Minutes of the Business Meeting of
The Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality
Saturday, November 17, 2006
San Diego Convention Center, Room 30C
10:30-11:30 a.m.
1. Introduction of new President: Stephanie Paulsell, President, introduced the new President, Mary Frohlich.
2. Approval of the Minutes of 2006 Meeting: Anita Houck, Secretary/Treasurer, asked for approval of the minutes of the 2006 meetings, which were circulated. Minutes were approved pending revisions sent to Anita at ahouck@saintmarys.edu.
3. Report of the Editor of Spiritus: Doug Burton-Christie, Editor, thanked the membership for their support of the journal through reviews, submissions, and reading. Future plans for the journal include thematic issues with guest editors. Members are encouraged to submit their articles to Doug, and to contact Book Review Editor Matt Ashley to suggest titles or to offer to serve as a reviewer.
4. Thanks: Mary Frohlich thanked several members of the Society for their much-appreciated service: Dave Perrin, completing his term as Past President; Alan Kolp and Claire Wolfteich, completing their terms on the Board; and Eileen Flanagan, completing her term on the Nominations Committee.
5. Report of the Nominations Committee. The Committee proposed
a. Two members to serve three-year terms on the Governing Board:
Eileen Flanagan (2007-2010). Her nomination was ratified by show of hands and applause.
Frederick W. Schmidt (2007-2010) His nomination was ratified by show of hands and applause.
b. Vice President/President-elect:
Arthur Holder (2007-2008). His nomination was ratified by show of hands and applause.
c. One member to serve a three-year term on the Nominations Committee:
Tim Muldoon (2007-2010). His nomination was ratified by show of hands and applause.
Mary also thanked continuing member of the Nominations Committee Paula Barker.
6. Report of the Secretary/Treasurer: Referring to the attached Financial Report, Anita noted that, though expenses for last year’s festive AAR were higher than usual, the Society continues to be in good financial shape, i.e., to have the resources to do what it wants to do. She drew attention to the increased number of graduate student members, but Sandra Schneiders also noted the decreased number of non-student members. Mary thanked Anita and invited student and pre-tenure members of the Society to contact her about discussing how the SSCS can best address younger scholars’ needs.
7. Report of the AAR Christian Spirituality Group: Wendy Wright, who serves as Co-chair with Arthur Holder, reported that the Group, building on documents originally written by Steve Chase and Stephanie Paulsell, was reviewed last year very favorably and renewed for another five years. Among the positive aspects of the group that were noted was the connection to an independent scholarly organization and the attention to methodology of the discipline; reviewers also recommended that some topics be considered and encouraged further attention to the diversity of participants. The Group will be sponsoring three sessions this year—Christian Spirituality and Multiple Religious Belonging, Between Memory and Hope: Reading Psalms as Reconstructing Identity, and, with the Religion and Ecology Group, Christian Spiritual Practices for a Sustainable Ecology—and members were encouraged to attend.
8. Discussion of possible topics for the 2007 meeting: Wendy invited discussion of topics both for the Friday SSCS sessions and the AAR Christian Spirituality Group sessions for next year’s meeting in Chicago.
9. Report of the Promotions Committee: David Perrin, Chair of the Promotions Committee, reviewed highlights of a document summarizing the work of the Promotions Committee, which was founded this year to enhance outreach to others who share the Society’s concerns. Among the group’s initiatives this year were redesigning the renewal form to allow members to list—and search—interests; formulating guidelines for posting to the listserv (to be discussed by the Board on Monday); directly promoting the journal and Society to a number of groups and people who share our interests; and—in honor of the Society’s 15th anniversary—conducting the 15 for 15 campaign to raise funds for the new website. Dave thanked the contributors to both the Committee and the campaign, whose names were noted on the report.
10. Report of items under consideration by the Governing Board: Mary noted that, besides outreach to younger scholars, the Board will also be considering next year’s sessions, the listserv, and a diversity initiative.
11. Suggestions of items for further discussion by the Governing Board: None was proposed.
12. Adjournment at exactly 10:30.
Minutes of the Governing Board Meeting of
The Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality
Monday, November 21, 2007
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, Connaught Room
Present: Douglas Burton-Christie, Eileen Flanagan, Mary Frohlich, Lisa Hess, Arthur Holder, Bradley Holt, Anita Houck, Alan Kolp, Michael O’Sullivan, Frederick Schmidt, Wendy Wright.
1. Welcome of new members: Mary introduced new members Eileen Flanagan and Frederick Schmidt, and members of the Board introduced themselves.
