Urshan Graduate School of Theology

Last updated
Urshan Graduate School of Theology
Urshan Graduate School of Theology Logo (2024).png
Type Private University
Established2001;23 years ago (2001)
Accreditation HLC, ATS
Religious affiliation
United Pentecostal Church International
Academic affiliation
Association of Theological Schools
Chair Michael Ensey
President Brent Coltharp
Dean David Johnson
Total staff
4 (2023)
Students88 (Fall 2023)
Location, ,
US
CampusLarge suburb [1] , 43 acres (17 ha)
Website ugst.edu

Urshan Graduate School of Theology (UGST) is a private seminary operated by the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) and located in Wentzville, Missouri. It opened in 2001 as a Oneness Pentecostal seminary and also offers undergraduate programs through Urshan University.

Contents

Students

In Fall 2023, 88 students were enrolled at UGST. [2] Students are not required to be members of the United Pentecostal Church International, but it is loyal to the teachings of that organization. Faculty and staff must subscribe to the biblical doctrines outlined in the Articles of Faith of the UPCI.

History

Urshan Graduate School of Theology is named for Andrew Urshan and the legacy of the Oneness doctrine and visionary teaching that he handed down through his son, Nathaniel. In April 1998, Timothy Dugas, pastor of The Sanctuary in Missouri, formed an ad hoc committee to study the feasibility of the graduate school. Between April 1998 and the October 1998 meeting of the UPCI General Board, the ad hoc committee developed a proposal for the General Board.

In October 1998, the UPCI General Board, augmented with additional personnel, creating a steering committee under the auspices of Arless Glass, superintendent of the Division of Education. In January 1999, a second proposal was made to the UPCI General Board to determine if the project should go forward. In the summer of 1999, the steering committee chose its chairperson to be Jesse Williams, who has served as chairperson from that time to 2007. Under Jesse Williams's direction, a resolution was made to the October 1999 UPCI General Conference in session at Nashville, Tennessee. After relevant debate, the gathered ministers of the United Pentecostal Church voted to found the Urshan Graduate School of Theology.

In 2000, at a meeting in St. Louis, Chairperson Williams continued to lead the Board of Trustees, which was formed at that time. Some significant events took place at the January meeting. The board selected David Bernard as its first president and Nathaniel Urshan as the chancellor of what would be called the Urshan Graduate School of Theology. These officers were installed at the October conference. The board hired James Littles Jr. as vice president; he did considerable organizational work to ready the graduate school to open its doors. The board of trustees and the president officially installed the founding faculty (James A. Littles Jr., David S. Norris, Raymond Crownover, and Gerald L. Truman) at the convocation on August 29, 2001. [3]

In 2009, President David Bernard was elected General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International.

In 2010, Urshan Graduate School of Theology received full accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for the maximum initial period of five years.

In the summer of 2011, Gateway College of Evangelism offered for Urshan Graduate School of Theology (UGST) to acquire Gateway in order to start a new undergraduate program. At the 2011 United Pentecostal Church General Conference, the General Board accepted the proposal for UGST to absorb Gateway. [4] On November 23, 2011, the new institution's name Urshan College was announced. As a Christian seminary, rather than offering degrees solely in theology (like a Bible College), Urshan University offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in several majors. As part of UGST, it is owned and operated by the United Pentecostal Church International and has a Oneness Pentecostal identity. [5]

Academics

UGST offers six certificates: Apostolic Studies, Biblical Studies (NT), Historical Studies, Intercultural Studies, Pastoral Care and Counseling, and UPCI-Endorsed Chaplains. [6] It offers three master's degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, and Master of Theological Studies. [7] Beginning in Fall 2024, UGST also offers a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) program. [8]

Accreditation

In 2010, Urshan Graduate School of Theology received full accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for the maximum initial period of five years. [9]

On July 25, 2020, the Higher Learning Commission granted Urshan Graduate School of Theology and Urshan University regional accreditation. [10]

Center for the Study of Oneness Pentecostalism

The Center for the Study of Oneness Pentecostalism contains the archives for the United Pentecostal Church International, Urshan University, and Urshan Graduate School of Theology. The Center is located on Urshan's campus. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Pentecostal Church International</span> Christian Pentecostal denomination

The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) is a Oneness Pentecostal denomination headquartered in Weldon Spring, Missouri. The United Pentecostal Church International was formed in 1945 by a merger of the former Pentecostal Church, Inc. and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ.

Oneness Pentecostalism is a nontrinitarian religious movement within the Protestant Christian family of churches known as Pentecostalism. It derives its name from its teaching on the Godhead, a form of Modalistic Monarchianism commonly referred to as the Oneness doctrine. The doctrine states that there is one God―a singular divine spirit with no distinction of persons―who manifests himself in many ways, including as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This stands in sharp contrast to the mainstream doctrine of three distinct, eternal persons posited by Trinitarian theology.

