Maryville College Hosts Summit
on Vocation and Church Leadership

More than 50 individuals from all over the United States came to Maryville College May 3-5 to discuss how the College could better help students think about their future life and work in terms of vocation and how it could encourage more of the "best and brightest" students to consider ordained ministry or serious lay leadership as part of their life's calling.

The exploratory summit, entitled "Preparing Thinking Christians for Leadership in the 21st Century," was the pinnacle of a research and planning process that has been funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. of Indianapolis, Ind. The College was awarded a $46,100 planning grant back in mid-January, and since then, faculty and administrators have been working to put together an implementation grant proposal that could translate into an award from the Endowment worth between $500,000 and $2 million.

The Endowment is a private philanthropic foundation that supports the causes of religion, education, and community development. Its invitational grants program in which Maryville College administrators hope to be included -- "Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation 2001" -- seeks to "identify and nurture a new generation of highly talented and religiously committed leaders," according to Craig Dykstra, Endowment vice president for religion.

Dr. Bill Meyer, associate professor of religion and philosophy at Maryville College, has been named Project Director of the grant proposal. Melanie Rasnake, a graduate of the College, has been named Project Assistant.

"Just being invited to submit a proposal is an honor," Meyer said.

Maryville was one of 35 colleges and universities across the country -- and one of only two institutions in Tennessee -- invited to participate in the Endowment's second round of grant applications.

Meyer described the summit as "a great success," adding that a diverse group of ministers, church leaders, scholars, college faculty, alumni and professionals attended. Several summit participants are also on the College's Board of Church Visitors. Meyer said individuals brought a variety of perspectives and suggestions to the table.

While idea-gathering was a major goal of the summit, Maryville College's relationship to the church was also reinvigorated during the three days, the project director said.