President's Pen

Learning the Lessons of Love in a Shopping Mall at Christmastime

2011-12-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, I foolishly ventured into a local shopping mall in search of a new pair of blue jeans for myself. I was somewhat aware that the Christmas shopping season was upon us, so I entered directly into the department store’s side entrance and made my purchase. Before I left, I decided to peek into the mall’s interior. I guess I was unprepared for what I saw. Hundreds—maybe thousands—of

Why Support the DREAM Act

2011-11-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

If you follow this blog, you know that I keep track of the research coming out of the Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life. Their most recent report examines the religious beliefs and practices of the generation born after 1980 -- the "Millennial Generation." By some indicators, the report

Thoughts from a Student

2010-02-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

One of our United Methodist M.Div. students posted a remarkable blog earlier this week that I want to share. Jonathan Visitacion came to Claremont in 2008 with understandable concerns at that time (we were still under review from our accrediting bodies) about Claremont's stability and ability to educate him toward ordination. He struggled with the decision to come to Claremont, which he so

A Response to the Church

2010-01-29T10:12:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, the University Senate of The United Methodist Church placed Claremont School of Theology on “Public Warning” and embargoed allocations from the Ministerial Educational Fund, effective February 1. According to the Senate’s statement dated January 27, the action was taken because the School failed (1) to provide a current audit and management letter, and (2) to consult

Enriched Through Another

2010-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

I came across an interesting piece today by Rabbi Justus Baird, who is the director of the Center for Multifaith Education at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City. The center recently published an enlightening study that surveyed the remarkable extent to which American theological schools offer courses in other religious traditions and interfaith dialogue. The piece from Rabbi Baird

Greetings for the Season

2009-12-23T07:10:00.000-08:00

The winter solstice has just passed, and we will soon notice our days getting longer. The creation story of my Cherokee ancestors took account of this yearly cycle. After the heat of summer, the days grew cooler as the Great Father sank lower and lower in the sky, hiding his face during the winter, making the long nights as black as crows wings. Winter solstice marks the beginning of the

This is Our America

2009-11-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

On the Saturday after the shootings (as I am writing this), the reports from Ft. Hood, Texas, are still coming in. Details are yet sketchy, but the media is grasping at the obvious story lines for their ubiquitous 24-hour coverage. As we have come to expect, the non-Christian identity of this "Muslim-American" has become headline news. This story-line is not without consequences. The L.A.

Tikkun Olam in Zimbabwe

2009-11-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

A remarkable thing is happening this week. Professors Frank Rogers and Andy Dreitcer are in Zimbabwe with doctoral student Mazvita Machinga for a 3-day workshop with religious leaders, tribal chiefs, and victims of Zimbabwe's political and social violence. The nation -- which is notoriously ravaged by violence, poverty and HIV/AIDS -- is in desperate need of reconciliation and peace-making,

A Response to a Critic

2009-11-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

[My recent editorial "Being Methodist and Multifaith" attracted no small amount of attention in the Methodist world and resulted in a number of responses. One message, from "Angela", was published as a comment to a previous post on this blog. Her concerns are similar to many responses I have received, so I wanted to highlight my response to her.] Dear Angela, Thank you very much for sharing

Methodist and Multifaith

2009-10-16T08:01:00.000-07:00

In next week's United Methodist Reporter (the denomination's national newspaper), I have an editorial on the future of Methodist higher education. Entitled "Being Methodist and Multifaith", the article outlines what I -- as a life-long Methodist and long-time college administrator -- see on the horizon for theological education. Here's a brief quote: Though most of our [Methodist] theological

Another Telling of the Claremont Story

2009-10-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

One of the most important -- and enjoyable -- duties as Claremont's president is to be the "Storyteller-in-Chief." As you may know, the story has had its ups and downs in recent years, but it has never been without a palpable hope and expectation for the future of this great school. This week, I received a little help telling Claremont's story from William MacKaye. Bill, who is a former

Recent Tragedies Abroad

2009-09-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Micronesia, as we continue to receive word about the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Samoa and Tonga, as well as the continuing typhoon and flooding in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian and Micronesian nations. We especially remember the students and faculty at Kanana Fou Theological Seminary in

A Second Response

2009-09-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

Some of you may be teachers and all of you have benefited one way or another from the caring and gifted teachers in your past. It is truly amazing the kind of special influence that great teachers exercise to help students reach their potential. And the influence of the best of teachers continues well beyond graduation and throughout a former students life. In that regard, I received the note

A Welcome Response

2009-09-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

After posting my address at the Fall Convocation (see below), I received a welcome email from a friend and former colleague from my days at Duke University. Richard Paul Heitzenrater, as you may know, is a preeminent John Wesley scholar and among the most respected international authorities on Methodist history. So I respect his opinion greatly and welcome his comments (which he agreed to have