2. Thanks: Mary thanked Alan Kolp, whose term ends with this meeting, and also thanked in absentia Claire Wolfteich and new Past President Stephanie Paulsell.
3. Society business
a. Review of mandate and initiatives of the Promotions Committee: Mary recalled that last year there was some concern about one item in the mandate of the Promotions Committee, which seemed vague: “to seek, identify, and encourage those initiatives which express an education or practical formation in Christian spirituality and invite them to participate in the work of the SSCS.” Dave reported that the meaning of the passage had been clarified by the committee’s actions this year: redesign of the renewal form; webpage update to be completed by April 2008; guidelines for the SSCS listserv; sending out a packet to encourage membership; and the 15 for 15 campaign. If we have any concerns, we should forward them to the Committee. Doug asked that Promotions be involved in recognizing that we’ve been accepted into the hallowed halls of ATLA, after some years of effort. (Yea, Doug!) Michael has been trying to find a contact in Latin America and will keep doing so; differences in language make it difficult.
b. Review of outreach to graduate students and pre-tenure faculty (a.k.a. initiatives from South Bend)
1) Graduate student initiatives: Ann sent a report on her work toward a graduate-student conference in spirituality. Notre Dame has responded positively to her proposals, offering some funding from the Theology Department and the possibility of inexpensive housing at the Seminary. Next steps would include looking for student leadership within ND. She’s been considering organizing the conference for 2009 and perhaps looking forward to a rotating series of such conferences on other campuses. The Board discussed a number of logistical challenges that will arise in trying to put the plan into action, among them students’ limited travel budgets. She proposed continuing to brainstorm, consulting with Anita (also teaching in South Bend), and sending the Board a written proposal during spring 2008.
2) Younger Scholars Group: Following up on last year’s discussion, Doug noted that it’s not easy to get younger members involved in the workings of the Society, and he urged us to find ways to get students and younger scholars involved. Wendy noted that people who have been very interested and attended regularly but aren’t in the GTU circle may find it difficult to be noticed and become involved. Discussion turned toward the possibility of including younger members on the Board; for instance, the coordinator of a younger scholars group could have a seat on the Board. Arthur suggested two models for having younger scholars represented on the Board: designating a Board seat for younger scholars specifically; or, as part of a larger attention to diversity, doing a better job of having both senior and junior scholars represented on the Board, making sure that our Board membership includes younger members. If a seat were designated, this member wouldn’t necessarily need to fulfill all the responsibilities of other Board members. The Board also discussed what might define “younger scholars”—for instance, members who are graduate students or have completed graduate school within the past five or six years. Anita mentioned some highlights from the meeting she had yesterday with a group younger scholars; she will send notes from the meeting and look forward to responses from the Board. Fred suggested that a topic on new monasticism might be of interest to younger scholars.
c. Discussion of beginning a diversity initiative: Mary said that, in order to have a more diverse Governing Board, we may need to commit to a focused initiative. Paula Barker suggested inviting people to join the Society. Several books have been published recently on African-American spirituality, and the Promotions Committee could send invitations to authors. Being involved in Friday sessions can also connect more people to the Society. Mary invited suggestions of authors who might share our interests.
d. Review of procedures for book notices on the listserv: Two changes were proposed to the draft “Guidelines for use of the SSCS Listserv,” which had been appended to the agenda of Saturday’s Business Meeting: changing “conferences” to the broader “events,” and specifying that messages should be worded to address the entire membership rather than the listserv moderator. The draft was approved with those changes.
e. Book Review Editor: Mary noted that at Saturday’s Spiritus meeting, the Editorial Board discussed the process of appointing a new Book Review Editor. An ad hoc committee to choose a new Book Review Editor will be formed, with input from the Governing Board. The process may not need to be included in the Policies and Procedures document at this point, but since Matt will be stepping down within the next couple years, we’ll need to begin a search within the coming year. Arthur proposed that, since the Policies and Procedures document doesn’t include any procedures for appointing the Book Review Editor, and since the Book Review Editor works for the journal Editor, the Editor would appoint the Book Review Editor; the decision should remain with Doug. Doug responded that, since the journal is the Society’s, there should be dialogue on the issue, furthering a sense that the decisions affecting the journal aren’t just one person’s. Arthur said that the choice of Book Review Editor could be among the decisions on which the Editor would consult the Governing Board. Doug concluded that he and Mary should be in conversation, setting up an ad hoc committee that would be the Society’s rather than the Editor’s. Wendy raised the question of whether the members of this committee should have served on the Editorial Board, or whether this committee might provide an opportunity to involve people who haven’t yet had a more active role in the Society. Doug suggested that the committee include both: two members could have Editorial Board experience, and two could come from the Governing Board. Eileen volunteered to represent the Governing Board. Eileen asked whether younger people should be involved. Doug will solicit volunteers from the Editorial Board, and will get back to Mary to appoint the official committee.
