Leadership at LPTS

On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, the Louisville Seminary community gathered in Caldwell Chapel and virtually to hear the report from the Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee announcing The Rev. Dr. Andrew Pomerville as the incoming president of LPTS.

Please check upcoming events and LPTS social media pages for opportunities to connect and engage with President Pomerville.

Email Andrew

A MESSAGE FROM ANDREW

Louisville Seminary is the leader in theological education surrounding issues of justice, community, and compassion. Together, we share an enormous responsibility for continuing the transformative “Whosoever” community ethos that permeates through the campus and spills courageously into the world locally, nationally, and abroad.

Bold and brave innovation must be deeply rooted in the next chapter of our seminary's institutional saga with an eye toward the future needs of all of God's people. In order to strengthen the “Whosoever” community, we will listen sincerely to the desires and fears of the campus and create partnerships that commit to sustainable, ongoing relationships built on trust, love and grace.

LPTS does not exist for itself to self-perpetuate. We must, first and foremost, be guided by the Holy Spirit in the mission, to educate people to proclaim the Gospel, care for all, and work for justice in communities everywhere.

I BELIEVE IN...

...the one living, true, and active Triune God, the majestic Lord who is merciful, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. God is the creator and sustainer of all things seen and unseen and God alone is worthy of worship, adoration and praise. God exists beyond our understanding of time, both before the beginning and after the end, the Alpha and the Omega. God, whom Jesus knows as a faithful parent who provides for all our needs. God, the Holy Spirit, sustains us for our continuing journey of faith. In God’s mercy and love, humanity is offered redemption and the chance for reconciliation both to God and neighbor through the perfect and only possible mediator, Jesus the Christ.

Both fully God and fully human, Jesus saves humanity from our sin and brokenness. He experienced humanity in authenticity, with all the struggles, joys, questions, and celebrations therein. He is the Messiah of the Old Testament, breaking into the narrative of creation to redeem the world of its transgressions. He taught of God’s love and justice for the world by instructing humanity how to share in God’s love with one another, interpreting scripture with divine wisdom and understanding, and calling all people to an abundant life in God’s grace-filled community. All that is necessary for our salvation was completed and offered in the unique birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and...

READ MORE

ascension of Jesus Christ. For whosoever believes in him will have abundant life now and into eternity. He served prophetically to reveal God’s plan for redemption, teaching and revealing God’s desire for our lives, for creation and for our salvation. He served in a priestly role to offer himself as the only true and acceptable sacrifice to God, necessary for atonement for humanity’s depravity and unfaithfulness. He serves as the humble monarch by continuing to reign over humanity as a servant Lord. All that was needed for salvation was revealed to us in Jesus Christ. In grace, we receive what has been offered.

In addition to the Creator and the Son, the Holy Spirit is equally God, worthy of praise and worship. The Holy Spirit unites us to God and to our siblings in all times and places, creating a new community in love and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit dwells in God’s people, providing the gift of faith and the subsequent new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit offers guidance, equips humanity with gifts and gives us the freedom to serve in the world, to offer appropriate praise to God, and to love one another. In the mysterious sacramental acts of Communion and Baptism, the Holy Spirit attends to our needs and inspires us for the journey of faith.

The Church is called to the mission of Christ, to share God’s grace and love in the world, to proclaim God’s Word of peace, justice and mercy, and to unite and strengthen believers through communion in the practice of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism serves as a sign and seal of God’s forgiveness of our sins by the covenant of grace established through Jesus Christ. It is the sign of one’s entrance into the visible Church and the beginning of one’s new life in Christ. In the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, individuals experience spiritual renewal and encouragement in a corporate setting as they remember their baptismal vows, renew their faith in God and share with fellow believers in mutual love and fellowship. Communion reminds us of our continuing need for God’s strength, grace, and encouragement. Faith consists of the indescribable and miraculous relationship with all three persons in the triune God. Our faith is not meant to exist apart from other believers. We worship corporately and serve the world according to God’s will as a united body of believers. The Church is the Body of Christ, including all of God’s children who share in the faith in Christ and in the communion of the Holy Spirit, gathered under Christ as the Head of the Church.

God is revealed and understood through the Word of God in scripture, in Christ as the Word incarnate, and in the Spirit through proclamation. This Word teaches humanity what it means to have faith, the need for God’s grace and God’s reconciling work for the redemption and salvation of humanity. God’s revealed Word in the Biblical witness makes humanity aware of our brokenness, fallibility and sinfulness. The Word provides an example of right living with one another and offers humanity a means to freely and gladly serve and praise God.
In all things, I put my faith, hope and love in the one true and Triune God.

