Forming Leaders, Shaping the Church: Bexley Seabury Joins Episcopal Diocesan Center in Chicago
By: The Rev. Jason Fout, PhD, Interim President of Bexley Seabury Seminary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2025
In life, there are some moments you never forget.
It was the fall of 1997, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was about to hear whether I was to be a postulant and allowed to go to seminary.
With some trepidation I entered my bishop’s office and sat across from none other than Frank T. Griswold. It wasn't long into our conversation that (to my relief!) he warmly affirmed that the Diocese of Chicago would be glad for me to continue in the discernment process leading to ordination.
Although I had already taken a number of courses in theology, he did tell me that he wanted me to “attend a seminary where I would receive a solid pastoral formation”.
“Well, I was thinking I might attend Seabury-Western.”
“Excellent choice!” he responded.
He was right. While attending Seabury-Western, I received an excellent education in pastoral ministry. So much so, that several years later, I was teaching others in their process to ordination when I was part of the faculty at Bexley Hall.
My meeting with Bishop Griswold comes to mind even more so today because our Bexley Seabury offices are now across the hallway from where that very meeting took place.
Yes, that's right, we've relocated our permanent offices to the Episcopal Diocesan Center in Chicago. We’ve been praying about and strategizing for this move for a year, and we’re excited to see it come to fruition.
“I am delighted to have Bexley Seabury join us at the Episcopal Diocesan Center in Downtown Chicago. We share a deep and abiding care for the formation and preparation of people for both lay and ordained ministry.”
Bexley Seabury Seminary has also been deeply engaged in strategic planning with our new, incoming President, The Rev. Mark C. Lee, PhD. Mark is an Episcopal priest, Army Chaplain, and CPE educator, overseeing the formation of chaplains in the Army. Mark brings a wealth of experience in teaching, administration, strategy, and planning to the role and sees great promise in Bexley Seabury’s approach to forming the leaders that the church needs now.
I will continue serving as Interim President through the end of the year and, beginning in 2026, I will take up the position of Chief of Staff/Chief Operating Officer, working directly under Mark to provide oversight for our operations.
Tom Ferguson has agreed to serve as Academic Dean, which will provide consistency and continuity as we develop and deepen our path to prophetic and pastoral service. Tom will continue to teach Church History.
As Bexley Seabury Seminary just celebrated its 200-year anniversary, I am confident this new partnership with the historic Episcopal Diocesan Center will sustain us into the future. We are all dedicated to remaining rooted in our communities to provide educational opportunities to all the people of God.
“Bexley Seabury’s move to the Episcopal Diocesan Center will facilitate ideas, discussions, and actions in actualizing the real and relevant ministry that we confront together in this changing church. The entire Diocese of Chicago embraces the opportunities afforded us to build deeper relationships with Bexley Seabury.”
So, while you may find us at a new location, our mission will remain the same. We will continue to envision a vibrant and inclusive future that educates, forms, and inspires the body of Christ to blaze new pathways for prophetic and pastoral service in response to God’s call.
For anyone seeking pastoral theological education, ordination or feeling called to another type of ministry, we are here to offer the support you need to achieve your goals.
Contact us to learn more and get additional information: https://bexleyseabury.edu/contact-us
For more information:
Vicki Bohlsen
(317) 513-8039
vbohlsen@bohlsengroup.com
