Seabury Takes Step Toward New Mission

Sale-Leaseback agreement completed with Northwestern

EVANSTON, IL - Seabury Western Theological Seminary has reached an agreement with Northwestern University to sell its buildings and land to Northwestern. Included in the agreement that will fund many of its new initiatives after eliminating the debt load is a lease back of office, chapel and class space.

"With this agreement we're doing several important things," said the Very Reverend Gary Hall, President and Dean. "We're positioning ourselves for a new mission as the People's Seminary, meeting the demands of a changing world and church, providing flexible education to all - clergy, church professionals, lay community and congregations. This sale has allowed us to eliminate our debt, balance our 2010 budget and double our endowment so that we will enter our new life with adequate resources to fund our ministries," he explained.

The real estate agreement transfers the seminary's buildings and property to Northwestern ownership while allowing Seabury to lease the space needed for faculty and staff who will develop and deliver new programs. These include the Joint DMin program in Congregational Development with partner Church Divinity School of the Pacific and a Joint DMin in Preaching in partnership with other Chicago area seminaries. Other course work - either in short term residencies or online - will be available to clergy, candidates for ordination and the lay community who seek continued learning but are not interested in degrees, including a certificate in Anglican Studies. For those learners Seabury will offer four-course certificates, diplomas and the ability to audit or take part in continuing education events offered in collaboration with others, including Northwestern's School of Continuing Studies.

"The need Christians have for substantial theological education has never been greater" said Chicago Bishop Jeff Lee. "Seabury is finding new and exciting ways to deliver that education to a wider group than ever before. Seabury now has the potential to respond to the current and future needs of the Church with unparalleled creativity, openness and flexibility. And their forward thinking and courage deserve our support," he added.

Want to learn more? Read the Q & A on our website. Or participate in a free conference call and have your questions answered in person. For the phone number and access code, register with Ron Fox at ron.fox@seabury.edu.

Alumni/ae telephone conference calls:
July 22 or August 7 at 10:00 am Central Time.

Non alumni/ae telephone conference calls:
July 24 or 31 at 10:00 am Central Time.

Debt Free

Wow, for the first time since my arrival over 4 years ago, we are debt-free. What a concept. What an incredible freedom. Travel light...take nothing for your journey.... Seabury Next, here we are.