Pittsburgh Theological Seminary NAMES DIRECTOR OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the Rev. Erik Hoeke as director of Continuing Education. He will begin in this role at the Seminary Jan. 16.
“Erik’s proven skills in administrative leadership, building and maintaining institutional partnerships, and leading creatively and effectively in ministry contexts make him an ideal candidate to develop Continuing Education programming that is grounded in faith and forming participants in community,” said the Rev. Erin Davenport ’05, vice president for strategic initiatives and continuing education.
Previously, Hoeke served for 14 years as an ordained pastor in The United Methodist Church. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities at Avery UMC in Washington, Pa., where he served most recently, Hoeke developed a strategic plan, which led to new partnerships with local schools and nonprofit organizations, several community events, and facility upgrades. His denominational service to the Western Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church includes volunteering as the provisional residency coordinator for the Board of Ordained Ministry. In that role, he guides new pastors seeking ordination through a series of continuing education trainings and prerequisites for ordination. Additionally, Hoeke is a member of the Conference Communications Team, previously chaired the Zimbabwe Partnership, and has served on the Washington District Anti-Racism Team.
“I am eager to begin resourcing ministry practitioners—both clergy and laity—doing the challenging, faithful work of the church in today’s world. The Seminary’s Office of Continuing Education is already a trusted leader in lifelong learning, providing a solid core from which we can broaden our offerings of practical scholarship for ministry,” said Hoeke. “As a pastor myself, I have always been passionate about supporting and encouraging clergy colleagues through mutual learning and meaningful relationships. Moving into this role allows me to continue that work in new ways and build bridges connecting the church, academy, and public life.”
In addition to his previous pastoral roles, Hoeke most recently worked as a writer and now communications strategist at the Seminary. In his current position, he is responsible for broadening and deepening relationship between the PTS Neighborhood Collaborative and the community in addition to developing ministry resources and writing.
Hoeke’s work as a public theologian includes prior service as an adjunct faculty member at Washington & Jefferson College, presenting papers on “Doing Good: Institutions, Cultures, and Enabling Morally Virtuous Action” and “Fred Rogers: A Public Vocation,” and authoring a variety of articles on topics of faith and current events. Hoeke is a graduate of Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (Th.M.), Candler School of Theology, Emory University (M.Div.), and Ohio Northern University (B.A.).
The Seminary’s Office of Continuing Education provides the theologically interested public with opportunities to explore faith and vocation through free lectures, special events, and professional development. It is part of the PTS Neighborhood Collaborative, which includes the Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry, Continuing Education, Faith Forming Families Network, Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology, Metro-Urban Institute, Miller Summer Youth Institute, and World Mission Initiative. Together, in their respective and collective work, these programs foster vocational discernment, co-learning, and transformative action for the common good by connecting diverse neighbors locally and globally.