MISSION :: “Central prepares women and men for seeking God, shaping church and serving humanity.”
Central is committed to serving the whole community of faith, which includes persons preparing for vocational ministry as well as those who desire to deepen their understanding of service to Christ in a variety of lay ministries in church and society. As a seminary, we seek to honor diversity of giftedness and callings.
While Central prepares women and men for ministry, we realize that Christian ministry is always linked to congregational life. The seminary prepares the men and women recommended to us by churches, and Central offers back to Christ’s church, ministers who have been formed by the intentional practices of theological education, study, worship, prayer, hospitality and faithful companioning. This education is practice-oriented, contextual, and reflexive.
The church is an essential partner with the seminary in the work of formation for ministry. Not only do we rely on the church to be the instrument of God in calling out seminarians, but the seminary depends upon congregations to offer ministry contexts in which learners practice their vocation and continue to be formed spiritually. Thus the work and mission of the seminary is inexorably linked to that of the church. Pressing needs for theological education demand that we strengthen our partnership with the church.
As we look to enhance and deepen this vital partnership with the church, Central is researching new and unique ways to make theological education more accessible. Rather than requiring learners to come to the campus in Shawnee, Kansas, for their ministry preparation, Central is now offering classes toward degree and certificate programs at selected sites and online that can draw a cohort of learners.
Central Baptist Theological Seminary is indeed a Teaching Church Seminary. It is a model built on the mission of the apostles: theological education that is more itinerant, with a mobile curriculum. Churches are significant partners in this contextual teaching.
Have more questions? contact support@cbts.edu