Thank You, Jo-Ellen!

Shepherds Theological Seminary’s President, Stephen Davey, honored our dear and beloved Jo-Ellen Platt during the STS Commencement ceremony, Sunday, May 16, 2021. After nearly 15 years of faithfully serving STS, Jo-Ellen retired at the end of April.

In her most recent role as Student Services Administrative Assistant, Jo-Ellen has helped new students find local employment and housing, let them know about free furniture and other household items, and has generally been available to help students and their families solve the problems of life that can arise in their busy years of seminary training. She has also endeared herself to the men of our Regional 360 Pastors Fellowship and served our then Director of Placement and now Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology, Dr. Bill Barber. Jo-Ellen truly has earned her designation as Matriarch of Shepherds Seminary!

In her own words, Jo-Ellen writes, “As some realize, my greatest joys during my employment with Shepherds is to have developed positive relationships with the students who have come through our doors. These students from various parts of the world, especially given the culture of today, have blessed me with their dedication and determination to receive their ministry education at Shepherds so they can go forth and preach the Truth of God’s Word— following in the footsteps of our president and pastor of The Shepherd’s Church, Stephen Davey. I am grateful that I still maintain relationships with many of these alumni. My joy for them is that they are moving forward in the ministry areas our Lord has directed for them.”

STS Hosts Fall 2024 Day at Shepherds

Over 40 participants gathered on Monday, October 21 to attend Shepherds Theological Seminary’s Day at Shepherds event, held twice per year.  Dr. Tim Miller, Dr. Peter Goeman, and Dr. Andy Burggraff delivered short lectures centered around the seminary’s core values of...

Experience a Day at Shepherds

This semester's Day at Shepherds will take place on Monday, October 21st from 8:30am-12:30pm. This preview event offers an informative and enjoyable opportunity to experience Shepherds Theological Seminary!  You'll hear featured lectures from professors, meet current...

Key Elements of Dispensationalism’s Storyline

Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Dispensational Hermeneutics (Theological Studies Press, 2022) by Dr. Michael J. Vlach. You may purchase the book here  Before considering the interpretation principles at the heart of Dispensationalism, it is helpful to have a...

Key Elements of Dispensationalism’s Storyline

Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Dispensational Hermeneutics (Theological Studies Press, 2022) by Dr. Michael J. Vlach. You may purchase the book here  Before considering the interpretation principles at the heart of Dispensationalism, it is helpful to have a...

The Problem of Evil

One of the most challenging questions to address is why God permits evil and suffering in the world. People everywhere are seeking answers about the presence of evil. How can a good God allow such injustices? How can a loving God permit murderers to kill, terrorists...

Opportunities, Obstacles, and Faith

Editor’s Note: This is the transcript of the address delivered at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony of Shepherds Theological Seminary by President Stephen Davey. When Marsha and I, along with our infant twins, arrived to plant a church, we had been able to raise $650...

Current Issues in Trinitarian Studies

Augustine, the great Western theologian and pastor, said: “There is no subject where error is more dangerous, research more laborious, and discovery more fruitful than the oneness of the Trinity [unitas trinitatis] of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”1  ...

A Brief History of Fundamentalism

Back in the 1970’s when I was teaching at a Bible college, one of my students asked me, somewhat tongue in cheek, what descriptive terms he should use to describe his ministry views in order for him to be, in his words, “the top dog.” He meant, like “fundamentalist.”...

The Top Ten Attacks Against the Bible’s Historical Reliability — And How to Answer Them

How good is your word? A contract may be defined as an agreement that is intended to be enforceable by law. This is why such agreements are often described as being “legally binding.” Contracts may be written or spoken. Yet, as many of us have learned the hard way, an...