Asbury Theological Seminary

History

Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1923 by its first president, Henry Clay Morrison, who was at the time the president of Asbury College. In 1940, Asbury Seminary separated from the college in order to satisfy accreditation requirements. Because of the proximity of the two schools (across the street), similar name, and common theological heritage, many people confuse the relationship between the college and the seminary. While they are separate institutions, the schools maintain a collegial relationship that benefits both communities. The current president of Asbury Seminary is Dr. Timothy Tennent, Ph.D., who has served as the eighth President since July 1, 2009.

Past Presidents of Asbury Seminary

1. Henry Clay Morrison (1923–1942)
2. J.C. McPheeters (1942–1962)
3. Frank Stanger (1962–1982)
4. David McKenna (1982–1994)
5. Maxie Dunnam (1994–2004)
6. Jeff Greenway (2004–2006)
7. Ellsworth Kalas (2006–2009)
8. Timothy Tennent (2009–present)

Identity and mission statement

Asbury Theological Seminary is a community called to prepare theologically educated, sanctified, Spirit-filled men and women to evangelize and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world through the love of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and to the glory of God the Father. The official Statement of Faith includes an affirmation regarding the Bible as being "without error in all it affirms."

Wesleyan heritage

Asbury Seminary has its roots firmly planted in rich Wesleyan soil. Its heritage can be loosely traced back to May 24, 1738, when a young Anglican priest and Oxford don felt his heart "strangely warmed" during a prayer meeting in northern London. At that moment, John Wesley's life was forever changed. A spirit of revival swept through England and across the Atlantic to America. Thousands came to know Christ through the ministry of circuit riders like Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke. A century after Asbury's final open-air sermon, Asbury Seminary was formed as an independent non-denominational seminary to carry on the passionate ministry of these Arminian forefathers.

Extended education

In addition to the main campus at Wilmore, the seminary offers courses at the Florida Dunnam Campus in Orlando, Florida, through online courses (Extended Learning), and a Memphis, TN extension site.

Asbury Theological Seminary offers the following degrees:

Information services

Technology resources include video production services and an information commons. The Information Commons is housed in the B.L. Fisher Library and contains Windows-based computers and Macintosh computers for students. There is also a student video editing bay. The Information Commons is a member of the American Theological Library Association and has 420,000 holdings. The Wilmore campus is fully covered by wireless networking. In addition, there are facilities for simulcasting meetings and classes between campuses by video teleconference.

Accreditation

Asbury Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master's and doctoral degrees. It is an accredited member of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Asbury Theological Seminary does not, within the context of its religious principles, its heritage, its mission, and its goals, discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, physical impairment, or gender in administration of its admission policies, educational policies, scholarship, and loan programs, athletic or other school-administered programs. The seminary is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Notable faculty

Top denominations

There are over 93 denominations represented at Asbury Theological Seminary. The top 10 currently represented are listed below:

Notable alumni