Center for the Study of Theological Education
Center for the Study of Theological Education – a research center whose purpose is to strengthen theological schools in North America through comprehensive research on theological education.
Auburn believes that if quality lay and professional leadership is to be assured, the institutions that train leaders for religion and society must be analyzed, improved and strengthened. This enterprise requires the kind of critical inquiry long afforded other forms of higher learning. Auburn's Center for the Study of Theological Education is the only research institute in the nation focusing specifically and comprehensively on theological education. Established in 1991, it identifies key challenges, explores them in depth, and shares the results with theological schools, religious communities and other educational institutions.
The Auburn Center structures its research around three guiding themes:
- Practices of Teaching and Learning
- Assessing Institutional Resources
- Theological Education in Religious and Public Life.
The Center serves a broad constituency, including mainline and evangelical Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish theological educators, as well as leaders of religious agencies and of organizations that oversee theological education. The Center's findings, the results of collaborative research, are made available widely through print, interactive technology and conferences.
The Center's research helps leaders to make wise decisions regarding issues affecting the future health of their institutions. Over time, ideas generated by such research may influence the thought and conversation of these institutions. Perspectives shift and positive change can take root and flourish.
With the Center for the Study of Theological Education, Auburn is continuing its mission of reaching out—extending theological resources to the academy, the church and the world beyond.