Evangelical Episcopal Theological Seminary

Anyone know anything about this school? It is affiliated with the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC) and Dr. Russell McClanahan, an archbishop of the CEEC; his diocese is centered in the Memphis, TN/Southaven, MS area.

 

For what it's worth: The denomination looks to be a legitimate southern-evangelical offshoot of the Episcopal Church, and the web page doesn't seem to target people outside of the denomination, which is a good sign. Beyond that, I don't know what to tell you (except that, were I you, I'd make sure my prospective alma mater has at least TRACS accreditation, and preferably the relevant national gold standard).


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

Michael,
Help us out here, what are you trying to accomplish? As Tom stated, if you are trying to obtain a seminary degree anything less than a TRACS accreditation will not let itself to a credible accomplishment. Look for at least this, or consider South Africa or Australia. You can get a fast seminary degree that is "cheep" (sic intentional) and they have been listed here, and some people that check in here have them but they are basically worthless and will not allow you to become ordained in any liturgical denomination with which I am familiar.

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Howard Rodgers

 

Howard,

I was wondering if it was accredited by a legitimate accreditor.

 

Legimate - ah, if it is not accredited by an accreditating agency that is recognized by the U S Department of Education I think you can assume that is it not Regionally Accredited. Most schools with R/A list this in their material. Otherwise, beware.

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Howard Rodgers

 

Michael --

Please do drop me another e-mail at [email protected] with a description of what you're looking for; I'll see what I can find.


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

Tom,

If you're on the board, I wanted to tell you that I just e-mailed you; thanks for offering your assistance.

 

You're most welcome; I hope I was of some help.


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

FYI- The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (or CEEC) is not a splinter group from the larger Episcopal Church USA. This group was formed by a group of Pentecostal/Charismatics who were wanting to incorporate the liturgical worship into their denomination. The reason why I know this is that I am part of a similar and larger group called the Charismatic Episcopal Church and we had a similar beginning in ministry.

And, if St. Jude's Seminary (another seminary operated by the CEEC) is any indication of where the Evangelical Episcopal Seminary is coming from, look at St. Jude's long list of accreditors (this is from their website at: http://www.theceec.org/stjude/index.html)

St. Jude's Seminary is internationally accredited by the International University Accrediting Association (IUAA)

The Accrediting Association of Evangelical Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries (AAESCTS)

The World-Wide Accrediting Commission
of Christian Education Institutions (WWAC)

Professional Member:
The Association of Christian Continuing Education Schools and Seminaries (ACCESS)

is a Member of:
The Western Collegium of Bible Schools (WCBS)


Unless you are applying for Holy Orders with the CEEC, a degree from any of their schools may not give you the payoff you're looking for in the long run.

Yours,
JD Lumanog

 

JD,

Well, you are partially correct; if you look at their website, you'll see some former ECUSA people who are leaders in the new "communion".

BTW, I've also read the website of your church, the Charismatic Episcopal Church--very interesting. Why do you suppose that the CEEC will ordain women to the priesthood but your denomination will not?

 

Michael-

Thanks for your reply! When I say that the CEEC is not a splinter group, I am referring to the fact that their communion was not composed of a large number of Episcopal Church USA congregations leaving en masse to form their new communion. A good example of a splinter group from the Episcopal Church USA is the new Anglican Mission in America -- composed largely of actual priests, deacons, laypeople and their entire congregations leaving ECUSA to form their Anglican Mission. While some of the CEEC's leadership have backgrounds in Episcopal/Anglican churches, it was not a movement out of ECUSA into forming their new communion. Sorry if I was unclear in my earlier post.

I am not a spokesman for the Charismatic Episcopal Church or anything, just one of her deacons. But, I believe that our communion is holding to a historical and scriptural practice of ordaining qualified men only to positions of leadership. This is in keeping with the I Timothy requirements that leadership be the "husband of one wife." I cannot speak authoritatively as to why the CEEC has chosen to ordain women to the diaconal and presbyteral offices of ministry since I am not in communion with them. But, this is how I understand our historical and scriptural position to be within the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

I appreciate your questions and the dialogue. I am a former Assembly of God pastor who has come into the Charismatic Episcopal Church about 3 1/2 years ago. I have a great interest in the Anglican Communion and the continuing Anglican movement worldwide and am glad to share what little knowledge I've amassed thus far.

Yours,
JD Lumanog

 

JD,

Fascinating--thanks!

Would you please e-mail me at [email protected] I'd like to discuss this further, if you don't mind.

 

JD,

I was wondering this: As a former Assembly of God pastor, how were you able to accept infant baptism in your new denomination?

 

Howard, I'm a prospective seminary student and am planning to seek ordination in the PCUSA or KPCA(Korean Presbyterian Church in America), a sister denomination of the PCUSA with which the PCUSA even discussed union a couple years ago. Anyway, do you know if graduation from an non-ATS accredited RA seminary would qualify one to be ordained in the PCUSA?



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Sam C
www.uci.edu
UCI 2002
[email protected]
Confusion is just the path to insight and knowledge