McFayden named president of APCE
RICHMOND, VA (February 26, 2018) — The Rev. Dr. Kenneth J. McFayden (D.Min.’86), academic dean of Union Presbyterian Seminary, has been named president of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE). McFayden, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was installed as president in February, 2018, after a year as president-elect.
The mission of the APCE is to advance educational ministries in the Church and increase the ongoing witness of our faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
At his installation, McFayden cited three strategic priorities for the coming years:
- increase the accessibility and availability of APCE-generated resources to people serving in the Christian educational ministries of the church.
- increase opportunities at the local and regional levels.
- develop facilitated colleague groups—with mentors, coaches, or guides—around topics of interest.
“This working vision and these strategic priorities seek to build upon the best of the past as we follow God’s calling and leading into the future,” said McFayden. “This vision seeks to open doors, because growing in faith matters.
“We have important work to do, and to do together,” he said. “A work, and a calling to which we now commit ourselves anew.”
As professor of ministry and leadership development at Union Presbyterian Seminary, McFayden teaches courses in the areas of congregational leadership and administration. He has led international travel seminars to Brazil, Ghana, Korea, and China.
Before joining UPSem in 2000, McFayden was executive director of North Central Career Development Center in New Brighton, Minnesota. Earlier, he served as hospital chaplain in Louisville, Kentucky, and as associate minister in Alliance, Ohio.
McFayden holds a Th.M. and Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a D.Min. from Union Theological Seminary (now Union Presbyterian Seminary), and a B.A. from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
