Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs

The dean of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs is responsible for the administration of those ministries, cocurricular programs, and collaborative initiatives that are consistent with the University's commitment to providing opportunities for students to gain a "deeper understanding of the Christian faith and appreciation and respect for other religious traditions." This commitment is also consistent with the University's relationship with the United Methodist Church. The UMC's Book of Discipline advocates a proactive and self-critical engagement with other religious traditions: "In these encounters, our aim is not to reduce doctrinal differences to some lowest common denominator of religious agreement, but to raise all such relationships to the highest possible level of human fellowship and understanding." In recent years, conversation with the UMC has prompted the University to undertake new programs in response to the needs of the denomination in Indiana, and the University has challenged the church to think more carefully about what it means for the denomination to be a university-related church.

In addition, this office administers Christian Vocations curricular programs offered through the Lantz Center for Christian Vocations and Formation and shares administrative responsibility with the chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department for joint initiatives in theological education. The Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs is responsible for working with other offices of the University to foster the mission of "Education for Service," including programmatic initiatives for faculty and staff formation that support the mission and identity of this church-related, comprehensive University.

Supervised by the dean, the chaplains constitute the Campus Ministries staff and are responsible for both programming and pastoral presence on campus. The director of the Lantz Center for Christian Vocation and Formation provides direction of the Christian formation programs offered by the Lantz Center. The programs include the Christian Vocations and Formation curriculum and Youth Ministry Training Program (a joint venture between the Philosophy and Religion Department and Christian Theological Seminary). Campus ministry internships are available for selected undergraduates and seminarians.

Ecumenical and interfaith programs are developed in conversation with faculty and students alike. The University chaplain serves as the convener of the Ecumenical Campus Ministries Council, a group that includes representatives from ministries that are campus-based and those that represent off-campus agencies. An Interfaith Activities Council includes representatives of Jewish, Muslim, and non-Western religions as well as the Campus Ministries staff and interested Christians on campus.

This office also oversees the development of short-term and long-term ecumenical and interfaith partnerships in the city of Indianapolis and beyond. Examples of the former include the Trialog Scripture Study Groups between Muslims, Christians, and Jews in the city of Indianapolis and the University's contributions to the Spirit & Place Festival sponsored by the Polis Center. The University's commitment to interfaith engagement in the international context is displayed in the work it continues to do with Mar Elias Educational Institutes in the Galilee.

This office provides ongoing interpretation of the University's relationship with the United Methodist Church and coordinates the relationships between various offices of the University and the church through the Church Relations Council that meets several times a year. Twice a year, the University hosts a gathering of United Methodist leaders from the North Indiana and South Indiana conferences of the United Methodist Church, who meet with University leaders to explore common concerns and evaluate collaborative programs developed by the University in response to the needs of churches throughout Indiana and the Midwest region.

The dean works with the college and various schools of the University to provide opportunities for orientation of new faculty in relation to the University's mission of "Education for Service." Similar vocation exploration and formation opportunities are available for the staff of the University