Interdenominational Theological Center

Interdenominational Theological Center is a Christian theological seminary located in Atlanta, Georgia, that offers various degree programs in theology and ministry. The institution is affiliated with several denominations, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and Church of God in Christ. It is also a member of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, which includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. The center is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

● History

The Interdenominational Theological Center was founded in 1958 by Benjamin Mays, Martin Luther King Jr., and other prominent African American clergy and educators, including Howard Thurman and Rufus M. Jones. The center's establishment was a response to the need for a theological education institution that would serve the African American community and promote ecumenism among different Christian denominations. The center's first president was Harry V. Richardson, who served from 1959 to 1981 and was succeeded by James H. Costen, a former president of the National Council of Churches. The center has also been led by Michael A. Battle, who served as the United States Ambassador to the African Union under President Barack Obama.

● Campus and Facilities

The Interdenominational Theological Center is located in the Atlanta University Center neighborhood, near Morehouse College and Spelman College. The center's campus includes several buildings, including the Gardner-Webb Hall, which houses the center's administrative offices, and the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, which hosts various worship services and community events. The center also has a library that contains a collection of theological texts and resources from various Christian traditions, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Baptist, and Presbyterian Church (USA). The center is also near the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. served as co-pastor.

● Academics

The Interdenominational Theological Center offers several degree programs, including the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Education, and Doctor of Ministry. The center's academic programs are designed to prepare students for ministry and leadership in various Christian denominations, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and Church of God in Christ. The center's faculty includes scholars and practitioners from various Christian traditions, including Renita J. Weems, a Biblical scholar and ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Emilie M. Townes, a theologian and president of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. The center is also a member of the Association of Theological Schools and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes.

● Student Life

The Interdenominational Theological Center has a diverse student body from various Christian denominations and cultural backgrounds. The center offers several student organizations and community programs, including the Student Government Association and the Community Outreach Program. The center also has a chapel program that includes worship services and spiritual formation activities, led by chaplains from various Christian traditions, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA). The center's students also have access to the Atlanta University Center Consortium's resources and facilities, including the Robert W. Woodruff Library and the Atlanta University Center Consortium's Career Services.

● Notable Alumni and Faculty

The Interdenominational Theological Center has a long list of notable alumni and faculty members, including Barbara Holmes, a theologian and president of the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, and James Cone, a theologian and founder of Black liberation theology. The center's faculty has also included Renita J. Weems, a Biblical scholar and ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Emilie M. Townes, a theologian and president of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. The center's alumni have gone on to serve in various ministry and leadership positions in Christian denominations such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and Church of God in Christ, as well as in organizations like the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches. Category:Seminary