CHICAGO, IL (September 9, 2009) \u2013 Dr. John (Jay) Phelan, president and dean of North Park Theological Seminary, will step down from that office at the conclusion of the current academic year, it was announced today.
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\nFollowing completion of his seminary leadership responsibilities in early summer next year, Phelan will assume a faculty position as senior professor of theological studies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been an extraordinary privilege to serve the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) and North Park University as seminary president and dean,\u201d said Phelan. He says he is especially proud of the character and accomplishments of the seminary faculty. \u201cI have had the joy of working with amazing administrative and staff colleagues in both the seminary and the wider university. Their deep commitment to God and to the Gospel has challenged and encouraged me every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Phelan](\"http:\/\/www.covchurch.org\/uploads\/qf\/uL\/qfuLFiv2uCohUsqQlYdxyg\/Phelan-a.jpg\")
Phelan\u2019s leadership has been critical to a revitalization of the seminary, notes North Park University President David Parkyn, who commended Phelan\u2019s dedication to fostering strong scholarship among faculty. While in office, Phelan appointed 10 full-time faculty members, an academic dean, and a dean of students.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has led with vision and with care, focusing on developing a faculty of active scholars and effective teachers dedicated to educating future generations of pastoral leaders,\u201d Parkyn said.<\/p>\n
From 1981-1986, Phelan served as university dean of students and assistant professor of New Testament.\u00a0 He then served as pastor of two Covenant churches in Florida and Kansas before returning to Chicago in 1994 as executive director of Covenant Publications (now Covenant Communications). He assumed his current role in 1996.<\/p>\n
Under Phelan\u2019s leadership, seminary enrollment increased from 119 students in 1996 to 279 this semester, due in part to the implementation of the Presidential Scholars Program, and more recently, a partnership with a full-tuition scholarship program offered by the Kern Foundation. Additional students have been enrolled through SemConnect, the seminary\u2019s distance learning program.<\/p>\n
Phelan also helped establish several new programs, including the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the Center for Spiritual Direction, the Faith and Health Initiative, the Center for Justice Ministries (now part of the university\u2019s Collaboratory for Urban and Intercultural Learning), and the Center for World Christian Studies. During his tenure, two Lilly Endowment grants were obtained to fund seminary programs: the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence grant (shared with the Evangelical Covenant Church) that funded development of the Center for Spiritual Direction, and the Making Connections Initiative grant that provided the means for the seminary to collaborate widely with local Covenant churches and affiliated ministries.<\/p>\n
\u201cJay\u2019s tenure is marked by many things,\u201d said ECC President Gary Walter. \u201cBut most importantly he has been about the mission of God. His framing intent and motivation has been to develop leaders of character and competence who care about God\u2019s whole mission to the whole world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parkyn has invited Walter to share an active role in the search for new leadership of the seminary, which represents a joint interest for the ECC and North Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsideration of seminary and church needs will go hand-in-hand,\u201d said Parkyn. \u201cNew leadership must assure continued active support and vision for educating students in both heart and mind. These students will serve the church for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n