Basic Graduate Theological Studies
The basic graduate theological studies required for those seeking ordination as deacons in the United Methodist Church include courses in the areas of Old Testament; New Testament; church history; theology; mission; worship; evangelism; and United Methodist history, doctrine and polity. These courses are offered regularly on the Dallas campus and in the Houston-Galveston extension program. The following courses satisfy these requirements:
Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program
The Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program was founded in 1974 to prepare church leaders with the knowledge and skills for effective ministry in Spanish-speaking contexts and cultures. The program remains committed to recruiting, preparing and providing continuing education for people in ministry with Hispanics/Latin@s. It is at the heart of Perkins School of Theology’s leadership as a vibrant center of Hispanic/Latin@ theological thought and writing and a vital advocate before the general church with and in behalf of Hispanic/Latin@ congregations and ministries.
The Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program offers to pastors and laity its short-term, intensive training programs through the Course of Study School in Spanish (Curso de Estudio); the United Methodist Local Pastors Licensing School in Spanish (Escuela de Licencia); continuing education events, symposia, consultations and lectures. Some of its academic program areas include oversight of the concentration in Hispanic studies and support of L@s Seminaristas, a student organization for Perkins students focused on ministry with Hispanics/Latin@s. The program works closely with The United Methodist Church’s National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry and MARCHA, the official Hispanic/Latin@ United Methodist caucus. The Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program is designated as an Ethnic Center by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and as such, supports the recruitment, retention, and flourishing of Hispanic/Latin@ persons interested in, preparing for, and involved in ministry. The program publishes the quarterly journal Apuntes: Theological Reflections from the Hispano-Latino Context.
Hispanic Summer Program
In collaboration with several other seminaries, Perkins sponsors the Hispanic Summer Program, which takes place for two weeks each summer at a different site in the United States or Puerto Rico. Hispanic students, as well as others who are bilingual and who are interested in Hispanic ministries, may attend this academic program and take a maximum of one course for three credits. Courses in the Hispanic Summer Program cover a wide range of the theological curriculum, and they are always taught with the Latino church in mind. The program provides students with the opportunity to study and reflect with other seminarians who are from across the nation and Puerto Rico and who are preparing to do ministry in the Hispanic context. Perkins students who are accepted into the program pay a reduced registration fee.
International Studies
Students with sufficient Spanish language skills may be able to do a term of studies in Costa Rica or an internship in Mexico or Central America. Immersion experiences in Mexico, Central America and South America are also periodically offered through the Global Theological Education program.
Spanish Language
Perkins does not offer instruction in Spanish for credit. Students are encouraged to seek instructional programs in Dallas and/or attend a Spanish-language school in Cuernavaca, Mexico, or elsewhere. The director of the Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program maintains information on these opportunities and assists students in making appropriate plans to gain the necessary competence.
Annual Lectureships
Ministers Week and Clergy Continuing Education
Ministers Week (generally held annually the first Monday through Wednesday in February) and the Perkins continuing education programs for clergy include endowed lectureships and a variety of worship services, workshops, luncheons, symposia and informal social events. The endowed lectureships are listed below.
Roy D. Barton Lectureship. The Barton Lectureship was established to honor Dr. Barton for his distinguished service to the seminary and his equally distinguished service to the Hispanic United Methodist Church. Dr. Barton served as the first director of the Mexican-American and Hispanic-Latino/a Ministry Program and associate professor of Practical Theology in Perkins School of Theology from 1974 to 1995. The general theme of the lecture regards ministry in a Hispanic/Latino perspective or context.
W.W. Fondren Lectureship. In 1919, Ella F. and Walter W. Fondren of Houston, Texas, made a gift for the purpose of bringing to campus each year an outstanding religious leader for a series of addresses on Christian missions or related themes.
Peyton Lectureship in Preaching. A lectureship on preaching was established in 1944 through a gift by Mrs. C.W. Hall of Austin, in memory of her late husband, George L. Peyton of Mexia, Texas. Mr. Peyton was a member of SMU’s Board of Trustees and an outstanding church leader.
