Stories

By unanimous vote of the Tenured Faculty and Action of the Board of Trustees, Eden Theological Seminary has appointed Dr. Benjamin L. Hartley as Professor of Contextual Education, Mission, and United Methodist Studies. Congratulations!

Dr. Hartley is a historian of mission, Methodism, and world Christianity with a long-standing commitment to contextual theological research and learning. His scholarly and vocational passion for intercultural teaching and learning with congregations and other contexts of ministry reinforces Eden’s way of forming leaders for ministry with and for the church. Dr. Hartley is compelled by Eden Seminary’s model of Contextual Education that is immersive, mentored and integrative. As Professor of Contextual Education, he will curate sites, train and coordinate with supervisors, and support resources to help students integrate local learning and the Eden curriculum. An ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church, Dr. Hartley also will teach courses in United Methodist History, Doctrine, and Polity. This supports Eden Seminary’s role in training Methodist pastors for ministry in Eastern Missouri since 1850. Eden Semininary continues as an approved school by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church for UMC candidates seeking ordination.

Dr. Hartley received a Th.D. in Mission Studies and Church History at Boston University (2005) and earned an M.Div. degree at the same institution (1999). He also has a Master of Science degree in International Development from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University (1996). His BA degree is from Wheaton College in Illinois (1992). He has previously served on the regular faculty at Seattle Pacific University in Washington (2021-2024), George Fox University in Oregon (2016-2020), and, for eleven years, at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University in suburban Philadelphia (2005-2016).

Eden also is pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker, who has been leading this area recently has been appointed as Assistant Professor of Community Leadership and Director of the Walker Leadership Institute.

Both Dr. Hartley and Dr. Wise Baker begin their new roles on August 1, 2024. Professor Hartley and his spouse, Dr. Laura Hartley, are moving to St. Louis. We welcome them to the Eden community.

Eden Theological Seminary is delighted to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker as the new director of the Walker Leadership Institute, effective August 1, 2024. By action of the Faculty and Board of Trustees, Dr. Wise Baker has been reappointed to the faculty as Assistant Professor of Community Leadership and, in that role, appointed as director of the Walker Leadership Institute. 

Currently, Assistant Professor of Contextual Education and Community Engagement and Director of Contextual Education, Rev. Dr. Baker is also the founding director of the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing at Eden.  She brings to the Walker Leadership Institute position a wealth of experience, skills, and a profound commitment to empowering leaders in congregations, organizations, and the community as agents of social transformation. She has expertise in community organizing and in fostering congregational and organizational vitality. 

Locally, Dr. Wise Baker has been a leader in the work of Episcopal City Mission, and Liberation Christian Church. Nationally, she has provided leadership for the National Benevolent Association (Disciples of Christ). In her current community work she launched the When Black Women Lead project, organizing local and state candidates, elected officials and voters. She also has been a presenter and preacher at many workshops, conferences, and services of worship.

As the new Director of the Walker Leadership Institute at Eden, she will continue to advance the Institute’s mission of identifying, training, and supporting leaders committed to the Common Good by continuing her work to create transformational programs that prepare the community and the church for social justice engagement.  
 
“We are thrilled that Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker is becoming the next director of the Walker Leadership Institute,” said Dr. Deborah Krause, President of Eden Seminary. “Her dynamic leadership and deep commitment to faith and justice align perfectly with Eden’s vision and the work of the Institute to promote the common good. We are excited to see her build upon the solid foundation laid by Rev. Steve Lawler and to work together to connect WLI’s programs to Eden’s emerging strategic plan.”

Rev. Dr. Baker expressed her hope as the new Assistant Professor of Community Leadership and for the work of the Walker Leadership going forward. “I am looking forward to developing deeper relationships with our network, surfacing our current needs to build vital and sustainable communities as sites for social transformation, while we nurture leaders who want to change the world!”

Rev. Dr. Baker succeeds Rev. Steve Lawler, the founding director of the Walker Leadership Institute, who is retiring after eight years of growing the Institute’s work of Leadership for the Common Good. During Rev. Lawler’s tenure, the Institute has offered course work, seminars, lectures, and workshops for congregational leaders, as well as special programs for community and nonprofit leaders. He will continue to collaborate in the Walker Leadership Institute programs of NEXT Steps and Praxis and provide support to Dr. Wise Baker as she transitions to her new role. 

The tower of the Press Hall at Eden Theological Seminary is a recognizable presence on the Webster Groves’ campus.  Local neighbors as well as alumni and the community around the world often identify Eden’s campus with the iconic tower.

During June, lights on the tower express solidarity with members of the LGBTQIA+ community through a celebration of PRIDE.

Eden faculty and staff are out in the church networks this summer providing resources and making connections.  Lots of collaborations took place during the weekend of June 6-9.  Here is a glimpse.

Christopher Grundy (Academic Dean | Professor of Worship and Preaching | Dean of the Chapel) at the Wisconsin UCC Conference Annual Meeting.

Raquel S. Lettsome (Professor of New Testament and Womanist Biblical Interpretation) at Hampton University’s Ministers’ Conference.

Sandi Boehlein (Director of Development), Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause (President of Eden Seminary,) gathered with Eden alumni for breakfast prior to the MO UMC Annual Conference meeting.

Scott Holl (Theological Librarian/Archivist | Bookstore Manager) at the Webster Arts Fair.

Justin Shamell (Relationship Manager and Recruiter of Congregations) at the Northern California/Nevada United Church of Christ Annual Conference.

Dietra Wise Baker ( Director of the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing |Assistant Professor of Contextual Education and Community Engagement | Director of Contextual Education), Alum, Rev. Dwayne Mosier and Cindy Kline Mosier at the meeting of 4 UCC Conferences (Penn West, Penn Central, Pennsylvania Southeast, and Penn Northeast) in Pennsylvania as they discern their future together.

Dana McNamara (Interim Director of Admissions) represented Eden at the Rocky Mountain UCC Conference Annual Celebration, complete with voting.

Giving thanks! By unanimous vote of the Tenured Faculty and Action of the Board of Trustees, Eden Theological Seminary has appointed Dr. Henry S. Kuo as Associate Professor of Church Histories and Historical Theology. Dr. Kuo received a Ph.D. in systematic and philosophical theology from the Graduate Theological Union/University of California in Berkeley (2019) with a firm grounding in the history of theologies. He also received a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey (2013) and M.A. in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2009). Dr. Kuo has served as Associate Professor of Religion, Ethics and Philosophy at Greensboro College in North Carolina and Director of the George Center for Honors Studies. He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Christian ethics, Christian theology, church history, business ethics, and biblical studies. His primary research focus in on Christian ecclesiology (the theological study of the church). His work draws from historical studies read through the lenses of decoloniality and marginality.

Dr. Kuo is active globally in theological consultations of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Dr. Kuo values Eden’s long history of excellence. He looks forward to joining this progressive seminary that trains students to be theologically-rooted leaders who can passionately engage their communities critically and thoughtfully while integrating their learning with their religious traditions, vocations, and the call for justice in society.

Dr. Henry Kuo will be moving to St. Louis. He begins at Eden in July 2024. The Eden community is excited to welcome Dr. Henry Kuo and his family.