Covenant Seminary accounted in a letter to Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Board members on March 20, 2012 the details of Dr. Guthrie’s move. The announcement was in the form of a letter from the seminary VP for Academic & Faculty Development, Mark Dalbey

It is with great personal sadness that I write to tell you that my dear friend Donald Guthrie has accepted the position of professor of educational ministries at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in Deerfield, Illinois beginning July 1, 2012. He will teach and provide leadership across their MA, MDIV, and PHD programs with a focus on the PHD. While we are thankful for this wonderful opportunity for Donald to use his considerable gifts to serve a sister evangelical seminary, we at Covenant will miss him greatly.

Dr. Guthrie has served faithfully at Covenant Seminary for nearly fifteen years. In addition to his role as Associate Professor of Educational Ministries throughout his time here, Donald has also served us as Director of the Doctor of Ministry program (1998-2001), Director of the Field Education program (1998-2002), and Vice President for Academics (1999-2006). In these various roles and as a classroom teacher Donald has had a profound impact and influence in shaping both our curriculum and the faculty’s pedagogical approach in the classroom. He has also been highly influential and effective in helping the Seminary receive two significant grants from the Lilly Endowment for the Youth in Ministry Institute (YIMI) and the Center for Ministry Leadership (CML).

Over my thirteen years at the Seminary I have worked very closely with Donald. During my first seven years here, we were teamed as Academic Dean and Dean of Students working to integrate the curricular and co-curricular aspects of our program as vital to ministry preparation. I can hardly imagine life at Covenant without this valuable colleague.

Donald has laid a deep foundation at the Seminary for our understanding of the formative nature of theological education and Christian ministry. He also has established a growing understanding among us of the importance of equipping ministry leaders who equip the whole people of God for Kingdom service and vocational discipleship in every area of life. As we seek to advance the Seminary’s mission of “glorifying the Triune God by training his servants to walk in God’s grace, minister his word, equip his people – all for God’s mission” we celebrate the wonderful ways in which Donald has contributed to making Covenant what it is today; and while we grieve our loss of this dear gifted brother, we are confident that the Lord will continue to use him in new and significant ways. We send him out to his new calling at TEDS, trusting in God’s provision for him and for us with his departure.

Please be in prayer for Donald, his wife Mary, and their children, Ben and Erin, as they enter into this transition in their lives, including Donald’s concluding three months of ministry among us. And please continue to pray for Covenant Seminary as we seek the Lord’s guidance and provision for us in light of challenging times we have experienced of late. May we continue to look to our Savior, Jesus Christ in this as in all things.