Western Theological Seminary

A month later, we’re still reflecting on the joy of Commencement 2026. It was a meaningful day of celebrating our graduates, honoring the communities that supported them, and giving thanks for God’s faithfulness throughout their time at WTS. 🎓

Join us on Thursday, June 11, from 7:30–8:30 PM EST for a virtual info session to learn more about the upcoming Doctor of Ministry cohort, Intentional Integration: Christian College Student Development.

Currently, most faculty, staff, and administrators at the university level are trained in their disciplines without a theological or faith development component, while many with theological training lack the developmental frameworks that social science theories provide. This Doctor of Ministry cohort equips leaders to intentionally integrate Christian spiritual formation and student development theory, helping them maximize their impact through campus programming, mentoring relationships, and ministry leadership.

Visit https://wtsem.info/intentionalintegration to learn more or to register today!

The Symposium on Disability and Ministry 2026 is just over one month away! Join us on Saturday, July 11, at Western Theological Seminary for a day of learning, conversation, and practical ministry resources focused on this year’s theme: Nurturing Children with Disabilities in the Faith.

Through insightful discussions, practical workshops, and shared experiences, participants will deepen their understanding of inclusion, accessibility, and the unique needs of individuals with disabilities in faith communities.

The symposium is free to all participants. Visit https://wtsem.info/symposium2026 to learn more and register today!

Congratulations to Dr. Suzanne McDonald, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, on the publication of her new devotional, “Love Bade Me Welcome: Drawing Nearer to God with the Poems of George Herbert.”

This devotional invites readers to engage with a selection of Herbert’s poems, bringing their own experiences into conversation with his exploration of the life of faith. Accompanied by Scripture, prayers, and reflection prompts, "Love Bade Me Welcome" draws on Dr. McDonald’s seventeenth-century expertise and decades of experiencing the formative power of Herbert’s poetry, encouraging readers to grow in knowledge and love of God, and in their faith and discipleship.

➡️ Grab your copy at 40% off with code BADEME40 by visiting https://wipfandstock.com/9798385262526/love-bade-me-welcome/.

➡️ Follow along with Dr. McDonald’s Substack for reflections and insights related to the devotional by visiting https://substack.com/.

As part of a May 2026 Intercultural Immersion course, students traveled to El Salvador with Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst. The group engaged deeply with local communities, learned from diverse perspectives, and reflected on the lived realities of the church within its cultural, historical, and social context, deepening their understanding of how faith is shaped across different contexts and how these experiences might inform their future ministry.

Join us in celebrating the 2025–2026 student award recipients at Western Theological Seminary!

We are grateful for each student God has called to WTS, and we take this time to celebrate this year’s award recipients and the ways God has equipped them.

2025-2026 Student Award Recipients - Western Theological Seminary Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Student Award recipients! We are grateful for each of the students that God has called to Western Theological Seminary, […]

The Summer Institute Retreat | El Retiro del Instituto de Verano at Western Theological Seminary, centered on the theme “The Dreams of the Heart of God,” is a two-day bilingual gathering of pastors and ministry leaders focused on shared discernment, relationship building, and collaborative ministry.

Through worship services, keynote reflections, panel discussions, contemplative practices, communal meals, and creative reflection spaces, participants will learn from and with one another as they discern faithful responses to the realities facing their churches and neighborhoods.

Join us June 5–6 at Western Theological Seminary for this year’s Summer Institute Retreat. Visit http://wtsem.info/summer-institute to register today!

Western Theological Seminary is excited to announce that the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination has received a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life.

This grant will support “The Beautiful Stories Project,” a collaborative storytelling initiative focused on uncovering and sharing stories that reflect the beauty, complexity, hope, and lived experience of Christian faith and life. Through curated publishing, cinematic storytelling, and partnerships with Christian leaders and creatives across the country, the project seeks to elevate stories that are often overlooked yet deeply needed.

Rooted in the long Christian tradition of storytelling, “The Beautiful Stories Project” hopes to inspire renewed spiritual and cultural imagination for those at the margins of the church, those who are spiritually weary, and leaders faithfully serving others in challenging spaces. By sharing stories marked by faith, hope, struggle, and grace, the project aims to help spark a renewed cultural and spiritual perception of Christianity.

The "Beautiful Stories Project" receives grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. - Western Theological Seminary Western Theological Seminary (WTS) has received a grant of $5 million dollars from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life. The grant will support “The Beautiful Stories Project: collaborative imagination, curated publishing, and cinematic stor...

Western Theological Seminary is now offering a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree. The MTS provides students with thorough training in the academic disciplines of theology and biblical studies within Western’s distinctive approach to whole-person formation. This program offers a flexible path forward through both in-person and distance learning options.

➡️ Apply today or learn more about the degree at wtsem.info/mts.