Distinctives
Sound Scriptural Scholarship
The Great Commandment tells us to love God with all our being, including our intellect. At Asbury Seminary, head and heart go hand in hand. Central to all academic endeavors at Asbury are two commitments: first to Jesus Christ as sovereign Lord and second to the pursuit of Truth. Courses in the classical and practical disciplines set the stage for lifelong learning and ministry. Asburians are trained to evaluate the complexities of life from a biblically grounded and theologically informed perspective. In addition to an accomplished faculty, the learning experience is enhanced through on-campus lectures by leading scholars from around the world. In our fervent quest for academic excellence and true spirituality, we echo John Wesley's prayer, "Let us unite these two, so long divided, knowledge and vital piety. Amen."
Rich Wesleyan Heritage
Asbury Seminary has its roots firmly planted in rich Methodist soil. Its heritage can be 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 and Methodism was born. A spirit of revival swept through England and across the Atlantic to America. Thousands came to know Christ through the ministry of Methodist circuit riders like Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke. A century after Asbury's final open-air sermon, Asbury Seminary was formed to carry on the passionate ministry of its Methodist forefathers.
Vibrant Spiritual Life
"Amazing love! How can it be, that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?" These powerful and eloquent words from Charles Wesley's classic hymn And Can It Be are often passionately sung during Asbury's lively chapel services. It is here that you will find the heart of the Asbury Seminary experience. During chapel, the community unites to worship through song, prayer and the dynamic preaching of God's Word. These times of praise are anticipated and cherished. In addition to corporate worship, small group interaction and personal spiritual development are encouraged. Classes in spiritual formation are offered to nurture the student in his or her devotional life and to prepare the student for spiritual leadership. First and foremost, Asbury Seminary is a spiritually vibrant community seeking to know God and to make Him known.
Practical Ministry Preparation
Jesus had a revolutionary view of leadership. He said things like, "Many who are first will be last, and the last first" (Mark 10:31), and "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26b). Service is the essence of ministry, and true leadership is impossible without a sacrificial heart. Asbury Seminary prepares ministers to respond to God and the needs of humanity in a broken world. This means: leading the way decisively, shepherding the flock faithfully, preaching the Word clearly, sharing the gospel boldly, counseling the troubled compassionately, assisting the poor persistently. The majority of our students serve the local church as pastors. Others seek training for the mission field, teaching, counseling, youth or music ministry. But the desire to serve unites our diverse student body. Spiritual leaders are not born, they are called. Asbury Seminary exists to help men and women fulfill God's calling for their lives.
