Jeff Japinga Named for Position in Twin Cities Presbytery
05-13-2015
Jeff will conclude his time on the McCormick faculty after teaching two Doctor of Ministry classes in July.
The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Japinga, Associate Dean for Doctor of Ministry and Certificate Learning Programs and Assistant Professor of Leadership and Ministry at McCormick Seminary, was elected Tuesday, May 12th, to the position of Transitional Executive Presbyter by the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area of Greater Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. He will begin his work with the presbytery in June and conclude his time on the McCormick faculty after teaching two Doctor of Ministry classes in July.
During his seven years as Associate Dean, Jeff has led and shaped the renewal of Doctor of Ministry education at McCormick, guiding what are now four unique D.Min. programs that serve McCormick's increasingly diverse constituency. He has also taught in all four programs. In addition, Jeff launched and teaches in McCormick's non-degree Certificate in Executive Leadership program, continuing the seminary's established legacy in leadership education; currently, the ninth cohort of the six-year-old program is being recruited for the fall.
Jeff also convened the first-ever regular forum for the directors of Doctor of Ministry programs of the PCUSA seminaries. That group was recently awarded a grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion to explore contextually and culturally attentive pedagogical approaches to D.Min. education.
Jeff joined the McCormick faculty in 2008 after twenty-one years of service on the denominational staff of the Reformed Church in America, and after earning a McCormick Doctor of Ministry degree in 2003. Ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Church in America, he has also moderated that denomination's standing Commission on Christian Unity for the past four years. He simultaneously serves on the PCUSA General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.
Frank Yamada, McCormick’s president said, “Jeff has raised the quality of our D.Min. programs. He has provided the seminary with a solid platform of leadership. We are excited for him and for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities as they partner for this stage of their journey together. We will miss Jeff, and we look forward to our collaborative work ahead.”
Academic Dean, Ted Hiebert affirmed, “Jeff has provided effective and creative leadership in McCormick’s Doctor of Ministry program through which McCormick has established a strong legacy of serving the church. He has also given us all leadership and wisdom and friendship and compassion. He is greatly loved and will be greatly missed.”
Stephanie Anthony, moderator of the search team for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area that identified Jeff as a candidate for this office, said of Jeff's new role, "As a team we appreciate that Jeff comes to the position of Transitional Executive Presbyter with a history of strong leadership. From his work on the seminary staff and in denominational and ecumenical leadership in the RCA he is well versed in the challenges and opportunities facing our presbytery. At the same time he brings a fresh perspective on how we might work together to strengthen relationships, overcome obstacles, and follow God's Spirit already at work in the world."
Dr. Japinga will share responsibilities between the Presbytery of the Twin Cities and McCormick over this summer of transition. The former will be working on Jeff’s transition into his new work. The seminary has already begun the process of establishing an interim and long-term plan for its ongoing Doctor of Ministry program.