3. Review of SSCS sessions: Mary reviewed the different SSCS and Christian Spirituality Group sessions, and Wendy reviewed the work of the Group.
a. Friday afternoon Members’ Workshop: Lisa coordinated the pedagogical session. It was seen as very successful, with an innovative style. The Board noted that some who attended suggested that it might be helpful to give small groups time to discuss before the large-group discussion. Also, the topic of theological education was more limited than in the past and could be broadened in the future.
b. Friday evening documentary and panel: Daniel Groody’s movie Dying to Live was accompanied by speakers who shared something of their lived spirituality with us. The session was important. Suggestions were made for improved logistics in the future. Brad complained that there wasn’t enough time between the pedagogical and evening sessions. Others agreed that, for off-site sessions, we can’t get to food and transportation in one hour, and we need to be sensitive to timing in the future. Setting up the food ahead of time and advertising that food would be available between the two sessions might be helpful (without advertising the food in a way that would attract too many people to a free dinner!) could be helpful especially to graduate students. In addition, though members were invited to bring publications for a display, few members participated. Several possible reasons were discussed: that members were invited to bring only recent works; that not enough members may have gotten the word; that the off-site location made it harder for members to bring books. The Board also discussed how the session fit our aspirations for more experiential programming on Friday nights. Brad believed that this session was informational rather than experiential, though it did differ from other sessions in that those teaching weren’t professors; overall, he supports some kind of activity other than listening to people talk to us. Arthur noted that we had hoped to go the border but couldn’t. Wendy noted that a number of times our sessions haven’t been praxis-oriented, for instance, the presentations by SAVAE and Don and Emily Saliers. Mary agreed that our sessions have done a variety of things, and those that don’t involve our practicing have still engaged the lived spirituality of different groups.
c. Business Meeting: Reviews included “Briliant.” Arthur was moved. It was conducted with panache.
4. Discussion of SSCS sessions for 2008
a. Change in AAR calendar: Mary said that the Annual Meeting in Chicago will be held from Nov. 1-3, 2008 (Saturday through Monday). According to Aislinn Jones at the AAR, Tuesday sessions are being dropped because they’re generally unpopular and because Tuesday is a national election day (a fact AAR officials recognized only this summer). Wendy explained that the AAR will shift some events (e.g., receptions; sessions will not be moved) to Friday night instead to have a “soft” opening to the Annual Meeting, but the Meeting will include just as much programming as usual, just in a shorter period of time. Book displays may be open on Friday.
b. Discussions on the state of the discipline: While there are more courses and books in the field of spirituality, and with our journal and other work the Society is doing fine, it was noted that there aren’t many jobs in the field. Anita added that the state of the job market was a concern voiced by the younger scholars. Mary suggested that it might be appropriate to have a consultation of the state of the discipline. She attended the Wabash grant consultation and discussed the possibility of a grant that would allow present and former members of the Board to come together for such a discussion, perhaps not at AAR, but perhaps during our usual Friday session; she found the Wabash representatives encouraging. The grant would need to focus on teaching, and improvement in teaching, in programs in spirituality; Mary clarified that our interest isn’t in the nuts and bolts of pedagogy but in curriculum. Lisa has been very involved in Wabash and would be willing to put some energy into the project. The application cycle for Wabash is open, but we’d probably need a year and a half to fit into people’s schedule. Arthur raised the question, given that with travel we’d want at least two days to meet, of what the optimum size group would be; perhaps half of the forty people who have served on the Board might come, so the meeting might involved twenty people for two days. Lisa posed the broader question of how to get institutions to share the Society’s goals, for instance, to encourage Divinity Schools and universities to value the integrative aspect of spirituality. Arthur asked whether the discussion should include not only Board members, but also members of the group to whom we’d want to target the conversation—i.e., people who make decisions about curriculum. So the project might need to include two tiers: the work among ourselves should perhaps be done when we’re already together, e.g., Friday morning of AAR, so grant funds could be put toward discussions with people working with curriculum, to hear their perspective on why they, say, tend to hire a local pastor instead of a tenured faculty member to teach formation. Mary had discussed just one event with Wabash, and she noted that grants under $20,000 were easier to get. However, Lisa recommended aiming higher and perhaps applying for a two-stage grant. Fred recommended a planning grant. Arthur envisioned perhaps 12-15 members coming to the AAR a day early, requiring funds for just housing, meals, and meeting rooms. Wendy saw the gathering as potentially a consultative service, i.e., our offering our expertise to places that already teach formation, helping them better understand the discipline. Eileen noted that this could be a marketable service. Lisa also mentioned the Lilly Endowment itself could be a possible funding source. Arthur noted that the place of Christian spirituality in the curriculum would vary depending on the institution; the question is one of ecology rather than just pedagogy.
