If I had $1 billion: presidents wish list

Christian Century, Feb 22, 2003 by Richard J. Mouw, Martha J. Home, Ted A. Campbell, William McKinney, James Kenneth Echols

What would seminary leaders do if suddenly money were no obstacle--if a generous donor left them, say, $1 billion?

IN A RECENT television commercial, a man in a desert discovers a lamp in the sand. He rubs it, and a genie appears. Although the genie is prepared to grant three wishes, the man's first wish--for a new Mercedes automobile--is granted, and he drives away in excitement, forfeiting the remaining two wishes. One billion dollars from a donor would be a huge wish come true and would make an extraordinary difference in the life and ministry of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

First, I'd support the seminary's basic ministry of preparing women and men to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ten percent of the gift would renovate the campus with state-of-the art classrooms, a technologically sophisticated library, attractive worship space, comfortable housing units, an inviting conference center, etc. I'd place an additional 40 percent in the unrestricted portion of the seminary's endowment, and use the earnings to underwrite more generous financial aid for students, more generous salaries for faculty and staff, expansion of the faculty in key areas, and operating expenses.

Second, I'd put 15 percent of the gift in the endowment to support a first-class program of lay and continuing theological education. Assuming a 5 percent spending rate, an annual budget of $7.5 million would open up enormous possibilities for on- and off-campus educational offerings. Extension centers could be established both in and outside of congregations, and a special grants program could assist congregations in their own Christian education efforts. Educational technologies of all kinds would be available. Loren Mead says that one of the challenges for the church is to become an apostolic people. This money would "equip the saints for the work of ministry."

Third, I'd use 10 percent to support creative, exciting and relevant programming for youth and young adults. Programs would emphasize nurture in the faith, theological reflection and leadership development for both church and society--i.e., discerning one's vocational call in the context of various occupations. The possibilities for retreats, internships, travel seminars, camping experiences, work groups and cross-cultural exchange programs are endless.

Finally, the remaining 25 percent would be designated as the "Praxis Fund." With an annual budget of $25 million, this fund would take seriously the words of the Christ in Luke 4:18-19 and Matthew 25:35-36. Through grants to congregations and other humanitarian groups, work with community-based organizations, and projects funded and carried out by the seminary itself, the institution would embody its commitment to being "centered in the gospel and open to the world." In this case, the seminary would be involved in "doing justice and loving kindness" in God's world.

I hope to stumble upon a lamp right here in Hyde Park, knowing that one rub will lead to a genie and three wishes. I'll make my second wish a wish for a Mercedes.

--James Kenneth Echols, president, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

PACIFIC SCHOOL of Religion occupies a beautiful campus overlooking the San Francisco Bay and has relatively little deferred maintenance, so my first priority would be to reduce student debt and raise faculty salaries.

I left seminary and graduate school in the 1970s with no debt. Today, despite generous financial aid packages, many of our graduates face debt loads that will prevent them from accepting appointments in rural and inner-city settings where they are most needed. Some $16 million would enable us to double financial assistance.

PSR pays faculty and staff fairly well, but people make a financial sacrifice to work here. Turnover is low because PSR is a good place to work, but I worry about our ability to attract the next generation of theological educators. Competition from state universities and wealthy undergraduate colleges is increasingly intense. About $600,000 per year would make the school competitive. That's another $12 million in endowment.

My personal dream would be for a new initiative focusing on the renewal of organized religion in the United States. A number of important centers for the study of American religion exist, but none has yet taken on the challenge of working with religious leaders to shape the future of American religions. Imagine Harvard's Kennedy Center with a focus not on government but on religion, and a location not in Boston but in Berkeley!

--William McKinney, president, Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, California

I'D TRY TO get rid of a great deal of the money immediately, since a fully endowed program is often a formula for disaster. Such a scenario, for instance, would make the institution much less dependent on its church and other constituencies.

So the next week, after the trustees summarily dismiss me and I am walking the streets of Chicago homeless and alone ...

Taking the question a little more as it was intended, I'd be inclined to utilize new resources to build a much more comprehensive program of Christian formation and reflection. Such a program might involve endowing some or all of the following: