At Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, we spent time listening, reflecting, and discerning where God is calling us next. Our new strategic plan, PTS 2030, builds on our deep roots while preparing us for a changing world. It’s a plan about forming people for ministry, strengthening our partnerships that extend the mission, and stewarding our place faithfully for the future. We’re excited to share how each of these priorities will shape the Seminary’s next chapter.
In this blog series, PTS President Asa Lee talks with members of the Seminary’s Board of Directors about the three foci of the PTS 2030 strategic plan: People, Partnerships, and Place. In this post, Board Chair the Rev. Dr. Patrice Fowler Searcy ’13/’24 responds to questions about the first strategic focus: People. Watch their conversation in the video below, or scroll down to read key points of their conversation in a written Q&A format.
As we consider the Seminary’s focus on “People,” when you imagine the future of PTS, what kind of community do you see us becoming?
Over the past 20 or so years, I’ve seen this seminary become more inviting and neighborly. I’ve seen the growth in our diversity—for example, in our acceptance of other faith traditions and denominations. And so as it relates to the strategic plan, I look for us to continue in that trajectory, for us to continue being who God is calling us to be in this season, and to embrace all of God’s people.
What does diversity mean for the Seminary’s identity now and for the way we form leaders for ministry?
Being a Presbyterian pastor, I’m part of a tradition that espouses that the church is reformed and always reforming. And for me, that means that we don’t sit back on our laurels and think only about what we’ve done in the past, but that we are continually moving forward as God is leading us into new areas. What “People” means for me is that we continue to build upon that movement, that we continue to reach out to people who may not be aware of the opportunities that exist here—people of color, people who have been marginalized in the past, people who have no inkling that they would fit in here for whatever reason. I want us to be open and accessible to what God is doing in this season, because I believe that God is breaking down barriers and bringing us together so that we can embody what will happen in heaven here on earth.
What excites you about PTS 2030?
What excites me about 2030 is that we are looking at who we are comprehensively: who we are in relation to our partners, who we are in relation to the community, and how we can better situate the campus to embrace all of those. Someone asked me recently, “What part of the 2030 plan do you think is of utmost importance?” I think the entire plan is important, but without the people, there would be no need for us to be here; without the people, we would not be equipping folks to go out into the community to partner with others and to be who God is calling us to be in this season. And of course, we know that we have to get our plant in order so that we can welcome those folks well. So, every part of the plan excites me for different reasons, but most especially, I’m excited about the fact that we are continuing to be who I believe God is calling us to be in this season: a place and a space for all of God’s people.
The Rev. Dr. Patrice Fowler-Searcy ’13/’24 is chair of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Board of Directors. Previously, she served the Seminary’s Board for 12 years in a number of capacities. Patrice has ministered in the East Liberty community for 30 years, serving since 1996 as director of outreach then as acting pastor and head of staff at East Liberty Presbyterian Church and holding membership on the board of East Liberty Development Inc. since 1998, where she also served as board president. She is an ordained minister in both the Baptist tradition and in the PC(USA).
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