May 13, 2005

"Higher and Higher Education"

Last Saturday I had the privilege of participating in the 100th Commencement at the University of Indianapolis, on May 22nd I will preach for the Baccalaureate at DePauw University, and during the South Indiana Annual Conference I will speak for the University of Evansville luncheon. These three events are important to me, because our three United Methodist universities here in Indiana are important to me -- and I hope that they are important to you, too.

It is a strong part of our Methodist heritage and tradition that we value education, especially higher education. Everywhere the followers of John Wesley have gone, they have started colleges and universities and seminaries. Why? Wesley valued the combination of what he called "knowledge and vital piety." In fact Wesley and his followers argued that the Methodist movement brought these two values, so long-separated, back together again.

Regardless of the reasoning, it is an historical fact that the Methodist movement has started more colleges, universities, and seminaries than any other religious group in America. Most recently these efforts have expanded to Africa University in Zimbabwe and to the Russian United Methodist Seminary in Moscow.

Here in Indiana, we are proud of our three United Methodist universities and the role they play in educating persons for a variety of occupations, but also for a life of faith and service. I am proud to sit on the Boards of Trustees of these three universities, and from that perspective I get a chance to see this important partnership of church and university. The days are long past when the church owned or controlled those universities, and today our relationship is more of a partnership of institutions with shared values and goals. All three universities are strong, financially sound, growing, and respected for their quality of faculty, staff, and students. All three Presidents value our church connection, and all have been extremely gracious in welcoming my participation.

I celebrate that our United Methodist tradition here in Indiana has led to higher and higher education.

from Bishop Michael J. Coyner

Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church
"Making a Difference ... in Indiana
and around the world"

TOP OF PAGE