Recent Articles

TEACHING PASTORS FORUM – 2023
The Teaching Pastors Forum was first established in 2019 as a partnership between ABC of Wisconsin and Central Seminary. Though the seminary site is now closed, ABC of Wisconsin is again offering the Forum. TPF is an opportunity for a pastor or minister in the region to share her/his passion project in dialogue with colleagues […]

Church Boards and Leadership Workshop – February 18
How does your church board function? How should your church board function? Do people respond positively when recruited for the board? Are your meetings well-organized and run? Are responsibilities well-defined and honored? On Saturday, February 18 from 9:30-11:30 am, Rev. Fred Oaks will facilitate a workshop on Church Boards and Leadership for any interested ABC […]

Commission on Congregational Mission – Social Justice/Voting Rights
“SOCIAL JUSTICE/VOTING RIGHTS” OCTOBER 2, 2021 ANNUAL GATHERING OF ABC CHURCHES PANEL To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord and than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute, Speak out Judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and […]

Realities of Our New Normal
The Commission on Congregational Mission of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin has chosen as its focus for the first half of 2021 the topic of “stewardship.” The Commission has pursued research on the topic, particularly as it relates to engaging younger generations. Members meet monthly to share their learnings with one another and to develop […]
Current Scholarship Opportunities
For students and seminarians who are a part of the Wisconsin region.
AB Women's Scholarship
To apply, please use this form.
For other clergy and seminarian scholarships, please click here.
The CENTRAL Wisconsin seminary site has now effectively CLOSED. The availability of the M.Div. curriculum through online delivery makes the site unsustainable.
But the value of the site to ABC Wisconsin and to the state more generally remains. For about 15 years, the seminary site provided the opportunity for rigorous theological education in a context of supportive fellowship. The 31 graduates who currently serve both locally in Wisconsin and across several other states are a testament to the good work that occurred here.
Below you can read a brief history of the site and its contribution to the life of American Baptists (and other good church-folk) in Wisconsin.
History
CENTRAL Wisconsin seminary site began in 2005 as a response to a perceived need for accredited theological education from a Baptist perspective in the Milwaukee/SE Wisconsin region. In partnership with Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kansas, American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin established a seminary site housed in the region offices, offering classes on a weekend schedule to accommodate working students. Providential relationships, most prominently Housing Ministries, and strategic partnerships built upon these humble beginnings to the point that in 2009-2010 the site gained full “degree-granting” status from the accrediting agencies. This status meant that students could take the full curriculum from skilled local faculty who also happen to be ministerial practitioners in the area – all from the Region offices in Elm Grove. In May 2019, we celebrated our 10th graduating class bringing the total number of graduates to 31. Graduates have served and are serving in a variety of ministry positions: Pastor, Minister, Christian Education Minister, Men’s Ministry Coordinator, National Park Ministry Chaplain, Hospital Chaplain, Vacation Bible School Curriculum Writer, and Early Childhood Educator.
(a longer, more detailed history is in the works)