DDH Forums are an important aspect of the teaching/learning ethos at Disciples Divinity House. They provide an opportunity for students and friends of Disciples Divinity House to engage scholars of religion and church leaders. Speakers have the occasion to present work in progress or to comment on current events in an informal setting. Students and friends of the House, in turn, have the chance to listen, address, and question in an atmosphere that fosters growth of both mind and spirit.
Forums take place immediately after the weekly Monday night dinners. Typically, they take the form of a 30 to 45 minute presentation, followed by a question and answer session. Forums address a range of topics and perspectives. Recent speakers include Divinity School faculty members Tikva Frymer-Kensky, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Catherine Brekus, and David Martinez.
DISCIPLES HISTORY AND THOUGHT SEMINAR
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One of the ways in which House Scholars engage the history and intellectual life of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is through the Disciples History and Thought Seminar. Held twice each quarter, the seminar examines historical and intellectual aspects of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). |
The on-going seminar proceeds chronologically from the movement's founders to present day Disciples, completing the cycle in three years. Clark Gilpin, Margaret E. Burton Professor of the History of Christianity and Theology in the Divinity School and former Dean of Disciples House, leads the seminar.
Participation in the seminar is required for Disciple ministry students and is open to other interested persons. Completion of the seminar's three-year cycle, in addition to participation in the ministry practicum, provides the foundation in Disciple history and polity required for ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
The Ministry Practicum introduces M.Div. scholars to the various practical dimensions of ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It supplements the offerings of the Divinity School's ministry program by exploring issues within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, the relocation process, the Pension Fund, and professional ethics. It also provides students with the chance to meet congregational, regional, and general church pastors.
Typically, one or two practicums are held each quarter. In addition, first year M.Div. scholars participate in a "ministry in the city" practicum throughout the year. They visit a wide cross-section of Chicago's great communities of faith including a broad sample of the area's Disciple congregations. Also, information and some financial support help make available other learning experiences within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), such as the biennial Disciple Seminarians' Conference in Nashville, TN, and regional and general assemblies.
A seminar for Ph.D. students at dissertation stage is held regularly. This seminar, called the Advanced Residence Seminar, provides the opportunity for Ph.D. candidates to share work in progress with colleagues and to receive critical and constructive feedback on that work. Participants share and discuss drafts of dissertation proposals, articles and conference papers, or dissertation chapters with their co-participants. These meetings are an invaluable asset to students as they confront the challenges of advanced doctoral work.
| The Week of Renewal is a continuing education opportunity for Disciple clergy and professors. A guestroom with private bath is made available for a week of self-directed reading and study. Participants can take advantage of the many area libraries including DDH’s Herbert L. Willett Library and the University’s Regenstein Library, DDH programs and University of Chicago public lectures, and other cultural opportunities. |  |
A grant from the Oreon E. Scott Foundation provided additional funding for the Week of Renewal. Through a two year grant, funding is available for some travel, room, and related expenses. In addition, resources that can be used during the week and beyond are available.
We welcome applications from ministers and professors, and especially from pastor-developers and pastors of new congregations. For further details about the application process and scholarship assistance, contact the Administrator or telephone 773.643.4411.
THE WILLIAM HENRY HOOVER LECTURES ON CHRISTIAN UNITY
Established in 1945, the Hoover Lectures encourage a sustained discussion of the issues with which the church wrestles as it seeks to understand and to manifest its faith as a single, common life lived on behalf of the world. Previous Hoover Lectures have explored "The Civil Rights Movement as an Ecumenical and Interfaith Movement," "The Role of the Christian Scholar in a Changing Academy," and "Protestant and Roman Catholic Ethics." John Cobb, Bernice Johnson Reagan, Vincent Harding, Taylor Branch, Beverly Wildung Harrison, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, and Wolfhart Pannenberg have been among Hoover Lecturers.