Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 17:1 (Spring 2006)
Article: Editorial
Author: Richard L. Mayhue

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TMSJ 17:1 (Spring 2006) p. 1

Editorial

Richard L. Mayhue

With this issue of The Master's Seminary Journal, we commence our seventeenth year of publication and celebrate the twentieth year of TMS— all to God’s glory. Thus, I have included here a short history of our first two decades of ministry and a pastoral admonition by our president on having an enduring ministry. Also, because of our twentieth-year anniversary, in this issue we have chosen articles authored by TMS graduates, except for the lead article by our president, John MacArthur.

Training Men As If Lives Depended Upon It

The Master’s Seminary quietly came into being on the campus of Grace Community Church twenty years ago. Together with faculty, staff, and local pastors, ninety-five students gathered on August 28, 1986 for the seminary’s inaugural convocation chapel.

Word of the seminary’s birth spread quickly. A well-defined focus on godly character, biblical knowledge, and ministry skills not only attracted prospective students, drawing men from across America and from many other countries, but additionally impressed the regional accrediting association: “The seminary has been very intentional in its development of an M .Div. program with few analogies in the U.S., distinguished above all by its almost single-minded commitment to the preparation of ordained pastors. Combining church-based involvement, personal discipleship, and academic study. .. the seminary is on the cutting edge of reform.”

Knowing that education is caught as well as taught, Grace Church opened wide her arms to the men coming for training. Students continually observe firsthand the biblical characteristics of ministry. The pastoral staff give their time and expertise to provide a full package of ministry preparation. Our students receive solid, biblical training in the classroom and also experience a vital, dynamic church community in which to be discipled and nurtured. TM S and GCC in partnership serve as a “living lab” to train future pastors.

Our school’s name, The Master’s Seminary, signifies two profound truths. First, the ownership of TMS resides with The Master, Jesus Christ. This pastoral training center intentionally emphasizes God’s Son, our Savior and Lord.

Second, the operation of TMS results in a new generation of gospel preachers and Bible teachers. A notable dictionary defines the primary meaning of “seminary” as “a piece of ground for the sowing and growing of seeds/plants intended for later transplanting.” Thus, The Master’s Seminary serves as a Christ-centered, spiritual seedbed for the nurturing of young men, then to be transplanted three to four years later into local churches all over America and around the world.

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