GTS Today
General Seminary is a welcoming community that values the presence and contributions of all of God’s people. We believe academics and worship are inseparable elements in a process of formation that is distinctive to theological education at GTS. General seeks to be a place where vital connections are made between the enterprise of theological inquiry and the worlds of science, commerce, and the arts--and especially between the parish and the academy. Deeply rooted in the Anglican tradition, General believes this unique expression of Christianity can inform the challenging issues of today.
The diversity of the General Seminary community is one of its greatest gifts. Some students are preparing for ordination, others for lay ministries and some students come to GTS primarily for personal growth in their spiritual lives. Although the greater number of our students study full-time and live on campus, we also have many part-time students and many who commute from their homes. We have roughly equal numbers of women and men students, most of whom fall between the ages of 30 and 40. Similarly, our students are equally divided between those who are single and those who are married or have life partners. About 8% of GTS students are from racial groups that are frequently under-represented and a significant number of our students are gay and lesbian. GLBT persons are also valued and respected members of the Seminary’s staff and faculty. We consciously strive to be an inclusive community that is welcoming to all God’s people. For those with children the Seminary’s provides a safe and beautiful outdoor environment as well as an on-campus preschool.
Worship begins and ends each day at GTS and is a defining characteristic of our common life. Each weekday during the school year the services
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GTS professors are seasoned scholars and are well-published in their chosen fields. General is known for its academic rigor. However while our programs are challenging, a great deal of individual attention is also a part of the mix. Each GTS faculty member has a small group of students for whom they serve as advisor and with whom they meet regularly. With a faculty/student ratio of about 1:12 and the close working relationships engendered by common worship and meals shared in the refectory (dining hall), learning becomes a highly collaborative endeavor between teacher and student. In addition to regular coursework (including reading assignments, papers and, for many students, work in field placements), opportunities for learning abound with special lectures and events, international conferences at the Desmond Tutu Center, and important presentations from visiting scholars. The Tutu Center has greatly enhanced General’s position as an international intellectual forum for the Anglican Communion, enabling theological inquiry to interface with other important areas of human endeavor.
General is a closely knit community. There are special organizations for women, people of color, and GLBT students, as well as social events and seasonal celebrations. All have a role in Seminary worship as servers, sacristans, acolytes, readers or members of the Seminary’s choir, the Schola. GTS also has a student-run ministry that provides clothing to the disadvantaged. Most students find a rich social life at GTS. But the Seminary’s location in the heart of New York City offers a truly amazing array of recreational offerings, as well. The cultural opportunities of this most international of cities is unparalleled. Along with General's worship, academic, and community life, the many cultural and recreational activities of New York City combine to make General a unique educational environment.
Please see our catalogue for greater detail about life at General.
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