March 4, 2011

UCC-related Eden Theological Seminary has announced plans to add two campus locations in Florida to meet the growing need for degree and non-degree seminary education in the state while filling the void left when the last progressive Protestant seminary transitioned last year.

Eden, with its main campus in the St. Louis area, is one of the seven affiliated seminaries of the United Church of Christ and has been educating women and men for church leadership since it began over 160 years ago.

The Florida campuses of Eden will be located at Coral Gables Congregational UCC and in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Eden will begin offering courses in the fall in Coral Gables, taught by Eden faculty and adjunct faculty. The courses will take a hybrid approach of face-to-face classes combined with online learning.

"We recognized the void of a seminary presence in Florida as well as the demand for ongoing degree and non-degree theological education there," said Rick Walters, Eden's Executive Vice President and director for the Florida expansion. "Eden's presence at these two locations in Florida will provide the opportunity for clergy, lay leaders and congregants to further their education – and get that education from Eden's faculty, many of whom are recognized as biblical scholars."

Courses will lead to one of several degrees including Master of Divinity as well as a Doctorate in Ministry. However, courses will also be available for non-degree pursuing students who simply want to gain a deeper understanding of the many aspects of theology.

The format for the Florida-based courses will include intensive monthly sessions for each class supplemented by online classes. Each class will close with another intensive session. "We feel confident that this format will allow for an excellent learning environment while providing those enrolled an opportunity for collaboration – just as it would in a traditional classroom for a semester course," explained Dr. Deborah Krause, Eden's Academic Dean. Dr. Krause will be teaching the initial class during the fall session on Paul and the Interpreters of Paul.

"Eden's presence in Florida is not new," said The Rev. Dr. David M. Greenhaw, Eden's President. "We had a successful program in Florida about 20 years ago but as the need for education changed at that time our presence was no longer viable. However, with the closing of seminaries in Florida, and with the demand and interest that has been expressed from every region of the state, we feel coming back to Florida will answer the need while helping Eden meet its mission of strengthening the lives of the church by educating women and men for ministry – and doing so in both traditional and non-traditional paths."

For more information on Eden's Florida program, contact Eden's Office of Admissions at 877-627-5652 or 314-918-2504. Deadline for registration is July 15, 2011. In-class meetings at the Coral Cables campus location this fall are scheduled for Sept. 16–17, Oct. 14-15, Nov. 4–5, and Dec. 9–10.

United Church of Christ News Service