The General Theological Seminary in Manhattan, the nation’s oldest Episcopal seminary, seemed to be regaining its footing after almost having to seek bankruptcy protection in 2010. It sold off some valuable real estate ”” its leafy campus in Chelsea is just steps from the High Line ”” and hired a new dean and president, the Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle, who promised to make the struggling institution a “joyful, thankful and useful” place.
A year after his arrival, however, the seminary has fallen into turmoil. Eight of its 10 full-time faculty members walked off the job on Friday to protest what they described in letters to the school’s board of trustees as Mr. Dunkle’s overly controlling management style, his habit of making vulgar and offensive remarks, and his frequent threats to demote or fire those who disagreed with him.
The work stoppage, faculty members said, was intended to force a dialogue with the board and, ideally, to lead to the firing of Mr. Dunkle. Instead, the tactic backfired. On Monday, the board dismissed the eight faculty members, leaving the seminary’s roughly 140 students, a month into their term, without professors to teach them.
The AP report of the October 1 chapel service includes this account: “Standing apart, Dunkle instructed an Associated Press reporter seeking comment to turn to his spokesman, who escorted the reporter to the iron-barred exit gate, saying this was private property.â€
My understanding is that Tim Keller’s church is looking to start a branch campus of Reformed Theological Seminary in Manhattan. Sure would be great if a beautiful seminary campus suddenly became available at a fire sale price.
“The AP report of the October 1 chapel service includes this account: ‘Standing apart, Dunkle instructed an Associated Press reporter seeking comment to turn to his spokesman, who escorted the reporter to the iron-barred exit gate, saying this was private property.’â€
But aren’t services (apart from some weddings and funerals) in chapels of Episcopal seminaries always open to the public?
“My understanding is that Tim Keller’s church is looking to start a branch campus of Reformed Theological Seminary in Manhattan. Sure would be great if a beautiful seminary campus suddenly became available at a fire sale price.”
At this point, my mental image is of both sides pulling the roof down upon their heads.
“It’s a really difficult situation; it’s chaotic,†said AB, 26, who entered the seminary this fall. “And as a student, it’s hard to see what is true and what is not.â€
True that.
It looks like revisionists are clashing with ueber-revisionists; if so, then all are wrong. It sound to me like that place needs Hercules to wash it out. (I don’t know how it’s been since Jesus has been there for a visit.)