Why so many love Rockbridge Seminary
A Seminary for Everyone — Anytime , Anyplace Learning
My wife Amy and I were newly married during my last semester of traditional seminary . During this season , my professor , Dr . Sam Simmons , cofounder
of Rockbridge Seminary , invited me into a conversation about a new kind of educational approach to training ministers in churches . He spoke of a seminary experience that would not require pastors , ministers or church leaders to leave their ministry assignments and uproot their lives . The curriculum would be theologically solid but also carry equal weight in training the practical aspects of ministry — something seminaries are not typically known for offering . The focus would be on developing servant leaders who last in ministry by encouraging them to cultivate habits that encourage them to grow spiritually and emotionally . Intentionally focusing on the soul care needed for the difficult work and demands of ministry life . My heart and my mind were captivated ! I was hooked and ready to do seminary over again ! In 2004 , the dream became a reality as cofounders Dr . Daryl Eldridge , Dr . Sam Simmons and Dr . Gary Waller — pioneers at the time in distance seminary education — launched Rockbridge ’ s first class . Sixteen years later , we continue to fulfill our mission of developing men and women as servant leaders for Christian ministry . There are many aspects of Rockbridge that set it apart in the educational terrain , but I want to share seven distinctives that we love about our seminary .
# 1 : BIBLICAL Our foundation is unapologetically the Word of God . In a culture attempting to systematically deconstruct historical Christianity , moral absolutes , and Biblical authority and relevance , Rockbridge is committed to the promotion of Biblical literacy and protection of these precious truths . We have always made it a priority to develop ministry leaders who can think biblically , theologically and strategically .
# 2 : PERSONAL Our students are at the center of our mission . Students are not just an enrollment number . Our administration , staff and faculty are intentional about building personal relationships with students inside and outside the classroom . Our mission is to equip and develop servant leaders prepared for their ministry and calling . We believe a major part of this process happens through
100 % of our graduates would recommend Rockbridge to anyone considering seminary training .
97 % of our students love their experience at Rockbridge .
ongoing relationships and mentoring . Support and engagement are a hallmark of student life at Rockbridge . # 3 : ACCESSIBLE Our Model : Anytime , anyplace learning . We love the freedom and flexibility our program offers . I remember well the tiring drive back and forth through LA traffic to attend seminary classes multiple times a week . The amount of time away from my family , the money and energy divested just to get to class was a major sacrifice . Rockbridge ’ s accessibility to anyone with a desire to acquire a seminary education , while continuing to serve God in their respective ministry and places of service , has always been a part of the dream . No longer limited by the constraints of attending a class at a specific time or a residential requirement that could expect students to uproot their lives and disrupt their work and ministry — if you have an internet connection , you can be a student .
# 4 : PRACTICAL Our professors are practitioners . Faculty and staff understand the complexities and challenges of ministry because they are ministers . Rockbridge ’ s high value that our professors be serving in ministry is a distinctive that brings real-world ministry into the classroom environment . Weekly class discussions are full of meaningful and practical real-time applications for ministry and work contexts . At Rockbridge , students are part of a virtual classroom . You will read current books , dialogue with professors and guest practitioners , interact with students , work on learning projects in a group setting , and apply your learning through practical assignments .
# 5 : AFFORDABLE Our tuition is one of the lowest in the country . Rockbridge ’ s commitment to being affordable provides the opportunity for many to obtain a seminary education . Our “ pay-as-you-go ” model allows for students to pay for each class individually . Most of our students graduate without educational debt .
# 6 : GLOBAL Our student community is diverse and from around the world . The opportunity to be in class with men and women , missionaries and pastors , bi-vocational ministry leaders , business and medical professionals , and teachers from around the globe provide a unique opportunity to develop a first-hand global perspective of what God is doing in our world .
# 7 : INTENTIONAL Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed for the online environment and today ’ s ministry context . Rockbridge ’ s accredited degree programs emphasize local church ministry , theological practice , strategic application , and biblical competencies in ministry . Our goal is to prepare you for a lifetime of serving in the Kingdom . More than 97 % of our students love their Rockbridge experience , and 100 % would recommend us to anyone considering pursuing a seminary education .
We know attending seminary is a major life decision . Helping and supporting our student ’ s choice to pursue God ’ s call and purpose in ministry is our passion . These seven distinctives are just some of the many reasons people love Rockbridge , our students , faculty and staff .
6 CHURCH EXECUTIVE