The time to think beyond the traditional categories of seminary education has come, says Dr. Dale T. Irvin, Acting President and Professor of World Christianity at New York Theological Seminary. We do a great job in training ministers to work in their home communities, but we need more options for training them for public leadership. This requires a sensitivity and knowledge of religious differences, especially at a time when the boundaries between church and state are being fiercely debated.

The director of Auburn’s Center for Multifaith Education, Rabbi Daniel S. Brenner has been envisioning such a program for several years. Hospital, college, prison, and military chaplains are seeing America’s new religious diversity first hand.  It is time for a professional degree for all those who serve social and spiritual needs across boundaries.

Joining the program as a senior advisor will be Paul Knitter, Professor Emeritus of Theology at Xavier University.  Author of Theologies of Religions, One Earth - Many Religions: Multifaith Dialogue and Global Responsibility, and numerous articles, Knitter is a world-renowned expert in inter-religious relations

New York Theological Seminary, founded in 1901, and Auburn Theological Seminary, founded in 1818, both have long histories as pioneering institutions.  New York Theological Seminary was a pioneer in urban and multicultural ministry while Auburn was one of the first seminaries to specialize in continuing education for clergy.  In the fall of 2006, these two neighboring seminaries will forge a new path together as they open their doors to clergy who serve across religious boundaries.

The program is open to ministers and rabbis with degrees from accredited seminaries as well as leaders and educators of other religious traditions who have completed 72 graduate credits in professional religious studies. The diverse group of students will come together in an environment that according to Knitter will promote a dialogue in which all sides are able to hear and be challenged by the others and at the same time to speak and challenge in return.

For more information, contact For more information contact multifaithdmin@nyts.edu or see: http://www.auburnsem.org/multifaith/multifaithdmin.htm