EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Equipping the Saints to Serve ™
 
Evangelical Theological Seminary
 

Evangelical Theological Seminary was founded as the Educational Division for Theological and Ecclesiastical Studies of Abundant Life Ministries, Incorporated.  It has been in existence since 1981 and is a non-profit religious corporation as defined in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

Evangelical Theological Seminary is ecumenical and interdenominational, serving students from many different religious persuasions, nationally and internationally.  The Cross of Christ being the divine factor which joins us all together. 

The seminary's governing body consists of a Board of Regents which functions in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors.
 
Purpose
The purpose of Evangelical Theological Seminary is to provide a biblically-oriented theological education and training for those who are already in the ministry, for those just beginning their ministry, or laity who have a desire to gain more biblical and theological knowledge. This includes pastors, missionaries, evangelists, Bible teachers, church workers, church staff members, ministry directors, musicians, laity, etc. The degree programs of Evangelical Theological Seminary are designed solely for religious vocations.
 

Statement of Faith
Within our statement of faith is the belief of an unchanging standard for the Bible as God's Word, inspired and inerrant. These fundamental truths which are listed are not in their entirety; but give the essence of each.  We believe:

 

1. The Scriptures are the inspired and infallible Word of God, the Bible. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament are verbally inspired.
2. There is one true God, eternally manifested in the person of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. This includes His virgin birth, His sinless life, His substitutionary work on the cross, His bodily resurrection, and His heavenly exaltation to the right hand of God.
4. In the fall of man. Man, by voluntary transgression, fell and incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death.
5. In sanctification. This means being separated from an evil, profane, or secular purpose to a sacred purpose. It also means separation, dedication, or consecration unto God.
6. In the Holy Spirit. The ministry of God's Holy Spirit is given to those Christians who ardently desire to be endued with His presence.
7. In sanctification.  This means being separated from an evil, profane, or secular purpose to a sacred purpose.  It also means separation, dedication, or consecration unto God.
8. In the blessed hope. The resurrection of those who have died in Christ and those who are still alive, to be translated together into His presence.
9. In the final judgment. The wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works and then be consigned to everlasting punishment. The devil, his angels, the beast, and the false prophet will also receive the same fate.
10. In the New Heavens and the New Earth. The Bible states that we are to look for "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
 
Accreditation
 
Accreditation in the United States is a process whereby educational institutions are qualified relative to the acceptance of credits and degrees in academia. State governmental educational systems do not, in themselves, accredit individual private schools. There are various organizations in the United States, with widely diversified program requirements and differing regulatory standards, which become accrediting agencies for private schools. The accreditation process is completed by educational institutions through accrediting organizations that are recognized by the United States Department of Education, or not recognized by the United States Department of Education. The regional accrediting agencies that are recognized by the United States Department of Education, consist of private corporations that grant accreditation within certain geographical areas of the United States. There are excellent educational institutions that have chosen to become regionally accredited with them, but others, which are also excellent educational institutions, have chosen to become a member of a non-regional independent accrediting organization. Evangelical Theological Seminary has chosen to become a member of a non-regional independent accrediting organization which allows an academic education without compromising Christianity. Under non-regional independent accreditation organizations, some seminary and ecclesiastical institutions have had their credits and degrees accepted by regionally accredited educational institutions, based on their scholarly criterion of education.

Evangelical Theological Seminary’s preference is to provide its students with accreditation through an independent accreditation agency.  Evangelical Theological Seminary is accredited by the Evangelical Accrediting Association. The Evangelical Accrediting Association is non-regional, independent, and a religious accreditation association which is not affiliated with any agency of the federal government.  Evangelical Theological Seminary has committed its academic capabilities to provide the highest educational standards for its theological degrees.
 
Florida Council of Private Colleges
 
Evangelical Theological Seminary is a member in good standing with the Florida Council of Private Colleges, Incorporated.

Florida Council of Private Colleges has been recognized as an authorized educational association for representing its member independent colleges and universities before any government and/or educational agency. The Florida Council of Private Colleges is an educational association that provides experienced educational quality peer review of: faculty, academic curriculum and course development, distance learning processes, campus operations, catalogs, brochures, advertisements, application forms, financial records, student records, and transcripts.

The quality of the educational standards, as set forth by the Florida Council of Private Colleges for its religious college members, fulfills the educational standards as required by the State of Florida.

Evangelical Theological Seminary subscribes to the educational standards which the Florida Council of Private Colleges requires of its member institutions.
 
Educational Recognition History
 
Evangelical Theological Seminary originally met the requirements for Florida Statute §246.084 Authorization under the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities, specifically as a §246.084(3) Authorization College.

The State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities was then changed to the Commission for Independent Education, which continued the same authorized educational rights and privileges to Evangelical Theological Seminary as were accorded by the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Under Florida Statute §246.084 Authorization, Evangelical Theological Seminary was granted the right to offer educational programs that prepared students for religious vocations as ministers, professionals, or laypersons in the following categories: ministry, counseling, theology, education, administration, music, fine arts, media communications, and social work.

Under Florida Statute §246.084, Evangelical Theological Seminary was authorized to grant degrees from the associate to the doctorate.

Evangelical Theological Seminary continues to fulfill the educational standards which are required of the academic institutions by the Florida Department of Education relative to theological degrees under section 1005.06 (1)(f), Florida Statues.
 
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