Who You'll Become

Why Should You Consider Covenant Seminary? We believe that a seminary education is successful only if, at its end, the student knows Jesus Christ more intimately than at its beginning.

The most vital question to ask when choosing a seminary to attend is not, "What will I learn while I'm there?" but "Who will I be when I graduate?" Preparing to lead and minister to God's people well involves much more than a thorough knowledge of the Bible, a correct understanding of doctrine, and the skills to communicate to others--important as those things are.

Covenant Seminary's whole-person approach to ministry training follows the pattern established by Christ with his disciples: life-on-life involvement with one another that underscores the transformative power of God's grace in our lives and shapes the head, the hands, and most importantly, the heart, for service.

In this living, learning, worshiping community of grace, we strive by the Spirit of God to love one another well, to challenge one another to greater growth in the Lord, and to walk with one another through the joys and sorrows of life and the successes and failures of ministry. Our goal is to sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron so that we are prepared to proclaim God's truth courageously to a world that needs to hear it--but also to live out that truth compassionately among hurting people in desperate need of hope.

Learn more about our covenant community and our approach to ministry training.

• Who Are Our Alumni--and How Are They Helping to Restore Our World?

  Nearly 3,000 Covenant Seminary graduates are currently living or serving in all 50 states and 40 other countries in a variety of vocational and non-vocational ministry positions.

  • An urban church planter reaching the homeless for Christ…
  • A solo pastor in a small rural church…
  • A youth pastor in a large suburban church…
  • A long-term missionary serving God's people overseas…
  • A native of India returning to his home country to start an orphanage and preach the gospel…
  • A campus minister at a large Midwestern university…
  • A husband and wife team of translators bringing the Word of God to primitive tribes in Africa…
  • A children's ministry coordinator helping to nurture the faith of young believers…
  • A counselor helping couples deal with marital issues…
  • A busy wife and mother leading a Bible study for neighborhood women…
  • A worship arts leader bringing muscial beauty to church services…
  • A dedicated public servant bringing gospel principles to bear in the halls of government…
  • A recording artist gloryifying God through music…
  • A director of a hostel-like ministry investing in the lives of troubled youth…
  • A publisher working to bring good theological books to pastors in Ukraine…

  Percentage of Students per Degree Program

  MDiv = 48%
  MA Programs = 27%
  MAC = 13%
  DMin/ThM = 12%
  

  These are just some of the many ways in which graduates of Covenant Seminary are using their education to serve the Lord and his people. Others have written books, articles, and Bible study curriculum, or are on staff at various churches in capacities such as directors of Christian education, directors of community life, or directors of ministry to women. Many are serving as teachers, business owners, scientists, scholars, homemakers, and in a wide range of other Kingdom-building occupations.

  Whether you feel called to pastoral ministry leadership, campus ministry, counseling, some other form of Christian service, or simply want to increase your knowledge of the Bible and grow in your faith, Covenant Seminary can equip you to get there.

  Check out our degree programs.
  Request more information about Covenant Seminary.

  "Through time with faculty and staff, in chapel, and in many other ways, Covenant Seminary is shaping my convictions and my character in conformity to Christ."

  -- Chris Gensheer (MDiv '10), current student

  Read more of this and other student stories.

• Where Do Our Alumni Serve?

  Nearly 3,000 Covenant Seminary alumni are currently living or serving in all 50 states and 40 other countries.

  

   "This seminary challenges your mind and the openness of your heart. You become part of a family that loves you, cares for you, and pushes you to greater Christlikeness."

  -- Lindsay Kyle (MAC '10), current student
  
  Read more of this and other student stories.

• Will You Find a Suitable Ministry Position?

  2008 MDiv Graduate Placements
  Full-Time Church Leadership--59.4%*
  Other Full-Time Ministry--15.6%
  Marketplace--12.5%
  Pursuing PhD--7.8%
  
  * includes those serving as senior/solo pastors, assistant/associate pastors, youth pastors, campus ministers, church planters, and missionaries.

