JOURNEYING TOGETHER
Preparing for UTC Centenary Celebrations (2010)
From Where Have We Come
The United Theological College Bangalore, founded on 8 July 1910, was the first institution of its kind and composition in the ecumenical history of the world church. The event followed the World Missionary Conference (WMC) Edinburgh that met a few weeks earlier in June, 14-23. Ecumenical Theological Education was one of the recommendations of the WMC, a watershed in history of the ecumenical movement.
UTC has embraced students and teachers from different church traditions from all over the world, full time and part time. Wherever one goes around the globe, it is not difficult to meet someone who was in UTC at some point of their preparation for ministry. Today, UTC is one of the renowned institutions in the world whose regular student constituency is comprised of candidates from a wide spectrum of churches and denominations ranging from mainline Protestants to Orthodox to Pentecostal traditions. It is not uncommon to have Roman Catholic teachers and research scholars spending time in UTC.
UTC has produced eminent theologians and leaders for the churches and YMCAs. Dr. Joshua Russell Chandran, the first and long-standing Indian Principal, was a recognized theologian and ecumenical spokesperson. There have been many other noted theologians, some of whom have contributed to the development of the movement of 'Third World' theologies, pioneering in developing Indian liberation theologies such as Dalit theology and Indian feminist theology. It's unique composition and contributions required creative relationships with other institutions and partners. UTC was the first theological college to be given autonomous status while remaining within the Senate of Serampore College.
As we approach the centenary, pause for a moment with us. Join us in celebrating our successes, confessing our failures and renewing our vision for the future. We have a long and significant past to review, revisit and reinterpret. Great thinkers, scholars and leaders have passed through our portals. There are inspiring stories to be shared and also important pitfalls of which to be aware. We hope you wish to continue to share the journey with us.
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