Category: Dean’s Commentary

Governance with Grace

Transformational leadership requires not only facing the big challenges but also setting the right tone in numerous personal encounters from individual meetings to critical discussions at Board of Trustees meetings.  During Ian Markham’s tenure, he faced the big challenges of major financial upheavals in 2008, the chapel fire and reconstruction and capital campaign for the […]

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Good Governance

The research and literature on not-for-profit governance offers good advice on organization and procedure. Regulatory and statutory compliance is stressed. The advice cannot suggest outcomes, and making decisions is the duty of governing boards, but case studies that pose conflicts of interest and common dilemmas are useful preparation. Good governance requires not just oversight, but […]

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Ministry in Motion: Celebrating Our Doctoral Students’ Dedication

This summer, we will welcome approximately forty students for the three-week doctoral residency that combines intensive coursework, worship, and fellowship. About thirty more doctoral students have already completed their summer residencies and are writing their doctoral theses at home. Special congratulations to the six doctoral students who completed their degrees and graduated last month! Our […]

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Welcoming Doctoral Students: A Community Effort at VTS

As we anticipate welcoming students to campus on June 16, there are so many people and programs that make the doctoral residency possible. Faculty teach and mentor students, including full-time faculty and our dedicated doctoral Senior Lecturers. Many offices across VTS contribute to the residency as well. AASL, IA, and the Dean’s Office have all […]

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Celebrating Worship and Community: Doctoral Summer Intensive

During the doctoral summer intensive which starts on June 16, we will have worship Monday through Friday at noon in the Immanuel Chapel. An opening Eucharist begins our time together on June 16 and a closing Eucharist completes the summer residency on July 4. Other days we share noonday prayer between class and lunch. Given […]

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Scholarship, Community, and Context: Hallmarks of VTS Doctoral Program

On June 16, we will welcome to campus VTS doctoral students for their annual summer residency. People often ask what makes VTS doctoral programs distinct, especially compared with other Doctor of Ministry (DMin) and Doctor of Educational Ministry (DEdMin) programs. In addition to our curriculum which focuses around three tracks—Ministry Development, Educational Leadership, and Christian Spirituality—there […]

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Reimagining Leadership: Exploring the Future of Lay-Led Congregations

For the second year in a row, TryTank is partnering with a remarkable group of ecumenical collaborators to launch a bold research initiative—this time focused on the vitality of lay-led congregations. As more churches across denominations shift to lay leadership due to a continued decline in ordained clergy, we’re asking a crucial question: can these […]

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AskCathy 3.0 is launching this June

She’s smarter, sharper, and more spiritually grounded than ever. This new version of the AI-powered digital companion TryTank created has access to the Episcopal News Service archives, EPN webinars, and even more church-specific content. Think of her as AI—but with a prayer book in hand. Since launching the original Ask Cathy, we’ve learned a lot. […]

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From TryTank: A Simple, Spirit-Led Way for Latino Ministry

El Jardín offers a new—yet deeply ancient—way for The Episcopal Church to engage in Latino ministry. Rooted in the early church’s rhythms of prayer, Scripture, shared meals, and deep community (Acts 2:42–47), El Jardín is a Spirit-led model of microchurches: small, lay-led gatherings that meet in homes or informal spaces to grow faith in relational, […]

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