Students at Memphis Theological Seminary come to campus with a desire to prepare for pastoral ministry by drawing upon the riches of Scripture and the Christian tradition in a place that understands ministry in the real world. At MTS, our ecumenical context has always meant that students can sit elbow-to-elbow with professors and fellow seminarians who bring diverse perspectives both to classroom conversations and community life.
Now our Methodist students (37% of the student body) can add another element to their seminary experience: a deeply Wesleyan theological formation within the larger MTS environment. The Methodist House of Studies is a new initiative on our campus that will serve as a “community within a community” for students from Wesleyan/Methodist backgrounds.
A Bridge to the Church…
The Methodist House is not just for MTS students. A significant part of the developing programming for the Methodist House will also be geared toward the Church – providing pastors and congregations with opportunities for contextual formation in leadership, evangelism, discipleship, and missional engagement. In short, we don’t believe that formation for ministry ends with a seminary degree, and we don’t believe it is only for pastors. Through the work of the Methodist House of Studies, we will offer a seminary of lifelong learning and spiritual renewal for pastors, laity, and congregations.
The Certificate in Wesleyan Studies
The Certificate in Wesleyan Studies is available to any student enrolled in one of the master’s degree programs at MTS, the certificate offers a way to focus a significant amount of coursework in the area of Wesleyan Studies. (Under certain circumstances, non-degree seeking students can also earn the certificate.)
Earning the certificate involves:
- Successful completion of 15 hours in courses carrying the “Wesleyan Studies” designation, including courses in a broad array of disciplines: theology, church history, pastoral care, rhetoric & religion, and parish ministry.
- Actively participating in the community life of the Methodist House of Studies.
The Certificate in Wesleyan Studies will benefit MTS students and the Church. For MTS students, the certificate program provides a strong Wesleyan framework for their preparation for ministry. For the Church, it demonstrates that MTS graduates earning the certificate are thoroughly prepared for pastoral ministry in Wesleyan/Methodist ecclesial contexts.
Click Here to learn more about the Certificate Program