The Rev. Anthony Blair
Evangelical Seminary's status as an approved seminary of the United Methodist Church has been extended through 2016.
Seminary president the Rev. Anthony Blair said Thursday that he received a letter from the University Senate of the UMC announcing the decision on Feb. 27.
"For more than 15 years, we have met a vital need for United Methodist clergy in central Pennsylvania by providing them with a high-quality theological education and transformative preparation for ministry," he said in a press release. "We're absolutely delighted to be able to continue doing so."
The senate removed the Myerstown seminary from its approved list in 2010. The decision meant people seeking ordination in the Methodist church could not attend the seminary to obtain the necessary credentials.
In a letter to then-seminary president Michael Sigman, the senate said the decision "was based on the continuing lack of ethnic inclusiveness of faculty and staff and the absence of full-time United Methodist faculty."
On Thursday in a phone interview, Blair said the seminary pointed out to the senate part-time faculty members who are members of the United Methodist faith and their credentials.
The Rev. Christopher L. Fisher is director and assistant professor of United Methodist studies. He also is senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Schuylkill Haven.
Rodney H. Shearer is director of mentored ministry and assistant professor of Christian ministry. He also is an ordained elder (retired) in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Blair said the seminary is working to increase the diversity on the faculty and administration.
The seminary won an appeal of the senate's decision to remove it from the approved list last year and was granted a one-year extension that would have expired July 1.
In the Feb. 27 letter announcing its decision to approve the seminary, senate executive secretary Gerald D. Lord wrote, "The University Senate is grateful for your faithful work and your commitment to theological education."
Blair said there are about 150 degree students and 25 to 35 students enrolled in other programs at the seminary. He said 36 of the students are United Methodist.
The seminary employs about 12 full- or part-time professors.