  By God's grace, the effectiveness of our training can be seen in the fact that our graduates are in high demand for church ministry--and are well prepared for a lifetime of fruitful service no matter where the Lord may call them.

  Over the last five years, our placement rate for MDiv graduates seeking ministry placement with the Seminary's recommendation is 97%.

  Find out about ministry internship opportunities.
  Find out about our placement services.

   "God has really used Covenant Seminary to give me a bigger picture of his Kingdom. I am humbled to know that I might have a part in serving him."

  -- Ian Hard (MDiv '10), current student

  Read more of this and other student stories.

• How Will Covenant Seminary Serve Me After Graduation?

  We're here to help you succeed by walking with you in your ministry, especially during the crucial first five years after graduation. Through this process the Lord has blessed our graduates in that they tend to remain in ministry at a rate four times higher than graduates from other accredited seminaries. Our desire is to stay in touch with you--and help our graduates stay in touch with each other--for mutual support and growth.

  • Our Placement staff works closely with new graduates to help you find appropriate ministries in which to serve. We also provide similar assistance for Seminary alumni and others who have been in the field for a while and may be seeking a new ministry call. Careful evaluation of gifting and need, background and contex, and personality (both of the candidate and of the particular congregation), results in a much higher placement success rate and reduces incidents of pastoral turnover.
  • Our Alumni Relations staff keeps in contact with you via phone, e-mail, and personal visits to offer encouragement, assess your ministry needs, and seek ways in which the Seminary can be of assistance in your efforts to cross geographical and generational barriers with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • Our MENTOR (Ministry ENrichment Through Ongoing Relationships) program pairs Seminary graduates in their first five years of ministry with more seasoned pastors who can offer personal, one-on-one guidance and support. If you are interested in participating, e-mail Joel Hathaway, director of alumni relations, at joel.hathaway@covenantseminary.edu.
  • Our Lifetime of Ministry series of special weekend courses provides continuing education opportunities for alumni for free. Other lifelong learning opportunities include our Master of Theology (ThM) and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programs.
  • Our Worldwide Classroom online initiative offers free downloadable audio lectures and supporting materials for more than 20 complete seminary courses for personal or small group use, or for use by pastors to train ministry leaders in their congregations.
  • The Center for Ministry Leadership works to understand and increase pastoral effectiveness through research into current ministry issues and ongoing programs for ministry enrichment such as the Pastors Summit and the Intersect Forum.
  • The Alumni Portal provides links to the Seminary and its resources via and up-to-date alumni directory, an e-mail forwarding service, a list of current ministry opportunities for alumni looking for a call or a change of call, and access to important journal articles and other resources for theological research through the ATLA Serials database.
  • The Meet Our Alumni section of our Web site highlights the storeis of our alumni and what they are doing, offering encouragement to others serving on the front lines of ministry and to those who are in training to serve the church. You'll also find devotional thoughts written by alumni as well as helpful reviews of recent ministry-related reading material. You can help us help you and other graduates by sharing your own story with us.
  • Our eConnect monthly electronic newsletter provides links to current information and resources desinged to further encourage and equip you in your ministry.

  Find out more about our services for alumni.

  "My friendships with professors were key to my spiritual development. I remain in contact with many of them, and they continue to be major influences in my life and ministry."

  -- Ed Eubanks (MDiv '05), senior pastor, Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church, Tennessee
  Read more of Ed's story.

Experience the Covenant Seminary Distinctive Today!

In all these ways and more, God works through Covenant Seminary to mold and shape you into an effective gospel servant--and to put you in the ministry he has prepared for you. We look forward to talking with you in more detail about how we can help you discern God's will for your life and how we can walk with you on the path to fruitful Kingdom service.

Contact our Admissions staff | Arrange a campus visit | Apply online now

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