Jackson Lectureship in Bible. In 1945, Sam J. Jackson, Robert L. Jackson, Jr., Ben D. Jackson, Mims J. Jackson, Margaret Sue Jackson Hodges and Lizzie Jackson Davenport established a lectureship in memory of their parents, Robert Malone and Ella Jamison Jackson, who were longtime members of the Methodist church at Tennessee Colony and Palestine, Texas.
Paul Elliott and Mildred Fryar Martin Lectureship in Practical Theology. The Martin Lectureship was established by Bishop and Mrs. Martin in 1974, just prior to Bishop Martin’s death in February 1975. Bishop Martin was one of the 706 students who registered at SMU when it first opened its doors in 1915 and was associated with it in many ways for the remainder of his life. For the final seven years of his life, he served as bishop-in-residence at Perkins and was special adviser to Perkins Dean Joseph D. Quillian, Jr.
Women’s Lectureship. In 1995, the Women’s Lecture was established by Perkins alumna Mary Middleton to support an annual lecture from a female scholar.
Johannaber Lecture in Spiritual Life. The Johannaber Lecture was established in 1985 by Elizabeth C. Johannaber to train pastors and ministerial students in developing their spiritual life and in providing spiritual direction to their constituents.
Claudia and Taylor Robinson Lectureship. The Robinson Lectureship was established in 1988 with the intention that it be devoted to surveying the arts as interpreters of religious beliefs and practices Art & Soul is a quadrennial program made possible by this fund.
Evie Jo and Arthur R. Wilson Evangelism Lecture. Established in 1993, the Craven Wilson Lectures are made possible through an endowed gift from the late Evie Jo Wilson and Arthur R. Wilson of Houston. The annual lectures bring to the Dallas area and to Perkins leaders in the field of evangelism from across the church.
Perkins Theological School for the Laity
Perkins Theological School for the Laity is generally held each year during the first Thursday through Sunday in March. Seminars and other activities provide opportunities for laity from the region to engage together in study, worship, reflection and fellowship. Members of the Perkins faculty provide principal leadership for the week.
Continuing Education Programs
In addition to Ministers Week and Perkins Theological School for the Laity, the Perkins Office of External Programs offers a variety of programs for clergy, laity and church professionals, including the Faith Calls: Theological Programs for Young People; United Methodist certification programs in youth ministry, children’s ministry, Christian education, church music and older adult ministry; and traveling lay schools of theology in various locations, including Anchorage and Houston. The office also offers various programs on topics including prayer practice, preaching and worship leadership. Those who wish to be on the regular mailing list or to receive information about any program should contact the Office of External Programs, Perkins School of Theology, PO Box 750133, Dallas TX 75275-0133; 214-768-2390; theoexternalprograms@smu.edu.
The Course of Study School
In the summer of 1947, Perkins School of Theology joined with the Division of Ordained Ministry of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry to become a site for a Regional Course of Study School. The program provides a basic theological education for licensed United Methodist local pastors who choose not to enroll in a graduate-level seminary degree program for their theological education so that they may answer a call to ministry. Perkins is one of eight seminaries with a Regional Course of Study School offering noncredit-bearing instruction and is one of two seminaries offering the Spanish curriculum.
Licensed local pastors are required by the United Methodist Church to complete the basic course of study. Boards of ordained ministry of the various conferences may assist their students with the cost of room and board, textbooks, and travel. The Division of Ordained Ministry of the United Methodist Church pays tuition while Perkins provides facilities and administrative costs, covered in part through nominal registration fees paid by students.
The 20 required courses in the basic five-year curriculum are offered in English and Spanish in the summer. A listing of courses offered, preclass assignments, updated notices and the Course of Study School catalog are available online at www.smu.edu/Perkins/PublicPrograms/COSS.
Students seeking ordination through the Advanced Course of Study School have the opportunity to take the 32 hours of required graduate theological study at Perkins by attending the regularly scheduled seminary courses. Students wishing to take Advanced Course of Study School courses in Spanish can take the two courses scheduled in the summer. Application for advanced and basic courses is through the Course of Study School Office. Questions should be addressed to the Course of Study School Office at COSS@smu.edu or 214-768-2362.
