John Leland Center for Theological Studies

John Leland Center for Theological Studies
TypePrivate
Established1998
AffiliationBaptist
PresidentRev. Dr. Kenneth R. Pruitt
Location
Arlington County
,
Virginia
,
United States

38°53′08″N 77°10′00″W / 38.8856°N 77.1668°W / 38.8856; -77.1668
Websitehttp://www.leland.edu

The John Leland Center for Theological Studies, known as Leland Seminary, is a nondenominational theological institute in the Baptist tradition based in Arlington County, Virginia, with several satellite locations elsewhere in Virginia.[1] Leland is partnered with the Baptist General Association of Virginia[2] and the District of Columbia Baptist Convention,[3] though the center has ties with a range of denominations and churches.[4] Leland is a member of the Washington Theological Consortium.[5]

The center's namesake, John Leland, was an 18th- and 19th-century Baptist minister in the United States who was a proponent of the separation of church and state[4] and an opponent of theological seminaries.[6]: 235 

History

At a 1997 Baptist World Alliance meeting, several Baptist leaders discussed developing the Washington Metropolitan Area's first Baptist seminary.[7][8] These individuals resolved to create the center which began offering classes the next year.[7][8]

Randel Everett, the center's first president, stepped down in late 2006.[4][9] Mark J. Olson became Leland's second president in 2007.[10] In 2019, William H. Smith became Leland's president.[11]

Academics

The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).[12][13] The seminary offers the following ATS-approved degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Christian Leadership, and Master of Theological Studies.[12][14] The seminary also offers several graduate certificates.[15][1]

Leland's School of Ministry offers the center's undergraduate-level courses, including a diploma in theology program.[16] Students seeking a bachelor's degree may be able to transfer credit from the School of Ministry into two Bluefield College Bachelor of Arts degree programs.[17][18]

References

  1. ^ a b "History". John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "Mission & Ministry Partners". Baptist General Association of Virginia. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Partnerships". District of Columbia Baptist Convention. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c Witham, Larry A. (2005). Who Shall Lead Them?: The Future of Ministry in America. Oxford University Press. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-19-516697-2. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  5. ^ "Member Institutions". Washington Theological Consortium. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  6. ^ Butterfield, L.H. (1952). "Elder John Leland, Jeffersonian Itinerant" (PDF). Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society. 62. Worcester, MA: American Antiquarian Society: 154–252. ISSN 0044-751X.
  7. ^ a b Brackney, William H. (2008). Congregation and Campus: Baptists in Higher Education. Mercer University Press. pp. 310–11. ISBN 978-0-88146-130-5. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  8. ^ a b Witham, Larry (August 30, 2002). "Baptist seminary moves into new home". Washington Times. via Internet Archive. Archived from the original on April 7, 2003. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  9. ^ Marus, Robert (August 1, 2006). "Randel Everett to resign from Leland Center in Va". Associated Baptist Press. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  10. ^ Dilday, Robert (June 14, 2007). "North Carolina pastor named president of Leland Center". Religious Herald. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  11. ^ Francis, Barbara (January 31, 2019). "Transitions for the week of 2-1-19". Baptist News Global.
  12. ^ a b "Member Schools: John Leland Center for Theological Studies". Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  13. ^ Elliott, Hannah (June 29, 2006). "Leland Center receives accreditation; faculty lauded for 'notable scholarship'". Associated Baptist Press. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  14. ^ White, Jim (March 17, 2009). "John Leland center to offer leadership degree". Religious Herald. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  15. ^ "Graduate Programs Overview". John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  16. ^ "About Leland School of Ministry". John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  17. ^ "Educational Partnerships". John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  18. ^ White, Jim (November 28, 2010). "Bluefield College, Leland Center to partner on theological training". Baptist News Global. Retrieved May 15, 2019.