Case Studies.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS) has stood as a bastion of theological education since 1794, deeply rooted in the tenets of the Presbyterian Church. Offering a range of graduate-level degrees, including master’s and Doctor of Ministry programs, PTS has been an essential source of spiritual and intellectual growth for individuals pursuing faith-based careers. Over the years, PTS has remained committed to evolving alongside the changing needs of its community, embodying its values through various initiatives that uplift and engage its surroundings. One such endeavor, the Church Planting Initiative, sought to establish vibrant faith communities, reflecting PTS’s dedication to progressive growth and community enrichment.

Diverse voices enrich strategies, development, and growth, yielding solutions that resonate with the world around us. A prime example of this is the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS), an institution rooted in Presbyterian Church values since 1794, offering theological education through various programs.

In 2014, PTS initiated the Church Planting Initiative, aiming to establish faith-based communities. Over time, they realized the need for a new name that accurately reflects their commitment and progress. TrailBlaze was sought to guide this transformative process, inviting a diverse core focus group to collaborate on defining the initiative’s new identity.

Under TrailBlaze’s guidance, candid conversations unveiled the program’s benefits, hesitations, and potential for community enrichment. Each voice in the diverse group contributed unique insights, culminating in productive discussions during internal and external assessments. The former explored PTS’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities, while the latter delved into the prospective students’ feelings and needs. Trust emerged as a pivotal value, inspiring the initiative’s essence and the birth of its new name.

TrailBlaze then steered PTS towards crafting the new name. By analyzing program-related words and themes, the focus narrowed to “Innovation,” “Community,” and “Church.” Converging these concepts led to the birth of “Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry.” With TrailBlaze’s guidance, a new brand was fashioned, aligning with the initiative’s values and intentions.

This journey demonstrated the power of diverse perspectives in crafting an inclusive and evocative name. PTS’s revitalized initiative now resonates throughout Pittsburgh and beyond, testament to the transformative effect of unified voices.