Lutheran theologian aims to widen the conversation

By Rachel Pritchett, communicator

SEATTLE — Newly arrived Lutheran theologian Michael Reid Trice has begun at the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University, where future religious leaders are taught ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

"What we're doing now is building out a more robust interreligious platform in an intentionally ecumenical climate," said Trice, who now holds the title of assistant dean of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, a new position at the university with Jesuit roots.

That means more staff and new graduate-level curricula focused on increasing students' fluency and comfort level in conversation that no longer falls silent at the borders of Christianity.

"Tomorrow's leaders have to know the challenges of an increasingly diverse religious world we inhabit together," Trice said. "We'll have students leaving STM with an increased toolbox where they navigate what truly works and what doesn’t."

The effort is funded in part by grants from the Henry Luce and Bill and Melinda Gates foundations.

Trice said interreligious dialogue means becoming proficient in explaining your faith to others, and effectively and sensitively engaging in dialogue. It means listening carefully to others as they explain their own beliefs, and also asking the deeper questions. And it means finding common ground on issues from worship to injustices that plague our shared humanity.

"Yesterday’s emphasis on toleration meets today’s demands for solidarity reflected in social movements around the world,” according to Trice.

"Here's where theology gets traction for students’ beliefs in the community, where the faith we confess begins to walk with other people," Trice said.

It's also pure evangelism.

"We're actually right at the core of our evangelical witness when theology and practice are seamless. That's a undeniable public witness."

The future of theological education must focus on an intentionally ecumenical and theologically fluid student body that has responses to the religious challenges of the 21st century, Trice said.

STM and Seattle U are national leaders in the trend. And it's no accident it's happening in the Pacific Northwest, second most unchurched region of the United States next to New England.

"The Pacific Northwest is on the curve of a spiritual and public struggle with the concept of being a believing community, while re-imagining traditional structures," he said.

Trice, 42, came to STM and Seattle U from Chicago, where he was the associate executive of ecumenical and interreligious relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. His career has included work with Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches. He has served on behalf of Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson on the White House Task force for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation.

He earned a doctorate in constructive theology from Loyola University at Chicago in collaboration with the University of Munich, and holds two masters degrees in theology from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and Duke University in North Carolina.

At STM, Trice also is an assistant professor of practical theology. He has relocated from Chicago to Shoreline.