Fuller Theological Seminary Receives $1.8 Million Grant for Global Study of Spiritual Maturity – Pasadena Now

Fuller Theological Seminary has received a generous research grant of $1,813,487 from the Templeton Foundation for Religion to support a five-year project titled, “Forming Religious Education and Leadership for a Global, Ecumenical, Culturally Inclusive Vision of Spiritual Maturity and Flourishing,” which aims to address key questions about the nature of spiritual maturity and its development in different cultural contexts, enhancing the capacity of churches around the world to foster deeper spiritual and community life.

“This grant will enable important research into the diversity of spiritual maturity in Christian contexts around the world – a pioneering step toward understanding and fostering spiritual growth that resonates across diverse cultural contexts,” said Fuller Theological Seminary Dean David Emanuel Goatley. The project is consistent with Fuller’s longstanding commitment to integrating rigorous academic research with deep spiritual insight.

The research involves important partnerships with leading theological and ecclesiastical organizations around the world, including the World Council of Churches, the Center for World Catholic and Intercultural Theology (DePaul University), the Pan-African Council of Churches, and the Asian Theological Association. David C. Wang, the project’s principal investigator, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are deeply grateful for this partnership with Templeton Religious Trust, which will enable us to expand our research to a global scale.”

Wang added, “Our current understanding of Christian maturity poorly reflects the conditions, perspectives, and realities of where Christianity is growing and thriving most globally. This project aims to help change that.” The research grant marks a significant milestone for Fuller Theological Seminary, one of the world’s largest interdenominational seminaries, with more than 3,000 students enrolled worldwide.