Our 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.
Our Vision
Rockbridge will be known as a premier global provider of practical online ministry training.
Rockbridge Seminary
Mission, Vision, and Values
Training men and women for servant leadership in ministry, we adhere to the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Goals and Objectives
Institutional Objectives
An effective servant leader in Christian ministry will demonstrate proficiency in the purposes for which God made us: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. These objectives can and will be achieved through quality distance education programs.
WORSHIP
The student demonstrates understanding of personal and community worship.
FELLOWSHIP
The student demonstrates understanding of the role of biblical community in the Body of Christ.
DISCIPLESHIP
The student demonstrates understanding of the Bible and how to help others grow in Christ.
MINISTRY
The student demonstrates understanding of how to minister to others in Jesus Name.
EVANGELISM
The student demonstrates understanding of approaches to missions and evangelism.
Take part in our Ministry
Curriculum Threads
Rockbridge embraces four threads that weave through the curriculum and inform course learning outcomes and the spiritual formation of our students.
Head – Servant leaders know God and know His Word. (2 Tim. 2:15 & Acts 2:42)
Rockbridge develops ministry leaders who can think biblically, theologically, and strategically. Rockr’s have a vision of God’s purpose for their life and how to fulfill it. In the classroom, the Head is emphasized under Explore in each Unit.
Heart– Servant leaders love God and love others. (Mark 12:30-31)
Rockbridge models unconditional love and compassion to all people so the whole world can know the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Rockr’s embody a life surrendered to Christ. In the classroom, the Heart is emphasized under Reflect in each Unit.
Hands – Servant leaders serve God and minister to others. (James 1:22)
Rockbridge equips leaders with practical ministry skills. Rockr’s work alongside others in fulfilling God’s purposes of fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship. In the classroom, the Hands are emphasized under Do in each Unit.
Habits– Servant leaders employ practices that nourish their inner lives.
Rockbridge trains students in the practice of spiritual disciplines. Rockr’s practice lifelong spiritual habits that nourish their emotional and spiritual health. In the classroom, Habits are emphasized under Renew in each Unit.
Rockbridge Seminary History
Rockbridge Seminary began with a dream. In 2003, Daryl R. Eldridge, Ph.D. and Gary W. Waller, Ph.D. of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) and J. Sam Simmons, Ph.D. of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (GGBTS) began collaborating on how to adapt seminary education to meet the needs of 21st century churches.
Dr. Eldridge, Dean of the School of Education Ministries at SWBTS, was in touch with the leadership training needs of churches as a frequent church training and leadership conference speaker. Dr. Waller was the Dean of Distance Education at SWBTS, directing all online programs and extension centers. He knew firsthand the potential of online learning. Dr. Simmons was director of the Southern California Campus (Orange County) of GGBTS, which included an extension center at nearby Saddleback Church. Simmons, an expert in non-traditional seminary students, had researched extensively the challenge of reengineering seminary education.
These men recognized trends among Evangelical churches, with corroboration from decades of published literature that called for change within seminary education. At the same time, they became increasingly concerned that traditional seminaries were either unwilling or unable to make the changes that were needed. Their concerns were reflected, for example, in the Christianity Today article “Re-engineering the Seminary?” (1994) that described a “velvet revolution sweeping through the nation’s seminaries.” The need for a new approach to seminary education was best captured in a study commissioned by seven evangelical seminaries in 1993: “Standing on the Banks of Tomorrow: A Study of Ministry Needs of the Local Church for the 21st Century.”
In anticipation of the possible launch of a new school to address these concerns and possibly reengineer ministry training, the Compton Institute for Christian Leadership had already been established.
During 2003, “what-if” discussions about online learning design, ministry-focused academic programs, and relevant curriculum gradually evolved into serious planning and preparation for the launch of a new kind of seminary. The decision was made to start the new school in Springfield, Missouri, the hometown of Dr. Eldridge. The same year, the school’s name was changed to Rockbridge University. Dr. Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church and well-known author, gave his public endorsement of the school’s online learning that features a curriculum designed around the five biblical purposes of the church. The school launched with two programs: Master of Ministry Leadership and Diploma in Ministry Leadership. Each program consisted of 39 credit hours of courses that were designed to shape servant leaders for Christian ministry.
In August of 2003, Dr. Eldridge resigned from SWBTS (located in Ft. Worth, Texas), moved to Springfield, Missouri, and accepted a staff position at Second Baptist Church, which graciously provided office space for the new school at no charge.
Using personal funds and funds gathered from family and friends, the founders prepared to receive applications and develop courses. Dr. Simmons resigned from GGBTS at the end of 2003 and became the first full-time employee, teaching the inaugural course in January 2004 to 12 students. Dr. Eldridge joined the seminary full-time in 2005. Also in 2005, the institution’s name was changed to Rockbridge Seminary. The final cofounder to join the seminary full-time, Dr. Waller, retired from SWBTS in 2006. Dr. Waller left his administrative position in 2010, but continued as a faculty member.
In 2007, the seminary began offering a Master of Divinity (M.Div.). Rockbridge received initial accreditation from The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in June 14, 2013. In 2014, the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) was added to the curriculum. The seminary was reaccredited by DEAC in 2016 and the school is up for accreditation renewal in 2021.
