Category: January 2020

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued support of Perkins.

These are exciting times in theological education, and we are doing our best to stay abreast of the changing tides. Creativity and innovation are what we hear are needed most. As enrollment management providers, our best work is realized in developing new pathways for students at a time when old pipelines no longer seem to be our strongest ally. Finding new students is our challenge, and we believe that you can be of great help in this area.

Spring 2020 is a strong recruitment season, and we are continually scheduling events in a variety of settings and locations. The truth is that individuals are still being called to ministry, and we believe that our mission to develop Christian women and men for ministry is imperative. It’s what keeps us excited about the work that we do: providing spaces where individuals can meet and share their “call” comfortably. This is a conversation that does not take place easily, and our desire is to create more of these spaces.

We invite you to help us think differently about our recruitment practices by partnering with our staff to convene a recruitment event. Here’s how this can work:

1. Notify me of your interest in convening an “Introduction to Seminary” event at your church, the university where you teach, your undergraduate school, your Sunday school class, the social agency where you work, in your home or any location of your choice in your area.
2. Our staff will work with you to plan the event and will cover any costs for a reception, lunch or dinner for prospective students attending the event.
3. Understand that our resources are not unlimited, so decisions will be made where the largest groups of individuals interested in theological studies can convene.
4. We are open to your ideas.

Here’s just one example of how you might help. The Rev. David Johnson (M.Div. ’12), a member of our Alumni Council, is working with Caleb Palmer, Ministry Discernment Associate, to host a recruitment event at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where Johnson earned his B.A.

“Perkins was a loving and transformative community for my theological education and journey,” Johnson tells me. “As an alumnus, it’s an honor to partner with my school to invite other potential students to come on this powerful pilgrimage I have traveled. We would love for other alumni to join us as we welcome other students to travel the road we have and help them grow in their faith and education.”

Like Johnson, you have connections where we might connect and minister to potential Perkins students. Call us, and let’s work together!

This is a new playing field for us, and we want to engage ourselves with imaginative and adaptive actions that lead to changing the way we do things for the benefit of theological education. We are reimagining the ways in which we can seize any opportunities that will bring individuals to Perkins who have a heart for ministry.

In our work, we are witnesses to the transformative nature of theological education and want to live out the blessing of God’s persistent activity in the world. It is our hope that the challenges we face are addressed with bold decisions, and that we can be energized by them for the benefit of ministry in the world. You can invest in Perkins by partnering with us. We look forward to hearing from you early in 2020.

Blessings to you and yours for 2020!

The Rev. Margot Perez-Greene, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Enrollment Management

Contact me: margot@smu.edu or 214-768-3332 (please leave a message)

Did you know that Perkins’ Houston-Galveston program turns 25 in 2020? Here is the story of the program’s origins, from Professor Joseph Allen’s outstanding account, Perkins School of Theology: A Centennial History:

To make seminary education more broadly available in the region, as well as to reverse declining enrollment at Perkins, Dean Robin Lovin began work in the fall of 1994 to establish an extension program in the Houston area. After an exploratory meeting with leaders of the Texas Annual Conference in Houston in January 1995, Lovin was able to announce at the Texas Annual Conference on May 29 that “Perkins South” would offer its first classes in the fall of 1995. The program would enable students to take the initial portions of their work toward Perkins degrees – the master of divinity, master of theological studies and master of religious education – in Houston-Galveston, after which they would complete their degree work at the Dallas campus. Lovin expressed his special thanks to James Moore, pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, and Charles Millikan, pastor of Moody Memorial United Methodist Church in Galveston, for making their churches’ facilities available and providing financial support for the program. As Millikan observed, “Houston is one of the few major metropolitan areas in the country without a permanent, fully accredited seminary.” (Page 337)

Over the years, many outstanding students, including Bishop Cynthia Harvey, have attended Perkins through the Houston-Galveston program. As noted above, until recently, our theological accrediting body, the Association of Theological Schools, required students to attend classes on the Dallas campus in order to finish their degree programs.

However, that requirement has changed, and Perkins has permission to offer complete degrees in hybrid format at various sites. Students and professors meet at the beginning and the end of the semester face-to-face, with the remainder of each course conducted online. As a result, we have seen a remarkable increase in the number of students who are participating in this program.

Professor Hugo Magallanes, Associate Dean for Academics, who has spearheaded the development of the hybrid program, is enthusiastic about the future of this site. This hybrid format has attracted students from the greater Houston area, as well as others who fly in from Arkansas, Florida, Missouri and other states.

Houston, the fourth-largest city in the country, is a wonderful site for a Perkins education. With many Methodist and nondenominational churches in the area, we expect continued growth. Our close association with Houston Methodist Hospital, where many of the classes are held, is an added bonus. In addition, because Houston has been cited as the most diverse city in America, it affords Perkins an opportunity to reach out to various communities with our outstanding education.

