Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary inaugurates its 11th president

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Pomerville is formally installed 14 months after beginning his tenure

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Pomerville

LOUISVILLE — With dozens of family, friends, faculty, staff, students and PC(USA) representatives on hand in Caldwell Chapel to wish him their best, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Pomerville was inaugurated and installed Friday as the 11^th president and professor of Practical Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

“This is a holy occasion for Louisville Seminary,” said Elizabeth Clay, the chair the seminary’s Board of Trustees who welcomed those celebrating the occasion.

Pomerville began his service to the seminary on July 1, 2023. Exactly a year later, the 226^th General Assembly confirmed his election as president. As part of Friday’s inauguration, LPTS student Christella Philippe sang Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude.” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear sent his best wishes for Pomerville’s ministry via a brief recorded message.

The Rev. Jihyun Oh

“I’m honored to bring greetings on behalf of the General Assembly of the PC(USA),” said the Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. The Co-Moderators of the 226^th General Assembly, the Rev. CeCe Armstrong and the Rev. Tony Larson, were also present Friday. When the Assembly confirmed Pomerville as president, “it’s an acknowledgement we are but one part of a much larger body of Christ,” Oh said.

In a prayer, Oh asked for blessings on Pomerville “as he seeks to lead the seminary faithfully. Surround him,” she asked the Almighty, “with faithful and wise companions and conversation partners.”

Scriptures selected for the service included Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Romans 12:3-8.

Dr. Tyler Mayfield

“Since I look the way I do and since I live in the state of Kentucky, I want to name a particular fire I see burning in this particular moment: white Christian nationalism,” said Dr. Tyler Mayfield, the A.B. Rhodes Professor of Old Testament at LPTS, who offered the charge to the community. “My charge today is more about the response to the fire. What are we going to do, Louisville Seminary, to create that better world, to dream it into reality?”

Mayfield quoted the poet Frank X Walker, the “Affrilachian Poet,” who likened church people to fire ants. Mayfield charged those gathered to take up three important tasks: stirring up cement, installing new extinguishers and testing smoke alarms. The cement will provide “new foundations of equity.” The smoke alarms will detect the first signs of racism, and the extinguishers will ready everyone “to put out the next fire.”

“In a world ablaze, O God, make us fire ants, fireproof, a faith community that won’t go up in smoke,” Mayfield said.

The Rev. Betsy Aho, pastor of Haslett Community Church in Haslett, Michigan, praised the way Pomerville continues to “listen to the voices of those serving alongside you and amplify the voices not heard often enough.” She reminded him “this job, this call, is bigger than even you. This office is more than you, and you are more than this office.”

The Rev. Betsy Aho

“You were called to this place at this time for a reason,” Aho said, suggesting he “lead and live from your most sacred self. You don’t have be your most, because you are surrounded by the body of Christ, and it is strongest when it is together.”

“You’re getting a bold and courageous leader who will stand with you and for you, especially when times get tough,” said Pomerville’s old friend, Dr. Matt vandenBerg, the president of Ohio Wesleyan University. vandenBerg took office the same day Pomerville did. “He will do anything in his power to help you reach your fullest potential,” vandenBerg said of his friend.

Pomerville thanked everyone present in Caldwell Chapel and those cheering for him online, including his daughter Denali, who’s studying in Scotland. In addition to other groups, he thanked LPTS students, “the reason God has called the rest of us to be here and do what we do,” he said.

Pomerville said he was “utterly surprised” a few weeks ago by a gift to the seminary from an anonymous alum who gave LPTS the largest single gift by a living donor. The person told Pomerville, “Use it at your discretion. When I give it to the seminary, I trust it will be used the right way.”

“Every 20 years or so, we have seen dramatic changes” at the seminary, Pomerville said. “We turn to God and prepare for what comes next, offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. We will take the ‘whosoever message’ and say all people are worthy and loved and valued.”

“We have been called into this beloved community; therefore, let us call others to join in the community. God bless all of you. Amen.”