 | The workshops, training courses and other advances made by the Charles Simeon Trust are fueled, in part, by the body of Biblical scholarship and literature already in existence. By gathering a world-class library of theological and historical resources and simultaneously forming productive relationships with theological schools nearby in Hyde Park, Chicago, we can establish an environment saturated with the right resources. By providing a sabbatical opportunity for Christian scholars and merging it with an innovative training school, we can assemble the right people. This potent mix of scholars and resources will enable us to create the next generation of resources, academically sound but with the Church in mind.
In its maturity, the Simeon House facility will contain adequate study space for eight Simeon scholars, as well as the research library—leading to the most productive kinds of collaboration. A grand lecture hall will host training programs and other special events. A few small residences will be available for short-term visiting lecturers and speakers. In short, we firmly believe in fostering meaningful mentoring relationships between scholars and pastors. For the sake of the future, we must be committed to promoting academic excellence with the objective of serving the church.
The first phase of the Simeon House begins with establishing relationships. We already held an advisory meeting (including Hudson Armerding, Lane Dennis, Kent Hughes, David Martinez, Jim Packer, Phil Ryken and David Wells among others) to begin testing the viability of this idea and to begin shaping the specifications of the Simeon House. The next step in this first phase is to establish a permanent advisory board to draft the charter and establish a Board of Directors for the research center and its initiatives. We will also begin forging relationships with nearby institutions. Finally, we will also start gathering and developing the resource collections that will serve as the foundation of the research library. Through careful and strategic planning, the Simeon House will play its role in restoring confidence in the power of the Bible and pushing Biblical scholarship forward. |
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