This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
Less than a year after being named president of Northern Seminary, Joy Moore apparently is out.
Moore was to be formally installed as president of the Chicago-based seminary last Friday but was not. That decision reportedly came from the school’s trustees after a series of meetings in the days prior.
A Thursday night fundraising dinner went on as planned but an announcement was made at the end of the dinner by board leaders that Moore would not be installed as president. The explanation given was that Moore had decided she was not a good fit for the role as currently structured.
Joy Moore
That same explanation also went out in a news release posted on the seminary website overnight Thursday. By Sunday, that news release had been taken down. The news release was headlined: “Northern Seminary Announces Resignation of President Dr. Joy J. Moore.”
Now, a similar statement is posted on a different area of the website:
We have been planning an installation of a new president that would help usher in the next chapter of Northern Seminary. As we step into that next chapter, Dr. Joy J. Moore has informed the board of trustees that, after prayerful reflection, she has decided to conclude her service as president of Northern Seminary.
The board deeply respects her discernment and is profoundly grateful for the grace, energy and commitment she has brought to this role and to our community. Dr. Moore’s love for Christ and her heart to serve students and faculty have been evident during her time at Northern. We wish her every blessing as she seeks God’s direction for what comes next.
As we move forward, we do so with confidence in God’s continued care and faithfulness to Northern Seminary and the entire community. We invite our friends, alumni, and partners to join us in prayer for Dr. Moore, for our students and faculty, and for God’s guidance in this season of transition.
The planned installation service on Friday was converted to a worship service which Moore attended. She unexpectedly spoke at the end of that service, which reportedly was an emotional event at which one person accused trustees of racism in pushing Moore out of office. Trustee, faculty and staff sources refute that assertion.
Trustees reportedly were under the impression Thursday night that Moore had resigned, although the next day she reportedly denied that was her intent.
Phone calls and emails to Moore and seminary staff went unanswered Monday. BNG has asked board chairman Jim Stellwagen for comment but has not yet received a response. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
Hopes were high that Moore would bring new direction to the seminary, which fired its previous president, Bill Shiell, after charges of abusive leadership were made by faculty and staff.
Trustees announced Moore’s election as president Nov. 19, 2024 — 20 months after Shiell’s departure.
Moore is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church and most recently served as professor of biblical preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and as visiting professor of religion and Chapman-Benson Scholar in Residence at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala.
Northern Seminary, founded in 1913, focuses heavily today on online education. According to 2023 comparative data published by the Association of Theological Schools, Northern had a headcount enrollment of 281 and a full-time equivalent of 79 students.
A Chicago native, Moore earned a bachelor of arts degree in education and mathematics from National-Louis University, a master of divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in practical theology from Brunel University/London School of Theology.
Previously, she established the William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and served as associate dean at Duke Divinity School.
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