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{{Short description|Seminary in Telangana, India}}{{About|UGC-recognised undergraduate courses (for the Clergy) and diploma, undergraduate and master's courses (for the Laity) offered by ACTC|UGC-recognised master's courses (for the Clergy) specializing in Religion and Sacred Scripture|Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture}}{{Coord|17|25|00.4|N|78|29|17.7|E|display=title}}{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}

factoids

| dean = | rector = Bishop George Cornelious>T. George Cornelious, CSI (Chair of the Board of Governors)| head_label = PrincipalPrincipal's Annual Report 2023-2024 presented at the 60th graduation service, ACTC, HyderabadThe Reverend>The Rev. T. Swami Raju, AELC, D.Th. (Serampore)| academic_staff = 15+| undergrad = | postgrad = | doctoral = | alumni = | symbol = weblink}}| logo = | footnotes = }}Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminaryRoger E. Hedlund, World Christianity: South Asia, Missions Advanced Research and Communication Center, 1980, p.48. weblink in Telangana which was founded in 1964.M. Ezra Sargunam (Edited), Mission Mandate: A compendium of the perspective of missions in India, Mission India, Madras, 1992, p.495. weblink It is affiliated with India's firstSankar Ray, The Hindu (Business Line), 11 April 2008 "Almost a century later, the charter was endorsed officially under the Bengal Govt Act IV of 1918." Internet, accessed 30 November 2008. weblink university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956),WEB, UGC Act-1956,weblink mhrd.gov.in/, Secretary, University Grants Commission, 1 February 2016, The Senate of Serampore College (University) is a University within the meaning of Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956 under which a University means a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act, and includes any such institution as may, in consultation with the University concerned, be recognised by the Commission in accordance with the regulations made in this behalf under this Act. The UGC took the opinion that the Senate fell under the purview of Section 2 (f) of the said Act since The Serampore College Act, 1918 was passed by the Government of West Bengal.weblink {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612143603weblink |date=12 June 2017 }} and has degree-granting authority under a Danish charter ratified by the government of West Bengal.History of Council of Serampore College ACTC is on the Hussain Sagar canal (north) in Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, about {{convert|4|km}} from the Secunderabad Junction railway station.Google MapsThe college was founded on the Lutheran Theological College campus in Rajahmundry and the founding societies includedProspectus ACTC, Printed by A. Nageswara Rao at Saraswathi Power Press, Rajahmundry, 1969, p.4.Rajaiah David Paul, Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India, Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1972, p.146. weblink the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Church of South India, the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars, the Methodist Church in India and the South Andhra Lutheran Church. The Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches held its B.D. classes at ACTC in 1967, and in 1972 the B.D. programme of the Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary was integrated into the college. When M. Victor Paul was principal (1991–1993), Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church joined the college.Christian missions in Andhra PradeshMartin Senftleben weblink {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209131403weblink |date=9 December 2008 }} Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 23 April 2006. opened seminaries in Gooty (Union Theological Seminary),Edmund Davies draws attention to Prof. Wilfred Scopes, a Missionary of the London Missionary Society who taught in the seminaries in Gooty and Dornakal. Edmund Davis, The History of Theological Education in Jamaica: The United Theological College of the West Indies and its four antecedent colleges (1841-1966), 1998, page 167. weblink Dornakal (Andhra Union Theological College,WEB,weblink Library file, 5 March 2006, 30 April 2003,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20030430084415weblink">weblink dead, for the Church of South India), Ramayapatnam (Baptist Theological Seminary, for the American Baptists), LuthergiriWinnipeg Free Press weblink United Lutheran Church Advances - The Board sends new missionaries to each of six foreign mission fields. Retrieved 23 April 2006. (Lutheran Theological College), Kakinada (Baptist Theological Seminary, for Canadian Baptists) and Shamshabad (Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College, for the Anabaptists). Although professors were exchanged among the seminaries, Bachelor of Divinity students attended Serampore College in West Bengal.{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:85%; background:#ffc; color:black; width:32em; max-width:25%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"! style="background:#ccc;"| Participating ecclesiastical societies(in reverse alphabetical order)

