minary W orld Class Seminary - Bethel Seminary - Bethel University

The “Three Centers”Philosophy of SeminaryEducationOne question shapes Bethel Seminary’seducational philosophy: “What kindof leadership does the 21st-centurychurch need?” Our answer: The 21stcenturychurch needs leaders whopossess 1) theological wisdom; 2)personal and spiritual wholeness; and3) leadership ability. Ministers must developin each of these three areas. Thisis why Bethel Seminary has organizedits educational resources around threecenters: The Center for Biblical andTheological Foundations, the Centerfor Spiritual and Personal Formation,and the Center for TransformationalLeadership. Each center plays a vitalrole in enhancing and maximizing thespiritual leadership capacities of everygraduate in every discipline.The Foundation of God’s TransformingWord. God’s Word informs in orderto transform. God and His Word arethe source for all personal and societaltransformation. One’s thinking, character,and service are transformed as oneis brought under the authority of HisWord. The truth of God’s Word informsour theology, transforms our personallives, and grounds our transformationalministry. Biblical truth must notonly be understood, it must also also beexperienced and communicated so thatits transformational power is unleashedin our own lives and in the lives ofthose we are called to serve.A Commitment to Integrative Education.At Bethel Seminary, we see nofinal conflict between academic excellenceand the development of wholeand holy spiritual leaders. Each studentmust develop in the areas addressed byeach center and integrate this growthwith learning gained in the other twocenters. Insights gained in one centerstimulate development in the areas addressedby the other two centers. Oureducational aim is nothing less thanthe full integration of academic knowledgewith lived practice, of biblical exegesiswith spiritual life and leadership:“If you don’t do it, you don’t know it.”A Diverse Learning Community.The world is increasingly diverse, fragmented,and broken. Ministry bringsChristians face to face with theserealities. At Bethel Seminary, men andwomen from diverse backgrounds areunited around a common allegiance tothe Lordship of Jesus Christ. In BethelSeminary’s learning community, studentsare equipped with the theologicalknowledge and ministry skills to addressthe kingdom concerns of personalsalvation, racial reconciliation, andsocial justice.Photo by Greg SchneiderWhole Life Curriculum. The threecenters are the foundation for a “wholelife” curriculum that develops men andwomen into transformational leaders.Faculty members and administrationembody the integrative themes ofBethel’s curriculum. We believe thatfaculty are constantly teaching andlearning. Faculty participate in lifetogether as scholar-practitioners whoengage students in the transformationaleducationalprocess not only in theclassroom, but as a way of life.Making Connections. A Bethel Seminaryeducation is about making connections—connectingpeople with theliving Word of God; connecting menand women from diverse backgroundsto form a transformational learningcommunity; and connecting BethelSeminary’s graduates with opportunitiesfor service and spiritual leadershiparound the world.102