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United States seminaries and rabbinical schools are failing to prepare the next generation of clergy with the training they need to address sexuality issues in ministry. Sex and the Seminary: Preparing Ministers for Sexual Health and Justice report is the labor of two years of our work at the Religious Institute. Together with Union Theological Seminary we are releasing this national study.
What training do you expect your faith leader to have when it comes to marriage counseling, dealing with teenage sexuality, helping couples with family planning or infertility, sexual abuse prevention programs, managing their own attraction and professional boundaries with congregants? People turn to their clergy and faith leaders to deal with these issues and many more. At most institutions, students can graduate without studying sexual ethics or taking a single sexuality-based course. They are graduating unprepared to deal with everyday issues in their congregations and their denominations.
Sex and the Seminary is based on a survey of 36 leading seminaries and rabbinical schools of diverse size and geographic location, representing a range of Christian, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist traditions. Each institution was evaluated on criteria for a sexually healthy and responsible seminary. These criteria measure sexuality content in the curriculum; institutional commitment to sexuality and gender equity (e.g., the existence of anti-discrimination, sexual harassment and full inclusion policies); and advocacy and support for sexuality-related issues. The criteria were developed by an advisory group of seminary deans, faculty and clergy with expertise in sexuality. 
The survey revealed that:
- More than 90% of the seminaries surveyed do not require full-semester, sexuality-based courses for graduation.
- Two-thirds of the seminaries do not offer a course in sexuality issues for religious professionals. Three-quarters do not offer a course in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) studies.
- Seminaries offer three times as many courses in women’s and feminist studies as they do in LGBT studies or other sexuality-related issues.
- The next generation of scholars is not addressing sexuality issues. Sexuality-based courses are taught by senior professors or adjunct faculty, not by upcoming faculty seeking tenured positions.
Our seminaries need to be doing more. Our denominations need to step up and recognize this growing need in congregations. I hope you will take the time to read the entire report and if you teach in a seminary or rabbinical school use the Institutional Assessment we have provided. I cannot stress enough that collaboration among seminaries, denomination offices, accrediting bodies, and education and advocacy groups is necessary to assure that every theological institution is a sexually healthy and responsible one.
We also need the voices of those who are in faith communities. Support your clergy in getting further training in sexuality related issues. Develop resources lists to be used in the offices of pastors, priests, and rabbis for referrals on sexuality related issues. There is something each of us can do . . . we need to start!
Published January 8, 2009 by Kate Ott |
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Education
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Faith
Gay Rights
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LGBT
Religion
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Women's Rights
Comments (1)
As the wife of a pastor who attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago - I know they sure didn't get much back then. They told folks that people would come to them with sexual problems but they didn't really give them counseling skills.
As for their own feelings, hey, they were just barely out of the days when you weren't to date as a seminarian, but ought to be married by the time you took your first parish!
Even today, most practical aspects are ignored. Good sound theology is provided, but some are not even taught how to conduct a mass according to church practice, much less deal with teaching awareness or change. It is too bad and a significant need.
Posted by Jean
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January 10, 2009 12:08 AM
Posted on January 10, 2009 00:08