• Methodist
  • Methodist Church in India (MCI); 1964
• Lutheran
  • South Andhra Lutheran Church (SALC); 1964
  • Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church (GSELC); 1992
  • Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC); 1964
• Baptist
  • Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches (STBC); 1972Foundations, Volume 11, American Baptist Historical Society, 1968. p. 321. weblink
  • Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars (CBCNC); 1964
• Anglican, Congregational, Presbyterian and Wesleyan Methodist: the SPG, WMMS, LMS, ABCFM, CMS and the Church of England
  • Church of South India (CSI); 1964

Overview

Kretzmann Commission

{{multiple image| total_width = 400| align = right| direction = horizontal| header = Campus| image1 = Academic block face.jpg| caption1 = Academic block face| image2 = ACTC Tower.jpg| caption2 = Bell tower| image3 = ACTC Creche.jpg| caption3 = Creche}}ACTC constituted the Kretzmann Commission in 1969,Martin Kretzmann (1906-2000) was a missionary to India and was also instrumental in affiliating the Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil with the Senate of Serampore College (University). WEB,weblink India Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2006-04-23, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20060529212414weblink">weblink 29 May 2006, Internet, accessed 23 April 2006. consisting of:

• M. L. Kretzmann, D.D., secretary for planning, study and research of the Lutheran World Federation's Department of World Missions
• K. Devasahayam, M.A., B.D. (Hon.), S.T.M., Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church
• A. B. Masilamani, M.A., Th.M., Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars
• C. S. Sundaresan, bishop of the Church of South India's Diocese of Rayalaseema

The commission's report, presented to the board of governors, suggested increasing the Bachelor of Divinity curriculum and abolishing the Licentiate in Theology programme.

{{anchor|Merger of entities}}Merger

{{multiple image| total_width = 400| align = left| direction = horizontal| header = Personalities| image1 = Solomon_Raj_5.jpg| caption1 = Bishop A. C. Solomon Raj, Previously Chairperson of Board of Governors| image2 = MAR APREM METROPOLITAN METROPOLITAN OF MALABAR AND ALL INDIA NOW NATHAR KURSIYA.jpg| caption2 = Aprem Mooken, a Visitor to the college in 1988.Studies in Sikhism and Comparative Religion, Volume 8, 1989, p.63| image3 = The Rev. A. John Prabhakar.jpg| caption3 = Homiletics Scholar, The Rev. A. John Prabhakar, an Alumnus of this institution, and past Principal.}}In 1964, the college was founded in Luthergiri, Rajahmundry, East Godavari with the merger of threeJ. Herbert Kane, A Global View of Christian Missions from Pentecost to the Present, Baker Book House, 1971, p.120. weblink theological colleges:Victor Premasagar WEB,weblink Merging Currents, Inc.: Books on Christianity in India, Hinduism and Indian culture and history: Titles, 2006-04-25, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20040604021054weblink">weblink 4 June 2004, Interpretive Diary of a Bishop, Chennai, 2001, p.88 Andhra Union Theological College in Dornakal, Baptist Theological Seminary in Kakinada, and Lutheran Theological College in Rajahmundry.1966 Yearbook of the Lutheran Church in America, United Lutheran publication house, 1965, p.11.weblinkWith William D. Coleman as its first principal, the college was dedicated on 1 JulyMargaret Eunice Hawkinson née Coleman, That they may be one - The Story of the Andhra Christian Theological College, Published by the Mission Council of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, and printed at the Lenox Press, Madurai, 1966. weblink 1964 by R. M. Clark of the BTESSC.{{efn|Formerly known as the Board of Theological Education of the National Council of Churches in India.}} The inaugural address was delivered by Senate of Serampore College registrar C. Devasahayam in Rajahmundry.The Lutheran, Volume 2, Lutheran Church in America, 1964, p.30The Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary was a separate part of the college in Rajahmundry until it merged in 1972.Year Book of the American Baptist Convention 1971, 1971, p.183Foundations: A Baptist Journal of History and Theology, Volumes 11-12, American Baptist Historical Society, 1968, pp.320-321. weblink By 1973, the college had moved from Rajahmundry to Secunderabad due to pollution from nearby paper mills.Minutes of the Biennial Convention, Issue 7, Lutheran Church in America, 1974, p.553.weblink The new buildings were dedicated by Church of South India bishop Pereji Solomon in the presence of Catholic archbishop Samineni Arulappa and seminarians from St. John's Regional Seminary.WEB,weblink ACTC web site. Milestones, 13 September 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160909221936weblink">weblink 9 September 2016, dead, During the 1990s, the college's postal address changed to Hyderabad (now in Telangana).

