Mission

Rockbridge Seminary is an accredited degree-granting institution of higher learning that exists to develop servant leaders for Christian ministry through quality distance educational experiences that allow them to study and practice without leaving their ministry field.

Statement of Beliefs

We believe the Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error and the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.” (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

We believe there is only one God, who is creator and ruler of the universe. He is eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1,26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. (Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1;1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13)

We believe that for the salvation of sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1)

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of damnation. (John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46)

We believe all believers are members of the body of Christ; the one true church universal. Spiritual unity is to be expressed among Christians by acceptance and love of one another across ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, national, generational, gender, and denominational lines. We believe diversity of thought can exist in the Kingdom among those who seriously seek His truth. (John 17:21; Acts 11:26; Romans 12:5; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:13; 1 Peter 4:16; 1 John 1:7)

Core Values

Christ Honoring

We affirm the ancient proclamation, “Christ is Lord.” We seek to honor Him in everything we do.

Biblical Instruction

We are dedicated to a biblically-based education that enables students to integrate faith and practice. We treasure the Bible and are devoted to correctly handling the word of truth.

Global Strategy

We covenant to train spiritual leaders who will share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world. Evangelism and missions are the heartbeat of our seminary. Our strategy includes the training of persons from every national, ethnic, and cultural background for a variety of ministries.

Church Supportive

We value the Church as God’s primary strategy for redeeming the world. Our goal is to help churches become all that God intends them to be through the five purposes of the church: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. We expect students, faculty, and staff to be active participants in the life of the local church.

Godly Character

We believe the basis of true leadership is character. We are consecrated to a life of spiritual growth and moral integrity. Christian values such as obedience, faithfulness, perseverance, service, and humility are shared and modeled by faculty, staff, and students.

Authentic Relationships

We believe relationships are essential for spiritual growth and effective ministry. We are committed to a community of faith in which mutually supportive relationships exist among students and faculty. We desire to model servant leadership that communicates love and compassion to all people.

Professional Excellence

God’s call to ministry is worthy of our best. We are dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and writing. We seek to provide the environment as well as the encouragement to enable students to discover and utilize their spiritual gifts. We expect students to perform with excellence in their studies and fields of ministry. We want our students to be known for personal discipline and innovation in ministering to a changing world.

Lifelong Learning

We believe ministerial training is a lifelong process. We commit to provide learning experiences for ministers to update their ministry skills.

Goals and Objectives

Institutional Goal

An effective servant leader in Christian ministry will demonstrate proficiency in the purposes for which God made us: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism.

Institutional Objectives

  1. The student demonstrates understanding of personal and community worship. (I‑1; Worship)
  2. The student demonstrates understanding of the role of biblical community in the Body of Christ. (I-2; Fellowship)
  3. The student demonstrates understanding of the Bible and how to help others grow in Christ. (I-3; Discipleship)
  4. The student demonstrates understanding of how to minister to others in Jesus Name. (I-4; Ministry)
  5. The student demonstrates understanding of approaches to missions and evangelism. (I‑5; Evangelism)

These objectives can and will be achieved through quality distance education programs.

The Seminary Medallion

The Rockbridge Seminary Medallion consists of five ellipses that represent the five biblical purposes of the church. The rectangle in the center of the emblem represents the Bible, God’s Word. The Bible is our authoritative source for Rockbridge Seminary.

Blue represents loyalty, commitment, and steadfastness. We are deeply committed to developing spiritual leaders who will share God’s Good News to the world and build healthy, growing churches.