CCME : A Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at LSTC
The fruit of the righteous will be peace. Isaiah 32:17
Pursue justice, to do so is to be conscious of God. Surah 5:8
Support for Interfaith Academic Programs of LSTC
The seminary has long been teaching courses on Jewish contributions to Christian thought, and since 1991 has offered courses on Islam and Christian-Muslim relations.
Class offerings by Christian and Muslim faculty
Classes in Islam, Interfaith, and Christian-Muslim relations are routinely offered. Muslim scholars and students also participate in these courses. Courses have been developed to help students meet and learn from area interfaith and Muslim institutions by field visits and collaborative activities. Leaders from other faith traditions lecture in several disciplines, such as Ecology, Pastoral Care, Old Testament/Hebrew, etc. Travel seminars to Israel-Palestine and India regularly expose students to interfaith life in other parts of the world.
Courses in Islam and Christian-Muslim relations are also available at other institutions of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS). These offerings provide many opportunities for students who wish to take a course or two in Christian-Muslim relations or for students seeking a concentration in Christian-Muslim studies.
Interfaith Emphasis Study Program
This curricular emphasis enables M.Div. and M.A. students to acquire knowledge and expertise in at least one religious tradition besides their own. It has been designed to equip students to participate in respectful dialogue with people of other faiths and to engage constructively others in religiously diverse communities. The Interfaith Emphasis provides a structure within which students develop their ability to articulate their own faith commitments and engage in theological reflection with members of other faith traditions. Students have a member of the faculty involved in interfaith work serve as their advisor.
Mosque Visits
Students are encouraged to attend salat (daily ritual prayer) at an area mosque during their study at LSTC. CCME arranges one opportunity each semester for students to meet and learn from one of our partner communities or institutions. Visits often include a meal and discussion in addition to the observance of prayer with our Muslim friends.
Public Church Fellows
LSTC’s innovative Public Church Fellows program combines service at a community non-profit or social service organization with intentional small group reflection and faith formation. Combining service experience with academic course work creates Public Church Fellows who serve as leaders in the LSTC community and gain meaningful experience for ministry. Several of our Public Church Fellows serve in agencies that are interfaith in nature.
Lectures, Presentations, Conferences and Seminars
Formal and informal lectures, discussions and presentations are hosted monthly throughout the academic year. Guests from around the world and local leaders share with students about what it means to be involved in a multi-faith environment.
Academic Conferences and Seminars occur periodically to enhance interfaith education for both faculty and students. Pedagogical and practical topics have been addressed, spurring the community to think creatively and deeply about important interfaith matters.
If you are interested in study at LSTC in its interfaith academic programs, please contact our Admissions Office.
