Seminary Educational Purpose

1 | Doctrinal Convictions

Educational purpose: To develop servant-leaders with grounded biblical and doctrinal convictions who:

anchor their worldview and ministry in the inerrant, authoritative Word of God;
are committed to love the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
compassionately recognize that everyone has sinned and is under the sentence of death;
are commited to the Person and redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ;
depend on the Holy Spirit and His continuing presence in each believer to function as gifted members of Christ in ministry;
present salvation as given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ to become members of the universal Body of Christ, the Church;
serve and are committed to the local church;
reflect in their lives and ministries an expectation of the return and reign of Christ; and
integrate doctrine with experience through a lifelong process of learning as individuals and ministering within the community of faith.

Institutional strategy: Through exposure to every book of the Bible and the doctrines of the Christian faith, we encourage students to become life-long students of God’s Word. A Bible-centered, inductive, process-centered curriculum with a ministry focus guides students in integrating principle with practice. The mentored ministry program fosters a biblically and theologically informed philosophy of ministry.

2 | Spiritual Maturity

Educational purpose: To develop servant-leaders with spiritual maturity and who:

grow in their knowledge of God and identity in Jesus;
deepen their relationship with God;
manifest a consistent life of personal holiness and discipline;
are sensitive to the realities of, and engage in, spiritual conflict;
value, form, and facilitate relationships with other believers; and
understand the varieties of traditions of Christian spirituality, especially appreciating their evangelical heritage.

Institutional strategy: Character development emphasizing integrity in personal and interpersonal maturity is measured by faculty interaction and evaluation. Spiritual formation receives additional, specific emphasis in designated spiritual-formation classes and in mentored ministry.

3 | Communication Skills

Educational purpose: To develop servant-leaders with honed communication skills, who:

communicate the Word of God accurately and relevantly;
preach or teach the Word of God;
facilitate small groups, and studies;
disciple, build relationships and provide spiritual mentoring; and/or
provide spiritual care and counsel.

Institutional strategy: Communication skills are as integral to the curriculum as are the concepts to be imparted. Mentored ministry requires regular, evaluated communication experiences at various levels. Resident faculty and pastoral mentors model these skills through accountability groups, spiritual-formation classes, and classroom instruction.

4 | Church Leadership

Educational purpose: To develop servants with a passion for Christ and the church. “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV) They...

discern and contextualize God’s vision for the church;
motivate and influence God’s people to follow this vision;
guide the church toward renewal and unity;
understand the vital spiritual and organizational components in planting, developing, and maintaining a healthy church;
understand and employ appropriate ministry strategies;
accomplish ministry through effective teamwork; and
lead others without manipulation or competition.
promote a missional perspective of God’s work in the world by encouraging winsome communication of the gospel and commitment to global ministry;
engage culture by understanding our world broadly and biblically, integrating the richness of human diversity appropriately and expressing our faith incarnationally.
serve and minister to a society that is much different than the Church and God's people.

Institutional strategy: Each student learns to lead from a dynamic relationship with Christ and the integration of biblical and theological principles with principles of leadership. The purpose of the seminary is to prepare wise pastoral and lay leaders who serve by living according to the example of Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit— beyond one’s own strength. The mentored ministry program encourages students to experience church leadership in a crucible that tests leadership skills.

5 | Global Vision

Educational purpose: To develop leaders with a global evangelistic vision to:

affirm the broader multiethnic, interdenominational, parachurch, and world mission ministries of the Body of Christ;
appreciate and understand how local churches relate to and embrace other local churches within the city, region, nation, or world;
position the church to impact its community;
motivate and train individuals for personal and corporate evangelism;
support global missions and have a willingness to serve cross-culturally; and
encourage the church to support mission work through prayer, giving, sending, and going.

Institutional strategy: Biblical and doctrinal competency, spiritual maturity, communication skills and proven ministry leadership are essential to mission effectiveness. The annual Global Ministries Conference and missions chapels emphasize a missionary passion. Our partnership with various organizations exposes students to local and global church-renewal efforts.