From the Dean
Since 2019, I’ve taken a familiar route across North Park’s campus to Nyvall Hall where I taught New Testament classes. Starting this fall, I’ve been taking the same route but to a new role as dean of our Seminary. It is a true honor, and I am humbled to be called by God to this next chapter in my ministry.
I am also well aware that leading a seminary in today’s complex world is a challenge shared throughout our community. But we are all grateful to be standing on a strong foundation, thanks to the outstanding leadership of former Dean David W. Kersten whose decade of service advanced our mission and, importantly, embraced innovation in theological education.
We remain eager to be a seminary that serves today’s students. At heart, seminary education is where we can become good disciples of Jesus ready to lead God’s people in a variety of settings. But not everyone comes to the Seminary wanting to be pastors. They hope to serve in other ways. So, we also see seminary education as a formational experience that helps students discern and discover the true direction for their lives.
We also understand that attending the Seminary is not always easy, given the energy and focus most students need to balance work, family, and life with classwork and education costs. That is why we all value deeply the financial and prayerful support of our donors and alumni. It is your generosity that helps ease the financial burdens for our students with scholarships and assistance so they can attend the Seminary and complete their studies.
This year, we are excited to move ahead with our important initiatives that affirm the Seminary’s commitment to extend theological education into our communities. In addition to our residential students on campus in Chicago, the Seminary continues to provide quality distance learning where students reside. These are effective models that we hope can be further expanded through our work with Covenant churches and conferences.
I hope you’ll also read the latest about our unique master’s degree program through our School of Restorative Arts (SRA),which operates inside two correctional facilities within the Illinois Department of Corrections. The SRA is a unique educational opportunity where inside and outside students study together in the same classroom inside the prisons. We just celebrated our first graduation at Stateville—and look forward to many more.
In many ways, like you, we continue to emerge from the last two years to find our way back to the day-to-day and the one-on-one. Some of our wonderful Master of Divinity students have shared what it means to not only return to in-person learning but also to once again focus on preparing for their futures.
As I shared with the North Park community at our recent Gathering Day, I strive every day to do what I do—teaching, researching, writing, administrating, and all else—in the name of Jesus and out of love for Jesus. I am passionate about serving our Seminary students, faculty, and staff, and dedicated to working with the University and with the Covenant.
I look forward to meeting many more of you in the year ahead as we gather to learn, worship, and celebrate. I pray that you and those you love will have a blessed Christmas season and a joyful New Year.
Many Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Edwards
Dean, North Park Theological Seminary
Vice President for Church Relations