«Wer mutig vorangeht, muss auch mal verliebt zurückschauen»
Happy Birthday! On March 8, 2025, the St. Chrischona Theological Seminary turned 185 years old. A conversation with Rector Dr. Benedikt Walker and his deputy Dr. Dr. Beat Schweitzer about the TSC yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
What would the founder, Christian Friedrich Spittler, say about his TSC today?
Benedict Walker: He would be pleased that we continue to invest in theological education for different generations. That we empower people to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. But he would also encourage us: Recognize what the world needs.
White-red instead of blackWhite-red instead of black
Beat Schweitzer: On March 8, 1840, Spittler went from Basel to St. Chrischona and founded his school for pilgrim missionaries (today’s TSC) in the then-dilapidated church. He was to train young craftsmen so they could live and spread the gospel in a way that was understandable to the people. We still share this conviction today. It remains important to us that people with vocational training who do not have a high school diploma or a university entrance qualification can study with us.
Benedikt Walker: Theological education is not reserved for the academic elite. The TSC remains true to this principle.
What from TSC history impresses or touches you?
Benedikt Walker: With the church on Chrischona Mountain, Spittler discovered a very special place with vision and charisma. Chrischona Mountain and what happens here is a gift. More than 6,700 people have been trained, shaped, and sent out from this place to date – to bless the world. I’m amazed by that. 185 years also means that the TSC has witnessed – and survived – many crises in this world. That gives hope.
Beat Schweitzer: I’m impressed by the fact that new things have always been attempted here at Chrischona. For example, the founding of the first women’s Bible school in 1909. Or the holiness movement with its annual holiness conferences. Countless people have received valuable spiritual inspiration on Chrischona Mountain. That touches me. I’ve experienced many things myself. Even as a child, I attended conferences and summer camps at St. Chrischona with my family.
Benedikt, you've been shaping the TSC as rector for ten of these 185 years. Have you grown fond of the TSC yet?
Benedikt Walker: In my position, you have to be willing to fall in love with the TSC, with everything it represents. Those who move forward courageously and shape the future must also look back responsibly and with love. I enjoy being inspired by the life stories of people who have been associated with the TSC for decades.
Beat Schweitzer: I’m impressed by the fact that new things have always been attempted here at Chrischona. For example, the founding of the first women’s Bible school in 1909. Or the holiness movement with its annual holiness conferences. Countless people have received valuable spiritual inspiration on Chrischona Mountain. That touches me. I’ve experienced many things myself. Even as a child, I attended conferences and summer camps at St. Chrischona with my family.
What from TSC history impresses or touches you?
Benedikt Walker: With the church on Chrischona Mountain, Spittler discovered a very special place with vision and charisma. Chrischona Mountain and what happens here is a gift. More than 6,700 people have been trained, shaped, and sent out from this place to date – to bless the world. I’m amazed by that. 185 years also means that the TSC has witnessed – and survived – many crises in this world. That gives hope.
Beat Schweitzer: I’m impressed by the fact that new things have always been attempted here at Chrischona. For example, the founding of the first women’s Bible school in 1909. Or the holiness movement with its annual holiness conferences. Countless people have received valuable spiritual inspiration on Chrischona Mountain. That touches me. I’ve experienced many things myself. Even as a child, I attended conferences and summer camps at St. Chrischona with my family.
Benedikt, you've been shaping the TSC as rector for ten of these 185 years. Have you grown fond of the TSC yet?
Benedikt Walker: In my position, you have to be willing to fall in love with the TSC, with everything it represents. Those who move forward courageously and shape the future must also look back responsibly and with love. I enjoy being inspired by the life stories of people who have been associated with the TSC for decades.
At 185 years old, the TSC is embarking on something new: a partnership with the IGW, which offers a dual theology program. How do you assess this decision in light of TSC's history?
Benedikt Walker: Throughout the history of the TSC, those responsible have always dared to try new things. Otherwise, we would not have reached our 185th birthday. For many, it was a surprise thatTSC and the IGWapproached one another. I think that «together» is very biblical. We also find the desire for more togetherness in society, especially among young people. Many of them are fed up with boundaries. In theological education, we need a broad perspective. At Chrischona Berg, we have always had an eye for the entire Kingdom of God. But in hardly any other professional field is education as fragmented as in theology. We need more togetherness instead of opposition.
