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Signs of Renewed Vitality: Ecumenism in the Washington Consortium

Rev. John W. Crossin, OSFS

As it enters its 40th year, the Consortium is growing in theological and institutional diversity. The Consortium began as a group of Catholic and mainline Protestant theological schools and one Associate seeking to share educational resources. They sought an in-depth theological and personal interchange. They longed for the full communion of Christians.

The Consortium now covers the greater Gettysburg-Washington-Richmond region. It includes mainline Protestant, Catholic and Evangelical institutions. Four years ago the Consortium Board voted to accept non-voting Affiliate Members that are not Christian.

Following a period of self-questioning in the mid-90’s, the Consortium Board adopted a Strategic Plan in December of 1998. This plan and its successor have guided our work for a decade. This period saw:

• Revitalization of faculty area groups for ecumenical sharing and professional growth. There are now 15 faculty groups and also 8 groups of administrators.
  
  
• Increase in number of member institutions. We went from 8 to 18. We now have 10 institutional members, including the 3 schools in the Richmond Consortium as a single member, 4 Associate members and 2 Affiliates.
  
  
• Admission of the Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences as an Affiliate Member. We believe that we are the first Consortium to have an Islamic Member.
  
  
• Movement to greater use of technology including the website and blog for ongoing communication.
  

The efforts of the Ecumenism Committee through the last decade have been outstanding. This Board Committee began with the 1998 Plan. This group meets twice a year and sponsors a yearly dinner for the Consortium professors who teach courses in ecumenism or interreligious dialogue.

A major concern is training the next generation of pastoral ecumenists. Efforts include:

1. The continued practice of cross registration. There are about 500 cross registrations among the schools each academic year.
   
   
2. Collaboration with Wesley Theological Seminary on a Doctor of Ministry track in ecumenism. Six students have graduated with this degree. A second cohort might begin if enough potential students express serious interest [15 or more].
   
   
3. A Certificate Program in Ecumenism [12 graduate credits], sponsored by the Consortium and begun last October. Students can integrate this with their degree programs.
   
   
4. Increased numbers of courses in ecumenism offered by the executive director. Almost all of the member institutions offer regular courses on ecumenism as well.
   
   
5. A fall ecumenical essay contest sponsored by the Consortium Student Board.
   
   
6. Ecumenism Awards given by the Trustees to academic and pastoral ecumenists who have made outstanding contributions. Each year we not only honor leaders but also encourage the next generation by their example.
   
   
7. Revitalization of local campus celebrations of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This effort is just beginning at the initiative of the Consortium Council of Academic Deans.
   
   
8. Opportunities for students to participate in national ecumenical meetings held in Washington. Thirty-two Consortium students attended the National Workshop on Christian Unity in January 2007. Christian Churches Together will have a day open to seminarians at their meeting in January 2008.
   
   
9. A Consortium Certificate in Muslim-Christian Dialogue approved in March. This 12-credit certificate will be launched this academic year. We believe that while large numbers of students may not complete the Certificate, many will take a course or two as electives.
   
   
10. Website resources for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. This year we will add more resources and links for our members and the general public.

This is a summary of what we have done. Many of these ideas might be of use to readers of this newsletter. I would be happy to give you the details that lie behind these summary statements. You can e-mail me at crossin@washtheocon.org.

A decade ago my predecessor Dick Abbott, an Episcopalian, took me to lunch and proposed that I become his successor as Executive Director of the Washington Theological Consortium. I had been working on the Strategic Plan but never expected to be implementing it! The Holy Spirit continues to surprise me after all these years. Just when I think things are beginning to settle down something new and exciting happens.

(Rev) John W. Crossin, OSFS, Ph.D, is Executive Director of the Washington Theological Consortium.