Choosing a seminary is not a small or easy decision. You are choosing not only a place to engage and be challenged academically, but a place to be formed spiritually. Seminary is not an individual endeavor, but much like ministry, missions, and Christian service, it is a communal commitment. The who, why, what, and where matter. Taking time to consider each is essential. As you consider the direction the Lord is leading you, we invite you to consider these steps and encourage you to visit Westminster Seminary California (WSC). Our mission is to glorify Christ, teach his gospel, and serve his church through graduate-level theological study. WSC is a Christian institution that offers instruction in biblical, theological, and ministerial disciplines to both men and women, helping them develop intellectually and spiritually as leaders. We welcome the opportunity to meet, pray, and engage with you—we may even be able to help cover some of the cost of your visit. Consider these steps: Pray – You would expect a seminary, a pastor, or a professor to answer this way, but isn’t it profoundly true? Christians have been called, gifted, and privileged to bring our requests and desires before the Lord, the creator and sustainer of the universe, our redeemer, and our father, who loves us. We do this in the name of his son and through his Spirit. We pray, asking for wisdom, patience, and courage as we walk by faith, exploring our gifts and opportunities, seeking to serve him and love our neighbors. What better way to choose a seminary than beginning with prayer? Visit / Explore – There is a saying in the automotive industry that you don’t buy a car without kicking the tires. In other words, you need to see and take it for a test drive before you buy. Likewise, a visit to a seminary for a personal tour/experience, or during one of the seminary’s open events, such as a “Seminary for a Day,” is an invaluable way to discover whether the seminary is a good fit for you and whether you are a good fit for them. You will have the opportunity to engage in classroom learning, meet the professors, attend a chapel devotional, interact with current students, and experience the community firsthand. Many students say their visit to seminary was the determining factor in their decision. Meet the Faculty – Theological education and training is not merely taught, but it is caught. Getting to know the professors who will teach, counsel, mentor, and pray with and for you is an indispensable element in choosing a seminary. Sitting in a class, participating in a Q&A, and sharing a meal with the professors will whet your appetite for determining if these are the people you want to entrust with your education and formation. Research and explore the professors’ teaching, writing, articles, and sermons. Ask yourself if these are the topics you wish to engage and the kinds of pastors, teachers, and servants you wish to become. WSC’s professors are pastors-scholars where their ministerial experience and academic excellence meet. They are committed to caring about their subject matter and their students, and they desire to instill in their students a life dedicated to learning and serving. Engage with Alumni – What do the men and women who went to the seminary have to say about their alma mater? There is a saying that you can tell a master by the student. In other words, if you listen to how someone preaches, teaches, counsels, or writes, you will most likely know much about how they were taught.Listen to sermons or lectures by the alumni of the seminary you wish to attend, read books or articles, and/or grab a coffee and a conversation with an alum. Explore the seminary’s website to learn about where its alums are serving and what they are doing now. Allow yourself to be encouraged and your imagination to be expanded by considering their journeys and stories. WSC will be happy to connect you with a graduate in your area or through a virtual meeting.Consider the Seminary’s Core Commitments – Every seminary has a theological identity. Research the seminary’s website and communications to evaluate their fidelity to the Word of God, understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, academic model and standards, and comprehensive curriculum.At WSC, we believe that theology is not an academic exercise—it is a pastoral necessity. Our curriculum and in-person educational model are designed to prepare students for real-life ministry: preaching, teaching, counseling, shepherding, and defending the faith. We train students to handle the word of God with reverence and precision, to proclaim the gospel with clarity and conviction, and to serve the church with humility and love. If you are seeking a seminary that will challenge your mind, nourish your soul, and prepare you for a lifetime of faithful ministry, we believe WSC is the place for you. Be Courageous – Learning, pastoring, teaching, and leading take courage and commitment. There is also an element of risk in the equation that can sometimes be intimidating. WSC hopes and prays that it will not be intimidating for you. We encourage you to step out in faith as you pursue your calling, explore your gifts, and engage with the world. The risk is minuscule compared to the reward of being well-trained, well-equipped, and well-loved as you prepare to serve Christ, his gospel, and his church. Know that you are not alone. First and foremost, God is with you and for you. In addition, the WSC community (faculty, administration, Board, students, alums, donors, and friends) is all praying for you and is eager to walk this path with you. Be courageous as you embark on your seminary journey and allow others to walk with you. In conclusion, choosing a seminary involves a few steps focused on helping you know why you would attend a particular seminary and what its mission is; what the benefits of that particular seminary are with respect to its professors, educational model, curriculum, and core commitments; and who will be walking with you down this path. WSC is committed to walking this path with you. We invite you to pray, visit, engage our faculty, meet our alumni, explore our community, examine our commitments, and be courageous. We pray that the Lord will bless you and continue to raise another generation of pastor-scholars and servant-leaders. We are eager to meet you and explore these steps together. Please (insert action step) to set up your visit today. Westminster Seminary California – for Christ, his gospel, and his church.