{{anchor|Governance and administration}}Administration and faculty

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{{anchor|Board of Governors}}Board of governors{| class"toccolours" style"float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:85%; background:#ffc; color:black; width:30em; max-width:35%;" cellspacing"0" cellpadding"0"

! style="background:#ccc;"| Succession of Old Testament faculty at ACTC, Secunderabad (Telangana)

• W. D. Coleman, AELC, PhD (Hartford),Doctoral Dissertations in History, 1958, p.26Talathoti Punnaiah, My Memoir, Ministry and Message - 60 years Life Experiences 1950-2010, Self-published by the author, Kakinada, 2010, pp.11, 12, 18, 23, 33.{{self-published inline|date=January 2024}}
• M. Vidyanandam, CSI, B.D. (Serampore),The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's Who, Bennett and Coleman, Bombay, 1954, p.961.weblink
• P. Victor Premasagar, CSI, PhD (St Andrews)John C. England, et al. (Edited), Asian Christian Theologies, Volume 2, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2002, pp.275-276. weblink
• G. Solomon, STBC, Th.M. (Eastern)G. Solomon, The Concept of Suffering in the Bible and in Hinduism, Eastern University (United States), Pennsylvania, 1957. weblink
• G. Babu Rao, CBCNC, M.Th. (Serampore)Guide to Indian Periodical Literature, Volume 23, 1989, p.57
• Scott L. Harris, AELC, PhD (Union)Faith Lutheran Church, Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2015, p.3
• N. V. Luther Paul, AELC, D.Th. (Serampore)Missionalia, Volume 32, 2004, p.305
• Ch. Vasantha Rao, CSI, Dr. Theol. (Hamburg)Missionalia, Volume 35, 2007, p.148
• Henriette Howarth, C of E, M.A. (Utrecht)Journal of the Henry Martyn Institute, Volume 18, Issue 1, 1999, p.4.weblink
• T. Mathews Emmanuel, CBCNC, D.Th. (Serampore)Guide to Indian Periodical Literature, Volume 43, 2006, p.133
• R. Jeeva Kumar, STBC, D.Th. (Serampore)Ravela Jeeva Kumar, Struggle for land rights in 1 Kings 21 : a dalit hermeneutic perspective, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2012. weblink
• K. Joseph Premavardhan, CSI, M.Th. (Serampore)
• G. Vara Prasad, AELC, D.Th. (Serampore)

The college is administered by a board of governors composed of representatives of participating Protestant ecclesiastical societies:

• Telangana
  • Church of South India (CSI) Dioceses of Dornakal, Karimnagar, Medak (headquartered in Dornakal, Karimnagar and Medak)
  • Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church (headquartered in Bhadrachalam)
  • Methodist Church in India, Hyderabad Regional Conference
  • Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches Society, Deccan Association
• Tamil Nadu
  • CSI Dioceses of Madras and Vellore (headquartered in Chennai and Vellore)
• Andhra Pradesh
  • Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, headquartered in Guntur
  • CSI Dioceses of Krishna-Godavari, Nandyal and Rayalaseema (headquartered in Machilipatnam, Nandyal and Kadapa, respectively)
  • Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars, originally headquartered in Kakinada
  • Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches, originally headquartered in Nellore
  • South Andhra Lutheran Church, headquartered in Tirupati

