Feb 12, 2009

Dr. William Tabbernee, President and Stephen J. England Distinguished Professor of the History of Christianity at Phillips Theological Seminary (PTS), announced his intention to step down as president of PTS effective June 30, 2009.

During a regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting in Tulsa on February 10, Tabbernee tendered his resignation and stated that he has chosen to relinquish his administrative duties at the end of this fiscal year at a time when "the seminary is a thriving institution with great forward momentum." He reported to the Board of Trustees that, despite the general economic downturn, PTS is in the best financial situation it has ever been. "Not having been historically an 'endowment-driven' institution is, in this economy, an asset. We are fortunate in having resources which will enable us to refrain from drawing on our endowments, if necessary, for at least five years," said Tabbernee.

Tabbernee also stressed that he would continue in his position as professor of the History of Christianity. “I have been looking forward for a number of years now to devoting more time to my academic responsibilities. I love teaching, and it will be fun to return to the classroom.”

The Board of Trustees has established a search committee for a new president. The committee is chaired by PTS Board Chair, Chester Cadieux, and is comprised of Donna Killen (Vice-Chair), Mary Jane Buck (Secretary), George Young (Board Member and Doctor of Ministry student), Kay Lynn Northcutt (Faculty Representative to the Board), Susan Payne (Student Representative to the Board), and Ann Jordan (Alumni/ae Representative to the Board).

Tabbernee has served as president of Phillips Theological Seminary since 1991. In addition, he teaches Church History, specializing in the history of Christianity up to the Reformation. He also co-directs an archaeological surface survey in Turkey, along with Professor Peter Lampe of the University of Heidelberg, Germany. This joint PTS/University of Heidelberg project is exploring the ancient sites of settlements associated with an early Christian movement named Montanism.

Tabbernee is an ordained minister with standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Prior to his tenure at PTS, Dr. Tabbernee served as principal of the Churches of Christ Theological College in Australia, among other scholarly and administrative positions in Australia.

Dr. Tabbernee’s most recent published works include Pepouza and Tymion:  The Discovery and Archaeological Exploration of a Lost Ancient City and an Imperial Estate in Phrygia, written with Peter Lampe (Berlin: de Gruyter, 2008). Prophets and Gravestone:  An Imaginative History of Montanists and Other Early Christians, which is due for release by Hendrickson in April 2009.

Dr. Tabbernee is a past president of the North American Patristics Society. He is also actively involved in ecumenical and interfaith activities. He was a member of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order for more than 20 years. He currently co-moderates the Disciples of Christ/Roman Catholic International Commission for Dialogue.

Tabbernee has numerous degrees to his credit including both a PhD (1979) and LittD (Doctor of Letters) from the University of Melbourne in 2002. In 1993 he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Phillips University.