Knowing God’s Word and giving it away is at the root of discipleship, and our friends at Gordon-Conwell have created incredible programs that will help you better understand the Bible. If you’ve ever desired to go to seminary to deepen your understanding of biblical theology, learn more about what Gordon-Conwell offers below! For even more information, check out their website at https://www.gordonconwell.edu/  

IF:Gathering: Tell us about Gordon-Conwell!

Gordon-Conwell: Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multi-denominational, evangelical seminary representing 85 denominations and 50 countries. We’re a diverse community united by the authority of Scripture, and we strive to be a thoughtful, loving, Christ-centered community of global discipleship. We offer courses, graduate certificates, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. These are available fully online and in low- and high-residency models on 4 campuses: Boston, MA; Hamilton, MA; Charlotte, NC; and Jacksonville, FL. We also have a Latino and Global Ministries program that provides cohort-based theological education in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. 

IF:Gathering: What is your mission and goal?

Gordon-Conwell: Our mission is to prepare men and women for ministry at home and abroad. We do this through a set of learning objectives that provides our students with biblical grounding, a solid theological framework, spiritual formation, a global vision, and ministry skills. However Christ has called someone, and wherever he has placed them, we can equip them with accessible and relevant theological education. 

IF:Gathering: Why does seminary matter?

Gordon-Conwell: In the words of Dr. David Wells, one of our senior faculty, “it is through the Word that God speaks to his people today, guides them, nourishes them by his grace, and grows the church. [We] must know this Word, must know how to teach its truths, must be able to apply its wisdom in such a way that the people of God are brought into the presence of God and learn to walk through life with him.” For this reason, a seminary education focused on deep spiritual formation and biblical theology is valuable for any Christian, preparing for any kind of work or ministry. Community life and classroom experiences are also an indispensable part of learning, development, and formation—especially as we build relationships with other students from different denominational, cultural, and ministerial experiences than our own. 

Speaking practically, if you are called to vocational ministry in a church or to academia, an accredited seminary degree may also be a requirement in your journey.

IF:Gathering: What role does it play in equipping someone to be a leader?

Gordon-Conwell: A commitment to spiritual formation, an understanding of the biblical theology of leadership, and practical skills are all essential in Christian leadership—whether one is a leader in a ministry or workplace context. These are a part of the core learning objectives found in all our programs. We also hone in on leadership through various courses such as this fall’s The Person of the Christian Leader, Transforming Leadership in the Local Church, and Cross-Cultural Leadership; a graduate certificate and master’s in Global Leadership; and a few Doctor of Ministry tracks.

IF:Gathering: How does Gordon-Conwell help others engage missionally and reach the lost?

Gordon-Conwell: Our founders believed that missions is the job of every Christian and every church. Our president, Dr. Scott Sunquist, is a missiologist who served several years in missions. Therefore, developing a love for our neighbor and engaging in missions and global discipleship is integrated into all of our theological education. We also offer mission-specific courses like Theology of Mission, The World Mission of the Church, and Evangelism and Discipleship through the Local Church. In addition to classroom and community learning, our Center for World Missions offers cross-cultural ministry opportunities and missions practicums across the U.S. and globe. 

IF:Gathering: What is one thing you want to tell the IF:Gathering women?

Gordon-Conwell: Whether your calling is to full-time ministry, lay ministry, the workplace, or the academy, we support women with rigorous theological education in all of our degree and non-degree programs. Along with all of Gordon-Conwell, we’re here to support your academic success and equip you for your calling as you go deeper into God’s Word.