Almost all of the Houston-Galveston students are enrolled full time and receive scholarships similar to the Dallas-based students. Several of our select group of Perkins Scholars are enrolled in Houston-Galveston.

We are always looking for scholarship help for Perkins students in every degree program. We are committed to helping them gain ministry skills in order to shoulder leadership positions in the church and in various capacities in society.

Click here to join in making education more affordable for these students!

With a thankful heart,

John A. Martin
Director of Development

Registration is now open for the Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning – formerly the Perkins Theological School for the Laity – which takes place March 26-28 on the Perkins campus at SMU. With the theme “Boundless Learning, Bountiful Living,” the program offers multiple course options and is open to laity as well as clergy.

Headlining the event is a half-day course on Thursday, March 26, taught by Will Willimon, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School, on “What’s Ahead for the UMC?” The course will explore how The United Methodist Church arrived at the present moment, what factors led to the 2019 special called General Conference and its aftermath, and what may happen in the upcoming General Conference.

Willimon was invited because the board of laypeople overseeing the event wanted to include a course related to the upcoming General Conference, according to event coordinator Priscilla Pope-Levison, Associate Dean for External Programs and Professor of Ministerial Studies. Willimon will also preach for the worship service.

The program took its new name, Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning, in 2019, spurred by a number of factors.

“The word ‘laity’ doesn’t mean anything to younger generations,” Pope-Levison said. “Also, some assumed that ‘laity’ meant the event was only for church leaders, when that wasn’t the intention.”

Pope-Levison noted that, similarly, the former Ministers’ Week was renamed Perkins Fall Convocation a few years ago, to include laypeople as well as clergy.

“The classes offered at the Perkins Summit are great for clergy, too, because there’s so much more to learn than what can be covered in seminary,” Pope-Levison added. “Every course offered will be top-notch in terms of quality, information and application to a robust life of faith.”

Attendees may also opt for a second half-day course on Thursday, “A Boundless God: The Spirit According to the Old Testament,” taught by John R. (Jack) Levison, W. J. A. Power Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Hebrew, Perkins School of Theology.

All-day courses will be offered on Friday and Saturday, including:

“How to Read the Bible According to the Early Church Fathers” by James Kang Hoon Lee, Associate Professor of the History of Early Christianity and Director, Doctor of Ministry Program, Perkins School of Theology

“Truth Telling in a Post-Truth World” by D. Stephen Long, Cary M. Maguire University Professor of Ethics, Perkins School of Theology

“The Emperor’s New Clothes: How Mark’s Ironic Passion Story Reveals God’s Reign,” by O. Wesley Allen, Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics, Perkins School of Theology

“How Do We Solve a Problem Like…Mary?” taught by Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner, Professor of Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology, Perkins School of Theology

The full schedule for the three-day event is available here.

Registration fees range from $35 to $90 per course, depending on the course length and early or late registration, with discounts for first-time registrants. A limited number of partial, need-based scholarships are available. For more information, contact Priscilla Pope-Levison at popelevison@smu.edu. Perkins Summit scholarships are funded by the Howard Holbert Endowment fund.

Online registration closes March 19; on-site registration will be available for the classes on the day they are given. Call 214-768-3664 to register by phone with a credit or debit card. Questions about the event may be directed via email to theoexternalprograms@smu.edu.

Some live nearby; others travel from afar. Some work in secular careers; others serve as pastors, chaplains or church leaders. All come with the desire to go deeper and ultimately to help others to do so as well.

The students in Perkins’ Certification in Spiritual Direction program gathered in early December for a weekend class session on the campus of SMU, as part of a three-year, noncredit continuing education course that trains participants in the art of accompanying and guiding others in their spiritual journeys. In August, the program welcomed its 26th cohort, the largest in recent years.

Ruben Habito, who directs the program, attributes the growth in participation, in part, to a concerted effort in early 2019 to build awareness of the program.

“We sent a mass email to churches and others in the Perkins community, to let people know about the program and encourage them to consider how it might enrich their own spiritual well-being,” he said. “There also seems to be a growing thirst among people in the pews for ways of going more deeply, to find more spiritually satisfying avenues beyond the usual worship and church programs.”

Habito adds that word of mouth has helped grow the program, too. Graduates and current students find the program well-designed, helpful and enriching, and they tell their friends.

A growing number of people, too, are simply aware of what spiritual directors do. As the program’s website explains, “Spiritual directors are trained to listen, pray and ask questions in a fashion that encourages directees to look for the movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They ask the kind of questions that nurture the growth of wisdom, using the tools and values that have been sharpened over two millennia of prayerful observation.”

