Hood Theological Seminary

The first dean was George Lincoln Blackwell, and the institution was originally affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

The top floor contained dorm rooms for single students and married-student apartments.

In 1994 the Livingstone College board stepped outside of AME Zion ranks to hire United Methodist scholar Dr. Albert J. D. Aymer as the Dean of Hood Theological Seminary.

He had taught for fourteen years at Drew University Divinity School, where he served as Associate Dean and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program.

The IECCD seeks to provide early-career clergy with the tools for sustainable and bold ministry in the 21st century.

Through consultation, education, mentoring, and partnership, early-career clergy learn the best practices for challenging their congregations to be bolder in their faith and outreach.

They also learn the best practices for managing the daily challenges that pastors face in their congregational settings.

[8][6] The IECCD is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving in Ministry, an initiative that supports a variety of religious organizations across the nation as they create or strengthen programs that help pastors build relationships with experienced clergy who can serve as mentors and guide them through key leadership challenges in congregational ministry.