the Master of Divinity program to women; the difference between the roles of
the Bishop’s Council and the Communication Committee; and the possible
use or sale of Academy property to meet financial needs, and the potential for
compromising our stance on moral and doctrinal issues in so doing.
The Rev. Dr. Andrew M. T. Dibb, Dean of the Theological School, spoke of
the three graduates this year, the two students enrolled for next year, and how
the balance between the needs of the General Church for pastors and the supply
of graduates is about right at present. He was happy to report that generous
contributions to the Theological School have made it the only Academy school
to be operating with a small surplus. In response to a question, he also spoke of
involvement with the non-accredited worldwide theological schools operating
in several countries where classes are taught in languages other than English.
The Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss Jr. then highlighted his pre-circulated report
which was devoted to the uses of both the Episcopal Office and General Church
Education. He gave his perspective, based on his travels and work, concerning
the many good and useful things happening in the General Church, despite
existing challenges. He pointed out that the truth is being shared and lives are
being touched. He said a large part of his job is to support the clergy and called
on those who need help to contact him.
On the education side, he spoke of exciting progress in curriculum and
teacher development, and support for New Church families. In the discussion,
questions were raised about the limitations of the Master of Arts in Religious
Studies, training for teachers overseas, and our pool of translators.
The Non-North American Church
After lunch the Rev. Grant Odhner, as Secretary of the Council of the Clergy,
introduced a series of reports on the “Non-North American Church.”
The Rev. Bradley D. Heinrichs began with a report on the church groups in
Cuba, and the support of translation and publishing efforts there. In addition
to revising century-old translations by Dr. Leopoldo E. Calleja which were
never published, Douglas Calvo and Josué Vasconcelos have been translating
from Latin. So far, Divine Providence and New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly
Doctrine have been completed and Conjugial Love and Heaven and Hell are
almost complete, with more on the way. Publishing is lagging but progressing
and a new more useable Spanish website is projected to become a vehicle for
distributing the texts.
The Rev. Todd Beiswenger compared the challenges of the Church in
Australia to similar challenges faced in America. His work involves a fair
amount of travel. He spoke of the prominent use the annual church camp
serves in bonding the Church.
The Rev. Richard Keyworth spoke of the New Church in New Zealand.
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