Ashland Theological Seminary : 2004 Seminar
Participant Information
Institution Name: Ashland Theological Seminary
Key Contacts:
Frederick J. Finks, President of the Seminary
Dale R. Stoffer, Academic Dean and Professor of Historical Theology
David W. Baker, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages
Brenda B. Colijn, Assistant Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Theology
Marvin A. McMickle, Professor of Homiletics
John C. Shultz, Professor of Pastoral Counseling
Key Contacts:
Frederick J. Finks, President of the Seminary
Dale R. Stoffer, Academic Dean and Professor of Historical Theology
David W. Baker, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages
Brenda B. Colijn, Assistant Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Theology
Marvin A. McMickle, Professor of Homiletics
John C. Shultz, Professor of Pastoral Counseling
Description of Institution
Ashland Theological Seminary began in 1906, originally as a Bible Department within Ashland College (founded in 1878). It serviced students primarily from the Brethren Church through the late 1960s. However, accreditation through the Association of Theological Schools in 1970 and the development of extension sites in Cleveland, Detroit, and Columbus during the 1970s and 80s led to rapid expansion and a diverse student body. Today the seminary has 22 fulltime faculty and nearly 800 students, 48% of whom are women and 32% African-American.
The mission statement of Ashland Theological Seminary reads: “Ashland Theological Seminary exists to equip men and women for ministry as servant leaders in the body of Christ and the world at large through being a community that is committed to Scripture, academic excellence, spiritual formation, and practical training.”
Though this statement could be shared by many other seminaries, we have added some guiding principles that provide the context in which the mission statement is lived out.
Commitment to a theologically evangelical position. The theological identity of Ashland Theological Seminary is informed by its affiliation with the Brethren Church and by the Anabaptist and Pietist movements which birthed the Brethren movement. This tradition has predisposed the seminary to a theological outlook that shares much in common with the evangelical movement in America. Though our heritage would at points critique modern expressions of evangelicalism, it nonetheless is the spiritual matrix for the seminary and the Brethren Church.
Commitment to the building of a faith community with Christ-centered diversity. The seminary is home to students from some 70 different denominations and parachurch organizations. What holds such a diverse community of faith together is a common commitment to the centrality of Jesus Christ and his Word. The unity we find in Christ allows us to celebrate and honor the diversity within his body.
Commitment to a mission of church and world. The seminary understands that our reason for existence is to serve the church and the world. Though we take seriously the call to uphold the academic standards of the theological guild, we realize that our highest allegiance is to the church and its call to represent Christ in the world.
Commitment to transformational education. The seminary believes that it is not enough to prepare our students academically for ministry to the church and the world. We must also create “sacred spaces” within the educational experience to allow God to do his transformative work in students through his Word and Spirit.
Commitment to serving students in a culturally relevant way. One of the important balances that has animated the Brethren tradition and is likewise reflected in the seminary is the recognition that the Christian faith must be both conservative and progressive. Its conservatism is found in its commitment to the unchanging Word of God; its progressivism is expressed in its commitment to sharing the message of the Word in forms that are culturally relevant. The Christian faith needs to be incarnated in every culture in ways that will powerfully engage that culture with the living Word, Jesus Christ.
Ashland Theological Seminary began in 1906, originally as a Bible Department within Ashland College (founded in 1878). It serviced students primarily from the Brethren Church through the late 1960s. However, accreditation through the Association of Theological Schools in 1970 and the development of extension sites in Cleveland, Detroit, and Columbus during the 1970s and 80s led to rapid expansion and a diverse student body. Today the seminary has 22 fulltime faculty and nearly 800 students, 48% of whom are women and 32% African-American.
The mission statement of Ashland Theological Seminary reads: “Ashland Theological Seminary exists to equip men and women for ministry as servant leaders in the body of Christ and the world at large through being a community that is committed to Scripture, academic excellence, spiritual formation, and practical training.”
Though this statement could be shared by many other seminaries, we have added some guiding principles that provide the context in which the mission statement is lived out.
Commitment to a theologically evangelical position. The theological identity of Ashland Theological Seminary is informed by its affiliation with the Brethren Church and by the Anabaptist and Pietist movements which birthed the Brethren movement. This tradition has predisposed the seminary to a theological outlook that shares much in common with the evangelical movement in America. Though our heritage would at points critique modern expressions of evangelicalism, it nonetheless is the spiritual matrix for the seminary and the Brethren Church.
Commitment to the building of a faith community with Christ-centered diversity. The seminary is home to students from some 70 different denominations and parachurch organizations. What holds such a diverse community of faith together is a common commitment to the centrality of Jesus Christ and his Word. The unity we find in Christ allows us to celebrate and honor the diversity within his body.
Commitment to a mission of church and world. The seminary understands that our reason for existence is to serve the church and the world. Though we take seriously the call to uphold the academic standards of the theological guild, we realize that our highest allegiance is to the church and its call to represent Christ in the world.
Commitment to transformational education. The seminary believes that it is not enough to prepare our students academically for ministry to the church and the world. We must also create “sacred spaces” within the educational experience to allow God to do his transformative work in students through his Word and Spirit.
Commitment to serving students in a culturally relevant way. One of the important balances that has animated the Brethren tradition and is likewise reflected in the seminary is the recognition that the Christian faith must be both conservative and progressive. Its conservatism is found in its commitment to the unchanging Word of God; its progressivism is expressed in its commitment to sharing the message of the Word in forms that are culturally relevant. The Christian faith needs to be incarnated in every culture in ways that will powerfully engage that culture with the living Word, Jesus Christ.