Asbury Theological Seminary

Infobox_University
name = Asbury Theological Seminary


motto = "Where head and heart go hand in hand"
established = 1923
type = Seminary
president = J. Ellsworth Kalas
city = Wilmore
state = KY
country = USA
postgrad = 1,662
campus = Rural
website = [http://www.asburyseminary.edu/ www.asburyseminary.edu]

Asbury Theological Seminary is a multi-denominational, graduate institution that offers a variety of master degree and postgraduate degree programs. These programs are offered through the schools of Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation, Theology and Formation, Practical Theology, World Missions and Evangelism, and Postgraduate Studies. It has campuses located in Wilmore, Kentucky; Orlando, Florida; and a Virtual campus on the Internet.

Asbury Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Seminary is also an accredited member of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (TATS). In addition, the Seminary is approved by The University Senate of The United Methodist Church.

History

Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1923 by its first president, Henry Clay Morrison, who was at the time the president of Asbury College. In 1940, Asbury Seminary separated from the college in order to satisfy accreditation requirements. Because of the proximity of the two schools (across the street), similar name, and common theological heritage, many people confuse the relationship between the College and the Seminary. While they are separate institutions, the schools maintain a collegial relationship which benefits both communities.

Succeeding Morrison as president was J.C. McPheeters, who was succeeded by Frank Stanger. David McKenna was the fourth president in the school's history. Maxie Dunnam was president until 2004, when Jeff Greenway became the sixth president of Asbury Theological Seminary. Since 2006 Ellsworth Kalas has served as the Seminary's seventh president.

In general, a theological seminary is an institution of higher learning composed of scholarly teachers, leaders and students dedicated to the study of theology, philosophy, and religion, usually to the end of training and certifying members of the clergy in a specific religious tradition. Asbury Seminary stands within the Wesleyan tradition and holds to a clearly defined statement of faith in Jesus Christ.

Extended education

The Seminary has three campuses. The Wilmore campus is located in the heart of Bluegrass country in the state of Kentucky. This is primarily a residential campus. The Florida campus is located in the heart of Orlando, one of the top tourist destinations in the world. This campus is primarily a commuter campus offering faculty and student diversity. The Virtual campus offers online classes allowing students from all over the world to study at Asbury Seminary.

The following is a listing of degree offerings:

Master of Arts (Academic)Biblical Studies; Theological Studies

Master of Arts (Professional)Christian Education; Christian Ministries; Counseling; Intercultural Studies, Leadership, Pastoral Counseling; World Missions and Evangelims; and, Youth Ministry

Master of Divinity

Master of TheologyBiblical Studies; World Mission and Evangelism

Doctor of MinistryBeeson Pastor; Beeson International Leaders; and, In-Ministry

Doctor of Missiology

Doctor of PhilosophyBiblical Studies; Evangelization Studies; and, Intercultural Studies

Mission statement

Asbury Theological Seminary was founded "to prepare and send forth a well-trained, sanctified, Spirit-filled, evangelistic ministry" to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world. The contemporary form of this mission commits the Seminary to maintain a multidenominational, multicultural community which:

* Pursues the union of sound learning and vital piety through excellence in graduate, professional and continuing studies for ordained and lay ministries and provides resources for scholarly leadership in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition;
* Nurtures men and women called of God for ministry and servant leadership in the experience and practice of personal and social holiness as defined by Scripture and Wesleyan theology;
* Encourages its members, in their teachings, scholarship and service, to live out the witness of a Spirit-filled life formed by the authority of Scripture; and
* Prepares men and women for prophetic ministries of redemption and renewal in an increasingly urbanized and secularized world.

Information Services

Technology resources include video production services and an information commons. The Information Commons is housed in the B.L. Fisher Library and contains Windows-based computers and Macintosh computers for students. There is also a student video editing bay. The Information Commons is a member of the American Theological Library Association and has 420,000 holdings. The Wilmore campus is fully covered by wireless networking. In addition, there are facilities for simulcasting meetings and classes between campuses by video teleconference.

Notable faculty

* Ben Witherington III, professor of New Testament and author.
* David Bauer, professor of Inductive Bible Study and dean of the School of Scripture and Proclamation.
* Ellsworth Kalas, President and professor of Preaching.
* Larry Wood, Frank Paul Morris Professor of Systematic Theology, United Methodist Praxis and Theology

Notable alumni

*Ted Strickland (class of 1967), current Governor of Ohio and former member of the United State House of Representatives.
*James W. Holsinger, M.Div., former chair of Board of Trustees, former member of the Board of Trustees, and nominated United States Surgeon General.
*Jacob DeShazer, a member of the Doolittle Raid, POW in Japan, and then a missionary to Japan in the Free Methodist Church.

References

External links

* [http://www.asburyseminary.edu/ Asbury Theological Seminary]
*The Association of Theological Schools [http://www.ats.edu]