Theology, Formation & Evangelism’s associate director selected for a dean’s position at Columbia Theological Seminary

Beginning Nov. 28, the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill will be the seminary’s vice president and dean of Student Formation and Campus Culture

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill

LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill, associate director for Theology, Formation & Evangelism, has accepted a call from Columbia Theological Seminary to become its vice president and dean of Student Formation and Campus Culture.

Threadgill’s last day with the Presbyterian Mission Agency is Nov. 25. Her first official day in her new position is Nov. 28.

“I go with such joy to enter this beloved community, but I want you all to know I carry you with me,” Threadgill told her PMA colleagues in a letter. “I have never worked with such incredibly gifted, wise and wonderful people before in my 15 years of ministry, and I thank God for each of you.”

Threadgill’s new call will involve her and her new colleagues working to develop a campus culture of belonging in which diversity, equity and inclusion is celebrated as pastoral leaders are formed for ministry in the church and world. Together with the seminary’s Board of Trustees, Columbia Seminary’s new president, the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, called Threadgill to help carry out the seminary’s mission “to educate and nurture faithful, imaginative and effective leaders for the sake of the church and the world.”

“I could not be more excited about President Aloyo’s vision of grace and abundance for CTS,” Threadgill said, “and to join the leadership team in this incredible work before us. I am thrilled to join such an incredible team of colleagues of faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, administration and students.”

“The office of Student Formation and Campus Culture encompasses the idea that student learning does not occur exclusively within the classroom and that theological education affects students profoundly in many different dimensions of life,” Aloyo said. “With her experience serving at the Presbyterian Mission Agency in formation and theology, serving the church as a youth minister, and her knowledge of Columbia, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Threadgill to serve in this critical role.”

“While we will greatly miss Kathryn’s leadership, spiritual presence, and wisdom, we celebrate with her this new chapter in her life and eagerly anticipate learning of the impact she will undoubtedly have at CTS,” said the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, the PMA’s president and executive director. “We are thankful for our time benefiting from Kathryn’s remarkable talent and gifts. Join me in praying for her and with her as she embarks on this new chapter in her life.”

Threadgill said she’s “truly humbled and grateful to God for this incredible call to ministry” at the seminary where she studied. “It is such a crucial time in higher education, and the church, as we seek to prepare leaders for Christ’s redemptive work in the world. In joining Columbia Theological Seminary in their powerful vision for the future, I am so excited to see what God has in store for us all.”

The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill presents the elements at the Communion Table during a worship service at the Presbyterian Center. (Photo by Rich Copley)

Threadgill was called to the PMA five years ago to coordinate the Office of Vital Congregations. Together with PMA colleagues, she was instrumental in developing the Vital Congregations Initiative for the PC(USA), an initiative that challenged existing churches to prayerfully examine their life together in Christ and to revitalize through the Spirit’s power into the “new thing” God was calling the church to be about.

After three years with the Office of Vital Congregations, Threadgill was called to step into the position of Associate Director of Theology, Formation & Evangelism. She oversaw and supported the ministries of Vital Congregations, 1001 New Worshiping Communities and the offices of Theology & Worship, Youth & Triennium, and Christian Formation. Together with a team of writers, she and her colleagues developed the 8 Habits of Evangelism, the first evangelism resource the PC(USA) has developed in over a decade.

TFE Director the Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III “is about great as they come, and our partnership in ministry will be forever cherished,” Threadgill said. She also expressed thanks for Moffett’s leadership “and all of the PMA. It is because of my work together with these incredible people that I feel blessed and ready to take this new call to ministry for my life. I look forward to our ongoing partnerships as strong institutions of faithful witness to Jesus Christ.”

Jones called Threadgill “a gifted, thoughtful and faithful partner in the work of the gospel. She has served the Presbyterian Mission Agency with wisdom and grace. She has a heart for supporting and training leaders for meeting the needs of people in the 21^st century.”

“I will miss working with her in the Presbyterian Mission Agency, but I am excited about her new call and the many ways she will be able to be part of the formation of people preparing for ministry and life itself,” Jones said. “Kathryn is a gift to the church. I am fortunate to have been able to share ministry with her over the past five years. I am a better leader and person because of Kathryn.”