GET TO KNOW ANDREW

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Pomerville brings to Louisville Seminary successful experience in both higher education and ecumenical parish ministry, defined by innovation, energy and joyful communication as an executive administrator, chaplain, and senior pastor. Currently at Alma College (MI), he is the founding director of the Center for College and Community Engagement, Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement, and Senior Chaplain. Committed to students’ formation, through his active role in recruitment he has exceeded goals for increasing enrollment; implemented the graduation requirement for off-campus involvement, while developing and teaching nine new courses; and directed the Pre-Ministry Professional Program, guiding graduates each year to LPTS for the M.Div. With Alma’s Institutional Distinctive Task, he asked where the College’s strengths meet the changing needs of our region and the world; and in the $120 million capital campaign, he co-led the $2 million fund for the...

READ MORE

historic chapel’s renovation. He has been a champion for anti-racism policies and LGBTQIA+ affirming practices in education and the Church. An officer of the Presbyterian College Chaplains, he participates actively in the network of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities.

Andrew came to Alma in 1998 from the multi-denominational 1300-member People’s Church of East Lansing — affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), the. United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and American Baptist Church — where as Senior Pastor for seven years he led a staff of 82 to use the church’s resources, including location and historic significance, to start new ministries focused on ecumenical partnerships, racial justice, targeted mission, and active involvement in city and state planning. Immediately before, he was pastor for five years of Church in the Hills (Bellaire, MI), with a growing membership of 250, and earlier served as a director of youth ministries and hospice chaplain.

In his ministerial leadership, Andrew has developed financial acumen with a love for fundraising, stewardship of relationships and recruitment of new giving partners. Through the Presbyterian Foundation, he has been named one of ten Church Financial Leadership Coaches, working with 12 congregations around the US each year. He was awarded the Executive Certificate for Religious Fundraising (ECRF) from the Lake Institute for Religious Fundraising (ECRF) of Indiana University/Purdue University-Indianapolis. He serves on the boards of his local community foundation and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and chairs the board of NYAKA, a foundation in Uganda focusing on AIDS orphans. And he has come to know LPTS as a member of the President’s Roundtable.

Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2007, Andrew is a graduate of three Presbyterian schools: BA in history and religious studies, Alma College (2001) ; M.Div, Princeton Theological Seminary (2007), and the DMin from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (2018), focused on Reformed theology in a joint program with University of Aberdeen. In addition to the ECRF, he holds certificates in Presidential Leadership Development from CREDO, and Adaptive Leadership from Michigan State University’s College of Business.

Andrew is eager for the seminary community to meet his spouse Rachell, currently a Great Start Readiness Program specialist in the Lansing School District, and their children Denali and Bryce, who will be a senior and sophomore in high school this fall.

Senior Administrative Leadership

The President meets regularly with senior administrative officers: the Dean of the Seminary, the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Dean of Community Life, the Vice President for Philanthropy & Stewardship, and the Executive Director of the Louisville Institute.

The primary purposes of these meetings are to facilitate communication among the four major areas of the Seminary and the Louisville Institute and to provide a forum for mutual exchange, support and encouragement.

Kilen Gray

Dean of Community Life
Email Kilen

Edwin Hernández

Louisville Institute, Executive Director
Email Edwin

Debra Mumford

Seminary Dean;
Frank H. Caldwell Professor of Homiletics
Email Debra

Theresia Smith

Interim VP, Finance and Administration
Email Theresia

Student Body Representatives

Mohlatlego Makgoba

President

Alex Pickell

Clerk


Deidre Allen

Representative

Callan Kennedy

Representative

Jeanique Mitchell

Representative

Mika Rangal

Representative

Kat Sappington

Representative

Melissa Worthey

Representative

Title IX Coordinator

Title IX prohibits schools, colleges, and universities that receive federal funds from discriminating based on sex—whether in the form of different treatment, or hostile educational environment created by sexual harassment or assault. The Title IX Coordinator oversees all aspects of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s (LPTS) compliance with Title IX, including policies and procedures related to sexual misconduct and other forms of sex discrimination, coordinating the training of students, faculty and staff, and ensuring that assault survivors have access to appropriate resources and support.

LPTS prohibits all forms of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct. This policy in the Student Handbook outlines student expectations, reporting options, and resources for all students, employees, Seminary visitors, or third parties within the Seminary community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Reporting Options

Any person may report sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, in person, by mail, by phone, or by email.

Rev. Kilen Gray, D.Min
Dean of Community Life and Title IX Coordinator
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
1044 Alta Vista Road
Louisville, KY 40205-1798
502-895-3411 x367
Email Kilen

Governance

The manner in which the Seminary community governs itself exhibits how important each person’s contribution is to the interdependent working of the community. Constitutional authority for the governance of the Seminary rests with the Board of Trustees, which has delegated certain governance responsibilities to the faculty.

