Since the Fall of 2004 Palmer Theological Seminary, has been offering courses with an emphasis in Urban Anabaptism. Recognizing that it was the only regional seminary available to Mennonite pastors seeking a hands-on urban ministry focus, Palmer drafted an agreement with Eastern Mennonite Seminary to work together to provide a “more cohesive, authentic education in their tradition” to Mennonite seminarians attending Palmer.
Courses have engaged such topics as the socio-political genesis of the Anabaptist movement to Anabaptist theology in the urban context. This Fall two Ubran Anabaptist Emphasis courses are being offered. “The Bible, Pacifism and Just War” will be taught by Dr. Ron Sider and “Leadership, Learning, and Nonviolence: How can we build toward peace in and increasingly connected and violent world?” will be taught by Franconia Conference staff member, Stephen Kriss.
According to Dr. Sider, Palmer currently has a number of students who are Mennonite or who share an Anabaptist perspective. “Palmer wants to serve those students and also offer all its students the opportunity to better understand the Anabaptist perspective (which at several crucial points is shared by Baptists).” notes Sider. “I am personally happy to have Palmer offering Anabaptist courses because I am both the longest-serving faculty member at Palmer and also an Anabaptist.”
“The urban Anabaptist focus at Palmer is unique, bringing Anabaptist theologies to bear both in practice and theory with the diversity of students in Philadelphia. It’s an opportunity to explore the Good News from a Radical Reformation perspective in a context where students are deepening their abilities and perspectives on cultivating a sense of shalom within and beyond their communities,” says Steve Kriss, who began teaching at Palmer this semester.
For more information on Palmer Theological Seminary and the Urban Anabaptist Emphasis courses visit www.palmerseminary.edu
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.