church” – the Rev. Dr. Sam Portaro, author and Episcopalian chaplain, University of Chicago

• “Justice: A Never Ending Process” – Dr. Ada María Isasi-Díaz, theologian, author and Drew University professor

• “Seeing the Bible Again for the First Time” – Dr. Marcus Borg, author and Oregon State University professor

• “Teenagers and the Church: 21st Century Trends & Opportunities” and “Divine Intersection: Teenage Bodies and Christian Theology” – Ms. Lisa Kimball, youth and young adult ministry coordinator on the province, diocesan and parish levels of the Episcopal Church

• “Baptism & Columbine: Responding to the Youth Crisis” – Dr. Ellen Charry, author and Princeton Theological Seminary professor

• “Peace for the World’s Children” – Ms. Betty Williams, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

• “Heaven on Earth” – the Rev. Dr. Michael Battle, Associate Dean, Virginia Theological Seminary.

• “The Church in Her House” – Dr. Marjorie Procter-Smith, LeVan Professor of Preaching and Worship at the Perkins School of Theology.

Visiting Fellows

The visiting fellows program brings selected persons to the campus for two weeks – occasionally longer – in order to pursue projects of their own design. Their expenses are borne by the seminary.

Although the majority of visiting fellows have been Episcopal clergy, application is open to all and fellowships are also awarded to lay persons and non-Episcopalians. Appointment is made on the basis of the applicant’s project vis-a-vis available Seminary resources.

Each year the faculty issue invitations to a number of people to apply for fellowships during the following year. Such invitations, however, are not necessary in order to apply. Applicants are asked to submit autobiographical data as well as information on the projected study.

Seminary faculty anticipate an enrichment of their own work through association with visiting fellows. The fellow’s insights into the relationship between church and world, their particular interests and involvement in this relationship, are of continuing importance to faculty colleagues.

Each fellow is assigned a faculty member whose field and interests are most closely related to the proposed undertaking. Since the program is designed to encourage significant study and reflection rather than to earn academic credit, such formalities as written reports and attendance at lectures and seminars apply only as they bear directly upon the project.

Visiting fellows are housed in the seminary apartments. Fellowship grants include tuition, room and board and travel to and from Austin. Further information is available from Professor Charles James Cook.

The Austin Lay School of Theology

The Lay School links people in the Austin area with seminary faculty for theological education that is exciting and transformative. A group of lay people in cooperation with ETSS formed the school 23 years ago. Since then more than 1,200 people have enrolled in courses ranging from Anglican Church History and the Parables of Jesus to Paul’s Letter to the Galatians and the role of lay and ordained ministry in the modern church.

There is no educational prerequisite for taking a Lay School class. Seminary faculty are most often the instructors for the courses offered each fall and each spring. Classes are held on the seminary campus or at satellite Episcopal churches throughout central Texas. The Lay School is intended to provide the best possible education for lay persons who want to broaden their knowledge and deepen their faith.

Web-based Distance Learning Programs

ETSS Online Courses are receiving extensive development and improvement. We will be re-launching our program in 2008 as the “ Online School for Spirituality and Mission .”

Monday Connection

This outreach ministry of the seminary serves the Austin business and professional community. Three times a year, speakers from business, industry and the professions make luncheon presentations about how the lessons learned on Sunday connect with their work on Monday. The program is organized and supported by a host committee of lay Christians from the greater Austin area.