On Tuesday night, we had a strategic planning conversation with the congregation in our chapel. It was a good and important conversation. This congregation has thrived here in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. The pastors who run the congregation are alumni of General Theological Seminary. And one theme that emerged from the discussion yesterday was that the leadership and members of the congregation want to see the Seminary thrive.

The way forward for GTS is partnership. We need friends who offer both program and support for the Seminary. The input from the congregation yesterday was reassuring.

Once we realize that the future of GTS is not a matter of GTS necessarily doing everything, then we can see how the future of the Seminary might involve.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and President of The General Theological Seminary