Faculty fears of returning to a “toxic work environment” at General Theological Seminary have stalled negotiations aimed at reinstating eight professors mired in a month-long labor dispute.Professors are insisting that before they return to classrooms, a neutral person must be in place to buffer their communications with GTS Dean and President Kurt Dunkle, whom they accuse of … [Read more...] about GTS 8 Want an Arbiter
Bishop Mark Sisk
GTS Talks Hit Snag
Ann Fontaine of Episcopal Café posts a new statement by the GTS 8:The GTS Board of Trustees saw fit last Friday to release a statement that prematurely implied our return to the Seminary was imminent. We therefore believe it is necessary to clarify just where we are in the negotiating process.From the outset, the central issue we have sought to address is the existence of an … [Read more...] about GTS Talks Hit Snag
Reinstatement Closer at GTS
In a letter linked by Ann Fontaine of Episcopal Café, eight dismissed faculty members of General Theological Seminary have accepted the seminary board’s offer of reinstatement:We accept your offer of reinstatement to our positions, and the salaries and benefits outlined in our contracts in effect prior to September 25, 2014. We look forward to being able to do this as soon as … [Read more...] about Reinstatement Closer at GTS
Bishop Calls for Penance
The Rt. Rev. William H. Stokes, Bishop of New Jersey, writes to the members of his diocese.... all have sinned, all fall short of the glory of God ... (Romans 3:23)As many of you are aware, there has been a major crisis at The General Theological Seminary in New York on whose Board of Trustees I serve. This situation has been sinful, grievous and ugly in every way, harming the … [Read more...] about Bishop Calls for Penance
Bishop: GTS Vote Divided
Update: Megan Castellan of Episcopal Café reports that trustee Jeffrey Small has resigned from the board in protest.The Rt. Rev. Andrew M.L. Dietsche writes to members of the Diocese of New York.Bishop Dietsche’s predecessor, the Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk, is chairman of General Theological Seminary’s board of trustees and former dean and president of Seabury-Western Theological … [Read more...] about Bishop: GTS Vote Divided
GTS 8, Bp. Breidenthal Respond
A statement from the GTS 8The eight fired faculty members of the General Theological Seminary sincerely thank the thousands of academics, hundreds of clergy and colleagues, GTS alumni, and other Christian faithful from around the world who have expressed their support for us in the aftermath of the Board of Trustees’ disappointing decision today. Your prayers, your passionate … [Read more...] about GTS 8, Bp. Breidenthal Respond
Trustees: Dean Dunkle Stays
From a statement issued late October 17 by General Theological Seminary’s board of trustees:Shaping the future leaders of our Church is a responsibility we take very seriously; to that end, the concerns raised by eight members of the Faculty were given full consideration by both the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee. Our chief goal is a fruitful and fulfilling … [Read more...] about Trustees: Dean Dunkle Stays
Bishop Griswold Lends a Hand
Mary Frances Schjonberg reports for Episcopal News Service:Former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold will facilitate the Oct. 16 meeting between trustees of the General Theological Seminary and eight professors whose employment is at the core of the dispute involving complaints about the conduct of the school’s dean and president.The General trustees agreed Oct. 13 during a … [Read more...] about Bishop Griswold Lends a Hand