Covenant Theological Seminary


Covenant Theological Seminary, sometimes known as Covenant Seminary, is the denominational seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America. It is located in the St. Louis, Missouri suburb of Creve Coeur, and its purpose is to train leaders for work in the church and the world — especially as pastors, missionaries, and counselors. It does not require all students to be members of the PCA, but it is bound to promote the teachings of its denomination. Faculty must subscribe to the system of biblical doctrine outlined in the Westminster Standards.

History

The seminary was established by Christians in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church,, who believed that their denomination, born out of resistance to rising liberal influences, needed a strong theological school of its own. In 1956, Covenant College and Seminary began with eleven students on a plot of land a few miles west of St. Louis, Missouri. The seminary continued to grow in both size and reputation in the years that followed. In 1964, having outgrown its space, the liberal arts undergraduate school, Covenant College, along with its students, faculty, and staff, moved to Lookout Mountain, Georgia to the site of a former luxury hotel. In 1966, the two institutions formally divided. In 1982, following another denominational merger between the Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in America, Covenant Seminary became the national seminary of the PCA, which elects and oversees the work of the seminary's Board of Trustees.

Academics

The seminary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. It offers several academic degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry.
The seminary is doctrinally committed to the Reformed faith and Covenant theology, and it believes the Bible to be the inspired and inerrant word of God.
The seminary is also home to the Francis Schaeffer Institute, which encourages Christians to engage contemporary culture in a compassionate way with the truth-claims of the gospel.
Covenant also publishes a semiannual theological journal, Presbyterion.

Head of Covenant Theological Seminary

As of 28 April 2012, Mark Dalbey was the acting president of Covenant Theological Seminary. On this date his office announced the decision by the board of trustees, that Bryan Chapell, the current president of Covenant Seminary, would be transitioning from sabbatical to a newly created position of chancellor on 1 June 2012. On that date Dalbey would assume the position of interim president. 1 February 2013 brought the announcement that Chappell had taken a pastoral call in Illinois with resignation as chancellor effective 15 April 2013. On September 26, 2013, Dalbey was inaugurated as president.

Notable alumni