Seminary Sunday highlights partnership
with congregations

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is grateful to the congregations that hosted a Seminary representative for Theological Education Sunday on September 15. Fifty students, faculty, and administrators traveled throughout the Synod of the Sun and beyond, expressing our gratitude for the partnership with all our congregations as together we live into our common call of “equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12).

Participants preached, led worship, brought a Minute for Mission, or taught a Sunday school class. Here’s what some had to say about the experience:

"Preaching for Theological Education Sunday is a joy and a privilege. The congregations deeply appreciate hearing from a seminary student, and they are full of grace, so it is a great place to get some pulpit experience. It also provides an opportunity to give back to the Seminary by being an ambassador of Austin Seminary to the larger Presbyterian community.
I have had the opportunity to preach for Theological Education Sunday for the past two years, and my experience both years was uplifting and gratifying. Both of the congregations where I preached look forward to Theological Education Sunday and the opportunity to hear fresh voices from their pulpits while being reminded of the importance of supporting our Presbyterian seminaries and our future church leaders."

"Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland Texas, extended to me a very gracious welcome on Theological Education Sunday. I was glad for the opportunity to visit with several members of the congregation who joyfully shared stories about the various ways in which they see God at work in the life and ministry of the church and how they are involved in mission locally and beyond. It was truly a blessing joining God’s people in worship as the Director of Children and Youth Ministry was being commissioned. It was so meaningful to see the younger disciples of the church embracing and surrounding in prayer their new director. Lunch followed afterwards in which those serving in Christian Education were recognized. Welcoming one another “as Christ has welcomed us,” the congregation is also the host of the Chin Midland Fellowship made up of Burma (Myanmar) immigrants and their families."

Greg Allen-Pickett preached for Faith Presbyterian Church in Sun City, Arizona, for Theological Education Sunday.

Want to participate next year?

As a school of the church, Austin Seminary seeks to strengthen its connections with congregations and be in partnership with them in the formation of Christian leaders. If your congregation is interested in receiving a member of the Austin Seminary community on Theological Education Sunday in 2014, contact Lemuel Garcia in the Office of Alumni and Church Relations, lgarcia@austinseminary.edu or 512-404-4809.