FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Does the Presbyterian Church (USA) need 10 Seminaries?
The existence of our seminaries, as with any other business or institution, is driven by market forces. They exist because there is a demand for the services they provide. The question arises from the perceived decline in current membership and financial resources. Instead of asking, “Are we needed?”, JCSTS chooses to ask, “How do we expand our market?” Further, there are more 300 million people in the United States; less than half of them attend church. It appears there is still plenty of kingdom building to do. Thus, one may also ask, “Do we have ENOUGH seminaries?”
Fifty years after the Civil Rights Movement, do we still need an historically Black seminary like Johnson C. Smith?
Yes. It is true that African Americans are attending majority White seminaries in record numbers and are thriving. But it is also true, that overall, the African American population continues to lag behind the curve in health, education, and income; and that many issues of class and race have yet to be resolved in our country. From where will our help come? From God, of course! But also from steadfast, visionary institutions-like Johnson C. Smith Seminary-which have a history of equipping leaders to do the unique work of empowering under-served, disenfranchised people and communities.
Atlanta is the home of two Presbyterian seminaries: Columbia and Johnson C. Smith. Should we have two Presbyterian seminaries in the same city? Why doesn’t Johnson C. Smith merge with Columbia?
One of the cornerstones of the American marketplace is choice. Would Publix grocery store chain merge (or insert the name of a popular grocer in your hometown) with Kroger (or insert the name of another popular grocer in your hometown)? Would the State of Georgia merge with Tennessee?
Columbia Seminary and Johnson C. Smith Seminary are two distinct institutions. One was born from southern stream Presbyterianism, the other from the northern stream. One is suburban, one is urban. One has a record of preparing tall steeple pastors, the other a record of preparing small church, urban church, and racial ethnic church pastors. They serve different markets.
From this perspective, their physical proximity allows the two institutions to work closely together without compromising the Presbyterian Church’s theological theological diversity, or the choices we provide potential students.
Is there any collaboration between Johnson C. Smith Seminary and Columbia Seminary?
Yes. Our students are permitted to cross-register. We do an annual Reformed lecture series in Montreat, NC, together. Our students fellowship together and we engage in mutual support services for our students.
Does JCSTS offer anything I can’t get at another PCUSA seminary?
Because of its history, JCSTS offers a standard Reformed curriculum with strong emphases in the theology and practice of -
Justice, Inclusive Language, Social Engagement, Oratory, Parish and Community Leadership, Urban Ministry, Spiritual Nurture, and Congregational Redevelopment
In the fall of 2012, JCSTS will launch a program for equipping HIV/AIDS competent congregations, based on the report of the same name adopted by the 218th General Assembly of the PCUSA.
