Our hosts Kimberly Wagner and Marvin Wickware reflect on some of the challenges and opportunities facing institutions, professors, and students within theological education today. How do we adjust to the economic and financial realities of current students? Do we imagine theological education as mainly vocational or mostly formational? 

Please note that this episode was recorded before Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Our guest today Carrie Ballenger, assistant to the bishop at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and Pastor to the English Speaking Congregation at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. Pastor Ballenger is also an LSTC Alum.

Mentioned this episode:

• Dr. Ted Smith's 2021 Sprunt Lectures presentation entitled “No Longer Shall They Teach One Another: The End of Theological Education.” 
• After Whiteness: An Education in Belonging by Willie Jennings
• Knit Purl Pray Preach, Carrie Ballenger's blog 
• Carrie Ballenger's recorded sermons 
• The Upper Room, an organization supporting Palestinian Christians, especially women and young people, to stay in Jerusalem.

We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions or feedback to lstcpodcast@gmail.com.

Our music is by Keith “Doc” Hampton. Thanks to Frantisek Janak and Michael Liotus for technology support. Our producer and editor is Eric Fowler.

This podcast is brought to you by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that seeks to build up the Body of Christ and work for a world of peace and justice that cares for the whole creation.

If you or someone you know is interested in seminary, you can learn more about LSTC at lstc.edu/admissions