UTC CELEBRATES 100 YEARS 1910 - 2010
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 spoke person. 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, Tribal 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 Sate of Serampore College.
In connection with the centenary – 2010, consultations at various levels, new centers, Truth and Reconciliation, Study of South Indian Religious Traditions and Dalit Research. New programmes such as Lay Theological Education and new facilities are planned.
When started in 1910 UTC had 8 plus some special students, 7 staff (both teaching and non-teaching) and 6 Council members (1910-1911). Today, 2009 – 2010, the number of the residential students of different categories is 161 and special groups such as those for Academic Guidance Programme and special courses join at different stages. There are internal service units and external programmes of teaching and action. We have four campuses and nearly one hundred members of the staff, both full time and part-time, including 25 fulltime members of the faculty. The Governing Body of the College has 42 members. All these show the steady growth of the college over a century.
We rejoice in the opportunity to carry forward the torch handed over to us by the previous generation and prepare to hand it over to the coming generations. We believe that God is the loving companion in our ongoing journey who understands and accepts us as we are. We walk with the risen Lord who sets our hearts on fire by expounding the scripture to us. We are open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit into all truth. Along with a host of supporters and partners, we seek to move in the direction of attaining full participation in the divine commune constituted by the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit who humble to each other, glorify each other, outdo each other to serve, allow each other to speak and act and keep together the bond of a dynamic unity in love.
Please join us in our journey by becoming a friend of UTC.
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