Our Commitment to Transparency and Authenticity:
Why We Remain Non-Accredited
At our seminary, we are dedicated to providing a transformative and authentic educational experience. We believe in the importance of transparency and want to share with you our prayerful discernment process regarding our decision to remain a non-accredited institution.
Accreditation is a formal process that evaluates and recognizes institutions for meeting certain standards of quality. While it offers benefits such as quality assurance, continuous improvement, accountability, federal aid to students, and recognition, our choice to remain non-accredited is rooted in our commitment to independence and authenticity.
Remaining non-accredited enables us to maintain independence in our theological perspectives and educational approaches. This freedom allows us to serve specific niche communities such as women of color with a pioneering ecumenical approach without external constraints.
Learn more about our innovative “Prophetic Life Coaching” Approach.
Accreditation bodies have faced
various criticisms over the years…
One major concern is the rigidity and bureaucracy associated with accreditation processes. These procedures are often overly complex, time-consuming, and costly, diverting valuable resources away from our core mission. Additionally, the inflexibility of accreditation standards do not currently accommodate the innovative educational models and approaches crucial to our dynamic theological education.
Another criticism revolves around the standards and relevance of accreditation. Certain accreditation standards are, in many cases, do not adequately address contemporary issues and challenges in theological education. This includes the evolving needs of students and the changing landscape of ministry in an increasingly technological and diverse world. Furthermore, there is a concern that accreditation places too much emphasis on academic rigor at the expense of practical ministry training, which is essential for effective pastoral work.
Diversity and inclusivity also emerge as significant criticisms. The lack of diversity and inclusivity within accredited institutions and adequate support to underrepresented groups in theological education. There is also often a denominational bias within accreditation processes, which marginalize important theological traditions and movements.
Cost and accessibility are additional areas of concern. The financial burden of achieving and maintaining accreditation are typically prohibitive for smaller institutions, impacting our ability to allocate resources effectively. Smaller or newer theological schools like ourselves often find it challenging to meet accreditation requirements, limiting our opportunities for growth and development.
Lastly, the impact on institutional autonomy is a significant consideration. Accreditation processes often impinge on the autonomy of theological schools, dictating policies and practices that may not align with an institution's unique mission or educational philosophy. The push for standardization undermine the ability of schools to contextualize their programs to better serve their specific student populations and community needs.
By choosing to remain non-accredited, we prioritize flexibility, innovation, and a personalized approach to theological education. We are committed to providing high-quality, relevant, and impactful training that equips you for effective ministry. Our focus remains on fostering a transformative learning environment that meets your unique needs and empowers you to live out your calling with confidence and clarity.
Thank you for joining us on this journey.
We are dedicated to serving you with transparency, authenticity, and a deep commitment to our shared mission.