Mid-America Reformed Seminary is a graduate-level theological institution located in Dyer, Indiana, providing a biblical and theological education in the classic Reformed (Calvinistic) tradition. The seminary offers a three-year Master of Divinity degree program for students seeking ordination. A two-year Master of Theological Studies degree is offered for students who desire a theological education without seeking the ordained ministry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knox Theological Seminary</span> Evangelical theological seminary

Knox Theological Seminary is an independent, reformed evangelical seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US, founded in 1989 by D. James Kennedy. The school provides ministry training as a fully online seminary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earlham School of Religion</span> Quaker graduate seminary in Richmond, Indiana

Earlham School of Religion (ESR), a graduate division of Earlham College, located in Richmond, Indiana, is the oldest graduate seminary associated with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). ESR's Mission Statement is as follows: "Rooted in the Christian Quaker tradition of contemplation that inspires action, Earlham School of Religion prepares theologically diverse students for a pluralistic world. Our curriculum unites spiritual formation, academic study, social engagement, and vital ministry."

The Doctor of Ministry is a professional doctorate, often including a research component, that may be earned by a minister of religion while concurrently engaged in some form of ministry. It is categorized as an advanced program oriented toward ministerial and/or academic leadership. As a terminal professional doctorate, the Doctor of Ministry is primarily concerned with the "acquisition of knowledge and research skills, to further advance or enhance professional practice," and is, therefore, distinct from the Doctor of Philosophy in its aim. Some institutions offer Doctor of Ministry programs which are more akin to the Doctor of Theology, requiring a research component that constitutes the majority of the program.

Horizon College and Seminary is a multi-denominational Evangelical Christian College in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Wesley Biblical Seminary is a private seminary in the Methodist (Wesleyan-Arminian) tradition in Ridgeland, Mississippi. It was founded in 1974 and serves men and women who come from thirty denominations from all across the United States and other countries. WBS is fully virtual offering polysynchronous online learning with headquarters located outside Jackson, Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Bible College</span>

Indiana Bible College (IBC) is a Bible college endorsed by the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master's College and Seminary</span>

Master's College and Seminary (MCS) is Pentecostal theological institute in Peterborough and Toronto, Ontario, that consists of a residential Bible college, a church-based seminary in Toronto affiliated with Tyndale Seminary at Tyndale University, and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.

The David K. Bernard Library is an academic library that supports the faculty, staff, and students of Urshan Graduate School of Theology and Urshan University. It is named after the General Superintendent of the UPCI and first president of Urshan, Dr. David K. Bernard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wesley Seminary</span> Evangelical Christian theological seminary in Marion, Indiana

Wesley Seminary is an evangelical Christian theological seminary that was founded by the Wesleyan Church denomination and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). Wesley Seminary is located on Indiana Wesleyan University's main campus in Marion, Indiana.

Bernie L. Wade, born on June 29, 1963, in Lakewood, Ohio, is an American minister, entrepreneur, and author. He has served in a variety of roles, including senior pastor and chief operations officer of the Christian Brotherhood. He also served as president of CWN, and vice-president of Spread the Spirit of Love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urshan University</span>

Urshan University, formerly known as Urshan College and Gateway College of Evangelism, is a Christian college in Wentzville, Missouri. It is owned and operated by the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI). In 2012, the college was acquired by Urshan Graduate School of Theology, through which it offers graduate programs.

The John Leland Center for Theological Studies, known as Leland Seminary, is a nondenominational theological institute in the Baptist tradition based in Arlington County, Virginia, with several satellite locations elsewhere in Virginia. Leland is partnered with the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the District of Columbia Baptist Convention, though the center has ties with a range of denominations and churches. Leland is a member of the Washington Theological Consortium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries</span> Theological institution

Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries is regional theological education and ministry training institution of the Church of God World Missions and a religious higher education institution recognized by the Philippine government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentecostal Theological Seminary</span>

The Pentecostal Theological Seminary is a private Christian seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee. While part of the educational ministry of the Church of God, the school accepts students of other denominations, particularly those interested in its emphasis on Wesleyan/Holiness theology and Pentecostal spirituality. It has trained ministers since 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asian Theological Seminary</span> Theological seminary

Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) is a theological seminary in Quezon City, Philippines.

The Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST) is a consortium of evangelical theological seminaries. It was established by Asia Theological Association in 1984, and consists of three bodies: AGST Japan, AGST Philippines, and AGST Alliance.

David K. Bernard is an American New Testament scholar and Oneness Pentecostal theologian. He is the General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International, the largest Oneness Pentecostal organization with constituents worldwide. He teaches as a Professor of Biblical Studies and Apostolic Leadership at Urshan Graduate School of Theology, where he is also Chancellor.

References

  1. "Urshan Graduate School of Theology". National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. 2023–2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  2. "Urshan Graduate School of Theology". The Association of Theological Schools. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  3. Urshan Graduate School of Theology: History
  4. General Superintendent's Update: 10/21/2011
  5. General Superintendent's Update: 07/29/2011
  6. "Certificate Programs". Urshan Graduate School of Theology. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  7. "Academics". Urshan Graduate School of Theology. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  8. "Doctor of Ministry". Urshan Graduate School of Theology. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  9. Association of Theological Schools: Urshan Graduate School of Theology
  10. "Statement of Accreditation Status". Higher Learning Commission.
  11. "About". The Center for the Study of Oneness Pentecostalism. Retrieved 4 September 2024.

38°48′09″N90°21′53″W / 38.8025°N 90.3647°W / 38.8025; -90.3647