Faith Calls: Theological Programs for Young People
Faith Calls is a faith formation program where high school students and college-aged young adults can explore practices that nurture and shape their faith and challenge them to respond to God’s call to service and leadership. The program seeks to nurture a diverse group of young people into practical theologians with skills for critical reflection about their faith and society. In partnership with local churches, service organizations, parents and community volunteers, Faith Calls fosters a support system for young people through mentoring and leadership training. The program will focus on the following:
- Faith exploration: offers young people opportunities to explore deeply their faith questions, theological curiosities through study, dialogue and reflection.
- Faithful practices: invites young people to participate in ancient faith practices and develop meaningful spiritual practices of their own that help them connect to God’s presence and activity in the world.
- Faithful witness: offers young people the opportunity to discover and utilize their gifts and graces for ministry and vocation and the opportunity to become grounded in an identity that expresses their Christian witness.
- Faithful leaders: a cloud of witnesses who surround and support young people within a beloved community to nurture their gifts for leadership in the church and the world.
For more information, students should contact the program director at 214-768-2390. Those who wish to be on the mailing list can send their name and address to Faith Calls, Office of External Programs, PO Box 750133, Dallas TX 75275-0133, or send an email to theoexternalprograms@smu.edu
Global Theological Education
Through cultural immersion courses, the GTE program offers students a study of theology, scripture, missions, ministry or interreligious relationships in a cultural context different from the students’ own, usually outside the United States. These courses give special attention to the role of theological reflection in an environment affected by globalization in all its dimensions through a focused, on-site study in a particular cultural environment and region of the world.
Perkins School of Theology is home to five centers approved by the Office of the Provost for teaching and research.
The central mission of the Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions is to promote a deeper understanding of the varieties of religious life and expression within the Latino/a communities in the United States and in Latin America. Building upon the rich history of its Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program, Perkins seeks to strengthen its engagement with Latino/a realities through its educational programs, the generation and conduct of research, and the dissemination of knowledge. The director is Dr. Hugo Magallanes, associate professor of Christianity and cultures.
The Center for Evangelism and Missional Church Studies (formerly the Center for Missional Wisdom) joins with congregations and church leaders to understand the unique challenges they face in sharing the gospel, as well as to cultivate new and relevant forms of witness both locally and internationally. Through lecture series, workshops, the creation of curriculum resources and focused study groups, the center is dedicated to working with God’s church to share the Gospel with the world. Dr. Robert Hunt, professor of Christian mission and interreligious relations, was appointed director in 2013.
The Center for Religious Leadership provides training in the theology of leadership and practical skills for leadership. This training is based in an understanding of leadership as a spiritual vocation cultivated, strengthened and lived out within communities of faith and the other contexts in which the church exists, including legal, business, political, social and cultural contexts. The center draws on the skills of the SMU faculty from Perkins School of Theology, Cox School of Business and Dedman School of Law, along with church leaders (both lay and clergy) and business and nonprofit leaders. Bishop D. Max Whitfield is the appointed director.
The Center for Methodist Studies at Bridwell Library was established in 1984 to encourage research, study and reflection upon the Methodist movement, including the sources that influenced its origin, the forces that shaped its development and the features that determine its character and influence. To foster these goals, the center sponsors and supports a variety of programs, publications and exhibitions. J.S. Bridwell Foundation Endowed Librarian Roberta A. Schaafsma is the director of Bridwell Library.
The Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence at SMU exists to foster excellence in preaching through innovative courses at Perkins, continuing education events, mentoring relationships, peer groups focused on preaching and coaching for individuals and church staffs. The Hardin Family Preaching Mentor Program pairs seasoned practitioners from the area with Introduction to Preaching students. Peer groups throughout the Southwest bring together groups of pastors who meet monthly to work on their preaching skills. The Geo. W. and Nell Ayers LeVan Endowed Chair of Preaching and Worship and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor Dr. Alyce M. McKenzie is the center’s director.
The Council of Southwestern Theological Schools
For several years, a number of seminaries in the Southwest cooperated in various joint activities. In the summer of 1958, their cooperative work was put on a permanent basis by the organization of the Council of Southwestern Theological Schools Inc. The current members of the council, in addition to Perkins, are as follows: Austin Graduate School of Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, B. H. Carroll Theological Institute, Brite Divinity School, Dallas Theological Seminary, the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, George W. Truett Seminary, Houston Graduate School of Theology and Oblate School of Theology. The council is also affiliated with the Multicultural Alliance.
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