“Innovative.” “Engaged.” “Relevant.” “Cutting-edge.” These are some of the words used to describe theological education at Chicago Theological Seminary, words you will find throughout our Web site. While they suggest an emphasis on the current moment, the commitments that inspired them are not at all new.

For nearly 150 years, CTS has educated women and men for ministry in and with communities of faith, hope and love—communities seeking to live out the truth of God’s justice and mercy in particular times and places. Remaining faithful to those communities has required that we ask, again and again, “What is needed of us now?” CTS is called to step out in faith, to find ways to re-examine history in light of lived experience, to take risks in order to adapt our ways of thinking and doing to the challenges of faithfulness today. Throughout, we have stood on the shoulders of our ancestors in the faith, Christian Reformers who have cherished both the historic faith and the gospel call to create “new wineskins for new wine” (Matt. 9:17).

Into the 21st century, CTS carries on this tradition, seeking to be attentive to the pressing theological concerns, needs and gifts of communities of faith in each time and place for which we prepare religious leaders. Read on to discover the ways in which CTS has been, and continues to be, a groundbreaking force in theological education.