Annual Report 2022

Scott Seay wears many hats. He is a church historian, a library director, and a pastor. For CTS, he is both an alumnus and a professor. He has spent a large portion of his life at CTS, and that time has been well spent.

Looking back, Seay notes that he always wanted to be a teacher.  He enjoyed studying the humanities and felt called to share what he learned with others.  As a Wabash College student his friends encouraged him to explore the ministry; nevertheless, he notes he went on to seminary “kicking and screaming.”

However, he didn’t kick and scream for long. As a student, Seay says CTS was the place where he most realized that his faith could help change lives.  The academic grounding he received was a launching pad for putting one’s faith to work and, as he puts it, “Doing something that makes a difference.”

He sees that calling replicated annually by the students he teaches. “Every year God raises up a new crop of leaders for the church,” he explains. “People who can participate in God’s transforming of the world.”

Seay supports the seminary not only because of his many past experiences with it, but also because he wholeheartedly believes in the mission of CTS: “to form disciples of Jesus Christ for church and community leadership to serve God’s transforming of the world.” These aren’t just words to Seay, but a meaningful guide for working, learning, and teaching in the seminary community.

Seay has always been excited by CTS’s ability to form faith leaders who “make a difference.” Just as he thoroughly believes in the mission of the seminary, his work as a scholar, teacher, archivist, pastor, and mentor also reflects the Core Values of the institution. Seay’s academic work “advances scholarship and formation,” while he encourages students to “work toward justice for all,” “affirm God-given human dignity,” and in other ways put their faith and their learning to use in a broken and hurting world.

“I would urge anyone,” Seay encourages, “who believes in what we do to demonstrate that belief by giving to CTS to the extent that they are able.” For Seay, at this time of life that means acting as a mentor to his junior colleagues, recognizing that faculty must work to “replace themselves” generation after generation. It also means including the seminary as one of his philanthropic priorities. He does this by supporting the Annual Fund each year, ensuring that the seminary has resources available to address its greatest needs. Additionally, Seay has included CTS in his estate providing support to further assist future CTS students. No matter the type of gift – time, talent, or financial resources – Seay recognizes that “all support to CTS matters; every gift makes a big difference.”