Forming women and men for ministry

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MISSION & PURPOSE

The Mission of Western Theological Seminary

By God’s grace, Western Theological Seminary forms women and men for faithful Christian ministry and participation in the Triune God’s ongoing redemptive work in the world.

Average Class Size

Student to Faculty Ratio

Degree Programs

Denominations Served

“Regardless of where God has called you, you will be ready to go”

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Dr. Felix Theonugraha

President of Western Theological Seminary

The Commons Online

News, stories, and resources from the WTS community to the Church. 

Sabbath and Servitude

Sabbath and Servitude

Things My Grandmothers Taught Me People often ask me, “How do you celebrate Sabbath?” My answer to...

Sabbath and Servitude

Sabbath and Justice

Sister Act I’ve met a lot of wonderful Presbyterian women in the last year at events all over the...

Sabbath and Community

Sabbath and Community

We're All in This Together Congratulations on reaching the end of the Celebrating Sabbath study! I...

Sabbath and Self-Care

Sabbath and Self-Care

Here lies a woman who always was tired; She lived in a world where too much was required. Could...

From the Commons

DO WE STILL NEED SEMINARY?

In the age of Google, where seemingly endless content is at our fingertips, why is formal theological education still important?

WHY SEMINARY?

The Commons Online

WHO WE ARE

MEET THE FACULTY

WTS faculty are always available to guide and support students as they pursue their education.  As importantly, our professors are deeply involved in congregational ministry and several offer the unique perspectives of having served as pastors.

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Dr. Kristen Deede Johnson

Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs
G.W. and Edna Haworth Professor of Educational Ministries and Leadership

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Dr. Tim Basselin

Director of Field Education and Student Life

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Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel

Professor of Old Testament

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Dr. J. Todd Billings

Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology

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Dr. John Brogan

Associate Academic Dean, Professor of New Testament, Director of the MDiv and MA Programs

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Dr. Winn Collier

Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Christian Imagination, Director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination

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Dr. Benjamin T. Conner

Professor of Practical Theology, Director of the Center for Disability and Ministry

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Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst

Richard C. Oudersluys Associate Professor of World Christianity

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Dr. Chuck DeGroat

Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality, Interim Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

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Dr. Wesley Hill

Associate Professor of New Testament

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Dr. Han-Luen Kantzer Komline

Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Professor of Theology and Church History

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Dr. David Komline

Professor of Church History, Coordinator for Strategic International Initiatives, Director of the Masters of Theology (ThM) Program

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Dr. Suzanne McDonald

Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology

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Dr. Elizabeth Pennock

Director of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Associate Professor of Counseling

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Dr. Madison N. Pierce

Associate Professor of New Testament

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Dr. Ron Rienstra

Professor of Preaching and Worship Arts, Director of Worship Life

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Dr. Alberto La Rosa Rojas

Interim Director of the Hispanic Ministry Program, Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics

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Dr. Sue A. Rozeboom

Professor of Liturgical Theology

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Dr. Keith Starkenburg

Director of the Vita Scholars Program
Interim Associate Dean

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Dr. David L. Stubbs

Professor of Ethics and Theology, Co-Director of the Hope-Western Prison Education Program

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Dr. L.S. Carlos A. Thompson

Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Disability Theology and Director of the Friendship House, and Student Accessibility Coordinator

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Dr. Travis West

Associate Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament

@WesternTheologicalSeminary

Summertime is a great time to visit Western Theological Seminary! Interested in learning more about becoming a student at WTS? Learn more and apply by visiting the link in our bio. ...

The new Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at WTS seeks to equip women and men to be wise, competent, humble, and hopeful practitioners; who are attuned to their own selves and stories while remaining anchored in God’s story of redemption and restoration.

Applications are currently being accepted for fall 2024. To apply or learn more, visit counseling.westernsem.edu (link in bio).
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Admiring our view on the first day of summer! ☀️ ...

Dr. Madison Pierce (@madisonpiercephd) shares about the book of Hebrews in her digital course with Seminary Now (@seminarynow).

Learn more about this course and others from WTS professors by visiting the link in our bio. Use code SUMMER to access the summer sale.
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Western Theological Seminary is excited to announce a new partnership with A Rocha USA, a leading organization dedicated to environmental stewardship, which has been awarded a significant grant of $625,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. As part of the Thriving Congregations Initiative, this grant marks the inception of the eagerly anticipated church partners program.

Entitled “Churches of Restoration,” this innovative program empowers church communities nationwide to deepen their commitment to caring for creation. Visit the link in our bio to read more.
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The Symposium on Disability and Ministry is an annual opportunity for pastors and ministry leaders to engage in issues related to disability and ministry. Join us in one month for the 2024 symposium on Saturday, July 13.

Dr. Rochelle Sheuermann of Wheaton College will deliver a plenary lecture entitled “Disability and God’s Mission: An Invitation to Evangelism.”

The symposium, hosted by the Center for Disability and Ministry, is free to all participants and includes breakfast, lunch, and a time for networking. Visit the link in our bio for more details or to register today.
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“When I came to Western, I met so many people who wanted to build up each student and dive into what they’re passionate about.”

Vanessa Funk (MDiv ’24) shares how her education at Western Theological Seminary helped shape and expand her vocational calling to ministry.

Learn more about becoming a student by visiting the link in our bio.
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