Adult Christians praying together after a Bible study

About Life Seminary

Formed in Scripture. Prepared for service.

Life Seminary is a single-purpose Christian seminary offering accessible, rigorous theological education for the whole church and the whole world.

Our mission

Equip the saints for the work of ministry.

We equip women and men to know Scripture deeply, think theologically, grow in Christlike character, and serve the church and the world with faithfulness.

Our competency-based model lets students remain rooted in the congregations and communities where God has already called them. Every degree is offered through one focused School of Theology and Ministry.

Read our Statement of Faith

From the President

A word to those considering this work.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15

Arthur E. Kensington, President of Life Seminary — Arthur E. KensingtonPresident

Some of the deepest learning in ministry happens far from a classroom. It happens beside a hospital bed, in a late-night conversation, and over a Bible opened again after everyone else has gone to sleep. Years of teaching, listening, and serving have shaped both what you know and who you are.

Perhaps you have dreamed of a theological degree while putting a congregation, a family, or another person's needs first. That hope still matters. There is dignity in bringing the learning of those years into the light and giving it a lasting academic record.

Life Seminary exists to make room for that journey. Through Competency-Based Ministry Assessment, we recognize demonstrated learning against published degree outcomes, drawing together theological understanding and ministry experience. You can pursue that recognition while remaining present among the people God has called you to serve.

Imagine your name on a degree that speaks to years of Scripture studied, questions wrestled with, and lessons carried into service. Let it mark a moment of gratitude for how far you have come, and renewed purpose for the work still ahead.

I invite you to bring your experience, your questions, and your hope to Life Seminary. Let us honor the learning already taking root in your ministry and encourage its continued growth. There is room here for your next chapter.

Arthur E. Kensington

President

Life Seminary

Our history

Founded in 1988

Life Seminary traces its origins to 1988, when a small Christian theological education initiative was established to provide accessible biblical and ministry training for pastors, church leaders, and adult learners.

The institution began with a simple mission: to make serious Christian education available to students whose ministry responsibilities, geographic location, or financial circumstances made traditional residential theological education difficult to access.

1988–1995
The Founding Years
During its early years, Life Seminary focused primarily on biblical studies, pastoral ministry, Christian leadership, and theological formation.
Instruction was delivered through a combination of local teaching, independent study, ministry-based learning, and guided theological reading.
Early programs were designed especially for working pastors, lay leaders, missionaries, and students already serving in Christian ministry.
1996–2005
Expanding Ministry Education
As demand for flexible theological education increased, Life Seminary expanded its curriculum beyond foundational biblical studies.
New areas of study included:
- Pastoral Ministry
- Christian Education
- Missions and Evangelism
- Church Leadership
- Biblical Interpretation
- Systematic Theology
During this period, the Seminary increasingly served students outside its original local community.
The institution also began developing more structured academic policies, curriculum standards, and assessment procedures.
2006–2014
Development of Distance Education
Advances in digital communication created new opportunities for theological education.
Life Seminary gradually incorporated online communication, electronic learning materials, and distance-based academic support into its programs.
This transition allowed students serving in churches, ministries, and mission contexts to pursue theological education without relocating.
The Seminary also expanded its emphasis on adult learners and ministry professionals whose prior education and practical experience formed an important part of their academic development.
2015–2019
Academic Modernization
Life Seminary entered a period of institutional modernization focused on:
- Standardized academic policies
- Program-level learning outcomes
- Digital student records
- Faculty review procedures
- Structured assessment
- Prior-learning evaluation
- Online student services
The Seminary also began reorganizing its academic offerings around clearly defined degree pathways and theological fields.
This period established much of the academic framework later used in the institution’s fully digital model.
2020–2023
Transition to a Digital-First Seminary
The rapid growth of online education accelerated Life Seminary’s transition toward a digital-first academic model.
Administrative processes, admissions, student communication, academic records, assessment, and credential services were increasingly moved online.
The Seminary continued to emphasize three institutional commitments:
Truth
Faithful engagement with Scripture and historic Christian theology.
Formation
The development of Christian character, theological understanding, and ministry maturity.
Service
Preparation for meaningful service in churches, ministries, communities, and mission contexts.
2024–Present
A Global Digital Institution
Life Seminary now operates as a technology-enabled theological institution serving students through online academic and administrative systems.
Its contemporary academic model includes:
- Online admissions
- Digital student records
- Prior-learning evaluation
- Program qualifying assessments
- Electronic credential services
- Academic verification
- Multiple theological fields
- Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral pathways
The Seminary continues to develop its programs around the needs of adult learners, Christian ministers, church leaders, and students seeking flexible theological education.

