An Interview with Dr. Wendy J. Deichmann
Dr. Wendy Deichmann was appointed Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean at United on May 19, 2025. Dr. Deichmann is president emerita of United, having served as president from 2007 to 2015. She is Professor of History and Theology, with special interest in the history of Christianity in America, the roles of women in Christianity, and Wesleyan/Methodist history, doctrine and polity. Dr. Deichmann is also Director of the Center for the Evangelical United Brethren Heritage at United.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in your role as Interim Dean?
A: “Working daily with faculty and staff toward fulfilling the great mission of this school. This community is full of talented, faithful servants of God and it’s truly a joy to be part of it!”
Q: When you think about the future of United, what do you envision?
A: “I envision this school continuing to do its part alongside the Holy Spirit to bring renewal and new life to the Church – by recruiting and educating faithful leaders for the mission of Jesus Christ in the world. This is an exciting future and a vision that is needed especially in times like these that are filled with widespread disillusion, unbelief, and polarization.”
Q: What do you think sets United apart from other seminaries?
A: “We honestly welcome into this community and gracefully respect a wide variety of theological and denominational perspectives while at the same time upholding the historic Christian faith and its core doctrines. Our superb Doctor of Ministry program is uniquely historic, especially in its commitment and service to the Black church. Our international connections and community are also exceptional and increasing. Underpinning and topping all this is our EUB heritage – with its Pietist spirituality and Wesleyan/Methodist commitment to scriptural holiness.”
Q: What do you view as defining aspects of United’s legacy and traditions?
A: “Let me start with three: (1) the seminary’s overriding commitment to academic excellence in resourcing those called by God into ministry; (2) cultivation of a grace-filled community of learning, prayer, and worship; and (3) the pursuit of scriptural holiness that transforms us and makes us one in Christ’s love, mission, and service. I’m committed to honoring the EUB heritage of this school, which for decades has shaped the school’s ethos and witness.”
Q: What are some of your goals as you step into the role of Interim Dean?
A: “In this season of flux in leadership, I want to help foster institutional stability through prayerful, humble service, collegiality, complete trust in God, and reliance upon the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and sanctifying grace. I want to ensure that we continue to serve all our students with excellence, and that all our programs are top notch. I’m very excited about our new Th.D. program and want to foster its success. By the end of my interim term, I want to leave the Dean’s office and everything it touches in good working order for the next person.”
Q: Change can be difficult. What do you want the United community to know during this season of transition?
A: “First, whatever else happens, God is still God and worthy of our complete trust. Second, God’s hand and Spirit are upon this school, and we are called to continue to stay the course in serving God’s holy mission in both the Church and world with confidence, courage, and purity of heart.”
Q: You’ve served at United in various capacities over the years. How have you seen the seminary change during that time, and what are some other changes you would like to see?
A: “The most obvious changes have resulted from the responsible, proactive use of technology. This school has been at the cutting edge of using technology to deliver excellent, accessible theological education. We need to continue this commitment, which now includes learning to understand and then pilot the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in seminary curricula and the broader institution. Another exciting, continuing area of change is still taking place through the ongoing diversification of the student body through international service. I would like to see the seminary continue these emphases and increase its commitment to faithful witness in the public square and within the church.”
Q: United’s tagline is “Spirit-led, renewing the Church!” How does United prepare students to be part of renewing the Church for the mission of Jesus Christ in the world?
A: “The Holy Spirit is the source of all renewal of the church and of those within it. Students learn this through their coursework at United, through Holy Spirit-filled worship, and through relationships within the community. At this time of uncertainty and polarization in the church and the nations, I think we need to emphasize more than ever, within our community of learning and among our students, the Holy Spirit’s work in fulfilling Jesus’ prayer “that they may all be one” in and through him. Church renewal will always be helped by the Holy Spirit-breathed, sanctifying grace that makes us wholly (and holy) one in Jesus Christ.”