Harding School of Theology to Relocate to Harding University Campus in Arkansas Beginning Fall 2024

Harding School of Theology, the only freestanding seminary among Churches of Christ, is set to relocate from Memphis, Tenn., to the main campus of Harding University in Searcy, Ark., beginning in fall 2024. The decision was announced in an Aug. 5 email to employees and students, citing an “epidemic shortage of ministers” as a key factor. Alongside the move, Harding University announced a reduction in graduate school tuition for theology programs, lowering the cost from $740 to $100 per credit hour for master’s and certificate programs.

The move involves 14 school of theology employees, including four teaching faculty, who were notified by phone following an Aug. 4 university board meeting. A week later, Harding President Michael Williams and vice president Jean-Noel Thompson met with them in Memphis. Williams assured all faculty positions and personnel will be retained. The transition will be managed by a team originating from his office, with details yet to be finalized.

Harding President Michael Williams, who previously served as the eighth president of Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala., described the relocation as a “reallocation of resources.” He emphasized that the decision was not yet finalized, stating, “Whether they will move to Searcy –– it’s really premature to go there.” Board of trustees chair Charles Ganus framed the move as a “transformative initiative” aimed at strengthening Harding’s global ministerial training efforts.

The decision follows recent closures in the seminary landscape, including the 2022 closing of Lipscomb University’s Austin Center in Texas and the 2021 closure of Ohio Valley University in Vienna, W.Va. Jim Martin, vice president for Harding School of Theology, acknowledged the challenges facing seminaries, noting the nationwide preacher shortage has impacted enrollment and sustainability. Martin, who has led the Memphis school since 2014, had already decided that the 2023-2024 academic year would be his last.

Martin highlighted the decline in enrollment, with fall 2022 numbers dropping to 110 from previous years. He described the situation as both disappointing and unsurprising, emphasizing the broader struggles seminaries face in adapting to changing needs within the church. The transition will require careful planning to ensure continuity in education and ministry training, reflecting the ongoing challenges and adjustments within the Restoration movement.

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