Our Continuing Mission

Since its founding, Life Seminary has sought to combine biblical faithfulness, academic accessibility, and practical ministry preparation.

While the tools used to deliver education have changed dramatically, the institution’s central purpose remains the same:

Formed in Scripture. Prepared for Service.

Life Seminary continues to develop its academic programs, institutional standards, and digital learning systems in service of Christian students and ministry leaders around the world.

Our theological identity

One seminary. One gospel-centered mission.

Scripture at the center

We receive the Old and New Testaments as the authoritative written Word of God and the foundation for theological learning.

Christ at the center

We study in service of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the historic faith confessed by the church across generations.

The church in view

Our programs prepare students to preach, teach, lead, counsel, worship, disciple, and participate faithfully in God’s mission.

Formation for service

Academic depth belongs together with prayer, Christian character, pastoral wisdom, and compassionate ministry.

A ministry leader reflecting on Scripture and spiritual formation

Whole-person formation

Learning that shapes mind, character, and ministry.

Biblical formation

Interpret Scripture attentively in its literary, historical, canonical, and theological contexts.

Theological formation

Engage Christian doctrine and the historic witness of the global church with clarity and charity.

Spiritual formation

Cultivate habits of worship, discernment, integrity, humility, and lifelong growth in Christ.

Ministerial formation

Apply learning in churches, ministries, workplaces, and communities with wisdom and courage.

30K+

Graduates Worldwide

190+

Countries Represented

182

Theological Degree Pathways

38+

Years of Excellence

Serving learners worldwide since 1988.

School of Theology and Ministry

Academic Leadership

Christian scholars and ministry leaders committed to biblical faithfulness, theological depth, and practical service.

Dr. Jonathan P. Mercer

Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry

Academic fields: Systematic Theology, Pastoral Theology, Ministry Leadership

Dr. Jonathan Mercer serves as Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry. His academic interests include pastoral theology, Christian leadership, ecclesiology, and the relationship between theological formation and congregational life. He has extensive experience in pastoral ministry, theological education, curriculum development, and mentoring emerging Christian leaders.

Areas of teaching

Systematic Theology
Pastoral Theology
Christian Leadership
Ministry Formation

Dr. Rebecca L. Caldwell

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Academic fields: Biblical Studies, Christian Education

Dr. Rebecca Caldwell oversees academic quality, curriculum review, and faculty development. Her teaching and research focus on biblical interpretation, Christian formation, and theological education. She is especially interested in helping students connect serious biblical study with faithful Christian practice.

Areas of teaching

Biblical Interpretation
Christian Education
Spiritual Formation
Academic Research

Meet our faculty and academic leadership

Our teaching faculty

Meet the scholars, pastors, and educators serving across biblical studies, theology, church history, pastoral ministry, Christian care, missions, education, and leadership.

Leadership and governance

Accountable offices, published responsibilities.

The seminary is governed by a Board of Trustees that holds the Statement of Faith, a faculty that owns the curriculum and the assessments, and a registrar that keeps the permanent record every credential is verified against.

Arthur E. Kensington

President

Leads the seminary, chairs the faculty, and signs every conferred credential.

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Chairs the governing board, which holds the Statement of Faith and approves every degree conferral.

Academic Dean

Oversees the published degree plans, the assessment standards, and faculty appointments.

