The Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium (BTI), originally the Boston Theological Institute, is the largest theological consortium in the world, bringing together the resources of theological schools and seminaries throughout the greater Boston area. Its activities include facilitating cross-registration and library access among the member schools and supporting certificate programs and student-led conferences. The BTI is led by Stephanie Edwards, who has served as executive director since the summer of 2020, and by a Board of Trustees that represent its member schools.

History

The Boston Theological Institute was formed in 1968 to facilitate collaboration and enable joint programming among seven graduate-level Christian theological schools in Greater Boston: Andover Newton Theological School (American Baptist Church), the Boston College Department of Theology (Roman Catholic), the

Boston University School of Theology Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is the oldest theological seminary of American Methodism and the founding school of Boston University, the largest private research university in New England. It is one of thirteen theological school ...

(United Methodist), Episcopal Theological School (later

Episcopal Divinity School The Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) is a theological school in New York City that trains students for service with the Episcopal Church. It is affiliated with the Union Theological Seminary. Students who enroll in the EDS at Union Anglican st ...

Harvard Divinity School Harvard Divinity School (HDS) is one of the constituent schools of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school's mission is to educate its students either in the academic study of religion or for leadership roles in religion, gov ...

(interfaith), St. John's Seminary (Roman Catholic), and Weston College (now Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Roman Catholic). Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Evangelical) became a member of the consortium in 1972, and

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects (a ...

in 1975. On January 1, 2011, the BTI became a multifaith organization when

Hebrew College Hebrew College is a private college of Jewish studies in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. Founded in 1921, Hebrew College is committed to Jewish scholarship in a pluralistic, trans-denominational academic environment. The president of the colleg ...

joined the coalition. On January 1, 2018, the BTI expanded beyond Greater Boston when

Hartford Seminary The Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (formerly Hartford Seminary) is a private theological university in Hartford, Connecticut. History Hartford Seminary's origins date back to 1833 when the Pastoral Union of Connectic ...

, a nondenominational seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, became a member. The

Boston University Boston University (BU) is a Private university, private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. The university is nonsectarian, but has a historical affiliation with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1839 by Methodists with ...

Graduate Program in Religion became a member institution in 2020. Meanwhile, the Episcopal Divinity School ended its membership in the BTI after the closure of its Cambridge, Massachusetts campus, as did Andover Newton Theological School after its Newton, Massachusetts campus closed. The BTI began using the name Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium in August 2018. Past directors of the BTI include the Rev. Walter Wagoner, Sr. (1968 through the mid-1970s); Rodney L. Petersen (1990-2014); and Ann McClenahan (2014–20)

References

External links

* {{coord, 42.325, -71.1899, display=title Seminaries and theological colleges in Massachusetts Boston College Boston University Harvard Divinity School Educational institutions established in 1968 Universities and colleges in Boston Christianity in Boston 1968 establishments in Massachusetts