Bethany Seminary chosen for 2004 Lexington Seminar.

Bethany Theological Seminary, the Church of the Brethren graduate school for theological education in Richmond, Ind., has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2004 Lexington Seminar, a project that supports the faculty, president, and dean of the seminary working together on an issue critical for the institution. Participating seminaries also collaborate with the other four schools chosen in that year.

The seminar is sponsored by Lexington Theological Seminary and supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Criteria for selection include demonstrated academic integrity and excellence, faculty and administration committed to working together to improve teaching and learning for the ministries of the church, and stability needed to implement a project that will affect the way the institution carries out its mission, according to a release from the seminary.

"This comes at a particularly apt time for Bethany," noted president Eugene F. Roop. "Together with the board, Bethany's faculty and administration are at work identifying several specific strategic initiatives that have priority in the next few years, and preparing a self study for accreditation review in 2006. The Lexington Seminar will provide an important venue in our efforts to more effectively bring together the teachings of professors, the learning of students, and the mission of the seminary."