Scholar Programs

The Thompson Scholars program brings together pastors and other church leaders with an interest in evangelism to the seminary campus each spring. 

This annual seminar is designed to prepare evangelism leaders for the future. Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins, Peachtree Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth, serves as director. 

This program includes this annual seminar, and supports the development of courses for basic and advanced degree students. Like the annual seminar, this course work focuses on the church’s evangelistic mission in the rapidly changing context of North America and across the globe. 

Who Should Attend? 

The program is designed for clergy serving in congregations and other settings of ministry, Christian educators, lay pastors, judicatory staff, and other leaders fully involved in the life of the church engaged in evangelism and the annual topic under consideration. 

Currently the seminar is offered by general registration. Should space be an issue, preference may be given to participants who have not participated in previous Thompson Scholar seminars. 

Program Structure 

The seminar takes place over 3 days, generally Tuesday afternoon – Friday morning. Dr. Watkins and other leaders design a learning experience that draws on the knowledge and expertise of the leaders and participants alike. 

Register Now for 2023 Seminar: Seeing the Future of the African American Church in the Rainbow: The Birth of a Movement is the theme of the 2023 seminar, scheduled for April 25-28, 2023. Seminar registration is now closed.

The seminar will feature Bishop Yvette Flunder, Bishop-Elect Sonya Williams,  Rev. Dr. Horace Griffin and Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins. Seminar leaders and participants will reflect together on how to develop a dialogue with mainline African American congregations to birth a movement that transforms the church into a radically inclusive faith community. 

The program fee of $175.00 for this seminar includes seven meals, and all program materials. The seminar costs are underwritten by the Thompson Scholars Endowment. Housing is available on campus for an additional cost. 

Guthrie Scholars Pursue a topic of choice that engages a pressing issue of the Church from a Reformed perspective through the Guthrie Scholars Program. The program includes access to the library, a consultation with a faculty member, and a private guest room on campus. Travel and meals are the responsibility of the participant.  

The Guthrie Scholars Program invites participants to the seminary campus for five days of independent study to pursue a topic of their choice that engages a pressing theological issue of the church from a Reformed perspective. 

The program is offered each fall on an application basis. Participants have access to the resources of John Bulow Campbell Library and may participate in campus worship as they explore a project of their own design. These projects have included worship planning, research for a book or curriculum series, and  in-depth exploration of a topic related to the participant’s ministry. 

Who should apply? 

The program is open to clergy serving in congregations and other settings of ministry, Christian educators, lay pastors, judicatory staff, and in  other leaders fully involved in the life of the church. 

Program Structure 

While on campus, selected participants will pursue their research projects.  They may meet with other Guthrie Scholars to discuss their projects and what they are learning, thereby creating a collegial context in which to think about their areas of concern. 

The Center for Lifelong Learning staff arranges for applicants to meet with a faculty member whose areas of expertise coincides with their interests.  The week includes opportunities to worship on campus as well as time for personal reflection and recreation. 

Applications are no longer being accepted for Guthrie Scholars, September 18-23 2023. Applications for 2024 Guthrie Scholars, September 16-20, will open in the fall of 2023.

About Shirley Guthrie 

In 1958, Shirley Guthrie – a young pastor from Texas with a doctorate from the University of Basel in Switzerland – came to teach at Columbia Theological Seminary. Generations of students, ministers, and others learned Christian theology from Guthrie, across five decades of teaching. 

A master of explanation, Guthrie imparted a theology that was Christian, with distinctive Reformed emphases. Students and readers of his books encountered a powerful, providential God, who – in Guthrie’s memorable phrase – “isn’t out to get anybody.” 

Guthrie’s leading themes in teaching, as in life, were Christian unity amidst human diversity, God’s love and justice, and the need for sinful human beings to learn forgiveness after the example of Jesus Christ. 

The Guthrie Scholarship, named in his honor, offers the opportunity to spend concentrated time engaging the question: What does it mean to be the Church, and embody the Gospel? 

For more information, contact Sarah Erickson via email, or call 404-687-4526.