Historial Context is Today's Pretext

2009-09-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

The end of summer is quickly approaching. Claremont, like many schools across the U.S., began courses this week, and the new class of students is settling in for what promises to be a challenging and insightful semester. It also means I'll be blogging more often, so I hope you'll check back often.Each year, at Claremont's Fall Convocation, a member of the community offers opening words of

Interreligious Chaplaincy: Just the Beginning

2009-06-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Seldom a day goes by that I'm not reminded of the religious diversity in the United States and the need for professionals -- religious and otherwise -- prepared to meet the every day challenges of religious difference. The front page of the L.A. Times provided just the latest example of this for me, in last Friday's edition.In a story entitled "Zen in Their Bedside Manner," the Times reported on

Graduating into the Future

2009-06-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

Graduation is always an exciting time in Claremont, and this year’s ceremony was no exception. There are always up-lifting stories that emerge at this time of year – such as the bus load of parishioners from Central City Community Church on skid row who came to see their pastor graduate. But this year’s most remarkable story (at least in my mind) was one that began as a private conversation and

Future of the Church

2009-05-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

On May 27 - 29, leaders of a number of mainline denominations are converging on campus for the Claremont Denominational Summit, as part of the Transforming Theology program at the School. Several denominational heads, along with other administrators and leaders, will spend three days discussing how theology impacts social action, and vice versa.The event is attracting some significant attention,

Claremont's "Comeback"

2009-05-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Part of my job as Claremont's president is "chief story-teller" for the school. Those of you who know me know that I enjoy telling Claremont's story in person. But I also enjoy the chance to spread the good news publicly.In this week's edition of The Christian Century, Claremont receives a rather favorable profile from a seasoned religion writer. John Dart was the long-time religion editor

Engaging the Powers that Be

2009-04-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

Philip Clayton is practicing what he preaches.As you may know, Philip Clayton is Ingraham Professor of Theology at CST (a chair previously occupied by both John Cobb and Marjorie Suchocki) and, like his predecessors, is very much committed to the role of theology in addressing the world's problems.Recently, Professor Clayton answered a public call from a U.S. Representative to engage the issues

New Faculty Announced

2009-04-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

It's been said that a school is only as strong as those who teach in it. If that is true, then I’m convinced that Claremont is in good hands.We learned this month that two new scholars will join Claremont’s faculty next fall. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook was named Professor of Religious Education, in a position previously held by Elizabeth Conde-Frazier. Sheryl is a senior scholar who is currently

Claremont Removed from Probation

2009-03-10T09:59:00.001-07:00

When economic times are tough, we sometimes don't want to open the mail. But late last week, there was one piece of mail I was happy to receive.In a letter dated March 5, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) informed me that it removed Claremont School of Theology from probationary status, thereby reaffirming the institution's full accreditation.According to the letter, the

Tuition to Remain Unchanged in 2009-10

2009-02-12T13:07:00.000-08:00

It is always a pleasure to announce good news from Claremont. The Board of Trustees group recognizes the hardships that the current national recession may have on our student body, so they have taken a bold step to support our current students and encourage prospective students to choose Claremont.The Board voted to keep tuition for the 2009-2010 academic year at its current level, effective for

Obama and The Golden Rule

2009-02-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, when President Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast, he announced the creation of an Advisory Council on Faith, as well as an overhaul of the White House Office for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (see the video of his remarks below). Those of us in positions of religious leadership in this nation applaud his commitment to support those organizations (which

The Missing Responsibility? Thinking!

2009-01-26T10:16:00.000-08:00

Late last year, I wrote an editorial for the quarterly journal Educause Review. The piece, which I titled “The Missing Responsibility,” calls for the recognition of a critical but often-overlooked skill in an institution: the skill of thinking. Not only is “thinking” not listed on official job descriptions, we often do not carve out the institutional time we need to adequately think through our

A Nation of Servants?

