MaryKate Morse
Professor of Leadership & Spiritual Formation; Director, Master's Programs
What gets me up in the morning?- Getting up in the morning - I love mornings, the feeling of new beginnings, the hope in them, the quiet and solitude of them.
- Loving my husband, Randy, our adult children, and our grandsons, Kai and Martin - I had to explain to my Greek students that "Kai" doesn't mean "and, even, also," but "ocean" in Hawaiian. Martin was named after Martin Buber.
- Having a new challenge - I believe in the hope of the resurrection. I believe that when Christ said "out of their innermost being will flow rivers of living water" that he was speaking truth to us. Having the opportunity to partner with the Holy Spirit to bring light to any darkness, whether in a person or a group, is the miracle of the Christian life.
- Studying my Greek New Testament - As enriching as it is to me, I believe it can be that same kind of experience for others.
- Snorkeling off the island of Maui with my husband - One time I swam with a school of spinner dolphins, and the light bouncing off their bodies and the sheer exuberance of their movements was the closest to spiritual ecstasy I've ever come.
- Meeting students and others who come from all over the world - People who love God and want to faithfully follow Christ, who want to learn together how to make a kingdom difference.
- Growing in faith, a paradoxical journey of redemption and stumblings - Life in Christ is not boring nor for the faint of heart. It takes grit and the grace of Christ and loving friends.
- Teaching in a seminary with fellow faculty and staff who are committed to orthodox evangelicalism and who are willing to take risks, innovate, and explore what it means to serve the "least of these" in an often unjust and quickly changing world.
I'm intrigued by the challenges of formation in Christ; especially for those called to leadership whether to individual souls as a guide or to church family systems as a pastor. For me the classroom is a mini-social system where content, whether it is Greek or prayer, becomes an opportunity to learn together what it means to be Christ-like, to love each other, to be authentic human beings, and to prepare for service in the world community.
Academic Background
BS, in English and Secondary Education, Longwood University; MA in Biblical Studies and an MDiv, Western Evangelical Seminary (now George Fox Evangelical Seminary); PhD in Leadership, Gonzaga University
Expertise and Research Interests
Healthy enduring spiritual leadership, leadership development and formation, deep change/spiritual formation processes in individuals and in groups, power and influence, team and gender issues, spiritual direction and prayer
Research Bibliography
Professional Affiliations
- Peace and Safety in the Christian Home (PASCH)
- Evangelical Theological Society
- Wesleyan-Holiness Women's Clergy Association
- Certified Spiritual Director and Member of Spiritual Directors International
- Recorded Minister through Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends
- Christians for Biblical Equality
- American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature
Outside of teaching
At times I serve as a consultant to churches and Christian organizations which are in transition, experiencing leadership difficulties, or needing help discerning strategic directions. I coach and spiritually direct Christian leaders. I also do conference and retreat ministries.
I am a recorded Quaker minister and a trained spiritual director. I have planted 2 churches with a leadership team: Community of Christ Church in Hillsboro Oregon and RiversWay Community in Portland Oregon.
Current Course Information
BIST 521 Introducing New Testament Greek
BIST 522 Interpreting New Testament Greek
PSTD 540 Understanding Leadership & Congregations
DMIN 532 Developing a Healthy Church
SFAD 520 Prayer
SFAD 591 Spiritual Leadership
MLDR 530 Personal Transformation