Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 04:1 (Spring 1993)
Article: Editorial
Author: Anonymous

MSJ 4:1 (Spr 93) p. 1

Editorial

Academic deans from a large number of American and Canadian evangelical seminaries recently convened in Chicago to talk about the future direction of their schools. The general conclusion of the participants was that theological education in North America has reached a crisis. The definition of “crisis” differed among the deans, but everyone agreed that seminaries are in the middle of major change—points that will significantly reshape the form of seminaries as they have been known over the last fifty years.

The terms “relevant” and “contemporary” permeate literature and personal discussions about the future of seminaries. In that context, The Master’s Seminary reaffirms that “Kingdom relevance” holds a considerably higher priority than “contemporary relevance,” also that “eternal matters” far exceed “cultural matters” as the major criteria in directing the training of expositors to lead Christ’s church into the 21st century.

Scripture alone shapes our understanding of pastoral ministry and the kind of seminary training needed to be effective in advancing God’s kingdom purposes. Those considerations are consistent with our TMS mission statement:

The Master’s Seminary exists to advance the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping men for excellence in service to Christ in strategic fields of Christian ministry. This is to be accomplished through an educational program and an environment of spiritual fellowship and relationships which emphasize unreserved commitment to the worship of God, submission to the authority of the Scriptures, a life of personal holiness, the priority of the local church, and the mission of penetrating the world with the Truth.

On September 9, 1990, I shared the following thoughts in an evening service at Grace Community Church during my installation as Vice President and Dean. If anything has changed since then, it is only that I now have a renewed and more passionate commitment to them than ever before.

Our unprecedented times demand a unique, biblically-oriented training ground for pastors. The 1990’s are spiritually charged with opportunities to advance God’s kingdom and with the expectancy of Christ’s imminent return. But they are also filled with political, military, and economic uncertainty. More than ever we are confronted

MSJ 4:1 (Spr 93) p. 2

by the darkness of Satan and hell.

Epochs like these have always provided the stage on which God performs great works for His own glory through a redeemed people committed to His eternal purposes. Never have the opportunities been greater, but never have the obstacles seemed so formidable as the church approaches the third millenni...