October 2, 1857 - a transformative day for The Episcopal Church, a day of investing in the church's future, a day of great vision!  That day reflects how only a small number of leaders with vision can impact the future.  On that day a group of seven clergy and one layman met in Hartford to discuss an organization to find suitable persons for the Episcopal ministry and "aid them in acquiring a thorough education." 

Were they vain dreamers? Not at all.  Since that meeting SIM has invested more than $6 million of assistance to over 5,000 men and women (including 26% of today's bishops) to serve The Episcopal Church. Regardless of the serious challenges of that mid-19th century era, these eight reached what Andy Grove, co-founder of Intel, calls a "strategic inflection point" where the hard decision to invest in a down cycle becomes superior to a "stay the course" potential of decline.

Faith tells me that despite the daunting challenges facing theological education in 2010, God will continue to call future leaders as God has done throughout salvation history.  The words of one of my predecessors, The Rev. Jervis Zimmerman, on the occasion of SIM's sesquicentennial are relevant on today's birthday as well:

"The basic task of theological education today is much as it was 150 years ago.  The Bible must be opened and its rich and varied text explored.  The history of the church throughout the ages must be taught. The great theological issues and questions must be confronted. If a student has a vocation to the ordained ministry, he or she must learn how to preach the gospel effectively, how to administer the sacraments rightly and how to be a good pastoral caregiver.  Time has not altered these tasks of theological education."  

Faith also tells me now is a time to have the courage and vision of the "Hartford eight" and invest in future ordained leaders to serve The Episcopal Church. Now is a time to give SIM a birthday present.

Today is SIMDay.  Let us rejoice and be thankful for SIM's ministry. 


SIM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and your donation is fully tax deductible.

SIM and our seminarians thank you.

Faithfully,

Tom Moore
Executive Director
SIM