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Motto{| class"toccolours" style"float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:85%; background:#ffc; color:black; width:30em; max-width:35%;" cellspacing"0" cellpadding"0"

! style="background:#ccc;"| Succession of New Testament and Greek faculty

• K. David,Indian Journal of Theology, Volume 18, 2-3, April–September 1969, p.196. weblink CBCNC, PhD (Edinburgh),University of Edinburgh Journal, Volume 35, 1991, p.193
• Muriel Spurgeon-Carder, CBM, Th.D. (Toronto)
• M. Victor Paul, AELC, M. Th. (Serampore),Victor Paul has a postgraduate degree in New Testament from the Senate of Serampore College (University). In addition, he also has a doctoral degree in the field of Christian Ministry.
• S. Joseph, STBC, D. Th. (Serampore)
• K. Prasada Rao, STBC, M. Th. (Serampore),K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), Directory 1910-1997 of the United Theological College, Bangalore, 1997, p.111
• David Roland Hall, CSI, M. Th. (Serampore)70 years of God's Faithfulness: CSI (Medak Diocese) UK Telugu Christians Souvenir commemorating the 70th year of the formation of the Church of South India, 2016, p.15.weblink {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827000405weblink |date=27 August 2017 }}
• Klaus Schäfer,The Bulletin of the Henry Martyn Institute of Islamic Studies, Volume 12, 1993, p.2.weblink EMS,Reconciliation as the mission of God, Reconciliation Network, 2005, p.23.weblink Dr. Theol. (Hamburg),International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Volume 19, Number 2, April 1995, p.67.weblink
• V. Manikya Rao, AELC, D. Th. (Serampore),List of Recipients of Doctor of Theology Degree, Senate of Serampore College (University). weblink {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714055717weblink |date=14 July 2017 }}
• K. Suraj Kumar, CBCNC, PhD (Cape Town),WEB,weblink Lisa Lohnes, W5 on Missions, Tidings, p.16, September 2012, 31 July 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160816140204weblink">weblink 16 August 2016, dead,
• M. John Sundar, CSI, M. Th. (Serampore),Church of South India Synod, Diocese of Medak. weblink" title="https:/-/web.archive.org/web/20160414153100weblink">weblink
• Ch. Helen Salomy, STBC, M. Th. (Serampore),Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on 17 July 2012, p.32.
• G. Niranjan Nishchal, CSI, M. Th. (Serampore)Church of South India Synod, Pastoral Concerns Department, Lenten Meditations, 2020.weblink

The college motto is derived from Ephesians 4:12, which reads in the Latin Vulgate: "Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii..."Vulgate, Ephesians 4 Retrieved 23 April 2006. ("For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry..." in the King James Version).

{{anchor|The Hall System}}Hall system

W. D. Coleman, the college's first principal, explained the hall system: "Each of the participating denominations has its own 'hall'. There are two hours of instruction each week about the liturgy, history, and policy of each denomination".Edgar R. Trexler, Mission in a New World, Fortress Press, 1977. p. 29.weblinkThe churches commonly associated with Protestantism in southern India include the Anglicans, Congregationalists, Wesleyan Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans and Methodists. Each church has its own tradition. At ACTC, students learn their respective church doctrine in addition to general theology.The American Lutheran, American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi (town), New York, 1965. p. 12. weblink

{{anchor|Principalship|Succession of Principals}}Principals

The principal serves a four-year term (2022-2026), with each participating church having an opportunity to provide a principal. The current principal is the Rev. T. Swami Raju, D.Th. (Serampore). {| class="wikitable" style="border: 5px solid #BBB; margin: .96em 0 0 .9em;" style="font-size: 86%;"!Term !!Years!!Church Society!!Denomination!! Principals!!Domicile Wesleyan Methodism>Victor Premasagar, PhD (University of St Andrews>St Andrews)TelanganaConvention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars>CBCNCBaptistK. David, PhD (University of Edinburgh)>|Andhra PradeshSamavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches>STBCBaptistSuppogu Joseph, D.Th. (Senate of Serampore College (University)>Serampore)Andhra Pradesh Telangana |Andhra PradeshDr. Theol. (University of Hamburg>Hamburg)Telangana |Andhra Pradesh

