The tragedy of 9-11 made a major impact on the attitudes of students and faculty at seminaries around the nation. In one day, students and faculty alike became sharply aware of the importance—indeed the urgency—of the pastoral task. In one day, the vulnerability of humanity came into focus, and the enormity of human needs in the midst of a crisis became far more clear and obvious.

One of the greatest strengths of seminary education is its adaptability. Seminaries have made adjustments in the past to curriculum and teaching style based on such factors as new technologies and changing demographics of the student body. No doubt, adjustments will now be made in the area of curricular offerings and program emphases in a post-9-11 world. Indeed, this has already starting to happen.

The tragedy of 9-11 made a major impact on the attitudes of students and faculty at seminaries around the nation. On a more practical level it has shaped the curriculum across the board.

Timothy Robnett, associate professor of pastoral ministries at Multnomah Biblical Seminary, observes, "The courses impacted by 9-11 involved not only the counseling courses, but also the courses dealing with intercultural studies, evangelism, church planting, cross-cultural communications, and ethics." He adds, "Pastors in the 21st century need a much broader understanding of cultures and religions. America continues to embrace people of many nations. To understand these individuals and their worldviews becomes an ever-increasing need and challenge if we are to effectively minister the gospel of Jesus Christ to them."

Mark Bradford, associate professor of psychology and counseling at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, says, "Seminaries need to help pastors better understand the dynamics of crisis and how faith is an important part of finding hope and direction in the midst of crisis or tragedy."

Below is a sampling of some of the changes that have been instituted at various seminaries as a result of 9-11.

• Assemblies of God Theological Seminary: For the seminary's Homiletics 529 class, over a dozen topics were developed, topics that could be used in preaching and teaching in times of tragedy, whether national, community, or personal.
  
  
• Covenant Theological Seminary: Jerram Barrs, professor of Christian studies and contemporary culture and resident scholar at the Francis Schaeffer Institute, is adding a section to his class "Apologetics and Outreach" that will focus on the state of the nation after 9-11. He intends to examine both the positive and negative outcomes. The class will examine the reasons for anti-U.S. sentiments around the world, despite the outpouring of sympathy in the aftermath of the tragedy.
  
  
• Denver Seminary: In January of 2002, the seminary launched a course titled "Pastoral Response to Crisis and Disasters." Through this course, students earn a certificate in basic Critical Incident Stress Management (cism) from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (icisf). Since launching this course, Denver has adjusted its curriculum to include the icisf pastoral cism training. Denver is now in the process of applying to the icisf to become a specialized Critical Incident Stress Management team that would help churches and educational institutions respond to such tragedies as school shootings, kidnappings, youth group accidents, church burnings, and natural disasters.
  
  
• Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary: Prof. Will Barnes, who directs the seminary's doctor of ministry program in Marriage and Family, has, along with several students, participated in cism preparation. This program outlines simple steps to care for those immediately affected by a traumatic event, as well as for those who experience the emotional aftershocks following a critical incident. The Seminary is now making this information available to all students as part of routine preparation for ministry.
  
  
• Fuller Seminary: president Richard Mouw has urged all students to take courses in Islam. (This summer, the school will offer four courses in Islamic studies.) In addition, Fuller has hosted more than a dozen top Islamic scholars to engage in dialog.
  
  
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: In the Missions class on Islam, a section has been added on Islamic fundamentalism and the rise of various segments of the movement since the 1920s. This includes the Wabbais, to which terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden belongs. More attention is also being paid to Islamic extremism in the seminary's World Religions class.
  
  
• North Park Theological Seminary: The Institute for Christianity, Faith, and Culture, launched in the Fall of 2001 as a program of the seminary and North Park University, has focused much of its efforts over the past year on bringing in speakers to increase students' awareness of the Middle East and their understanding of the Muslim faith.
  
  

—R.F.