EXPLORE THIS COURSE

     COURSE MODULES

Why

Explore

Reflect

Next Step

Meet the Teaching

 Team

   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

160 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 300, Decatur, GA, 30030
(678) 369-6755

© 2022 Forum for Theological Exploration

Who is the Forum for Theological Exploration? 

The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) is a leadership incubator that inspires young people to make a difference in the world through Christian communities. Since its founding in 1954, FTE has provided resources, events, networks, grants, and fellowships to cultivate tomorrow’s leaders, pastors, and theological educators. FTE provides a forum through which gifted, purposeful students, young adults, and partners explore their passion, purpose, and call.

Who is this course for? 

Why was this course created?

How will this course benefit me? 

Can I get a course certificate for completion?

Yes, if you meet the requirements set forth in the course you will receive a certificate that you can post to your Linkedin profile and download to share.

How much time will this course take?

This varies by person but averages about 5-10 hours including Zoom Community Gatherings.

I can’t make a Community Gathering call, What do I do?

FTE may choose to upload part or all of the Community Gathering discussions, but we’d recommend reaching out to the course teaching team with any questions you have during the course.

Can I participate in class from my cellphone?

Yes, there is an app for that. NovoEd has a mobile app as does Zoom for the community gathering calls.

What does FTE mean by theological executive?

Lead Change for Good 

This course will help faculty of color in theological education discern their call to academic leadership. By enrolling in this course, you will better understand the role of higher education in the 21st century, learn how to create conditions for diverse scholars to thrive, and map your career trajectory to take on more leadership roles that prepare you for your next most faithful step.

The world needs wise, courageous, and faithful theological executives like you to shape the next generation of leaders for the church, academy, and society.

• Interact with seasoned and passionate executive leadership coaches who will journey alongside you
• Listen to thought-provoking episodes from FTE's Sound of the Genuine podcast featuring theological executives, leaders, and sages
• Hear real-life stories from theological executives Dr. Sarah B. Drummond, Rev. Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, and Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr.
• Participate in activities that will stretch your imagination and give you the knowledge necessary for enacting your next most faithful step 
• Engage in practices based on both the deep traditions of our communities and the science of discernment

COURSE MODULES

Learn how to inspire a new generation of scholars of color and identify gifts and talents that can be used during your pursuit of becoming a theological executive.

Explore leadership opportunities and what it means to step into those roles at this time, Learn more about BIPOC leaders and different leadership positions in the academy.

Revisit your path to teaching and scholarship and how you relate to that journey now that you're pursuing a role in leadership.

Use the learnings you acquired during this course to help you prepare and take action toward your next most faithful step in pursuing a theological executive position.

Meet the Teaching Team

Stephen Lewis

Course Instructor

Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and co-founder of DO GOOD X, a start-up accelerator for diverse Christian social entrepreneurs. In each of these roles, he uses his insights and expertise as an organizational change strategist and leadership development specialist to inspire the next generation of faith-inspired leaders and entrepreneurs. Stephen is also the co-author of Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose and A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation.

A Chicano educator, administrator, and institutional strategist, Dr. Patrick B. Reyes is the senior director of learning design at the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE). Prior to FTE, Patrick was an administrator at an R1 institution and dean at an independent college. He is the author of several award-winning books, including The Purpose Gap: Empowering Communities of Color to Find Meaning and Thrive and Nobody Cries When We Die: God, Community, and Surviving to Adulthood.

Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd served as President Emerita of Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan for seven years before her retirement in 2013. Prior to her Presidency, she held several roles, including Director of Accreditation and Leadership Education at The Association of Theological Schools, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care & Counselling at United Theological Seminary, and Academic Dean at Payne Theological Seminary. Most recently, she served as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs & Academic Dean at Luther Seminary. In each of these positions, Dr. Boyd was the first African American woman to serve.

   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Who is the Forum for Theological Exploration?

The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) is a leadership incubator that inspires young people to make a difference in the world through Christian communities. Since its founding in 1954, FTE has provided resources, events, networks, grants, and fellowships to cultivate tomorrow’s leaders, pastors, and theological educators. FTE provides a forum through which gifted, purposeful students, young adults, and partners explore their passion, purpose, and call.

Who is this course for? 

