(from The Old Main Journal - Bethany College's E-magazine):
[Bethany] President Scott D. Miller and Provost Michael Mihalyo, Bethany College, and President R. Robert Cueni and Interim Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Richard Lowery, Lexington Theological Seminary, have begun conversations regarding the potential for educational partnerships in the near future. Formal and informal programs under consideration include studies to support vocational and lay leader development. Most important is that these collaborative efforts will clearly bring together the oldest College and oldest Seminary within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
“While religious studies and theological formation have different purposes, mutual contributions enriching to both are possible," stated Dr. James Farwell, chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Bethany. "An understanding of religion as a living spiritual practice with which seminaries are concerned is important to academic students of religion; and those who are formed by seminaries for theological and institutional leadership benefit from the critical tools and critical questions posed by religious studies. I am eager to see what might be accomplished in a collaborative effort between Bethany and Lexington Seminary.”
[The Regional Minister and staff encourage the Christian Church in West Virginia to take this very encouraging news into their prayers. May God's mission be furthered in it! DTC]