Beat Schweitzer: We Christians have a tendency to like doing our «own thing.» This sometimes leads to the dissipation of resources and offerings. I think it’s high time we Christians stood together more and learned to deal with differences again. That’s part of living together.
No future without heritage. What does the TSC uphold despite all the necessary changes?
Benedikt Walker: We have always provided training for the Pietist Community Movement in Germany and the Free Church Pietist scene in Switzerland, as well as for mission (worldwide and on our doorstep). We remain true to this focus. I hope that, especially through our collaboration with the IGW, we will have the courage to develop new contacts within the Evangelical Alliance.
The collaboration – the joint venture – between TSC and IGW officially began this year. What joint projects are you currently working on?
Benedikt Walker: The collaboration between TSC and IGW begins in the highest committees. The two of us, along with the two co-rectors of IGW, form the overall TSC-IGW leadership team. We meet weekly. This collaboration shapes our actions and culminates in concrete projects.
Beat Schweitzer: We see great potential in the field of continuing theological education. The IGW already offers MAS programs in practical theology (master’s level). With the ifge, we offer subject- and career-specific continuing education for full-time and volunteer church workers (CAS programs).
TSC and IGW will retain their proven bachelor's degree programs, thus creating joint offerings at the continuing education and master's level.
Beat Schweitzer: In Switzerland, CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) and MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) are well-known. These are part-time, modular continuing education degrees up to the master’s level. In addition, we want to further develop the career changer program together to enable people with other professional experience to transition into pastoral ministry.
Beat Schweitzer: We see great potential in the field of continuing theological education. The IGW already offers MAS programs in practical theology (master’s level). With the ifge, we offer subject- and career-specific continuing education for full-time and volunteer church workers (CAS programs).
What will theological education look like in 2040 – when the TSC turns 200?
Benedikt Walker: I expect that cooperation among theological educational institutions will grow. We can no longer afford to be segmented. For the past 100 years, the focus has been on theological education for the younger generation. This is already expanding.GenerationPLUS AcademyWe launched an educational program for the older generation. Another segment is the 40- to 50-year-olds who are considering a career change into pastoral ministry. On its 200th anniversary, the TSC, together with the IGW, will offer theological educational programs for all three generations.
TSC graduates 1890
«I’m impressed by the fact that here at Chrischona, people have always dared to try new things. For example, the founding of the first women’s Bible school in 1909. Or the holiness movement with its annual holiness conferences.»
Dr. Dr. Beat Schweitzer, Deputy Rector TSC
«In theological education, we need a broad perspective. At Chrischona Berg, we’ve always had a vision for the entire Kingdom of God. But in hardly any other professional field is education as fragmented as in theology. We need more cooperation instead of competition.»
Dr. Benedikt Walker, Rector TSC
TSC study programs & continuing education
- BATheology & Education(3 years, Bachelor’s degree) – the versatile theological and pedagogical basic trainin
- BATheology & Music(3 years, Bachelor's degree) – the combination of theological and musical studies that is
- BATheology & Education(3 years, Bachelor’s degree) – the versatile theological and pedagogical basic training.
- BATheology & Music(3 years, Bachelor's degree) – the combination of theological and musical studies that is unique in the German-speaking world.
- TSC annual course(1 year, certificate of participation) – popular as an orientation or preparatory year. Worship focus optional.
- CAS programs(1 year, Certificate of Advanced Studies) from the Institute for Leadership and Community Development.
- GenerationPLUS Academy(2- or 3-day courses, CAS possible) – Further training opportunities for the second half of life
- Online courses(1 or 2 semesters, proof of achievement) – can be individually taken for personal further education.
Interested?
- What's it like to study at TSC? And would it be something for you? You can find out during free trial days . The next dates are: Tue./Wed. 21/22.10.25 | Fri./Sat. 06/07.03.26 | Tue./Wed. 05/06.05.26
- You can get concise information about the study program via online video conference during the trial sessions . The next dates are: Tue. 23.09.2025 | Thu. 20.11.2025 | Tue. 17.02.26 | Wed. 22.04.26 | Tue. 19.05.26, 6 – 7 p.m.
- Inconvenient dates? No problem! Simply contact study advisor René Wälty and schedule an appointment for your personalized trial day or consultation.