Whitworth University affirms, expands its Presbyterian partnerships

The Whitworth University Board of Trustees today adopted a statement that affirms and expands Whitworth’s historic relationship with the Presbyterian Church and elevates the university’s theological identities. The statement is the culmination of a yearlong inquiry a board-appointed Task Force on Denominational Relationships conducted in anticipation of the June 2013 expiration of the university’s current covenant agreement with the Synod of Alaska-Northwest and the concurrent cessation of the synod’s functions. The synod is a regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The task force’s charge was to assist the board in studying the range of possible relationships between Whitworth and its covenantal partner, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and to examine whether that relationship should be broadened to include other expressions of Christ’s Church.

After deliberating over the comprehensive work of the task force, the board of trustees has adopted the following actions:

Whitworth will continue in a mutual but nonexclusive partnership with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.);

The university will explore and establish other Presbyterian partnerships; and

The university will emphasize its Reformed, evangelical and ecumenical identities.

“This is an important day in the life of Whitworth University,” says Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor. “The board of trustees once again affirmed the importance of Whitworth’s church relatedness, and it communicated unequivocally Whitworth’s Christ-centered mission. I know the board looks forward to working closely with the university’s administration, students, faculty and staff to better clarify how these decisions will be lived out.”

To read the full background and summary of the board’s statement, please visit Board of Trustees Statement on Denominational Relationships. For answers to questions related to the statement, please visit Denominational Relationships Frequently Asked Questions.