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Looking back into 2022
With gratefulness, I share with you these highlights from New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s 2022 Annual Report. Some of you may have already received the printed Annual Report in the mail. As you will see, God is at work through the Seminary’s people, its programs, and its presence. The articles in this report remind us of God’s activity in the past (for 238 years!) and God’s guiding hand, directing us into the future.
As an employee working on site here in New Brunswick, it has been a joy to have more students back on campus following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing their energy, their life experiences, and their questions. At the same time, I am thankful that we also offer our programs fully online, making them available to students all over the world. Including a doctoral student who joins us virtually from Trinidad and Tobago!
As we travel though this season of giving, I invite you to contribute to NBTS. Only with your help can we deliver theological education that prepares students to think critically, act justly, and lead faithfully. As always, I am grateful for you and your support. You make the ministry of NBTS possible.
With immense gratitude,
Cathy Proctor
Vice President of Advancement
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Student Profile:
James Joyner Master of Arts (Theological Studies)
Always More To Learn
In the summer of 2021, James Joyner had just graduated from Rutgers University-Newark and was ready to embark on his English teaching career. At that same time, he was taking ministerial classes at church. With a passion for Christian education, Joyner wanted to know more, to dig deeper into God’s Word. His pastor recommended seminary, specifically NBTS. Thus began his seminary journey in the Fall 2021 semester, once again a student while also teaching 7th and 8th grade English at Hillside Innovation Academy.
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We offer online and hybrid learning environments that train students to think critically, act justly, and lead faithfully.
Masters Programs
Master of Arts (Pastoral Care and Counseling)
Master of Arts (Theological Studies)
Master of Divinity
Dual Degree Programs
Doctor of Ministry
concentrations:
Missiology and Global Christianity
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Prophetic Urban Ministry
Transformational Preaching
Certificate Program
Church Leadership
Theological Studies
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An Accreditation Celebration
Accreditation recognizes that NBTS meets an organization’s standards of excellence. During the 2021-2022 school year, NBTS was granted the following:
• A 10-year reaccreditation with The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) — an accreditation NBTS has held since 1938.
• First-time full accreditation with Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This new accreditation comes with many benefits: it makes a NBTS degree recognizable in the broader world outside theological education, such as among non-profit organizations and government entities; it is a requirement for the state to accredit our counseling programs for state licensure; and it allows NBTS, Rutgers, and other colleges and universities to offer joint academic programs.
These accreditations reflect the excellent work of NBTS faculty and staff. We are grateful!
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Reformed Church Center
The Center offers a broad range of programs for a wide audience, including scholars, RCA members, and everyone concerned about the Reformed tradition
and its continued renewal.
Here is a sampling of the 13 events held 2021-2022:
• White Christian Nationalism, Liberation Theology, and Being Reformed
• Understanding Theological Education in the RCA: Ministerial Formation in a Zoom World
• Samuel Zwemer’s Mission Motivations: The Relationship of Medical Care and Evangelism
• Asian American Experiences of Racism and Anti-Racism
• Single Women in Mission in the 1800s
• Have We Been Here Before? The Impact of the 1918-19 Influenza Pandemic on Church Life
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For questions or more information regarding the Reformed Church Center, contact: James Brumm | jbrumm@nbts.edu | 848-237-1760 | |
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Power and Privilege
Name the brokenness... Proclaim a gospel of reconciliation
For almost two decades, NBTS has given serious attention to antiracism teaching and action. But more recently, the Seminary has broadened discussions to those around power and privilege.
The change in language was triggered by comments from international students. They pointed out that whereas racism is a serious problem in the United States, oppression takes different forms in different cultures.
All masters students take two courses on the topic of power and privilege as it relates to race, gender, and class. The first course is a two-day workshop in which students deeply engage this topic and participate in challenging discussions with one other.
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ANALYZING SYSTEMS OF PRIVILEGE WORKSHOP
Participants will build a common definition of privilege and racism. We will explore the historical development of institutional racism in the U.S. Then, participants will discuss the current realities of racism, including internalized, overt, microaggressions, and silence. We will consider the link between racism and other forms of oppression. With a shared vocabulary and methodology, we will explore strategies to dismantle racism in the church and community.
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Scholarship Highlights
All our Seminarians have experienced the joy of recognizing and pursuing their calling at NBTS. For many, that joy is paired with a concern that a lack of financial resources could prevent them from completing their theological education.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to award over $300,000 in scholarship aid to students last year (an increase from the previous year)! Churches also contributed over $65,000 to directly support their respective students attending NBTS.
This much-needed financial support was available for the pursuit of the MA, MDiv, and DMin degrees and, in some cases, the certificate program.
Student Spotlights
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Maurice Tyndell
“In my quest to honor God, I wanted to equip myself spiritually and academically. With the help of generous scholarships, I am able to pursue an MDiv at NBTS. This academic journey is one I welcome with zeal! I am grateful for the continued support of donors—for their investment in me and many others.”