This course is designed to assist faculty of color in theological education and FTE Fellowship alumni on their journey to serve in an executive leadership role in the academy.

Why was this course created?

FTE created this course to meet a need for leadership development opportunities for scholars of color who seek to lead and impact change in higher education as theological executives. Since its founding in 1954, FTE has been committed to diversifying and cultivating the next generation of theological scholars, educators, and leaders.

How will this course benefit me?

Upon completion, you will join FTE's network of alumni which includes pastors, professors, deans, presidents of organizations, civil servants, and non-profit leaders who are leading their communities, congregations, and society. You will also receive a free Center for Creative Leadership 360 assessment tool ($500 value) to help identify your growth areas during the course to achieve your leadership goals.

Can I get a course certificate for completion?

Yes, if you meet the requirements set forth in the course you will receive a certificate that you can post to your Linkedin profile and download to share.

How much time will this course take?

This varies by person but averages about 5-10 hours including Zoom Community Gatherings.

I can’t make a Community Gathering call, What do I do?

FTE may choose to upload part or all of the Community Gathering discussions, but we’d recommend reaching out to the course teaching team with any questions you have during the course.

Can I participate in class from my cellphone?

Yes, there is an app for that. NovoEd has a mobile app as does Zoom for the community gathering calls.

What does FTE mean by theological executive?

FTE defines a theological executive as an individual who serves in academic leadership as a Chief Academic Officer, V.P. of Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty, Dean, or President, etc. in higher education.

Social Justice & Service

Explore your next most faithful step after discerning what it might mean to serve your community, cause, or creation.

$199

Theological Executive

Explore your next most faithful step toward becoming a theological executive

Designed for faculty of color with a P.h.D. in theological education to serve in an executive position in the academy

$2,000

I chose to pursue theological education because I understood that part of my calling had to do with both how I heard and kind of understood what the community saw in me vis-a-vis leaders and pastors and those who I journeyed with and hearing God’s call both through them and also my own sense of urgency about what I needed to be about. And the kinds of things that I needed to be doing that felt like they were important and they mattered in the world.

- Leslie Bowling-Dyer (2012 FTE Doctoral Fellow)

Designed for young adults ages 18-35

Lead Change for Good

Take your next most faithful step in Executive Leadership 

Now is the perfect time to take your next most faithful step.

We want our students to become bold leaders and solve the problems that reflect their lives

- Rich Havard from Inclusive Collective 

Theological Executive

Explore your next most faithful step toward becoming a theological executive

Designed for leaders with a P.h.D. in theological education to serve in an executive position in the academy

$2,000

& Make Space for 

Transformations

I chose to pursue theological education because I understood that part of my calling had to do with both how I heard and kind of understood what the community saw in me vis-a-vis leaders and pastors and those who I journeyed with and hearing God’s call both through them and also my own sense of urgency about what I needed to be about. And the kinds of things that I needed to be doing that felt like they were important and they mattered in the world.

- Leslie Bowling-Dyer 

(2012 FTE Doctoral Fellow)

Stephen Lewis

Course Instructor

Patrick B. Reyes, Ph.D.

Course Instructor

Marsha Foster Boyd, Ph.D.

Executive Mentor/Coach

G. Sujin Pak, Ph.D.

Executive Mentor/Coach

Click here to learn more about this industry-leading leadership assessment tool.

• Interact with seasoned and passionate executive leadership coaches who will journey alongside you
• Listen to thought-provoking episodes from FTE's Sound of the Genuine podcast featuring theological executives, leaders, and sages
• Hear real-life stories from theological executives Dr. Sarah B. Drummond, Rev. Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, and Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr.
• Participate in activities that will stretch your imagination and give you the knowledge necessary for enacting your next most faithful step 
• Engage in practices based on both the deep traditions of our communities and the science of discernment

Learn how to inspire a new generation of scholars of color and identify gifts and talents that can be used during your pursuit of becoming a theological executive.

Explore leadership opportunities and what it means to step into those roles at this time, Learn more about BIPOC leaders and different leadership positions in the academy.

Revisit your path to teaching and scholarship and how you relate to that journey now that you're pursuing a role in leadership.

Use the learnings you acquired during this course to help you prepare and take action toward your next most faithful step in pursuing a theological executive position.

Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and co-founder of DO GOOD X, a start-up accelerator for diverse Christian social entrepreneurs. In each of these roles, he uses his insights and expertise as an organizational change strategist and leadership development specialist to inspire the next generation of faith-inspired leaders and entrepreneurs. Stephen is also the co-author of Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose and A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation.

A Chicano educator, administrator, and institutional strategist, Dr. Patruck B. Reyes the senior director of learning design at the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE). He is also the author of several award-winning books, including The Purpose Gap: Empowering Communities of Color to Find Meaning and Thrive, and Nobody Cries When We Die: God, Community, and Surviving to Adulthood.

Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd served as President of Emerita of Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan for seven years before her retirement in 2013. Prior to her Presidency, she held several roles, including Director of Accreditation and Leadership Education at The Association of Theological Schools, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care & Counselling at United Theological Seminary, and Academic Dean at Payne Theological Seminary. Most recently, she served as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs & Academic Dean at Luther Seminary. In each of these positions, Dr. Boyd was the first African American woman to serve.

Dr. G. Sujin Pak is Dean of the Boston University School of Theology and is an expert in the history of Christianity, focusing on the early modern period, the Protestant Reformation, and the history of biblical interpretation. Pak is the author of The Judaizing Calvin: Sixteenth-Century Debates on the Messianic Psalms and The Reformation of Prophecy: Early Modern Interpretations of the Prophet and Old Testament Prophet. She is also a strong advocate for diversity and equity and prizes these values in her teaching and research.

This course is designed to assist leaders with a Ph.D. in theological education on their journey to serve in an executive leadership role in the academy.

FTE defines a theological executive as an individual who serves in academic leadership as a Chief Academic Officer, V.P. of Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty, Dean, or President, etc. in higher education.

FTE created this course to meet a need for leadership development opportunities for scholars of color who seek to lead and impact change in higher education as theological executives. Since its founding in 1954, FTE has been committed to diversifying and cultivating the next generation of theological scholars, educators, and leaders.

Upon completion, you will join FTE's network of alumni which includes pastors, professors, deans, presidents of organizations, civil servants, and non-profit leaders who are leading their communities, congregations, and society. You will also receive a free Center for Creative Leadership 360 assessment tool ($500 value) to help identify your growth areas during the course to achieve your leadership goals.

What is a Center for Creative Leadership 360 Assessment? 

Click here to learn more about this industry-leading leadership assessment tool.

Course Instructor

Patrick B. Reyes, Ph.D.

Marsha Foster Boyd, Ph.D.

Executive Mentor/Coach

Executive Mentor/Coach

G. Sujin Pak, Ph.D.

Dr. G. Sujin Pak is Dean of the Boston University School of Theology and is an expert in the history of Christianity, focusing on the early modern period, the Protestant Reformation, and the history of biblical interpretation. Pak is the author of The Judaizing Calvin: Sixteenth-Century Debates on the Messianic Psalms and The Reformation of Prophecy: Early Modern Interpretations of the Prophet and Old Testament Prophet. She is also a strong advocate for diversity and equity and prizes these values in her teaching and research.

Make Space for Transformation 

as a Theological Executive

What is a Center for Creative Leadership 360 Assessment?

Have Questions?

This course will help individuals with Ph.D.s in theological education discern their call to academic leadership. By enrolling in this course, you will better understand the role of higher education in the 21st century, learn how to create conditions for diverse scholars to thrive, and map your career trajectory to take on more leadership roles that prepare you for your next most faithful step.

The world needs wise, courageous, and faithful theological executives like you to shape the next generation of leaders for the church, academy, and society.

Since 1954, FTE has offered fellowships to sustain current Ph.D. and Th.D. students of color through graduate school and into a vocation of teaching and scholarship. In doing so, FTE is working toward improving the quality of theological education and scholarship by diversifying the faculties of theological schools.

In this 4-week virtual theological exploration course, you will discover if you are called to serve as a Chief Academic Officer (V.P. of Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty, Dean) or President through identifying your gifts and talents for this work. You will also receive a free Center for Creative Leadership 360 assessment tool ($500 value) to help identify your growth areas during the course.

In each module, you will engage in several activities, including live Zoom gatherings with the teaching team and peers, journaling, interacting with your small group, and applying course concepts to the cohort's collective work.