Date: September 26, 2025
I returned from New York to find, waiting in my office, a freshly printed copy of The Varieties of Episcopal Theological Education: A Study of Episcopal Diocesan Schools and Formation Programs by Robert D. Flanagan, a dean’s advisor here at Virginia Theological Seminary.
This remarkable book represents several years of dedicated, painstaking work. Since The Episcopal Church does not have a national system for gathering this data, Bob — with the invaluable support of his wife, Elaine, and additional assistance from Stephanie Townes — has pieced together information from diocesan websites, GOE results, and surveys to create the most comprehensive picture we have of theological education across the Church today.
This is an extraordinary service to the Church. Before we can discern the best way forward, we must first know where we are — and thanks to Bob, now we do. This book is a landmark achievement and a foundation for the future. I encourage everyone who cares about the formation of leaders in The Episcopal Church to read it, share it, and join the conversation it begins. Thank you, Bob, for this gift to us all.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.