History

The Dream

On January 26, 2004, 14 students from six states enrolled in the inaugural class of the fully online Rockbridge Seminary (founded in 2002). In doing so, they became part of a movement to make seminary education available to anyone serving in a church anywhere in the world in a format that is ministry-focused.

We call that movement “The Dream.” Why is it important?

  • Because a growing number of ministers need seminary training that is accessible to them while they serve on their church fields.
  • Because the focus in a growing number of churches worldwide is shifting to thinking of ministry and life in terms of God’s purposes.
  • Because God is convicting more church leaders to see members as ministers. Church members who assume a greater burden for local church ministry deserve access to seminary education.
  • Because ministers are best trained on their fields of ministry where learning is immediately applied.
  • Because seminary distance learning is good stewardship of Kingdom resources; saving money, energy, and time.
  • Because ministers and missionaries overseas or in remote areas often have no other way to develop essential ministry skills under the guidance of experienced ministers and professors.

“New Paradigm” Churches …

How churches approach ministry training is changing in the 21st century.

First, churches are more likely to look within their congregations for ministry staff rather than hiring them from a list of recent seminary graduates. This means that placement precedes training, making it unlikely that a new staff member can leave the ministry field for years to attend a far-away seminary campus.

Second, more churches today challenge members to find purpose through ministry. The more the membership participates in ministry, the more likely the church needs the kind of ministry training formerly available only on a seminary campus.

Third, younger ministers are more likely to distrust seminary training, viewing it as irrelevant and unnecessary. A recent study by The Barna Group showed a significant drop in the number of younger ministers seeking seminarydegrees.

Each change means that ministry education through the traditional seminary is less attractive than before.

… Need a “New Paradigm” Seminary

Rockbridge Seminary provides an innovative approach to seminary education that meets the needs of “new paradigm” churches.

First, our fully online academic programs make seminary education accessible to anyone serving a church anywhere in the world.

Second, our curriculum design around the five biblical purposes of the church and our competency-guided learning approach keep academic programs practical and focused on the student’s church ministry as the primary learning platform. Our online seminary degrees are equally relevant to the person serving full-time or part-time; vocational or volunteer.

In summary, Rockbridge Seminary provides innovative seminary training for “New Paradigm” churches that is accessible and relevant.

A Big Dream

Churches across the nation and the world need a seminary like Rockbridge Seminary. These churches are at work in the harvest. God is calling forth laborers from within these churches to work in the harvest. These laborers need accessible ministry training to help them be as effective as possible. Rockbridge Seminary can meet that need.

Reengineering seminary education is a big dream. But God’s Kingdom purposes worldwide make “The Dream” worthwhile to pursue.

Perhaps you are the kind of person who is attracted to dreams that have the potential of being used mightily of God’s purposes.

If so, come join us! Help us make “The Dream” a reality through your tax-deductible contributions.

Decide which degree is best for you.

The Story

Rockbridge Seminary began with a dream. In 2003, Daryl R. Eldridge, Ph.D. and Gary W. Waller, Ph.D. of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) and J. Sam Simmons, Ph.D. of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (GGBTS) began collaborating on how to adapt seminary education to meet the needs of 21st century churches.

Dr. Eldridge, Dean of the School of Education Ministries at SWBTS, was in touch with the leadership training needs of churches as a frequent church training and leadership conference speaker. Dr. Waller was the Dean of Distance Education at SWBTS, directing all online programs and extension centers. He knew firsthand the potential of online learning. Dr. Simmons was director of the Southern California Campus (Orange County) of GGBTS, which included an extension center at nearby Saddleback Church. Simmons, an expert in non-traditional seminary students, had researched extensively the challenge of reengineering seminary education.

These men recognized trends among Evangelical churches, with corroboration from decades of published literature that called for change within seminary education. At the same time, they became increasingly concerned that traditional seminaries were either unwilling or unable to make the changes that were needed. Their concerns were reflected, for example, in the Christianity Today article “Re-engineering the Seminary?” (1994) that described a “velvet revolution sweeping through the nation’s seminaries.” The need for a new approach to seminary education was best captured in a study commissioned by seven evangelical seminaries in 1993: “Standing on the Banks of Tomorrow: A Study of Ministry Needs of the Local Church for the 21st Century.”

In anticipation of the possible launch of a new school to address these concerns and possibly reengineer ministry training, the Compton Institute for Christian Leadership had already been established.

During 2003, “what-if” discussions about online learning design, ministry-focused academic programs, and relevant curriculum gradually evolved into serious planning and preparation for the launch of a new kind of seminary. The decision was made to start the new school in Springfield, Missouri, the hometown of Dr. Eldridge. The same year, the school’s name was changed to Rockbridge University.  Dr. Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church and well-known author, gave his public endorsement of the school’s online learning that features a curriculum designed around the five biblical purposes of the church. The school launched with two programs: Master of Ministry Leadership and Diploma in Ministry Leadership. Each program consisted of 39 credit hours of courses that were designed to shape servant leaders for Christian ministry.

In August of 2003, Dr. Eldridge resigned from SWBTS (located in Ft. Worth, Texas), moved to Springfield, Missouri, and accepted a staff position at Second Baptist Church, which graciously provided office space for the new school at no charge.

Using personal funds and funds gathered from family and friends, the founders prepared to receive applications and develop courses. Dr. Simmons resigned from GGBTS at the end of 2003 and became the first full-time employee, teaching the inaugural course in January 2004 to 12 students. Dr. Eldridge joined the seminary full-time in 2005. Also in 2005, the institution’s name was changed to Rockbridge Seminary. The final cofounder to join the seminary full-time, Dr. Waller, retired from SWBTS in 2006. Dr. Waller left his administrative position in 2010, but continued as a faculty member.

In 2007, the seminary began offering a Master of Divinity (M.Div.).  Rockbridge received initial accreditation from The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in June 14, 2013. In 2014, the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) was added to the curriculum.  The seminary was reaccredited by DEAC in 2016 and the school is up for accreditation renewal in 2021.

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