For Immediate Release: December 11, 2024
Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) was awarded the Climate Science in Theological Education (CSTE) Grant by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This grant, provided through AAA’s Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) program, supports NTS’s project, Climate Informed Communities. The initiative aims to equip emerging and current Christian leaders with a deeper understanding of climate science and the tools to address climate issues thoughtfully and faithfully.
The project is led and administered by Dr. Josh Sweeden, who serves as Professor of Church and Society, and Derek Davis, Assoc. Dean for Academic Programs. Key activities include:
- Faculty forums to integrate climate science into coursework.
- The creation of a video resource for pastors, distributed via NTS’s Praxis platform.
- A special event on creation care in partnership with NTS’s Grider-Winget Lectures.
Dr. Sweeden explains the significance of the initiative: “Our seminary students care deeply about ecological concerns and recognize God’s mission to restore all creation. The congregations and communities they serve are increasingly aware of the effects of climate change, especially its disproportionate impact on marginalized groups. This project allows us to better support both understanding and responsible action toward these global environmental challenges while helping local congregations do the same.”
NTS will collaborate with two Science Advisors to implement the project:
- April M. Cordero, Associate Provost for Educational Effectiveness and Professor of Biology at Point Loma Nazarene University.
- David Hille, Assistant Professor of Biology at Northwest Nazarene University.
NTS President Dr. Jeren Rowell expressed his gratitude and optimism for the grant: “The generosity of our grantors moves us forward institutionally in ways that help our seminary, our students, our clergy, and the greater Church, so that we better understand and follow God’s leading in response to climate issues and concerns.”
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals. The nonprofit is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. Building upon its mission, AAAS established the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) program in 1995 to facilitate communication between scientific and religious communities. For the latest information and news about AAAS DoSER and the Climate Science in Theological Education project, visit AAAS.org/DoSER, ScienceReligionDialogue.org, and ScienceforSeminaries.org.
About Nazarene Theological Seminary
Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Nazarene Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theology rooted in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition.
For press inquiries, email communications@nts.edu.