Serampore University affiliation

The college has affiliated since its founding with the Senate of Serampore College (University).WEB,weblink Archived copy, 17 September 2016, 18 September 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160918012218weblink">weblink dead,

{{anchor|Residential courses for Pastors}}Degrees for pastors

ACTC and SeramporeWEB,weblink Nature of Serampore degrees, 1 May 2016, 4 May 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160504053153weblink">weblink dead, offer two degrees for pastors: Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) and Master of Theology (M. Th.) under the aegis of Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture (ARRC).

{{anchor|Non-residential courses for Christians and non-Christians (Distance mode)}}Distance education

Through distance education, ACTC has Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S.) and Master of Christian Studies (M.C.S.) programmes for Christian studentsP. Satyanarayana, Emmanuel D.K. Meduri, Use of Distance Education by Christian Religion to Train, Edify and Educate Adherents, Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, Volume 14, Number 2, April 2013. weblink and a Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip. C.S.) programme for Christian and non-Christian students.

{{anchor|Registrar's Visitations}}Registrar visits

When the college was founded in 1964, university registrar Chetti Devasahayam (CBCNC) delivered its inaugural address; registrar D. S. Satyaranjan visited the college annually. Current registrar S. K. Patro has visited ACTC to investigate the prospect of upgrading the college to a postgraduate institution.

{{anchor|University Convocations|1979|2016}}University convocations

(File:SeramporeCollege.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=Drawing of a large building with columns|1887 drawing of Senate of Serampore College (University))

• Senate of Serampore College (University) has held two convocations at ACTC. The February 1979 convocationReligion and Society, Volume 26, Issue 2, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore, 1979, p.77. weblink was hosted by college during the tenures of the Old Testament faculty Victor Premasagar, CSI and G. Babu Rao, CBCNC; both had been associated with the Serampore College.The Story of Serampore and its College, Council of Serampore College, Serampore (Fourth Edition), 2005, p.92. The convocation was attended by university registrar D. S. Satyaranjan and master A. D. Khan. The university president was Victor Premasagar. The Commemoration Mass was led by G. Babu Rao (CBCNC) at St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral nearSt. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad. weblink the college,Convocation brochure of the University, 1979, Secunderabad and the convocation address was delivered by Samuel Rayan, S.J.WEB,weblink Senate Presidents and Speakers at Convocations, 1 May 2016, 30 April 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160430143522weblink">weblink dead,
• The college hostedAddress of the President of the Senate, 2016 Convocation of the University. weblink the 2016 convocation under the tenure of Old Testament scholars T. Matthews Emmanuel, CBCNC and Vasantha Rao, CSI. The university was represented by master John Sadananda, Senate president Issac Mar Philoxenos, South Asia Theological Research Institute dean P. G. George and university registrar S. K. Patro. The Commemoration Mass was led by S. I. Nirmal Kumar, CBCNC at the Chapel in the campus. The Convocation address was delivered by Klaus Schäfer. honorary doctoral degrees were conferred on D. S. Satyaranjan (who led the 1979 convocation) and Klaus Schäfer, who taught New Testament courses at the college from 1988The Bulletin of the Henry Martyn Institute of Islamic Studies, Volume 12, 1993, p.2. weblink to 1993.Bangalore Theological Forum, Volumes 25-26, 1993, p.37

{{anchor|ATA affiliation}} Master of Divinity programme through ATA

The college has begun an initiative to admit Christian candidates to a M.Div. programme, for which it has been accredited by the Asia Theological Association.Asia Theological Association, Accredited Member List.weblinkFaculty with subjects taught.weblink {{Webarchive>urweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180521021707weblink">weblink |date21 May 2018 }}Principal's Annual Report 2015-2016 in the 52nd graduation service booklet of the Andhra Christian Theological College, 2016, pp.17-30.">

{{anchor|Faculty}}Academics{| class"wikitable sortable"Senate of Serampore College (University), Faculty with subjects taught.weblink {{Webarchive>urweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180521021707weblink">weblink |date21 May 2018 }}Principal's Annual Report 2015-2016 in the 52nd graduation service booklet of the Andhra Christian Theological College, 2016, pp.17-30.

