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CENTERED ON CHRIST’S MISSION TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION

2024 STRATEGIC PLAN

NOW IN ITS SEVENTH DECADE OF MINISTRY,

Covenant Theological Seminary remains centered on Christ’s mission and joyfully committed to training the next generation of pastors, counselors, and ministry leaders. We are thankful to God for the stewardship vested in us by the Presbyerian Church in America and exult in God’s grace, which has sustained our more than 4,800 graduates who serve in all 50 states and in more than 100 countries.

The challenges facing institutions of higher theological education have never been more daunting. Covenant has not been immune. A decade-long decline in the MDiv degree program has most affected students seeking to become pastors. If we are to bridge Covenant’s strong legacy to a vibrant future, these challenges must be faced directly and require fresh and innovative responses. The 2024 strategic plan is focused on negotiating these challenges.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Informed by Covenant’s institutional identity and the current aforementioned challenges, Covenant has identified six strategic priorities essential to institutional health, alignment with our vision, and overall impact on our students and the wider church.

    • Focus Area 1: Recruitment and Marketing

    • Focus Area 2: Admissions Pipeline Management

    • Focus Area 3: Student Retention

    • Focus Area 4: Post-Graduate Engagement

    • Focus Area 1: Engage in Loca Mission (Domestic and St. Louis)

    • Focus Area 2: Create a Diverse, Hospitable, Intercultural Environment

    • Focus Area 3: Engage Global Mission Partners

    • Focus Area 1: Student Development

    • Focus Area 2: Departmental Oversight

    • Focus Area 3: Co-Cirricular Environment

    • Focus Area 1: Relationships with PCA Agencies and Committees

    • Focus Area 2: Communication

    • Focus Area 1: Assessment

    • Focus Area 2: Practices

    • Focus Area 3: Model

    • Focus Area 1: Budgetary Model

    • Focus Area 2: Program Financial Performance

    • Focus Area 3: Full-time, Residential Focus

    • Focus Area 4: Campus Development

    • Focus Area 5: Financial Aid

    • Focus Area 6: New Capital Campaign

STRATEGIC PLANNING Committee

Dr. Thomas C. Gibbs, President
Melanie Wood, Executive Assistant to the President (ex-officio)
Rev. John Chung, Vice President of Enrollment
Ken McDonald, Sr. Director of Business Development
Mark McElmurry, Dean of Students
Dr. Brad Matthews, Dean of Faculty

Dr. Robert Kim, Associate Professor of Applied Theology and Church Planting
Prof. Jessie Swigart, Dean of Academic Administration
Dr. Dan Doriani, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology
Dr. Robbie Griggs, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
Dr. Jay Sklar, Vice President of Academics
Jason Robey, Vice President of Business and Finance

COVENANT SEMINARY BY THE NUMBERS

773

Students in
2023-2024

Master of Divinity ……………………………………….. 201

Master of Arts in Counseling …………………….. 102

Master of Arts (Biblical & Theological Studies) …………………………………………………………………..……. 103

Doctor of Ministry ……………………….………………… 82

Other ………………………………….…………………………. 285

27%

of students are people of color

5%

are international Students

50%

are from the PCA

6%

are former RUF interns

41%

are Women

% of Students by Age Bracket

4813

Total Alumni

20

Full-Time Faculty

3

Endowed Professorships

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

As we boldy plan for the future at Covenant Seminary, the biblical priority of raising up the next generation of pastors and ministry leaders has never been more important to our institution. To learn more, download the full strategic plan in PDF format.