The oversight of the immediate operation of the Seminary is provided by the faculty and various offices of the administration. The faculty exercises certain of its responsibilities through a Seminary Plan of Governance, which includes members from all parts of the community, including students’ spouses, who meet in standing committees to take on community, church, and wider world issues and offer recommendations to the decision-making body called the Seminary Council. The Council includes members of the faculty, some administrators, staff representatives, and students elected by the student body.

The Seminary Council has approximately one student member for every two faculty members. There are five standing committees that help the community remain faithful to God’s call in the community and the world: the Academic Committee; Christian Life Committee; Community Affairs Committee; Committee on Cultural and Religious Diversity; and the Gender and Ministry Committee. These committees and their task forces are responsible for the many social activities and learning experiences that bind together the people of God.

Governance Manual

Board of Trustees

The management and control of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is vested in its Board of Trustees, an elected body of up to 37 members. The Trustees give oversight to the operations of the Seminary through shared governance with the Seminary President and its faculty. The Trustees elect the President and faculty and confer degrees. The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the policies governing all aspects of Seminary life.

The Board of Trustees meets twice each year for two to three days. The work of the Board is accomplished through its committees, including the following standing committees: Executive, Academic Affairs, Finance, Philanthropy & Stewardship, Audit, Governance, and Community Life.

For information about the Board of Trustees and its membership contact the Office of the President.

By-Laws

Board Members

Officers of the Board

  • Chair, Elizabeth Clay
  • Vice Chair, Tim Stoepker
  • Secretary, Glen Bell

Honorary Life Members

  • Lant B. Davis, Birmingham, Ala.
  • Bari Johnson, Spring Lake, Mich.
  • Pamela G. Kidd, West Olive, Mich.
  • Robert L. Reed, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Dorothy (Dot) Ridings, Louisville, Ky.
  • F. Morgan Roberts, Ellenton, Fla.
  • Jane L. Stevenson, Owensboro, Ky.
  • Suzanne W. Whaley, Naples, Fla.

Trustees

  • Beth Adams, Birmingham, AL
  • Lisa D. Allgood, Cincinnati, OH
  • Glen Bell, Louisville, KY
  • Mary Gene Boteler, Westerville, OH
  • Elizabeth Clay, Louisville, KY
  • Robert Close, Purcellville, VA
  • Laurie L. Deacon, Gates Mills, OH
  • Amos J. Disasa, Dallas, TX
  • Dan Ellinor, Austin, TX
  • Michael Gilligan, Columbus, OH
  • Lyle S. Hanna, Lexington, KY
  • Lara Hauser, Mequon, WI
  • Ashley A. Hicks, Columbus, OH (term begins 9/1/2023)
  • Alice Houston, Louisville, KY
  • Tim Malone, Louisville, KY
  • Patricia Maloney, Huntsville, AL
  • Amariah McIntosh, Bowling Green, OH
  • Joseph J. Nash, Greenville, MS
  • Miss. Katherine Nyberg, Birmingham, MI
  • Andrew D. Pomerville, Seminary President, Louisville Seminary (official July 1, 2023)
  • Edwin C. Sanders, II, Nashville, TN
  • Anne Steele, Gates Mills, OH
  • Tim Stoepker, Grand Haven, MI.
  • Lee Walthall, Birmingham, AL.
  • Katina Whitlock, Louisville, KY
  • Polly Williams, Waxahachie, TX

Seminary Council

The Seminary Council consists of all faculty, 10 students, the Staff Moderator and an additional representative from the staff, the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Vice President for Philanthropy & Stewardship, the Director of the Library, the Registrar, the Dean of Community Life, the Director of Recruitment and Admissions, the Executive Director of the Louisville Institute, the Associate Director of the Louisville Institute, the Coordinator of Academic Support Services, the Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, the Director of Clinical Training, the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, and the Director of Field Education; all of these Council members have voice and vote.

The areas of responsibility of the Seminary Council are spelled out in the Plan of Governance. They involve specific responsibility for the MDiv, MAR, and MFT curricula and community life.

The President, the Dean, or the President of the Student Body presides.

Faculty Council

The primary responsibilities of the Faculty Council include the review of students; changes in the MDiv, MAR, and DMin curricula; the hiring, periodic review, and promotion of faculty, including adjunct and visiting faculty; review of sabbatical proposals and reports; and meeting accreditation requirements of recognized accrediting agencies for all academic programs. Tenured faculty members have oversight of the hiring and promotion of faculty members. (Some of the foregoing actions require approval by the Board of Trustees; see By-Laws for details.)

The faculty normally meets at the conclusion of the Seminary Council meetings or upon call of the President. The President presides at faculty meetings; in the absence of the President, the Dean presides.

Administrative and Staff Council

The Administrative and Staff Council is composed of all administrative members of the Seminary. Its purposes are to provide communication within the administration, to identify emerging problems or issues to be addressed, and to offer education about the intersecting areas of the Seminary’s life. It normally meets once a month during the academic year, and the President presides.

LPTS Partners