Starting on Monday, students in their final summer residency present their project thesis proposals for approval by VTS faculty. For their theses, students envision and carry out an act of ministry in their context that seeks to transform that place, to make it holier. They then put the results of that action research in conversation […]
Next week we will welcome around 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 seven doctoral students who completed their degrees and graduated last month! Our […]
This week as we welcome doctoral students, 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 been involved in […]
During the doctoral summer intensive which starts next week, we will have worship Monday through Friday at noon in the Immanuel Chapel. An opening Eucharist begins our time together on June 17 and a closing Eucharist completes the summer residency on July 5. Other days we share noonday prayer between class and lunch. Given the […]
One week from today, we welcome to our 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 four tracks—Ministry Development, Educational Leadership, Christianity Spirituality, […]
If you have heard me speak at an event in the last year or so, this next phrase will sound familiar: “Ours is a God of abundance. And God is providing us with everything we need to do the work we are called to do in the world right now. And if we don’t recognize […]
So, we’ve talked about TryTank becoming a research institute, our upcoming AI summit, and our first large research study. Now I’d like to spend a few moments to talk about some of our other priorities for this year. First, Faith formation. We have begun a pilot study to look at a theory I formed from […]
As mentioned earlier in the week, an area of focus for the TryTank Research Institute is Young Adult Families. We began with asking an important question: what happens to faith transmission when people with no religious affiliation (the “None’s”) have kids? Our first study sheds light on the future of faith. Commissioned in October 2023, […]
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) rapidly permeates our world, the church must grapple with its profound implications or we risk being caught behind the curve. The AI & The Church Summit, a joint initiative of TryTank, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will foster crucial dialogue on this pivotal issue. The […]
TryTank has been at the forefront of providing insights and innovative strategies to tackle ecclesiastical challenges. This past January, we made a slight change to our name, but a fundamental change to the basis of our work. TryTank Experimental Lab rebranded as TryTank Research Institute, marking a significant shift towards advancing theological research to address […]