The Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation is now the Presbyterian Leadership Collaborative

At its fall meeting held last month, the Board of Directors finalized the renaming of the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation to the Presbyterian Leadership Collaborative. The new name captures a growing mission to inspire, equip and connect congregational leaders from all walks of ministry. The change follows Board discernment, begun in 2023, to rearticulate the organization’s mission, vision and values, honoring a shift from equipping ministers of Word and Sacrament to nurturing a breadth of church leadership, ordained and non-ordained.

Image

“‘Presbyterian’ reinforces our denominational connection and Reformed heritage. ‘Leadership’ includes all levels of church leadership. ‘Collaborative’ recognizes that we are all in this work together,” said the Rev. Polly Deppen-Williams, Board member and Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Central Nebraska. “The new name is like a flag on our front porch that says to church and mid council leaders, ‘Come in. We’ve set a place for you.’”

Board Chair Sam Rennick added, “The new name honors our deep Presbyterian heritage and reflects our focus on working with others to develop leaders, strengthen connections and equip the Church for the future. I’m proud to be part of the next chapter in our ministry.”

This is not the organization’s first change of name or focus. In 1891, church leaders in Iowa and Nebraska founded the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Omaha to make pastoral training accessible on the frontier between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Coast. When the seminary closed in the early 1940s, directors faithfully stewarded resources, imagining new life was possible. In the 1950s, Omaha offered scholarships to help theological students start their calls without debt, and in 1957 it held the first School for Presbyterian Pastors. In 1983, the Board adopted the name Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation (OPSF) to reflect its focus on financial resourcing and continuing education. For decades, OPSF supported clergy through Master of Divinity scholarships, lifelong learning grants to mid councils, and debt relief.

PLC’s president, the Rev. Shelli Latham, pointed to recent growth, including peer-learning groups and gatherings across the organization’s 13-state region that put continuing education within reach of stretched leaders. Offerings for leaders outside of traditional pastor roles include the Certificate in Proclamation, consulting resources for churches in transition and a growing library of Reformed worship resources.

“Many dedicated leaders serving on sessions, leading worship, and coordinating mission are carrying the weight of ministry in their congregations, and we want them to know we see and support their commitment,” Latham said. “Becoming the Presbyterian Leadership Collaborative honors an organization that has always looked to the frontier of opportunity for the Gospel to flourish and has adapted faithfully when God has hinted, ‘Behold, I am doing a new thing.’”

About the Presbyterian Leadership Collaborative
The Presbyterian Leadership Collaborative advances the gospel of Jesus Christ by inspiring, equipping, and connecting committed and aspiring leaders of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) faith communities. Through learning programs, grants and scholarships, events and congregational resources, the Collaborative supports ministers of Word and Sacrament, commissioned pastors, and lay leaders at every stage of their call. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, it prioritizes leaders in a 13-state region across the Rockies and Great Plains, while welcoming participants from all 50 states.