Why ACTS Seminaries

The ACTS Book Offer

We desire to help as you explore the possibilities and seek answers to your questions about pursuing a seminary education. Our admissions counsellors spend a great deal of time listening and talking to people who are thinking about attending seminary. We would love to talk with you to help you discern if ACTS Seminaries is the right place to achieve your goals. We are pleased offer you a free copy of the book So You're Thinking About Going to Seminary (Read a Review) by Derek Cooper. Thinking about Seminary This book addresses a number of helpful topics:

  • Choosing the Right Seminary
  • Discerning if Seminary is Right for You
  • Exploring Degree Options
  • Making the Most of Your Education
  • What to Expect
  • How to Pay for It
  • Career Paths

To receive your free copy, please contact our Director of Admissions, Liisa Polkki and request the actsbookoffer@twu.ca or call 604.513.2019 (ext 3822).

Why attend Seminary? Jesus and the disciples never went to Seminary!

When Jesus called the disciples, He called them away from their current vocations to follow Him.  If we understand the word seminary from its Latin root seminarium -  which literally means a seed-bed, seminary is like a garden of  thought and learning.  Based on this idea the disciples arguably received the best "seminary" education afforded to anyone.  They experienced three years of intensive day to day training with their master teacher receiving what we would describe today as biblical and theological training grounded in a mentored, practical setting.  Additionally, the disciples were sent out to proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God was near.  When they came back, they discussed and reviewed their experiences with Jesus. In later years, when the disciples where brought before the Sanhedrin, the teachers of the law who had considered them uneducated could tell they were educated at the feet of Jesus.

A traditional seminary education requires that you take time (whether on site or through long distance education) from your current work in order to study and reflect on scripture.  A solid seminary education will not spoon feed you the answers; seminary is the "seed-bed" to equip you for a life long learning adventure. At seminary, you are introduced to deep study of Scripture and theological thinking that will equip you to thoughtfully engage the complex issues of our day.  You are challenged to analyze current culture and discover ways to address its needs.  The ministry skills that are so important to long-term service are taught by people who understand the challenges.  Above all, you are taught how to think in a spiritual atmosphere that combines intellect with commitment to God and his mission.

A seminary education will challenge your current beliefs to ensure that they are built on a Biblical and a theologically sound foundation. Seminary training can offer you the time and tools to reflect on what God has given us and how we are to respond. If you feel a call to vocational ministry, or you feel challenged to become better equipped to serve in the setting you are currently engaged, seminary offers many ways to help you.  Seminary graduates are prepared to serve God for the long haul, using knowledge and skills that make them effective.  The world in which we live and the people we serve deserve no less.

Why ACTS Seminaries?

1.  A Unique Learning Environment

This is much more than just a beautiful location and setting in which to study.  ACTS Seminaries is a consortium of 5 seminaries that have come together in a creative collaborative partnership.  The ACTS Seminaries group provides a rich, diverse learning environment. You get the opportunity to study and interact with professors and students from other backgrounds, cultures and spiritual traditions.  Each seminary within the consortium maintains its own distinctives while working collaboratively in a partnership with other seminaries.  There is no other seminary setting in Canada quite like it. 

2.  An Accomplished and Diverse Faculty

The  collaborative nature of the ACTS Seminaries group means that the schools collectively provide a stellar faculty who bring distinguished academic credentials and ministry experience to the ACTS learning environment.  Imagine learning from top instructors that represent a wide range of theological perspectives and traditions. ACTS faculty intentionally nurture a learning environment that can help you expand your thinking.  

3. An excellent range of programs and options

ACTS provides a broad selection of Masters and Diploma programs that combine solid theological study, academic excellence and significant flexibility within each program.  ACTS is continually looking at ways to enhance and expand its program offerings to meet the needs of today's students and the people they serve.  More

4.  A Partnership with Trinity Western University - Rated A+ for Quality of Education by the Globe and Mail

In addition to being a consortium of 5 seminaries, ACTS works in a dynamic partnership with Trinity Western University and is the Graduate School of Theological Studies of TWU.  ACTS is located on the TWU Campus.  ACTS students enjoy access to many campus benefits including the TWU library, which is one of the largest biblical and theological collections in Canada.  Masters Degrees awarded at ACTS are conferred co-jointly by the University each Seminary of record.  

5.  Accessibility

ACTS provides opportunities to study both long-distance and on campus in order to help students complete their studies more easily.  ACTS also offers modular and summer course programs to assist students who want to complete their degrees with greater flexibility for their lifestyle.  While studying at ACTS students soon discover that the faculty and staff make personal availability a priority.  Each faculty member's deep commitment to your personal best is evident whether in the classroom, the student collegium, in the hallway or over a meal.  Our open door policy and student to faculty ratio means you get access, support and mentorship at every step of your journey through seminary. 

6.  Alumni Track Record

ACTS Seminaries has more than 1,000 graduates who are making a difference serving effectively and faithfully in a wide spectrum ministries around the world that range from unsung hero to high visibility settings.  Attending ACTS provides a clear pathway toward future ministry career. 

7.  Flexibility

ACTS degree programs are designed to be flexible, many ACTS students take courses on a part-time basis while continuing in their careers.  Each program offers a number of specialization options and electives that allow you to customize your course of study while still receiving solid core studies that are essential to your graduate degree. 

To find out more please contact our Director of Admissions, Liisa Polkki.  We are committed to helping you find the right setting and program for your needs and goals.