Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs

The University Chaplain is responsible for the administration of those ministries, co-curricular programs, and collaborative initiatives that are consistent with the University’s commitment to providing opportunities for students to gain a “deeper understanding of the Christian faith and appreciation and respect for other religious traditions.” This commitment is consistent with the University’s relationship with the United Methodist Church. The UMC’s Book of Discipline advocates a proactive and self-critical engagement with other religious traditions: “In these encounters, our aim is not to reduce doctrinal differences to some lowest common denominator of religious agreement, but to raise all such relationships to the highest possible level of human fellowship and understanding.” In recent years, conversation with the UMC has prompted the University to undertake new programs in response to the needs of the denomination in Indiana, and the University has challenged the church to think more carefully about what it means for the denomination to be a university-related church.  

In addition, this office administers Christian Vocations curricular programs offered through the Lantz Center for Christian Vocations and Formation and shares administrative responsibility with the chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department for joint initiatives in theological education. The Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs is responsible for working with other offices of the University to foster the mission reflected in the University motto, “Education for Service,” including programmatic initiatives for faculty and staff formation that support the mission and identity of this church-related, comprehensive University.

The campus ministries staff is comprised of the University Chaplain, Associate Chaplain and the Assistant Director of the Lantz Center, who are responsible for the religious life programming as well as pastoral presence on campus. The University Chaplain also directs the Lantz Center's Christian formation programs for university students. The Assistant Director of the Lantz Center extends the reach of the formation programs to high school students through the Student Leadership Academy initiative.

Ecumenical and interfaith programs are developed in conversation with faculty and students alike. The University Chaplain cares for the university community with the assistance of representatives from ministries that are campus-based as well as those that represent off-campus agencies and religious communities An Ecumenical and Interfaith Council includes representatives of Jewish, Muslim, and non-Western religions as well as the Campus Ministries staff and interested Christians on campus. This office also oversees the development of short-term and long-term ecumenical and interfaith partnerships in the city of Indianapolis and beyond.

The University Chaplain provides ongoing interpretation of the University’s relationship with the United Methodist Church and coordinates the relationships between various offices of the University and the church.