UPDATE #2:
Statement from the Eight Faculty:
The following statement was issued tonight by the eight faculty whose job action resulted in their dismissal.
The 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 commitment to our cause, and outpouring of love continue to lift us up and sustain us.
For now, we need to spend some time individually and collectively in prayerful reflection on the Board’s decision so that we can determine the best way forward.
Official statement from the Board:
On October 17, 2014, The General Theological Seminary issues this statement:
“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 school year for our students.
“We are above all an institution of the Church, and we – both as individuals and as officials of the Seminary – strive to conduct ourselves in a manner befitting our guiding Christian principles. In this spirit, the Board has reviewed the findings of an independent investigation and reached three resolutions.
“First, the Board has heard the findings of an independent report and the advice of the Board’s Chancellor, and has concluded after extensive discussion that there are not sufficient grounds for terminating the Very Reverend Kurt Dunkle as President and Dean. We reaffirm our call to him as President and Dean and offer him our continuing support.
“Second, all eight Faculty members are invited to request provisional reinstatement as professors of the seminary. Our goal in the immediate term will be to promote an atmosphere of reconciliation so that the Seminary can turn the page and move forward with a full focus on the student body.
“The Executive Committee stands ready to meet next week to hear requests of any of the eight former faculty members for reinstatement and to negotiate the terms of their provisional employment for the remainder of the academic year.”
“Lastly, the Board commits itself to repairing the significant damage this issue has inflicted upon our Seminary, and calls upon all members of the GTS community – the Board, the Dean, students, Faculty, staff, and alumni – to foster greater accountability, repentance, reconciliation, and healing.
“For nearly 200 years, the General Theological Seminary has shaped current and future leaders of our Church. In an ever more challenging and volatile world, our Christian faith is an invaluable beacon that we all must strive to protect. We thank our Executive Committee, our Church leadership, our Faculty, and most of all our students for their continued faith during this challenging time. We commit ourselves to meditate upon these scriptures: Matthew 18:15-20, 2 Corinthians 5:16-20, and Ephesians 2:13-14.
Breaking. The Board of Trustees of the General Theological Seminary are meeting with students and the seminary community.
They have announced that they find no ground to dismiss Dean Kurt Dunkle and have restored faith in his leadership.
1. Not sufficient grounds to dismiss Dean and restores faith in him
— Reinst8 the GTS8 (@Reinst8GTS8) October 17, 2014
They will not reinstate the eight faculty.
2. Will not reinstate gts8
— Reinst8 the GTS8 (@Reinst8GTS8) October 17, 2014
They say they are committed to working towards reconciliation.
3. Commit to Work toward reconciliation
— Reinst8 the GTS8 (@Reinst8GTS8) October 17, 2014
The replacement faculty are good enough for the formation of the current students.
Q: is it the boards position that the replacement faculty are academically adequate for educational formation?
— Reinst8 the GTS8 (@Reinst8GTS8) October 17, 2014
Yes so far as we understand
— Reinst8 the GTS8 (@Reinst8GTS8) October 17, 2014