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 […]
In 2007, Dean Markham began writing a commentary for every weekday the Seminary is open. I made a personal commitment to read the commentary every day to stay informed of happenings on campus and enhance my understanding as a Trustee. Mission accomplished. I have read every commentary written by Dean Markham as well as every […]
Here is the Virginia Theological Seminary’s Class of 1981. I don’t know if VTS gives its graduates one of these nowadays, but my worn, stained and wrinkled copy is a repository of memories. When our class left the chapel with diplomas in hand, we were formed for ministry in a community whose daily rhythm was […]
The phenomenon of lay boards made up of volunteers who most often are not professionals in the field of the institution, is not unique to America. Its prevalence in the not-for-profit space, however, is peculiar to our country. Our founders and early leaders were wary of professionals and those who inherited leadership roles. There was […]
If one day you are have some time and little else to do, then you can go all the way back to August 1, 2007 and find that there is a daily commentary for every week day when the Seminary is open right up to today. It tells a rich story. From the Chapel Fire […]