SPS Academy, Abbey, Apostolate®

Professor Chakrita Saulina teaches a Hebrew course

The interplay of scholarship, spiritual edification, and service learning defines our unique vision for educating both undergraduate and seminary students — all informed by our Wesleyan heritage that joins “knowledge and vital piety” as a means of changing the world.

Academy

Seattle Pacific Seminary is known for its rigorous yet supportive academic environment. As a seminary student, you will learn in close collaboration with faculty colleagues from many disciplines across the University. Our professors are outstanding biblical and theological scholars who value academic excellence, research, and teaching in service to the church, and have a deep Christian faith.

Abbey

In Seattle Pacific Seminary, we stress accountable discipleship, and provide opportunities for you to worship and fellowship in intentional Christian community. Our purpose is that you will be formed more and more in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.

Apostolate

Seattle Pacific Seminary is also an “apostolate” — a place of sending forth. As a student, you will sometimes find yourself stretched beyond your comfort zone — for the sake of the gospel — through urban or global multicultural experiences. At Seattle Pacific Seminary, prayer and service provide you with the seedbed for scholarly study, vocational exploration, and preparation for leadership in the congregation, the classroom, the community, and beyond.

Learning Outcomes of Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate®


The Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate® is integrated into the five MDiv Student Learning Outcomes identified below.

As an academy, SPS seeks the mind of Christ through theological study and reflection.

1.Students will interpret and respond to the texts and traditions of the Christian faith.

2.Students will demonstrate critical reflection on the Christian faith and society for a deeper knowledge of God and God’s work in the world.

As an abbey, SPS endeavors to be a formative community that is a workshop of the Holy Spirit.

3. Students will learn spiritual practices and participate in forming communities of discipleship, guided by the Holy Spirit.

As an apostolate, SPS aspires to participate in God’s reconciling mission in the world.

4. Students will demonstrate attentiveness to the work of God in diverse contexts through participation in the ministry of reconciliation.

5. Students will discern their vocation to God’s reconciling work by participating in communities of faith.

The Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate® is integrated into the four MA Student Learning Outcomes identified below.

As an academy, SPS seeks the mind of Christ through theological study and reflection.

1.Students will interpret and respond to the texts and traditions of the Christian faith.

2. Students will demonstrate critical reflection on the Christian faith and society for a deeper knowledge of God and God’s work in the world.

As an abbey, SPS endeavors to be a formative community that is a workshop of the Holy Spirit.

3.Students will learn spiritual practices and participate in forming communities of discipleship, guided by the Holy Spirit.

As an apostolate, SPS aspires to participate in God’s reconciling mission in the world.

4. Students will demonstrate attentiveness to the work of God in diverse contexts through participation in the ministry of reconciliation.

To view the program tracking sheets for each degree, please visit the Seminary Programs page.

“Unite the pair so long disjoined;
Knowledge and vital piety;
Learning and holiness combined,
And truth and love let all men see
In these, when up to thee we give,
Thine, wholly thine, to die and live.”
Charles Wesley
Seminary students gather at Camp Casey | photo by Vita Nova

Beyond the Classroom

Seattle Pacific Seminary’s incoming students gather at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island as part of a retreat-based intensive course where they study and practice historic spiritual disciplines.

triple-a

The Triple A Model: Academy, Abbey, Apostolate®

Founding Dean, Dr. Doug Strong, reflects upon the initial vision of Seattle Pacific Seminary, known as the “The Triple A Model: Academy, Abbey, Apostolate®.” This way of doing theological education focuses on an interplay of scholarship, spiritual edification, and service learning.