A second meeting with those we hope to convince—deans or department chairs—would have to happen a year later.
The grant process could dovetail with the Friday pedagogical session. Specific topics were proposed, e.g., spirituality in the curriculum or the identity of the teacher. Doug brought up the importance of bringing in students. Arthur suggested hearing from graduate students who have found jobs. Wendy reminded us that Ann has been working with grad students and has offered to follow up. It would be helpful for future teachers to hear more about the identity of the discipline in different locations, including what it’s like for scholar-teacher to work in particular contexts.
b. Planning committee for experiential session. Suggestions included
-Taize: the monthly service in Oak Park won’t happen till the next week
-Art gallery at CTU: the space usually has a show up, usually with religiously oriented work and usually cross-cultural. We’d need a bus, and perhaps we could provide food; or provide multiple buses for different times. Members asked how far in advance shows are set up.
-Art Institute: will be close to the convention site. Last year we had the experiential session in the afternoon to allow us to visit a museum.
-African-American traditions in gospel and blues
-Connections in the area include Paula Barker and Barbara Newman; Lisa knows of a CTS connection to an AME bishop; Dwight Hopkins at University of Chicago, who’s on the Editorial Board (Doug offered to contact him); Moody Bible Institute, which a member proposed as a session topic.
The date suggests Reformation Night, Halloween, and Day of the Dead.
Again, without outside funding, any reception will have to be off-site.
c. Planning committee for members’ panel. Mary as a local person will delegate to others.
Review of Christian Spirituality Group sessions. Arthur and Wendy reported that 120 attended the multiple religious belonging session; 87 the session on psalms; and 117 the session on ecology. The first may be a topic for Spiritus. The AAR sees any attendance over 100 as an A+, and 87 for something that specific was very good. The group congratulated the Steering Committee for its excellent work.
a. Christian Spirituality Group plans for 2007 Meeting: The group discussed possible session topics, including possible collaborations:
Reformed Theology and History Group could collaborate on practices in the Reformed tradition (a tradition we haven’t yet focused on in sessions)
Western Esotericism approached us (cool! said Doug)
Spirituality of the missionary encounter in South Asia
New monasticism: younger people might be interested; the topic also provides connections to emergent church movements who see monastic life as a way to introduce rigor into spiritual lives. Arthur proposed phrasing the topic as the recovery of monastic spirituality for contemporary world.
spirituality of aging
pilgrimage in cross-cultural perspective
passion and passionlessness in Christian spirituality; or sensuality and spirituality; or Eros and spirituality
5. Readers for proposals: Ann, Frederick, Lisa, Eileen, and Michael will serve.
6. Additional Society business. Because of the time, Mary suggested postponing other matters. However, we do need to start thinking about a successor to Arthur as Co-chair, probably by January or February. The Policies and Procedures document specifies that the Co-chair should be nominated by the Governing Board in consultation with Nominating Committee. According to the AAR calendar, terms begin 1 January; but in effect, one becomes Co-Chair right after the presidential address, so the next Co-chair should attend all the AAR events next year. Wendy has just one more year as Co-chair after that. Since the new Co-chair will become the senior chair after one year, ideally it will be someone very involved—someone who’s been on the Steering Committee or Board who knows the field. Co-chairs also need to come to the AAR early, leave late, take care of various tasks during the conference, attend the Chairs’ breakfast at AAR, serve as liaison between AAR and the SSCS, organize presenters, send a report and call for papers two weeks after the conference, have time every day between February and April 1 to address inquiries about proposals, and have conversations with possible co-sponsors and coordinate as they read proposals. Except insofar as they serve as ex officio members of the Governing Board, Co-chairs are off from May till October. Clearly, the Co-chairs need to be very efficient. The Board proposed cloning Arthur (Lisa will coordinate with biogenetics group) and then discussed potential candidates.
7. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Anita Houck, Secretary/Treasurer
Copyright © 2009, The Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality (SSCS)