The Committee on Theological Education of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (COTE); the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA); the Board of Directors of San Francisco Theological Seminary; and the University of Redlands have reached an agreement reaffirming SFTS as a Presbyterian theological seminary within the denomination. The agreement comes after deep and careful conversation and is endorsed by both COTE and SFTS.

The University of Redlands and SFTS entered into conversation about the future of the California campus four years ago and signed a partnership agreement for the seminary to merge with the university in 2019.

After a number of questions were raised about the seminary’s future with the denomination, the moderators of the 224th General Assembly, the Rev. Greg Bentley and Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart, offered to host a series of meetings with all parties to reach an understanding. The agreement was finalized over the holidays.

“The PC(USA) has an historically strong commitment to the growth and support of theological education institutions that align with the ecclesial and theological commitments of the denomination,” said Nelson. “I am grateful that we were able to continue this valued partnership and provide opportunities for new generations of Presbyterian leaders in the years to come.”

The parties say they appreciate the efforts of the Co-Moderators of the 224th General Assembly and of mediator Will Pryor for assisting them in reaching an agreement that will promote Presbyterian theological education in the western United States.

“COTE is deeply thankful for the long history of Presbyterian theological education SFTS has offered, and for SFTS’s continued commitment to providing such an education as a theological seminary embedded within the University’s Graduate School of Theology,” said Saundra Tracy, COTE chair.

“I, the Board of the Directors of the San Francisco Theological Seminary, and my faculty colleagues are deeply grateful for COTE’s reaffirmation, and we look to the future joyful, confident, and hopeful in the ministry we share,” said Dr. Christopher Ocker, the Interim Dean of San Francisco Theological Seminary and Assistant Provost of the University of Redlands.

The agreement will require the approval of the 225th General Assembly. The hybrid assembly will be held June 18 through July 9.

The official statement follows:

“The Committee on Theological Education of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (“COTE”), the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (“Stated Clerk”), the Board of Directors of San Francisco Theological Seminary, and the University of Redlands are grateful to have reached an agreement reaffirming SFTS as a Presbyterian theological seminary related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). COTE is deeply thankful for the long history of Presbyterian theological education SFTS has offered, and for SFTS’s continued commitment to providing such an education as a theological seminary embedded within the University’s Graduate School of Theology. This Agreement will require the approval of the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), approval that both COTE and SFTS strongly endorse. The parties are appreciative of the efforts of the Co-Moderators of the 224th General Assembly and of mediator Will Pryor for assisting them in reaching an agreement that will promote Presbyterian theological education in the western United States.”

For more than 150 years, SFTS has prepared students from around the world for various forms of ministry. It offers doctoral, masters, and certificate programs for people from all walks of life, on campus and online. SFTS is a founding member of, and partners with, the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California — the most comprehensive center for the graduate study of religion in North America. For more information, visit sfts.edu.

The University of Redlands is a private, nonprofit university centrally located near the beaches, mountains, and desert in the heart of Southern California. The university offers more than 40 undergraduate programs, as well as 20 graduate programs in business, communication sciences and disorders, education, geographic information systems, and music —blending liberal arts and professional programs, applied and theoretical study, traditional majors, and self-designed curricula. Learn more at redlands.edu.