2017 News and Events

Bishop Michael McKee, episcopal leader of the North Texas Annual Conference, receives the Perkins School of Theology 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award on Nov. 13 at Highland Park UMC in Dallas.

Since 1988, the Perkins School of Youth Ministry has taken place each January as a way to offer a collaborative learning environment for sharing best practices and trends relating to youths in the church.

Perkins School of Theology is hosting two events—one in Houston on Dec. 5 and another in Dallas on Dec. 7—for prospective students to meet faculty, engage with current students, and explore the varieties of degree programs offered to those who are called to serve in Christian ministry or in other venues.

An Advent service of the Great O Antiphons, open to the public, is “Ero Cras…I shall come tomorrow.”  The annual worship service will include Perkins-SMU faculty and staff, Seminary Singers, and the Orpheus Chamber Singers.

The annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature takes place Nov. 18-21 in Boston, and many Perkins School of Theology and SMU professors—as well as SMU students— will be presenting research and participating on panels and in committees.

Print collection, on display in the Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, shows artist’s satirical look at 18th century Britain.

Perkins Fall Convocation with Anne Lamott, Amos Yong and N.T. Wright draws record-setting participation.

Representatives of Perkins School of Theology and United Methodist-related Southwestern University entered into a formal ‘preferred consideration’ agreement during a signing ceremony held Oct. 24 in Georgetown.

Perkins, part of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, has this term begun a program that leads to a Th.M., or advanced theology degree, in Spanish.

The annual award is presented to a layperson in the United States who exemplifies an exceptional commitment of service to Christ through faith and action in the church, community and world.

Michael McKee, resident bishop of the Dallas Area of The United Methodist Church, is the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

Representatives from Centenary College and Southern Methodist University (SMU)’s Perkins School of Theology met Sept. 18 in Shreveport to sign an agreement establishing a preferred pathway for Centenary graduates interested in pursuing ministerial vocations at the graduate level.

Commemorating the five hundredth anniversary of the announcement by Martin Luther (1483-1546) of his Ninety-five Theses against indulgences, and the beginning of the Reformation, this exhibition serves as an introduction to the reformer and his printed works.

All prospective degree and non-degree students are invited to explore the wide-ranging options offered by Perkins School of Theology-Southern Methodist University during Inside Perkins, a free  information session, set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7.

New York Times best-selling author Anne Lamott, seminary president Rev. Dr. Marvin McMickle and noted biblical scholar Rev. Dr. N.T. Wright will headline The Power of the Story: 2017 Fall Convocation on Creative Communication, scheduled for Nov. 13-14 at Perkins School of Theology.

The annual gathering of MARCHA—the denomination’s Hispanic-Latino/a caucus—was held Aug. 10-13 in Dallas, sponsored by Perkins School of Theology.

Influential United Methodist served as Bishop-in-Residence at Perkins for 12 years

Perkins School of Theology will honor graduating seniors with a variety of events, including Dr. C. Michael Hawn, University Distinguished Professor of Church Music and director of the Sacred Music Program, as preacher for the May 20 Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements.

Numerous statements responding to the Judicial Council’s Decision 1341 have been issued. My comments here are meant to provide a pastoral word to the Perkins community and especially to our students, staff, and faculty:

Dr. Hugo Magallanes, associate professor of Christianity and Cultures at Perkins School of Theology-Southern Methodist University, has been named director of the school’s Houston-Galveston Extension Program, effective June 1.

The scholarly contributions of Dr. E. P. Sanders (M.Th. ’62) – who will receive the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the upcoming SMU commencement – will be the focus of a symposium scheduled for Friday, May 19, at Perkins Chapel.

Two members of the Perkins School of Theology faculty are taking part in an upcoming panel discussion on the challenges of gender and faith in North Texas.

Dr. Mark Stamm, Professor of Christian Worship at Perkins, will join Taylor Burton-Edwards, Director of Worship Resources at Discipleship Ministries, for a three-part series of webinars entitled “Teach US to Pray” as a way to help strengthen congregational prayer.

Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Vice President of Education and Dean of Esperanza College at Eastern University, will deliver the annual Barton Lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, in the Great Hall of Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Perkins School of Theology announces two new degree concentrations – in partnership with SMU’s Cox School of Business and Meadows School of the Arts – designed to strengthen future clergy in the area of church management and to equip those pursuing nontraditional forms of ministry that encourage social innovation.

The Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program at Perkins School of Theology will be hosting the Hispanic Youth Ministry Convocation on April 6-8.

Each group consists of 8-12 pastors organized by a local convener. Each group works with a facilitator, a homiletical scholar who is in regular conversation with the convener and resources the group through a series of webinars.

How should we understand pain? Embrace it as a gift? Avoid it like the plague? Endure it as a necessary evil? Come join us at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, for a panel discussion from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 30, in the Great Hall at Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall to see what insight we can garner on handling pain from ancient texts such as Homer’s Iliad, the Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Galen’s On the Affected Parts and many others.

A native of Puerto Rico, Cardoza-Orlandi joined the Perkins faculty in July 2010 after 16 years of teaching at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.

"The world is a complicated place, and answers to its problems are typically complicated. The desire for easy answers usually produces bad answers. Acting out of undifferentiated fear is one of the worst. We can do better. Indeed, as believers we are commanded to do so."

Bridwell Library at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University announces an exhibition highlighting 77 documents and artifacts from within the historical archives owned by Bridwell Library.

No additional application is needed for these scholarships, but eligible applicants must also have attained a cumulative 3.2 grade-point average or higher in previous college coursework.