South African Theological Seminary

Our mission is to provide Bibl-based, Christ-centred, Spirit-led distance education and training to Christians, and pastors in particular, within their local church environment, to equip them to be Holy Spirit empowered members of God’s household. Within this context we understand that our purpose is to: • Provide lifelong learning opportunities in theological church-related and ministry studies of a sound academic standard and practical application within an Open University type of environment. • Provide students with affordable distance tuition via pedagogically sound and technologically up-to-date and appropriate delivery methodologies and mechanisms. • Foster a culture of student accountability and responsibility for the learning process within the context of local church and community • Provide relevant and meaningful student support through student counselling, tutors, mentors, contact sessions and centre of learning facilities. • Facilitate the career development of church and other Christian workers by providing degree and other higher education programmes that are academically acceptable to the broad higher education programmes that are academically acceptable to the broad Christian community and relevant to ministry requirements. • Undertake research to advance knowledge in the fields of Christian theology and ministry. • Contribute to the South African, African and international higher education community through discourse, interaction, creative partnerships, the hosting of conferences and publication of articles. • Contribute meaningfully to the development of South African society by: o Aiding the restoration of the moral and ethical fibre of society by inculcating Biblical values and principles through our range of courses and by providing cost-free education, within the limitations of our bursary funds, to prisoners throughout the South African correctional services network. o Addressing societal issues such as AIDS at both a preventative and a counselling level through the development of specific subjects. o Providing contextual education and training in areas such as leadership, administration, management, counselling, family life, pastoral ministry, computers in ministry, children and youth ministry, sports ministry, communications and marketing. • Work proactively and consistently towards the fulfilment of national policy objectives for social transformation by: o Providing access to our learning programmes to all who have the capacity to successfully complete the programmes of study but who do not necessarily meet traditional entrance requirements. o Developing policy frameworks that do not prejudice any potential students on the grounds of age, race or gender. o Soliciting bursary funds for members of previously disadvantaged communities and others who cannot afford to study at a tertiary level. • Develop our academic staff capability through the maintenance of an intellectual culture and an ongoing commitment to academic development, training and education of our faculty. • Develop increased levels of competence and job satisfaction of all staff through a policy of promotion from within, periodic assessment, personal development and training programmes.

We are members of the following evangelical alliances or associations:-

• World Evangelical Alliance (WEA)
• Lausanne Movement
• TEE/Increase
• ACTEA (Africa)