What's new?

The Making Connections Initiative

Faculty consultations

These are events held annualy on Calvin's campus which give CTS faculty the opportunity to meet with ministry practitioners. Each consultation addresses a different subject. The purpose of the consultation is for faculty members to listen and learn about the thrills and challenges of ministry - from those who are 'in the field.' Previous topics include rural ministry, multi-staff ministries, church planting, urban ministry, youth ministry, and teaching ministries.

CTS website

We have recently completely redesigned our website. The new website offers user-friendly, helpful information about the seminary's degree programs, continuing education offerings and day to day life and ministry. Our home page features will keep you up to date on what's happening at the seminary, from conferences and courses to job openings.

Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy (EPMC)

EPMC is a program of the Christian Reformed Church in America which is designed for students who aspire to ministry in the Christian Reformed Church, but who attended other seminaries. CTS is serving the denomination by offering the program for EPMC students. The Making Connections initiative supports this program with communication and hospitality efforts.

Book of the Semester

Every quarter, the seminary president chooses a 'book of the semester' for the seminary community to read together. Reading groups comprised of people from the local community, and led by faculty members meet twice per quarter to discuss the book. Often we have the privilege of meeting the author here at CTS and hearing him or her talk about their writing.

Church Connection Initiative

A "Church Connection Initiative at Trinity" office has been established at Trinity Christian College, (Palos Heights IL). This initiative offers assistance to Trinity students and other individuals in discerning a calling to ministry, and provides continuing education opportunities to pastors and church members in Chicago and in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. This office is supported by a grant from the Making Connections Initiative, the Center for Excellence in Preaching, and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

Ministry Practices

The new Mentored Ministries program at CTS places students and faculty in small groups to develop competency in ministry practices. Partner churches serve as ministry practice sites for our students, and vocational mentors for our MDiv and MA students help them reflect on their seminary education in light of ministry practice.

New Course in Formation

The interdisciplinary course in "Theological Education as Formation for Ministry" serves as 'bookends' - orientation and capstone - to the seminary program of M.Div. and M.A. students. The course is divided into two parts; the first will occur during the orientation week and fall semester of a student's first year, and the second will occur during the student's final year. The course allows students to explore the interrelated nature of all parts of seminary life and the ways in which habits developed through theological education are critical to life-long, discerning ministry practices. This integral relation between the "thinking" and "doing" of theology is illustrated by examining how spiritual formation is related to all ministry practices.

Service-Learning

After 5 years of annual Service-Learning Days, students now volunteer with various local churches and organizations in Grand Rapids throughout their seminary years. Students engage in theological and personal reflection on their service, as a part of the curricular emphasis on the relationship between "thinking and doing".

Continuing Education

There are many offerings from the continuing education office which provide ministers, students, teachers and community members to enrich their life-long learning. Be sure to keep an eye on the Continuing Education Calendar for upcoming events and courses. The continuing education office at CTS collaborates extensively with the Center for Excellence in Preaching and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.