! Subject!!Name !! Gender!!Denomination!! Degree !!Alma mater!!UniversityChristian ministry>Methodist Church in India>MCIFMethodistM.Th.Gurukul Lutheran Theological CollegeGurukul Lutheran Theological College, Projects, Academic and Administrative Committees, Library Committee. weblink {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807172243weblink Senate of Serampore College (University)>SeramporeNew Testament>Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches>STBCFBaptistM.Th.United Theological College, BangaloreMinutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on 17 July 2012, p.30. weblink {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817025256weblink |SeramporeHistory of Christianity>Members of the Senate.Senate of Serampore College (University), Members of the Senate {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612163632weblink Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church>AELCFLutheranDoctor of PhilosophyUniversity Newsletter, Volume XVI, Number 4, January–March 2015, p.23.weblink>Acharya Nagarjuna University>ANU, NamburuNagarjunaAssets, UTC, Bangalore.weblink STBC>|SeramporeReligions>Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture>ARRC, HyderabadSerampore|SeramporeWesleyan Methodism>Wesleyan MethodistM.Th.Gurukul, ChennaiSeramporeCommunication>weblink>Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary>TTS, MaduraiSeramporeChristian Ministry>Senate of Serampore College (University), Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on July 15–16, 2010, p.260. weblink {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062216weblink |SeramporePastoral Concerns Department Lenten Meditations 2020.weblink CSI>|SeramporeMissiology>Directory of Teaching Staff, Senate of Serampore College (University). weblink>|SeramporeSubaltern Movements: Insights for Inter-faith Dialogue, 2010. weblink>|SeramporeSouth Andhra Lutheran Church>SALCMLutheranM.Th.Gurukul, ChennaiP. Alexander, Religion and Society - The Challenges of Contemporaniety, CONGRESSO INTERNACIONAL DA FACULDADES EST, 1., 2012, pp.1717-1732.weblink||SeramporeSocial Analysis>Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on July 17, 2012, p.30.weblink {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817025256weblink |SeramporeOld TestamentSenate of Serampore College (University), ''United Theological College, Bangalore - Examination Registration 2013 in Master of Theology.weblink {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827205959weblink >Sermon Outlines 2016, Based on the Third cycle (Year C) of the revised common lectionary of CSI, CNI and MTC.weblink CSIChurch of South India Synod, Rayalaseema Diocese Ministerial roll''.weblink>Congregational>|SeramporeSenate of Serampore College (University), Doctor of Theology. weblink {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714055717weblink |SeramporeChurch of South India Synod Administration, Diocese of Dornakal. weblink {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414193033weblink Church of South India Synod, Diocese of Dornakal Ministerial roll.weblink>Anglican>|SeramporeSenate of Serampore College (University), List of faculty.weblink {{Webarchive>url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015091922weblink |Serampore{| class="wikitable sortable"|+On study leave! Subject!!Name !! Gender!!Denomination!! Degree !!Studying !!Institution!!Leave periodTrinity Union Fellows CSIChurch of South India Synod, Medak Diocese Ministerial roll.weblink>Master of Sacred Theology>S. T. M., Doctor of Philosophy>Union Theological Seminary (New York City)>UTS, New York2019-2022Christian theology>Jorhat>|2023-2026