Registrar

Maintains the credit ledger, issues credentials, and keeps the permanent verification record.

The Board of Trustees

Holds the Statement of Faith, appoints the President, approves the published degree plans, and confirms every conferral.

The Faculty

Authors the curriculum and the assessment banks, sets the academic standards, and reviews prior learning against published outcomes.

The Office of the Registrar

Records earned credit, issues credentials, and maintains the verification page that a third party can check.

ICAS Accreditation

Academic quality with a theological purpose.

Life Seminary is institutionally accredited by the International Council for Academic Standards (ICAS) and is committed to rigorous academic quality, institutional integrity, and educational accountability.

The Seminary maintains a structured quality-assurance framework encompassing competency-based assessment, evidence-based evaluation, credential validation, academic governance, and continuous institutional review. Its academic model supports innovative and non-traditional pathways while preserving clearly defined standards for learning outcomes, assessment integrity, and the credibility of academic awards.

View ICAS accreditation

One transparent, one-time program assessment fee opens the complete published degree plan.

ICAS-Accredited Degrees - Financial Aid

A transparent path to an accredited theological degree

Every eligible application is considered for the 2026 Life in Christ Grant. Admission and the Grant decision come first; the program assessment fee is requested afterward.

Experienced ministry practitioners are assessed on competencies they have already developed through years of ministry, rather than being required to repeat coursework they already know.

Active Grant

2026 Life in Christ Grant

ICAS-Accredited

Bachelor's Degree

Published Life Seminary tuition

$39,900.00

After 2026 Life in Christ Grant

$49

One-time program assessment fee

Grant tuition reduction: USD 39,851

Competency-Based Ministry Assessment
Recognition of demonstrated ministry learning
Electronic degree and permanent verification page

How this fee is reached

Published Life Seminary Tuition: $39,900.00
Assessed Prior Learning CreditAward step 1: credit for the ministry and study your review evidences: -$39,351.00
Registry & Assessment Fee: $549.00
2026 Life in Christ GrantAward step 2: released with the October 2026 cycle, not carried forward: -$500.00
Your One-Time Program Fee: $49.00

No application fee, renewal fee, per-assessment fee, or retake fee.

ICAS-Accredited

Master's Degree

Published Life Seminary tuition

$59,900.00

After 2026 Life in Christ Grant

$69

One-time program assessment fee

Grant tuition reduction: USD 59,831

Competency-Based Ministry Assessment
Recognition of demonstrated ministry learning
Electronic degree and permanent verification page

How this fee is reached

Published Life Seminary Tuition: $59,900.00
Assessed Prior Learning CreditAward step 1: credit for the ministry and study your review evidences: -$59,331.00
Registry & Assessment Fee: $569.00
2026 Life in Christ GrantAward step 2: released with the October 2026 cycle, not carried forward: -$500.00
Your One-Time Program Fee: $69.00

No application fee, renewal fee, per-assessment fee, or retake fee.

ICAS-Accredited

Doctoral Degree

Published Life Seminary tuition

$89,900.00

After 2026 Life in Christ Grant

$149

One-time program assessment fee

Grant tuition reduction: USD 89,751

Competency-Based Ministry Assessment
Recognition of demonstrated ministry learning
Electronic degree and permanent verification page

How this fee is reached

Published Life Seminary Tuition: $89,900.00
Assessed Prior Learning CreditAward step 1: credit for the ministry and study your review evidences: -$89,251.00
Registry & Assessment Fee: $649.00
2026 Life in Christ GrantAward step 2: released with the October 2026 cycle, not carried forward: -$500.00
Your One-Time Program Fee: $149.00

No application fee, renewal fee, per-assessment fee, or retake fee.

Apply

Submit the single-page application for free.

Admission & Award

Receive the decision and your locked program fee.

Competency-Based Ministry Assessment

Demonstrate theological understanding and the competencies developed through ministry.

Degree Record

Receive the electronic degree and permanent verification record.

Begin a Free Application Review Tuition & Fees

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