Discussion guide for October 2026 issue

Theological education begins with human beings by Emma Jordan-Sampson

Questions:

1.  What have you known of Auburn Theological Seminary before reading this article?
2.  Reread the paragraph that begins, “From Auburn’s vantage point, we keep noticing vocations …” How helpful would it be if more attention was given to noticing what is happening at the church’s doorsteps, the profound questions people are asking and the forces that are impacting the community?
3.  The author writes about “encountering people already hungry for theological formation.” Who in your church is hungry for theological formation? What are some ways you can imagine that hunger being satisfied?
4.  The closing line of the article is, “Love is the curriculum.” How does that statement capture the essence of the author’s presentation of all that preceded this conclusion?

Seminaries: This is your moment by Jacqueline Lapsley and Andrew Pomerville

Questions:

1.  What is your view of the state of theological education today?
2.  If you attended a theological school, what are your impressions of the state of that school? 
3.  How do you respond to the statement the authors quoted in the second paragraph, “What seminaries do is the most needed form of education today?”
4.  A major theme of the article is the importance of collaboration. How is your church collaborating with other churches or organizations in your community?
5.  Toward the end of the article, the authors identify three changes they would like to see in theological education in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Which of these changes do you see as most important? Why? What change would you add? 
6.  What are some ways you and/or your church could connect more directly with theological education?

Discerning futures for theological education by Ted A. Smith

Questions:

1.  What concerns you most about the data overview of theological education the author shares in the opening paragraphs of the article?
2.  The author writes of students he knows: “They might be eager for faithful study and courageous ministries of care and justice, but fewer are drawn to professional leadership of voluntary associations.” To what extent do you share the author’s observation?
3.  What do you think would be a potential, successful strategy for challenging thoughtful, socially conscious persons to consider engaging in theological education to prepare for ministry in a local church?
4.  At the end of the article, the author describes two initiatives of Candler School of Theology: the Candler Foundry and La Mesa. What features of each do you find to be most significant? What are some insights that you see being relevant to your church’s ministry?

What is theological education in the future? by Beth McCaw 

Questions:

1.  A recurring theme in the article is the importance of collaboration between seminaries and middle judicatories, and between seminaries and churches. What has been your experience with such collaboration? What do you hope for in more collaboration like this? 
2.  Look again at the paragraph that begins, “Collaboration assumes that one brings something to offer.” Later in the paragraph, the author asks four questions. Take some time to discuss those questions and the concluding sentence of the paragraph.
3.  The author raises concern about the role of AI in forming faithful Christians. What is your experience with AI in theological, spiritual matters? What are your concerns about the role of AI in theological formation of the members of the body of Christ?
4.  The author writes of theological education and theological formation. What do you think are the distinctive attributes of each of the concepts?