Equipping Movement
Leaders for Church Planting
At Covenant Seminary, we seek to equip our Master of Divinity students with the tools necessary to become church planters who start gospel-preaching churches, and to become movement leaders for church planting and multiplication.
The Harvest is Ripe
Do you have a desire to see the gospel go forth to an unreached or underserved people group in the U.S.?
The U.S. is one of the largest mission fields in the world, and currently church planting is not keeping up with population growth. There is a need for equipped leaders in an ever-changing mission field.
Kingdom Advancement Through Church Planting
In response to the Great Commission, we seek to train students to advance the Kingdom wherever God may call them. Beyond equipping students to plant a single church, Covenant desires to raise up leaders who affect movements of church planting through multiplication and partnerships.
Kingdom Advancement Through Church Planting
In response to the Great Commission, we seek to train students to advance the Kingdom wherever God may call them. Beyond equipping students to plant a single church, Covenant desires to raise up leaders who affect movements of church planting through multiplication and partnerships.
Distinctive Program Features
Cohort Groups – Students meet regularly in facilitated peer groups (on campus, online, or via existing networks) to process what they are learning, share experiences, pray for one another, and build strong support relationships for a lifetime of healthy ministry.
Externship/Residency Year – Qualifying students serve under the guidance of seasoned ministry leaders in contexts that provide valuable experience in local church ministry and church planting competencies, and help fulfill field education and denominational internship requirements (may vary depending on affiliation).
Comprehensive Assessments and Evaluations – Students engage in multiple points of assessment with skilled evaluators throughout the program to help determine giftedness, calling, and readiness for church planting.
Fundraising Training – Students learn from experienced practitioners the ins and outs of one of the most challenging and often neglected aspects of ministry training.
Personalized Learning – Students have the opportunity for independent study and research to meet their unique ministry goals.
Two Learning Pathways for Maximum Flexibility
The Church Planting Track is available either through on-campus residential study or through our new hybrid MDiv format, which uses a combination of online and on-campus intensive courses to complete the degree. Either way, the program offers comprehensive preparation for those called to the unique ministry of church planting.
On-Campus Study Option
Ideal for:
- Potential church planters not currently engaged in ministry and able to relocate to St. Louis.
- St. Louis-area students seeking church-planting training while engaged in local ministry.
Takes advantage of the Seminary’s location in a region rich with churches (PCA and others), ministries, and other opportunities through which students can serve and grow in the midst of strong learning communities.
One-year Church Planting Externship/Residency can be completed through a local church in St. Louis or through one of our national partners.
Hybrid (Online/On-Campus) Study Option
Ideal for:
- Anyone desiring MDiv-level church planting training but unable to relocate to St. Louis.
- Those seeking to integrate such training with their current involvement in church planting networks or initiatives wherever they are.
Designed to be completed in five years without relocating, but includes 11–13 visits to St. Louis and other cities for weekend/week-long intensive coursework and assessment seminars.
Offers opportunities to fulfill various track features and requirements through existing connections in church planting networks or initiatives, where applicable.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to allow Church Planting Track students to graduate with minimal or no debt. Inquire for details.
Courses
Below you will find a detailed course list for the Church Planting Track, as well as other degree program details.
Sending Out Workers
By training students through the Church Planting Track, we hope to see a turning of the tide in church planting—where more churches are being planted each year in the PCA and other denominations.
In addition, we desire to equip students to be fully funded to plant churches and to be well connected in their local contexts.
Ready to Move Forward?
The need for church planting is great, and there are still places with no gospel-bearing churches. More workers are needed. Yet despite the significant need, God is on mission. Through the Church Planting Track at Covenant Seminary, we seek to raise up workers for a harvest that is ripe. Are you ready to begin the training and equipping process for church planting?