 Trinity Lutheran
Seminary
E-news Special Edition February 2009
|
Trinity Lutheran Seminary forms leaders for Christ's church at work in the world
|
|
Childs Named Interim
Academic Dean at Trinity
 The Rev. Dr. James M. Childs
Jr., Edward C. Fendt
Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, has been named
the seminary's interim academic dean, effective July 1, 2009. Trinity's current
dean, Dr. Donald L. Huber, will retire June 30, after 40 years on the seminary
faculty.
President Mark R. Ramseth announced Dr. Childs' appointment
February 2, following the November suspension of a formal search for a dean due
to the long-term projections of seminary finances. The interim appointment is
open-ended with review after one year. The timeline for a permanent search will
be monitored by Trinity's Board of Directors.
Dr. Childs previously served as
Trinity's academic dean from 1981 to 2000. He joined the Trinity faculty in
1978 as associate professor of ethics, and was named professor of ethics in
1987. He was installed as the Joseph A. Sittler Professor of Theology and
Ethics in 1998. He also served as interim president during the 1989-90 academic
year. He was named the Edward C. Fendt Professor of Systematic Theology in
2004.
A graduate of Concordia Senior
College and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Dr. Childs received his S.T.M. from Union
Theological Seminary in New York and a Ph.D.
from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Throughout his more than 35 years in ordained ministry, he has served the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Lutheran Church in America
before that, in some 27 different appointed or elected avenues of synodical or
churchwide service. He is past chair of the Board of the Division for Church
and Society of the ELCA, and served as director of the ELCA's Studies on
Sexuality. He is a member of the American
Academy of Religion and
the Society of Christian Ethics, for which he recently served on its Board of
Directors.
Dr.
Childs is the author of numerous journal articles and has contributed chapters
to seven different books. He also has published a number of reviews,
educational resources, and sermons. Among his many books are: The Way of Peace: Christian Life in Face
of Discord (2008); Ethics in the
Community of Promise (2006); Greed:
Economics and Ethics in Conflict (2000); Preaching Justice: The Ethical Vocation of Word and Sacrament Ministry (2000); Ethics and Business: Faith at Work (1995) and Faith, Formation and Decision: Ethics in the Community of Promise (1992). He also was editor and
contributor to Faithful Conversations: Christian Perspectives on
Homosexuality (2003).
"If
theology is 'the sweat of wrestling with massive ideas,' as Douglas John Hall
writes, we have in our midst a colleague who is a proven leader, one who has
wrestled with and articulated for us the art of theology. I am honored to make
this appointment," said President Ramseth. |
|
