La Asociación Para La Educación Teológica Hispana and McCormick Theological Seminary agree to collaborate on advancing theological education in Latinx communities
from McCormick Theological Seminary and AETH | Special to Presbyterian News Service
McCormick Theological Seminary has signed an agreement with a Hispanic theological network to expand opportunities among both educational institutions. (Contributed photo)
CHICAGO and ORLANDO, Florida — La Asociación Para La Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH) and McCormick Theological Seminary have entered into a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in advancing theological education opportunities in Latinx communities.
The effort is designed to create pathways for students at AETH-certified Bible institutes across the country to pursue advanced graduate-level degrees and continuing theological education at McCormick and to increase cooperation and opportunities for learning among the faculty, staff and students at both McCormick and the AETH-certified Bible institutes. According to a news release issued by both institutions, McCormick becomes the first educational institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools of North America to enter into such an understanding with AETH.
“This is an extremely important moment for AETH, students at AETH-certified Bible institutes across the country, and for the growing Latinx churches and faith-communities they serve,” said Dr. Fernando Cascante, Executive Director of AETH. “McCormick has long been a leader in serving and supporting Latinx ministers and congregations and we are both excited and grateful for this opportunity to work more closely with McCormick.”
McCormick President David Crawford said: “We are blessed to have this opportunity to collaborate with our good friends and colleagues at AETH in expanding accessibility to theological education and building mutually-supportive relationships with AETH-certified Bible institutes and the Latinx communities they serve.” McCormick’s Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Steed Davidson added, “We are eager to work with students who graduate from AETH-certified Bible institutes since they reflect the type of preparation needed for theological education today. Prior knowledge of basic theological disciplines in a focused way as takes place in these institutes prepares those students for the deeper dive into degree-level work. This is an exciting development for theological education.”
This collaborative effort seeks to encourage sharing of resources, creation of pathways from Bible institutes into graduate-level theological education, joint grant and fundraising opportunities, and relationship building between AETH and the diverse communities served by McCormick. The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, AETH’s Coordinator of Relations with Theological Entities, said: “This is collaboration as initiative that opens the space for co-creation which enhances the capacity of both institutions to enrich their work and to imagine beyond themselves.” A critical element in this collaboration will be McCormick’s Center for the Study of Latinx Theology and Ministry led by the Rev. Dr. Leslie Diaz-Perez, who said, “We look forward to finding new ways to nurture our long-standing partnerships with AETH and Bible institutes. This collaboration is our collective expression of the level of commitment needed to foster theological education and opportunities in Latinx communities.”
About AETH
The Association for Hispanic Theological Education, AETH for its name in Spanish, is a network of people and institutions that since 1992 has served in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and more recently in Latin America and the Caribbean. AETH’s mission is to promote excellent and pertinent theological education of Hispanic-Latino/a leaders in their service to the church and the world.
AETH is an educational non-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and improvement of theological education and its impact on the lives of people, churches, and communities. It is a network of organizations and leaders who share a passion for promoting theological education in its greater ecological system that includes educational programs in congregations, denominations or church agencies, BI, seminaries, and theological programs in colleges and universities.
Learn more here.
About McCormick
McCormick Theological Seminary is a member of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) and an integral part of one of the world’s great centers of theological education and research. Accredited by both the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), McCormick seeks to embody and create a more just and compassionate world through rigorous academic study, practical experience, spiritual formation and an active, engaged learning community. Founded in 1829 and a leader in the Chicago faith community since 1860, it is a seminary with a long history of high academic standards and a commitment to social justice.
McCormick is one of 12 theological institutions associated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Part of the Reformed tradition is an ecumenical commitment and openness to dialogue with different perspectives within the larger church. McCormick’s student body represents a wide variety of Christian traditions including Baptist, UCC, AME, Pentecostal, non-denominational students, and more. Common to all our students is a desire to live in a racially, ethnically, linguistically, and theologically diverse community rooted in our faith and in a shared commitment to service for the common good.
Learn more about McCormick here.
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