{{anchor|Logistics|Naming of the Library}}Library

{{multiple image| total_width = 400| align = right| direction = horizontal| header = Campus| image1 = Mens Hostel, Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad, Telangana , India (2017).jpg| caption1 = Dormitory| image2 = ACTC Dining hall.jpg| caption2 = Refectory| image3 = Residential quarters in Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad , Telangana , India (2017).jpg| caption3 = Residential quarters}}ACTC's library has reading-room facilities, over 38,000Paul, Luther N.V.L., Principal's Annual Report 2007-2008, for private circulation, pp. 10-24 books and 35 periodicals. When the college was founded, it was known as the Dunkelberger Memorial Library. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaMinutes of the twentieth biennial Convention of the United Lutheran Church in America, Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1956, p.991. weblink had sponsored the library in memory of Roy Martin Dunkelberger,Martin Luther Dolbeer, The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church: A Brief History, Department of Religious Education of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1951, p.145. weblink AELC, a Lutheran missionary in Rajahmundry.Margaret Eunice Hawkinson née Coleman, The Church is Planted - A Biographical Record of the Missionaries in India of the Lutheran Church in America 1842-1987, Florida, 1987.weblinkThe library was renamed the Gipson Memorial Library in 2014 in honour of Baptist missionary T. G. Gipson, STBC, who had modernized the library during his second term as a visiting faculty member at the college.Tracy Gipson Memorial Library. The renaming ceremony was held during the tenure of T. Matthews Emmanuel (CBCNC) as principal, in the presence of board of governors chair K. Frederick Paradesi Babu (AELC) and board member V. Prasada Rao (CSI).

{{anchor|Sport|Mass}}Student life

ACTC has recreational facilities which include throwball, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a table tennis room and a playing field for football and cricket. Daily mass is said in the chapel for students and teachers, and Sunday mass is open to the public. College festivals include the Christian Home Festival, Carey Day, CSI Day, Reformation Day, and Independence Day.

{{anchor|Notable people|Faculty|Alumni}}Notable figures

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church:
  • Faculty:
    • W. D. Coleman, PhD (Hartford): the college's first principal
    • W. P. Peery, PhD (Duke): later taught at the United Theological College, Bangalore
    • G. Devasahayam, S.T.M. (Philadelphia): third president of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church
    • M. Victor Paul, D.Min. (Luther): ninth president of the church
    • R. R. Sundara Rao, PhD (Wisconsin): later principal of the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College in Chennai
  • Alumni:
    • Bathineni Venkata Subbamma, Ph. D. (Wittenberg): first woman senator at Senate of Serampore College (University)
    • Ch. Victor Moses, M. Th. (Serampore): twelfth president of the church
    • V. E. Christopher, B. D. (Serampore): thirteenth president of the church
    • B. Suneel Bhanu, M. Th. (Serampore): fourteenth president of the church
    • K. Frederick Paradesi Babu, B. D. (Serampore): current church president
• Church of South India:
  • Faculty:
    • B. E. Devaraj, L.Th. (Serampore): wrote the Lambadi version of the New Testament
    • Eric J. Lott, PhD (Lancaster): later taught at the United Theological College, Bangalore
    • P. Victor Premasagar, PhD (St Andrews): Tripos, fourth bishop of the Diocese of Medak and moderator of the Church of South India Synod
    • Ryder Devapriam, Th.D. (GTS): bishop of the Diocese of Nandyal and moderator of the Church of South India Synod
    • G. Dyvasirvadam, M.Th. (Serampore): present bishop of the Krishna-Godavari Diocese and moderator of the Church of South India Synod
    • G. T. Abraham, Th.M. (Virginia): bishop of the Nandyal Diocese
    • K. Reuben Mark, PhD (Higginbottom): present bishop of Karimnagar Diocese
  • Alumni:
    • D. N. Samuel, B. D. (Serampore): fifth bishop of the Diocese of Dornakal
    • A. Rajarathnam, B. D. (Serampore): sixth bishop of Dornakal
    • Samuel Kanaka Prasad, B. D. (Serampore): sixth bishop of the Medak Diocese
    • B. D. Prasada Rao, M. Th. (Serampore): Bishop Emeritus of the Rayalaseema Diocese
    • Vadapalli Prasada Rao, B. D. (Serampore): present bishop of Dornakal
    • Eggoni Pushpa Lalitha, B. D. (Serampore): present bishop of the Nandyal Diocese
    • T. George Cornelious, B.D. (Serampore): present bishop of Krishna-Godavari Diocese
    • P. Issac Vara Prasad, B. Th. (Serampore): present Bishop - in - Rayalaseema Diocese
• Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars:
  • Faculty:
    • Muriel Spurgeon Carder, Th.D. (Toronto): the Canadian Baptist Ministries' first woman priest
    • Waldo Penner, M. Th. (Berkeley): pioneered attempts to found the college with A. B. Masilamani
  • Alumni:
    • S. E. Krupa Rao, S. T. M. (Union): Patriarch of the convention
    • M. S. G. Lalitha Kumari, B. D. (Serampore): First ordained Woman priest of the convention
• Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches:
  • Faculty:
    • Louis F. Knoll, Ph. D. (Berkeley): co-founder of the college
    • Gaddala Solomon, Th. M. (Eastern): Old Testament scholar
    • Ravela Joseph, Th. M. (Andover): church history teacher and lyricist
    • Perapogu Joseph,P. Joseph, A comparative study of pastoral care in the work of a parish pastor and a hospital chaplain, Brite Divinity School Thesis, 1975.weblink Th. M. (Brite): Former Military chaplain and Pastoral care faculty
    • Suppogu Joseph, D. Th. (Serampore): member of the Serampore council
  • Alumni:
    • N. Thomas, B. D. (Serampore); Ecclesiastical Administrator of Samavesam
• Other church societies:
  • Faculty:
    • (:de:Jürgen Fangmeier), Dr. Theol. (Basel): taught systematic theology from 1987 to 1990Leonore Krenzlin, Klaus Weigelt (edited), Ernst Wiechert im Gespräch: Begegnungen und Einblicke in sein Werk, De Gruyter, Berlin, 2010, p. 300.weblink
  • Alumni:
    • B. S. Moses Kumar,G. Babu Rao, Bibliography of some of the writings of Victor Premasagar in H. S. Wilson (Edited), The Church on the Move: A Quest to affirm the Biblical Faith, Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1988, p.157.weblink Ph. D. (Agra)