2009-01-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

All of those in the wider Claremont School of Theology community are aware that this school (and others like it) thrives because of the service and support given by those who love it. Indeed, as arguably the most philanthropic citizenry of any country in the world, Americans have built and sustained a vast infrastructure of educational institutions that have played a role in providing

The University Scholars Awards at Claremont School of Theology

2008-11-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

The faculty and I are excited to announce a major new scholarship program:The University Scholars Awardsat Claremont School of TheologyThanks to a significant commitment by a friend of the School, The University Scholars Awards will provide up to 8 incoming students next fall with: * 100 percent of tuition and fees * an on-campus apartment (or off-campus equivalent) * all

Eschewing the Powers that Be

2008-10-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

Last month, I was asked to give a morning meditation for a meeting sponsored by the Association of Theological Schools. As any good Methodist would, I assumed this meant a short prayer and a few words of reflection. After I agreed to offer the morning prayer, the organizer told me I should keep it under 15 minutes. They didn’t want a meditation; they wanted a speech!The meeting was about

Hello, October

2008-10-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

It happens every year in higher education: The September Blur. Classes begin after Labor Day and, before we know it, October is here and midterms are just a couple weeks away. It’s also why my last post to this blog was in August. But exciting things are on the horizon in October. We recently learned that the Ford Foundation is funding a major three-year initiative, led by theologians Philip

From Claremont to China, with Hope

2008-08-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

As the Beijing Olympics wrap up this week, I took note of an interesting article about China that came across my desk recently. The piece, from NYU’s Scienceline newsletter, is misleadingly entitled “Why China’s Environmental Future May Depend on Reclaiming Some of Its Past.”I say the title is “misleading” because the article talks as much about how process thought – the same process thought that

George is Quite a guy

2008-07-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

What sort of person comes to mind when you think about the Board of Trustees of a theological school? Sure, schools like Claremont have members of the clergy, denominational leaders and committed laypeople who serve on the board. But Claremont also seeks out creative people who bring different skills and knowledge sets to the table. George Strawn is one of those people. Especially since he

The Claremont University Project

2008-06-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

Claremont School of Theology is experiencing what can only be characterized as a renaissance. Those of you familiar with the European Renaissance understand well that those great gains were made in religion, science, art and the humanities by looking back to the Greco-Roman roots of Western Society. Only by looking back could Europe have moved forward. The same is happening at Claremont.

Naming the Unknown God

2008-06-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

Earlier this spring, I had the honor of preaching at my home church, First United Methodist Church in Pasadena. The sermon was entitled “Naming the Unknown God,” drawing on Acts 17:22-31 where Paul is speaking at the Areopagus in Athens. He was a Christian speaking in a land of diverse religious belief and practice, which is not unlike our context today.I had recently returned from a trip to

Deep Ecological Roots

2008-04-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

The longer I'm at Claremont, the more I learn about this School's remarkable history.Last week, the Seminarians for Social Justice (a student group here at Claremont) organized the second annual Responsible Social Engagement Awards to honor Dean Freudenberger, former professor of international development and missions at Claremont School of Theology.Like many of Claremont's faculty, Dean was way

Updates

2008-04-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

I have a couple of quick updates to share with you.First, it came to my attention that the link to my statement about Claremont School of Theology's accreditation was not easily accessible. You can go directly to the statement by clicking here.Also, additional context about the Mission, Vision and Values set forth by the Board of Trustees earlier this spring is now available online. Read more

Exciting News from Claremont

2008-04-02T14:35:00.000-07:00

We've been busy here at Claremont School of Theology, and I have exciting news to share on two fronts.You may have heard that the School has had issues with its accreditation due to issues of financial planning and governance. Though the School never lost its accreditation, it was dangerously close when I came to Claremont nearly two years ago. Earlier this spring, we received word that the

2008-03-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

John Cobb never ceases to amaze me. As you may have heard, a major celebration in Claremont was held recently in his honor, including a three-day conference on his intellectual legacy and a gala dinner to raise funds for an endowed chair in his honor. Theologians gathered from around the world, including such major figures as Ian Barbour, David Griffin, Catherine Keller, Philip Clayton,

Reflections on the Pew Forum study

2008-03-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

You may have heard about the “U.S. Religious Landscape Survey” published last week by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. It presents findings based on interviews of 35,000 residents of the U.S. The United Methodist News Service recently published an overview of the survey and asked me to comment. In part, I reply: "In the mid-20th century, we thought it was a pretty good thing for

An Audience with Pope Benedict

2008-03-02T12:40:00.000-08:00

In January, I traveled to Rome and Jerusalem as part of a delegation of interfaith leaders from the Los Angeles Area. We were fortunate to attend a general audience with Pope Benedict XVI and meet with religious leaders in the Vatican and Jerusalem. The L.A. Times reported on the visit, and I’ve posted my personal account of the experience on the School’s Web site. In part, it reads:"

Not MySpace but OURspace

2008-03-02T12:36:00.001-08:00

Before I was selected as Claremont's president in 2006, I spent the previous 25 years working to help break the mold of how libraries work. As we all know, the Internet and its abundant technologies have changed the way the First World gathers and processes information. This has significant impacts on libraries, which for hundreds - even thousands - of years operated as the sole repositories of