ABOUT
Our Distinctives
Anchored in Vibrant Local Churches
One of our most distinct advantages is that our seminary campus in Cary is embedded in The Shepherd’s Church, allowing students the opportunity to both study under world-class academics and to learn valuable, practical ministry skills and real-world lessons inside a vibrant church. Our extension sites in Wyoming and Texas, as well as our Church Cluster Sites are also rooted in the local church, allowing students to benefit personally as well as serve in environments where servant leadership is modeled by faithful pastors.
Our Distinctives
Anchored in Vibrant Local Churches
One of our most distinct advantages is that our seminary campus in Cary is embedded in The Shepherd’s Church, allowing students the opportunity to both study under world-class academics and to learn valuable, practical ministry skills and real-world lessons inside a vibrant church. Our extension sites in Wyoming and Texas, as well as our Church Cluster Sites are also rooted in the local church, allowing students to benefit personally as well as serve in environments where servant leadership is modeled by faithful pastors.
Expository Preaching
When the Apostle Paul told Timothy to “preach the word,” it wasn’t a suggestion, but a command. To preach the word of God is to deliver the message of God directly from His heart to ours. Among numerous God-designed benefits, expository preaching protects the flock from being shaped into the image of the preacher, conveying instead the image of Christ. Anything less than expository preaching isn’t just laziness – it is tantamount to defiance.
Dispensationalist
STS stands out for its commitment to dispensationalism as the proper method for interpreting scripture. We believe this approach, characterized by its fidelity to the Bible’s integrity and respect for its divine authorship, provides unparalleled consistency. Contrary to being a predetermined lens, dispensationalism emerges naturally from a rigorous, literal, and grammatical-historical reading of the Bible. This unwavering commitment shapes every aspect of our educational experience, from the classroom instruction to the theological positions we espouse. Learn more here.
Church Planting Initiative
Theological training, practical coaching, and financial provision define the goals of Shepherds’ dedication to reaching communities with new or revitalized churches. Two major graduate degree programs give students all the theological and practical training needed under the guidance of experienced pastoral faculty who have effectively practiced church planting and revitalization in communities throughout the US and overseas.
Israel Initiative
Our Shepherds faculty host a study trip to Israel with the specific intent of not only educating each student about Israel . . . but educating them in Israel. Our generous donors have made it possible for Shepherds to underwrite the land costs and most meals for the Israel Initiative, leaving students with only minimal costs for lunches, snacks, and souvenirs.
Accelerated Degree Programs
- 3-Year MDiv cohort program is an accelerated pastoral ministry program offering a comprehensive curriculum that equips students for ministry. Students will learn the biblical languages, explore scripture from beginning to end, and gain a systematic understanding of Christian doctrines. The program also delves into the practical aspects of ministry, teaching the principles and practices of teaching, counseling, and discipleship. Graduates will leave with the foundational knowledge and versatile skills needed to serve effectively in any ministry setting.
- 1-Year Master’s program provides students given a firm foundation in understanding and living out the Bible. Our one-year format makes theological training available to future teachers and for men and women of all professions. It is available at our extension site in Bryan, TX.
Low Tuition
Our desire is to offer fully-accredited graduate degrees without adding debt to our students’ undergraduate debt. We deliberately keep tuition low and offer a number of excellent scholarships, along with tuition Grant-in-Aid for qualified students. We are also approved for Title IV funds and for military and veterans benefits.
Live Synchronous Distance Learning
With the advent of online education, many schools offer programs that create a disconnect between faculty and students, and between the students themselves. Live synchronous distance education provides a learning environment that allows the same interactions as would be found in a residency-based classroom. Such interactions provide an opportunity for faculty mentoring as well as effective education.
Fully Accredited by ATS
Shepherds is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada.
Our History
Shepherds Theological Seminary began in 2003 when Stephen Davey, pastor/teacher of The Shepherd’s Church, envisioned a graduate school that would “produce a generation of servant leaders who are equipped for effective ministry within their local church, and to prepare those who will serve vocationally as pastors, teachers, global workers, educators, and ministry leaders.” Over the years, Shepherds has grown from a handful of graduate students in one degree program to a vibrant accredited seminary now offering seven degrees and three diploma studies. Our graduates are serving Christ and His church in 22 countries abroad as well as 34 states here in our own country. We remain a local-church-based seminary with a passion to train the minds, impact the hearts, and prepare the hands of our students for the calling of God in their lives.
Administration/Staff
From our Founder/President Stephen Davey, to our Vice Presidents, Directors, Administrative Assistants and more, we are very blessed to have such a dedicated and qualified team of individuals committed to helping you on your seminary journey.
Click the button below to learn more.
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to impact the world for Christ by equipping servant leaders for life and ministry, strategically shaping both intellect and character through biblical scholarship and personal mentoring.
Our Core Values
“Shepherds Theological Seminary exists to equip servant leaders for life and ministry . . .”
Therefore, we are committed to a Spirit-led life and ministry modeled after the servant leadership of Jesus Christ.
“. . . strategically shaping both intellect and character through biblical scholarship . . .”
Therefore, we are committed to teaching an integrated body of truth as expressed in our doctrinal statement.
Therefore, we are committed to helping students grow in Christ and identify God-given abilities by personal interaction within the seminary community.
Our Doctrine
Our doctrine comes from the Word of God, and it forms the basis for our theological distinctiveness as well as our curriculum and education. Click here for the full STS Doctrinal Statement.
We are committed to the inerrancy of the Scriptures as they were written by human authors in the original documents, under the superintendence of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, we believe that the inspired Bible is our only rule of faith and practice. We also believe that the Bible should be interpreted through a consistent grammatical-historical system of hermeneutics which seeks to understand the Bible in its historical setting and in its plain grammatical sense. These core beliefs are woven through every fiber of our curriculum, and are evident both in the classroom and in ministry. For more information about our distinctives and how they play out in our education and ministry, please see our Academic Catalog.
Teaching Sites
MAIN CAMPUS—Cary, NC
The main campus of Shepherds Theological Seminary is housed at The Shepherd’s Church in Cary, North Carolina. Cary is a vibrant suburb of Raleigh/ Durham, as well as home to the nationally-known Research Triangle Park (RTP). An ideal setting for higher education, the Raleigh/Durham area is home to almost 3 million people representing diverse cultures and age groups. Situated between the Blue Ridge Mountains and North Carolina’s coastal shores, the area offers an exceptional quality of life.
Location Address:
STS TEXAS—Bryan, TX
STS Texas is located on the campus of Redeemer Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas—just minutes from Texas A&M and College Station. At STS Texas, we offer the Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree through both the one-year accelerated and the traditional semester format. The traditional format offers classroom options for both daytime and evening courses. Courses are taught by STS faculty and adjuncts through live-synchronous technology as well as on-site visits.
Location Address:
News & Events