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Jillien Glover
“Since January 2020 I have been a student in the Pastoral Care and Counseling MA program. My experience at NBTS has been exceptional. The scholarship support allows me to continue this journey of fulfilling my purpose in Christ.”
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Janet Paduano
“The MDiv program at NBTS is equipping me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, including hope to the oppressed. Only through scholarship support can I pursue the calling God has placed on my heart. Because of donations, I have a seat at the Seminary.”
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The Underwood Legacy Continues
Dr. James Jinhong Kim serves as the Horace G. Underwood Chair in Global Christianity. Along with teaching courses in missiology and global Christianity, Kim directs the activities of the Underwood Center. He recently published Global Christianity and the Early Letters of Horace G. Underwood, a book exploring the interculturation Underwood experienced as a missionary, a transformation that allowed him to discover and encourage a glocal (global yet local) expression of faith in Korea.
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Horace G. Underwood Chair and Center Endowment
Endowed chairs and programs are critical to the Seminary’s future as a way to sustain scholarly excellence and as a means to respond more profoundly to a changing world. To ensure the permanency of the Underwood Chair and Center at NBTS, donors are encouraged to give to this endowment.
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13th Underwood International Symposium
One program offered by the Center for Global Christianity is the annual Underwood International Symposium held in Seoul, Korea. The symposium is co-sponsored by NBTS and the Saemoonan Church of Seoul, the first church established by Dr. Underwood.
Left to right: Dr. James Jinhong Kim, Dr. Micah L. McCreary, and Dr. John Coakley
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Your Gifts Make Theological Education Possible
The mission of New Brunswick Theological Seminary could not be accomplished without the support of our alumni and friends. Together, we have been preparing students for ministry on the front lines of an ever-changing world since 1784.
Income from our endowments, major gifts, and the annual seminary fund allows us to provide our students with quality academic programs, as well as the needed resources and scholarship support, to fulfill their call. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible for current and future generations of seminarians to think critically, act justly, and lead faithfully.
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“As an alum, I proudly support NBTS through annual donations. I am proud that NBTS continues to lead the way in providing quality education and training to future leaders of the Church. Adding NBTS to my estate plans was an easy decision. I would encourage you to join me in becoming part of The Livingston Society to keep the legacy of NBTS vital and important to the church.”
Steve Eckert
Pastor, South Branch Reformed Church, Hillsborough, NJ
Stated Clerk, Synod of the Mid-Atlantics
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Those who provide for New Brunswick Theological Seminary in their estate plan become members of The Livingston Society. The Livingston Society is named for Dr. John Henry Livingston, the Seminary’s first Professor of Sacred Theology, appointed in 1784 and inaugurated May 19, 1785. You can use a planned estate gift for many purposes, including to fund an endowment. Your estate gift can create a legacy to honor a loved one, a pastor or ministry leader, on anyone who has made a significant impact on your life and the lives of others. | |
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Support NBTS: Donor Spotlight
Models of generosity spark the spirit of generosity in others. Trustees Gay and Michael Morris were struck by the generosity of a friend and current NBTS donor, Anna Gonzales, who modeled the importance of participating in denominational leadership with her work with the RCA. She encouraged them to support denominational efforts and the work at NBTS. They also were influenced by the model of their church friends, Sandra and Eugene Fisher, who served as board members at NBTS.
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Alumni Profile: Lt. Colonel Amy Glatz
For six years, part-time student Amy Glatz drove the 70-minute round trip to NBTS to earn her Master of Divinity degree while working full-time and raising children. Was the investment worth it? Amy’s answer would be a solid yes: “My NBTS education made me a better soldier, a better officer, a better leader.”
Lt. Colonel Glatz has had many opportunities to apply her seminary learnings in her military career:
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Alumni Association
The purpose of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary Alumni Association is to foster a spirit of loyalty, reciprocal engagement, and to promote the general welfare of the Association members and NBTS. The association will exist to support the alumni goals to strengthen the ties among alumni near and far, current students, churches, communities, and the goals of the Seminary.
Alumni Council Officers
Barry Wise (2017): Moderator
Harry Tysen (1974): Vice Moderator
Open: Secretary
Committees and Chairs
Nominating: Robert Anderson (1968)
Honors and Awards: Wes Wilson (2018)
Student Recruitment and Retention: Sharon Johnson (2015)
Financial Stewardship: Open
Cares: Alice Scott (2018)
Social Action: Crystal Moon-Boulware (2016)
Communications: Open
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Make a gift today to support theological education
New Brunswick Theological Seminary is committed to training Christian leaders who are called to serve the local church, community and the world. Your contributions and generous gifts enable us to provide academic programs at the highest level of excellence. We covet your prayers, generous gifts, and partnerships in this mission.
If you have any questions about making a donation, please contact:
Cathy Proctor, VP of Advancement and Recruitment
cproctor@nbts.edu
848-237-1706
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New Brunswick Theological Seminary
35 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732.247.5241
www.NBTS.edu
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