At Seminary of the Southwest above all we honor the call to friendship - friendship with God the Father through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. (John 15:12-17) Through our friendship with God, we pursue friendship with each other as well.
As friends we are devoted to forming Christian leaders for ministry both within and outside the Church. Every student who enters SSW experiences a formation in spirit, soul, and body, the goal of which is a mature Christianity lived as a "wholesome example" for all.
How do we develop our understanding of the God who calls us to be friends? As Christians and Episcopalians our exploration into God engages the study of scripture and the historic creeds (Apostles' and Nicene). But SSW's curriculum also incorporates the best insights and methodologies of the post-modern world. Our professors and instructors are superb scholars. They are also leaders - mature Christians themselves who provide wholesome examples to study and emulate.
One way we express our Christian friendship is through our "conversation covenant". We seek to listen as well as speak, to show kindness and humility, and to acknowledge that we might be wrong. We yearn to be a people who without exception see in the face of the "other" a friend, someone for whom Jesus has died and whom Jesus has invited to join him at his table, the heavenly banquet.
We welcome you to join us at SSW, a community well grounded in the tradition that extends Christian hospitality to all, a community in which faith and practice join to form mature Christian leaders, a seminary of the whole church - past, present, and future - for the whole church!
This is a most exciting moment at SSW and we invite you to join us!
The Very Rev. Douglas Travis, D.Min.
Seventh Dean and President
Seminary of the Southwest