Each incoming class of students joins a cohort that studies together throughout the three years. The program is designed for graduate students, lay people and clergy, all of whom are represented in the current group of students.

Started in 2010

The program was initiated in 2010 under the leadership of Dr. Frederick Schmidt, with a grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Initially a two-year program, the curriculum was expanded in 2016 with additional practicum sessions. To date, more than 300 students have earned certifications.

New cohorts begin each year in April and August. Students study throughout the year, reading books, writing papers and attending online classes, then gather on campus for eight weekend class sessions during the three years. Students are encouraged to meet regularly with a spiritual director at least six months before beginning the program and to continue to meet at least monthly while in the program. The program is ecumenical and works within a Christian framework.

“It’s open to spiritual seekers,” Habito said. “Anyone who can understand and appreciate what is offered through the Christian perspective is welcome.”

While most entered with plans to serve as spiritual directors, many participants said the program has been personally nourishing, too. David Taylor, a third-year student, noted an unexpected side benefit: The program has helped him to learn to listen more attentively to his grandchildren. “I am much more patient and able to listen to anyone, anywhere, thanks to this program,” he added.

Dr. Mark Hausfield, a leader in the Assemblies of God denomination and another third-year student, said, “I work with pastors and missionaries. I take care of everyone else. Who’s going to take care of me?” The certification program, he said, serves as a form of self-care that ultimately enables him to serve more effectively.

Habito says that’s a key goal. While the program covers contemplative practices, its ultimate aim is to enrich students’ spiritual lives and their relationships so as to deepen their commitment to live compassionate lives.

“The basis of self-care is the realization you are cared for unconditionally by God,” he said. “With full consciousness of being cared for, beyond anything we can imagine, that allows us to care for others. Spirituality is not something that separates us from our day-to-day, but gives us light for how to live.”

Many participants expressed gratitude for the friendships made through the program. During the opening portion of the December class session, students’ voices broke with emotion as they shared how meaningful these relationships have become.

“I hope you become friends for life,” Habito told the group.

Meet the Soul Shakers

Each cohort adopts a nickname; the newest cohort is the “Soul Shakers” and includes 17 participants from a variety of backgrounds. (Two are currently taking a leave of absence, but at 15, the group still ranks among the largest in recent years.)

Robin Linck, a Dallas resident, a Roman Catholic and an accountant, is a student in this newly formed Soul Shakers cohort. After some major life changes, she became interested in meditation and contemplative practice; the certification program seemed like the right next step.

“I’m a person who has lived in my head all my life, and I was very happy there,” she said. “Now I’m learning to live in my heart.”

Another Soul Shaker is Kathleen Kisner, a Perkins alum (M.Div. ’97), wife, mother of two kids and associate pastor of Walnut Street United Methodist Church in Chillicothe, Ohio. Kisner travels to Dallas for the program’s on-campus portion. She wants to prepare to assist parishioners who desire spiritual guidance, and the Perkins program fit her needs.

“Perkins offers one of the few weekend programs, which works for my schedule,” she said.

Dorothy Pierce joined the program after retiring from a career as a schoolteacher and counselor. When she came across information about the Spiritual Direction program, it seemed like exactly what she needed, and she signed up immediately.

“I was at a place in my life where I needed to understand not only my walk but God also,” she said. “I questioned the spirit and my feelings. Even though I am in the church and doing things, I felt I needed a better understanding of Christianity.”

As regional pastor for Methodist Healthcare Ministries in the San Antonio area, Vanessa LeVine’s job involves ministering to people who are caretakers – nurses, counselors and other pastors. LeVine hopes that the program will help her better serve those who are at risk for burnout.

“This was a natural progression for me, to dive deeper into spiritual direction,” she said. “I also appreciate the peer support and the relationships with everyone here. It’s my way of practicing what I preach.”

Southern Methodist University, on behalf of Perkins School of Theology, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bishop Han Theological School (BHTS) in Mindanao, Philippines, to promote collaboration and intercultural activities among theology faculty and students from the two institutions.

Beginning in the spring 2020 semester, the two theology schools will allow master’s-level students from each school to enroll in courses in the other school for credit without registering for a degree program in the host school.

“We’re excited about the possibilities this agreement offers for our students to learn in a global context while pursuing a master’s degree at Perkins, as well as to involve students from BHTS in our classrooms,” said Craig C. Hill, Dean of Perkins School of Theology.

The MOU was signed on December 3 in Kirby Parlor at Perkins. Signing on behalf of Perkins was Dean Hill and for SMU, Peter K. Moore, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, ad interim.

