Theological center serves all

Continuing education for clergy and laity in parish ministry is becoming more and more crucial -- and not just for Catholics.

That's evidenced by the growing popularity of the Capital Region Theological Center (CRTC) in Albany, an ecumenical effort that has welcomed students from 17 different religious denominations.

The CRTC opened in 2002, sponsored jointly by four Protestant denominations: Evangelical Lutherans, Presbyterians, the Reformed Church and the United Church of Christ. The center's first presentation sought to answer questions about why the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred. Clergy and laity came from across the Capital Region to attend the talk, held at Union College in Schenectady.

Growing

"From there, we started offering courses for laity who want to be commissioned as 'lay pastors' but aren't going to go to a seminary and be ordained," noted executive director Mary Lou Hammer.

Her husband, Randy, is pastor of the First Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ in Albany.

Mrs. Hammer added that the closest seminary where local Protestants could previously take continuing education courses was a three- to four-hour drive from the Capital District.

Curriculum

Since its inception, the CRTC has developed a nine-course curriculum for laity of any faith tradition interested in parish leadership positions.

Courses cover the Old and New Testament, church history, theology, and spiritual formation. In addition, courses like "The Church and its Money" have proven popular with everyone from pastors to church treasurers who may puzzle over parish payrolls.

Last fall, the center offered two courses attended by students of many denominations: "Orientation and Introduction to the Capital Region for Congregational Leaders" and "Being Aware of Boundaries."

Catholic involvement

There are several Catholic links to the CRTC:

* Many of the students are Catholic,

* Siena College in Loudonville provides classroom space for courses and has a seat on the CRTC board, and

* since the CRTC and St. Bernard's School overlap in their educational goals, they share mailing lists and distribute each other's course brochures. Presenters from the CRTC have even given workshops for Catholic parish life directors from the Diocese.

Ecumenism in action

Mrs. Hammer said the "ecumenical mix" is greatly appreciated by the center's students.

"We want to reach out to all persons of faith," she said. "There's also a good mix of clergy and laity attending classes together -- and we do offer discounts for church groups of three or more!"

Learning

Mrs. Hammer said that after being "the pastor's wife" for more than 30 years, she feels her leadership of the CRTC has become a ministry of her own.

"In fact, I'm taking courses myself!" she said. She hopes to better understand the "theological language" often used by persons in ministry, and boost her personal life and church involvement.

She believes that all faiths struggle with similar hot-button issues, from ethics to how parishes can better use computer technology (both of which are CRTC course topics). The CRTC's board is hoping to plan a workshop on ecumenism wherein the differences and similarities among denominations will be discussed.

(Next month, the CRTC will offer an ethics course, led by Rev. Dr. James Calvin Davis of Middlebury College in Vermont, covering "what it means to be a moral person from a Christian point of view." Call 462-2470, or visit www.capitalrtc.org.)

Dean assesses CRTC course

One student in the course on "Being Aware of Boundaries" was Sister Katherine "Kitty" Hanley, CSJ, associate dean/associate professor of ministry studies for St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany, the Albany Diocese's Catholic graduate and professional school.

"It was just wonderful," she told The Evangelist.

All parish leaders deal with people who come to them in need, she explained, so those in ministry must have healthy boundaries.

In the course, she learned that taking care of themselves can help people in ministry to avoid burnout and respect those they serve.

"There were 60 people there from every denomination, because it's not a denominational issue," Sister Kitty added. (KB)

(1/19/06) [[In-content Ad]]