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Notes

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References

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Further reading

• WEB, Charles W. Ranson, The Christian Minister in India, His Vocation and Training: A Study Based on a Survey of Theological Education by the National Christian Council, United Society for Christian Literature, Lutterworth Press., 1946,weblink

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• WEB, Margaret Eunice Hawkinson née Coleman, That they may be one - The Story of the Andhra Christian Theological College, Published by the Mission Council of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, and printed at the Lenox Press, Madurai, 1966,weblink

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• WEB, M. L. Kretzmann, Kretzmann Commission Report: a survey and study of the task of theological education in the churches related to the Andhra Christian Theological College, Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad., 1970,weblink

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• WEB, J. Herbert Kane, A Global View of Christian Missions from Pentecost to the Present, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan., 1971, edition (revised) url =https://books.google.com/books?q=seminary+dornakal&btnG=Search+Books

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• THESIS, Senftleben, Martin, Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Unpublished PhD thesis, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati, 1992, I,weblink 5 March 2006,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20081209131403weblink">weblink 9 December 2008

date=January 2024|reason=This unpublished thesis is not a peer-reviewed journal article}}

• THESIS, Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Unpublished PhD thesis, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati, 1992, II,weblink 1 July 2006,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20081209131418weblink">weblink 9 December 2008

date=January 2024|reason=This unpublished thesis is not a peer-reviewed journal article}}

• BOOK, Talathoti Punnaiah, My Memoir, Ministry and Message - 60 years Life Experiences 1950-2010, 2010

, {{fcn|date=January 2024|reason=Is this a book or some other pubilcation? More details are needed to make it discoverable}}

• WEB, P. Satyanarayana, Emmanuel D.K. Meduri, Use of Distance Education by Christian Religion to Train, Edify and Educate Adherents in Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, April 2013, 14, 2,weblink

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