Leadership Institute Provides New Pathways for Theological Education

Meadville Lombard Theological School is letting its LIGHT shine in a whole new way these days.

LIGHT—the Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing, and Transformation—was founded in 2021 to “equip communities and leaders with tools for personal and social transformation,” according to its website. It offers educational and skill-building opportunities for religious professionals and lay leaders without the expense or framework of a full degree program, though some LIGHT programs do offer certificates.

The institute is one answer to the question Meadville Lombard President Dr. Elías Ortega has been asking for years: “How do we open the pipeline to make theological education accessible to a broader audience?” Traditional seminary education has focused on those seeking degrees, and, typically, on people looking either to serve in ordained ministry or academia, he noted.

LIGHT provides a pathway for people who may not be interested in traditional paths of ministry, or for those who aren’t yet sure they want to do a degree program, and for religious professionals who want to continue their education, Meadville Lombard Senior Director of Lifelong Learning Dr. Kate Lassiter said.

“There are folks who are called to work in the world that is attentive to spirit,” Lassiter said. “They may or may not be in a denomination that sees them and recognizes them. They may not care about ordination. But they are being called to something. LIGHT is well positioned to offer landing space for those folks.”

More than 200 people have participated in one or more of LIGHT’s programs since it started.

For Rev. Emilie Boggis, LIGHT provided a chance to learn new skills in an affordable, convenient setting. In May 2024, she completed its spiritual direction certificate—a two-year, virtual program that costs $2,800 a year—as part of the inaugural class. Boggis, who worked in UU parish ministry for over eighteen years, didn’t have money for a Doctor of Ministry degree, and the program was a “great way” to continue to learn, she said. The certificate helped her transition to her new position leading the spiritual direction program for LeaderWise, an organization that supports church leaders.

LIGHT combines some of Meadville Lombard’s existing programs with new initiatives. The offerings range from one-time workshops to certificate programs in areas such as spiritual direction or nonprofit management. The Fahs Collaborative, which has been at Meadville Lombard since 2011, is also now under LIGHT’s umbrella. The Fahs Collaborative describes itself as a “feisty cohort of religious educators who support people in living meaningful, socially conscious, and spiritually grounded lives,” and, among other things, conducts Beloved Conversations, a popular racial justice program.

Ortega hopes LIGHT will help religious leaders be in communities —both virtual and in-person—with one another across denominations and different religious traditions. Ortega referenced Meadville Lombard’s original charter, almost 200 years old, which specifically mentions engaging across liberal religious tradition. “This has been a part of who we are from the beginning,” Ortega said.

For LIGHT, that tradition is taking new forms and opening new possibilities.

“If you want to explore something about yourself with other people who are also interested in this, those opportunities for connection are missing (in the world),” said Lassiter. “We want to provide and amplify those opportunities.”