I recently attended the 2026 Best Practices in Christian Higher Ed Conference and Research Seminar (BPCHE) at Abilene Christian University
As generative AI and broader social changes reshape higher education, I appreciated the conference’s attention to relationships, faith, and thoughtful innovation. Peter Felten’s keynote on relational trust reminded me how much learning depends on the connections we build with students and with one another. Conversations about the ethical use of technology and the flourishing of students and communities brought these concerns into the everyday work of Christian higher education.
I also presented “A New Pathway for Theological Education Rooted in the Presbyterian Tradition,” sharing the work we are developing at Schreiner University with our institutional partners. My presentation explored our seven-year connected pathway, the Pre-Seminary Leadership Program, the Lilly Endowment-supported Center for the Arc of Ministry, the dual M.Div./MBA degree, and our partnerships with Presbyterian sister universities in Korea. I was encouraged by the interest in making theological education more accessible while maintaining academic depth and spiritual formation.
The challenges facing higher education are real, but the conversations I had gave me reasons for hope. I am grateful for colleagues who are thinking carefully about how our institutions can draw on their traditions while responding to the needs of students today. I look forward to continuing this work together.
#AbileneChristianUniversity #2026BPCHE #conference
