Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary Explained

Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary
Type:Private seminary
Motto:Informed Scholarship, Pastoral Heart.
Religious Affiliation:Mid-America Reformed Baptist Association of Churches
Accreditation:Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries
President:Sam Waldron
Students:~400[1]
City:Owensboro
State:Kentucky
Country:United States
Campus:Suburban

Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary (CBTS) is a Reformed Baptist seminary in Owensboro, Kentucky, on the premises of Grace Reformed Baptist Church and led by President Sam Waldron. CBTS trains people who hold to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith to lead churches, domestically and internationally.

History

The Seminary was originally founded in 2005 as the Midwest Center for Theological Studies by Ted Christman, then pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky.[2] [3] [4] The seminary began with one faculty member, Sam Waldron, using a single classroom at Heritage Christian School.[5] In August 2007 the seminary expanded temporarily to two rooms of a local law office, while the church made plans to build a $5.5 million, 38,000-square-foot addition to Heritage School.[6] At that time, thirty to thirty-five students were taught by three faculty, including Waldron, with three adjunct professors.[7]

In 2015 the board of directors adopted the name Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary "in order to more clearly to indicate both the mission of the Seminary and its theological viewpoint".[8] The seminary was recognized by the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries in 2019, and started offering the Master of Divinity (M. Div), a standard theological degree.[9]

In June 2023 the Seminary moved into the newly renovated property of Grace Reformed Church of Owensboro giving it greater capacity for enrollment.[10]

Academics

The Seminary's academic offerings include the Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS), Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS), Master of Theology (ThM), and Master of Reformed Baptist Studies (MARBS) degrees.[11]

Accreditation

CBTS is accredited by the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries.[12] ARTS received recognition as an accreditor from the Council on Higher Education Accreditation in May 2024.

Non-profit status

According to Charity Navigator, "Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 2020".[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bigham . Brice . 2023 in Review . Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary . 13 December 2023 . 15 January 2024.
  2. Web site: About . Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary . 16 March 2022.
  3. Web site: Heritage Baptist Church History . Heritage Baptist Church . 3 November 2021.
  4. News: 2019-02-07 . Pastor Ted Christman . B2 . . 2021-11-04.
  5. News: 2005-08-14. Reformed Baptists start local seminary. 15. Messenger-Inquirer. 2021-11-04.
  6. News: 2007-08-12. Seminary to borrow space at law office. 13. Messenger-Inquirer. 2021-11-04.
  7. News: 2007-08-12. Space: Seminary's sponsor helps with cost (cont. from page 1C). 15. Messenger-Inquirer. 2021-11-04.
  8. Web site: Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary Constitution & By-Laws . CBTS . 2 November 2021.
  9. Web site: ARTS Partners . Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries . 3 November 2021.
  10. News: 2023-06-03. Dual Purpose: Grace Reformed Baptist opens new church building with seminary wing. Messenger-Inquirer. 2023-06-19.
  11. Web site: CBTS Degree Programs . CBTS Degree Programs . 18 August 2023.
  12. Web site: Accreditation - Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. 18 August 2023.
  13. Web site: Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary Charity Navigator Profile. 2021-11-04. www.charitynavigator.org. en-US.