Representatives of BHTS present for the ceremony included the two signatories, Dr. Arnaldo Ladia Estrella, Dean; and Dr. Han Sang Ho, President and Senior Pastor of Jooan Methodist Church in Incheon, South Korea. Also on hand were Dr. Sang Ho’s wife, Mrs. Hwang Young-Ok; the Rev. Lee Chang-Sun, missionary and representative of the Jooan Church at BHTS (who served as translator); and Dr. David Upp, Perkins alum (M.Th. ’80, D.Min. ’91) and professor at Bishop Han Theological Seminary and Conference Missionary from the Great Plains Annual Conference, UMC.

The MOU provides for guest students from either BHTS or Perkins to enroll in courses of the host school, with the advance counsel and approval of the relevant course/program coordinator. Guest students will remain enrolled as regular degree candidates at their home institutions. In addition, faculty exchanges of short duration may be arranged to encourage global collaboration and intercultural instruction.

BHTS and Perkins have collaborated before, as part of the Global Theological Education project, headed by Perkins’ Robert Hunt. Hunt traveled in June 2019 to the campus of Wesleyan College of Manila in the Philippines, where he collaborated with Filipino scholars to record the first batch of classes for online sharing; BHTS Dean Estrella is one of the Virtual Visiting Professors featured on the website as a result.

For Cori Clevenger, her education as a church intern in England began just moments after arriving at the airport in Manchester, U.K.

Clevenger was met by a member of one of the churches she now serves. While helping load her luggage into an elevator, the church member said, “Ay up, Duck!”

“I literally ducked,” said Clevenger. “I didn’t know what that meant. It turns out the people from Derbyshire don’t say ‘Love,’ as many English people do; they say ‘Duck.’ So that was a learning experience.”

It was the first of many ways that Clevenger has been challenged in her nine-month internship in England, made available through a partnership between Perkins and the Methodist church in England.

Clevenger, who expects to complete her M.Div. in May 2020, has been serving since last fall at three churches in the Midlands area of England – Swanwick Methodist Church in Swanwick, Alfreton Wesley Methodist Church in Alfreton and Grassmoor Methodist Church in Grassmoor. At the first two, she’s essentially functioning as a senior pastor; at Grassmoor, she’s more of an associate pastor, assisting with Bible studies and ministry for the impoverished.

She applied for the internship with the encouragement of her church history professor, Ted Campbell, and she’s glad she did.

“Professor Campbell believed in my abilities to handle this internship before I believed in myself,” she said. “Serving in England has not only given me a broader perspective for my ministry, outside of my native context of Texas United Methodism, but also has given me the confidence that I can be an effective minister.”

As to what’s next, Clevenger is currently considering doctoral programs in the U.S. and the U.K., and ultimately hopes to pursue ordination.

Before traveling to England, Clevenger’s on-campus activities included serving as a Residential Community Chaplain to students living in the university commons. Last spring, she was selected to attend The National Workshop on Christian Unity in St. Louis, sponsored by the Council of Bishops Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships.

Clevenger’s academic interests include Moral Theology/Christian Ethics focusing on the dynamics of abuses of power in organizations such as the church, and how to best promote healing when they occur.

“I think it is important to strengthen the relationship between theology and secular psychology; there is a lot of potential for the two disciplines to help each other,” she said. “People struggling with depression and suicide can too easily fall through the cracks in our secular governing system. I hope that academic research will enable the church to better minister to those with mental health issues, both inside and outside the walls of the church in partnership with secular psychologists.”

She’s also an enthusiast of church history. Her paper, “John Wesley Hardin: Preacher’s Kid and Convicted Killer,” was selected last year as the recipient of the Walter Vernon Essay Award. She received a $250 prize and an invitation to present a summary of the paper to the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Texas United Methodist Historical Society.

Hardin (1853-1895) was an American Old West outlaw, gunfighter and controversial folk icon. The son of a Methodist preacher, Hardin got into trouble with the law from an early age. He killed his first man at age 14, he claimed in self-defense. Pursued by lawmen for most of his life, he was sentenced in 1877, at age 24, to 25 years in prison for murder. Hardin claimed to have killed 42 men; however, he was well known for wildly exaggerating or completely making up stories about his life. Within a year of his release in 1894, Hardin was killed by John Selman in an El Paso saloon.

Clevenger’s interest was piqued when she learned that Hardin’s father was a minister in her home church in Liberty, Texas.

“I had come across Hardin earlier while doing historic research for the church’s 175th anniversary celebration,” she said. “It was a story I knew and was familiar with, but it was never told through a psychological lens. I looked at the relationship between Hardin and his circuit-riding father – how that relationship affected him, and what we can learn from that today when addressing clergy burnout and its effects on our families.”

When she’s not busy shuttling between her three parishes, Clevenger takes time to nurture her own spirit and to stay close to God. She enjoys composing music at the piano and sketching images that relate to her prayer life.

“Whenever I feel anxious, I want to create something beautiful, to remind myself of the One who holds me in the palms of their hands,” she said.