ARKANSAS CONFERENCE 2008 JOURNAL
in the world.
At Candler, we proclaim the Gospel and nurture students’ growth in the Christian faith. A stellar faculty,
a dedicated staff, and vibrant students form an active community of teaching and learning that prepares excellent
leaders for Christian ministries. We carry out this mission, however, in an extraordinary university-based
educational environment where hearts and minds engage across deeply held religious differences, preparing our
students to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Candler’s faculty continues to be among the most distinctive in theological education. Forty-three
members hold full-time appointments, and five hold part-time appointments. An additional twenty-three serve
in an adjunct capacity. Woodie White and Jack Meadors serve as the United Methodist bishops in residence.
Bishop L. Bevel Jones III remains at Candler working with the Development Office.
In our commitment to the practice of ministry, we partner with eighty churches to ensure that ministerial
preparation takes place in both the local church and on the campus. Candler’s Contextual Education program
intentionally pairs a faculty member with supervisors from church and community ministries so that teaching
teams represent the church and the academy. Twenty-two teaching supervisors support our Contextual
Education and Teaching Parish (student pastor) programs. The Rev. Dr. Alice Rogers has broadened the
Teaching Parish program to include students appointed to churches in the Alabama-West Florida, North
Alabama, North Georgia, South Georgia, and South Carolina Annual Conferences. We also taught more than
250 United Methodist students in the Course of Study in 2006-2007.
This year, enrollment was 535, with 440 in the Master of Divinity program, 54 in the Master of Theological
Studies program, 12 in the Master of Theology program, 10 in the Doctor of Theology program and 19 enrolled
as Special, Non-Degree students. Eighty-three percent of students are enrolled full-time. The student population
is 25 percent US ethnic minority, 11 percent international, and 52 percent women. Nearly 50 denominations are
represented with 52 percent of MDiv. students being United Methodist from 37 Annual Conferences. Other
denominations of the Methodist family represented at Candler include African Methodist Episcopal, African
Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist, Wesleyan
Methodist, and the Methodist Church of Korea. The average age of our students is now 31, with 57 percent under
thirty. The median age of our MDiv. students is 27.
Lots of wonderful new initiatives are underway. We will move into Phase I of our new building in early
August 2008. It offers 65,000 square feet for classrooms, offices, and community life. We hope construction on
Phase II will begin late in 2008. It will hold the Pitts Library and the Wesley Teaching Chapel. The first year
of implementation of a new MDiv curriculum is nearly complete. This program deepens faculty roles in advising
and mentoring and requires a course in a religion other than Christianity. A new director of lifelong learning
should be in place by fall 2008 to initiate a renewed emphasis on programs that benefit congregations and their
leaders in continuing education. Designed to address the changing needs of church and society both at home and
abroad, this program will work cooperatively with local churches, judicatory leaders, and denominational
agencies to strengthen the church and its ministries.
At the center of our upcoming capital campaign is a program to boost financial support for students. This
year, 76 percent of eligible students received scholarship support from Candler with an average scholarship
covering 71 percent of tuition. Among these awards, more than $2.4 million was provided to 198 United
Methodist students. Gifts from the Methodist Education Fund (MEF) have played a large role in this support.
However, so much more needs to be done. More than 60 percent of Candler’s MDiv graduates leave school with
educational debt. This burden undermines their effectiveness in ministry, such that some seek alternative
employment. Your continued support, gifts, and prayers mean a great deal as we work to provide a strong
educational program as well as support for the courageous and committed students who choose to undertake the
challenge of theological education.
Thank you for your support of Candler.
Candler exists to serve the church of Jesus Christ and The United Methodist Church in particular. If you
have insights on what we could do better to fulfill this service, please let me know.
With thanks,
Jan Love
Dean and Professor of Christianity and World Politics
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