Wesley Seminary
Encyclopedia
Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian theological seminary
affiliated with the Wesleyan Church
denomination
that is also associated with Indiana Wesleyan University
and located on its campus in Marion, Indiana
.
. The seminary opened for the fall 2009 semester.
On October 2, 2009, during IWU's Homecoming Chapel, university president Dr. Henry Smith announced that the Board of Trustees had officially voted to name the seminary Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University and had chosen Dr. Wayne Schmidt to be the seminary's first Vice President.
Wesley is the first officially affiliated seminary in the history of the Wesleyan Church, which is one of the only evangelical denominations that does not currently require pastors to hold a seminary degree for ordination
. Currently, only about 15 percent of Wesleyan pastors have seminary degrees. Denominational leaders hope the new seminary will double that number.
The seminary currently offers an innovative Master of Divinity
degree program, along with other graduate theology
degrees, offered in on-site and online formats. Wesley will eventually have its own building on campus, after the University received a substantial donation from the Green family
, owners of the Hobby Lobby
corporation. Until the new building is complete, the Noggle Christian Ministries Center will house the seminary, along with the undergraduate School of Theology and Ministry.
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
affiliated with the Wesleyan Church
Wesleyan Church
"Wesleyan" has been used in the title of a number of historic and current denominations, although the subject of this article is the only denomination to use that specific title...
denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
that is also associated with Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Marion, Indiana that is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church denomination...
and located on its campus in Marion, Indiana
Marion, Indiana
Marion is a city in Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 29,948 as of the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Grant County...
.
History
In 2008, IWU administrators and the Board of Trustees endorsed the concept of the seminary and set aside funding for it. On April 3, 2009 the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the proposal after the seminary was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and SchoolsNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
. The seminary opened for the fall 2009 semester.
On October 2, 2009, during IWU's Homecoming Chapel, university president Dr. Henry Smith announced that the Board of Trustees had officially voted to name the seminary Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University and had chosen Dr. Wayne Schmidt to be the seminary's first Vice President.
Wesley is the first officially affiliated seminary in the history of the Wesleyan Church, which is one of the only evangelical denominations that does not currently require pastors to hold a seminary degree for ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
. Currently, only about 15 percent of Wesleyan pastors have seminary degrees. Denominational leaders hope the new seminary will double that number.
The seminary currently offers an innovative Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree program, along with other graduate theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
degrees, offered in on-site and online formats. Wesley will eventually have its own building on campus, after the University received a substantial donation from the Green family
David Green (entrepreneur)
David Green is the founder of Hobby Lobby, an American chain of arts and crafts stores. In 2010, Green was listed as #136 on Forbes' List of The 400 Richest Americans, with a net worth of $2.6 billion....
, owners of the Hobby Lobby
Hobby Lobby
Hobby Lobby is a privately held retail chain of arts and crafts stores based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is formally called Hobby Lobby Creative Centers.Founded by David Green on August 3, 1972, the chain has more than 456 stores in 39 states...
corporation. Until the new building is complete, the Noggle Christian Ministries Center will house the seminary, along with the undergraduate School of Theology and Ministry.