Former Global Ministries Missionary Named Next Dean at Phillips Theological Seminary
Dr. Nancy Pittman Named Next Dean At Phillips Theological Seminary
Phillips Theological Seminary (PTS) in Tulsa, OK announced that The Rev. Dr. Nancy Claire Pittman will be the next dean. President Gary Peluso-Verdend made the announcement via email to trustees, employees, and students on Friday, February 15.
The current dean, Dr. Don A. Pittman, will retire on July 31, 2013.
“We conducted a national search. The consulting committee met some very promising candidates,” said Peluso-Verdend. “But, when we considered Nancy’s significant contributions to the seminary in revising two degree programs, her scholarship, her service to the church and the community, her institutional citizenship, and her reputation as a preacher and workshop leader among the Disciples of Christ, we concluded that Nancy was the right candidate for this time.” Peluso-Verdend went on to say, “Years ago, deans were sort of honorary positions for senior scholars, whose basic work was to retain and attract faculty. Today, deans are accreditation professionals, academic leaders, innovators, and bridge-builders between faculty, students, administration, boards, and external partners. Being a dean is a huge job. I am delighted that Nancy has said yes.”
PTS is in the midst of implementing a strategic plan that includes new degree and non-degree programs and an enhanced effort to connect with new communities, both locally throughout Tulsa and nationally.
Currently, Dr. Nancy Pittman is Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. Her experience in ministry has included both seminary teaching and congregational leadership. She has served as Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies at Tainan Theological College and Seminary, Tainan, Taiwan—as a missionary appointed by the Common Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ—and, among other pastoral positions, most recently as Minister of First Christian Church, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Although she joined the regular full-time faculty July 2005 in the Practice of Ministry, she has served since 2001 as an adjunct member of the faculty in New Testament and Preaching, offering courses such as The Gospel of John, Interpreting the Book of Revelation, Introduction to Preaching, and Preaching the Lectionary.
When she is not teaching, working with students in the Doctor of Ministry program, or developing new doctoral specializations with faculty colleagues, Dr. Pittman continues to research the Johannine literature of the New Testament, particularly as it relates to intersections of ordained ministry, women in pastoral leadership and images of Christian community. She is currently working on a book project at these intersections and contemporary ecclesiolatry.
Dr. Pittman is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and an accredited spiritual director. She is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, Spiritual Directors International, the Association for Doctor of Ministry Education, and a founding member of the Forrest-Moss Institute.
Dr. Pittman is a graduate of Texas Christian University, Brite Divinity School, and Southern Methodist University.
In addition to numerous sermons in books and journals, Dr. Pittman has recently published New Proclamation, Series A, Easter through Christ the King, 2011 (Augsburg Fortress Publishers 2011). She has also written essays for Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Volume II (Westminster John Knox Press, 2010), “Ties That Bind Too Tightly: A Reflection on Relinquishment and Self-Differentiation in Women’s Leadership” in n A Passion for Christian Unity: Essays in Honor of William Tabbernee (Chalice Press, 2009) and “The Epistolary Tradition: James, 1-3 John, 1-2 Peter, Jude,” in The Chalice Introduction to the New Testament, ed. Dennis E. Smith (Chalice Press, 2004). Dr. Pittman also publishes adult Sunday School curricula including “God’s Project: Effective Christians,” in The New International Lesson Annual 2004-2005 (The United Methodist Publishing House, 2004) and “New Creation in Christ” in Mature Years, Spring 2009 (The United Methodist Publishing House, 2009).
About PTS
Established in 1907, Phillips Theological Seminary is dedicated to learning the way of Jesus in order to cultivate vital communities, vital conversations, and the public good. Affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Phillips provides an ecumenical education, with students representing more than 20 denominations. The mission of PTS is to learn and teach how to be: attentive to God; responsible biblical and theological interpreters; faithful individuals and communities acting with God to transform the world. In addition to serving the church’s need for an educated ministry, the seminary also welcomes students who are not pursuing ministerial degrees but who want to explore their faith through courses in the curriculum and through programs designed for larger publics. www.ptstulsa.edu.