Cedarville Theological Seminary Launches To Train Ministry Leaders

In response to the growing need for biblically faithful ministry leaders, Cedarville University is launching Cedarville Theological Seminary. Building on decades of undergraduate and graduate ministry education, the seminary will operate under the leadership and faculty of the university’s School of Biblical and Theological Studies. 

Master of Divinity and online Master of Theological Studies programs 

Cedarville Theological Seminary will house two main programs: the residential Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and the fully online Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.). The M.Div. is academically rigorous and rooted in personal discipleship, and the online M.T.S. offers accessible theological education for current ministry leaders and laypeople. 

Seminary faculty, mentorship and discipleship model 

The seminary’s faculty are experienced pastors, biblical scholars and committed church members. With a robust faculty-to-student ratio, students will benefit from close mentorship and life-on-life discipleship throughout their training. 

“This is a natural extension of our long-standing mission,” said Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University. “We want to train men and women who are mastered by the Word of God and equipped to serve Christ’s Church with humility, joy and conviction.” 

Pastor shortages and retirements driving demand for ministry training  Cedarville’s announcement comes as many churches face an approaching wave of retirements among pastors and church staff, with fewer younger leaders ready to step into those roles. Sam Rainer, president of Church Answers, has pointed to the aging of the pastorate and warned that “every church will soon feel its impact” as thousands near retirement.  

At the same time, the broader landscape of theological education has been under strain. Data from the Association of Theological Schools show more accredited seminaries are shrinking than growing, and some are restructuring, including Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, which announced in April 2025 that it plans to relocate and be acquired by Trinity Western University in British Columbia. 

“We are witnessing both a decline in the number of evangelical seminaries and an increase in the need for faithful pastors,” said Dr. Trent Rogers, dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies. “Cedarville Theological Seminary positions us to meet that need with clarity and strength.” 

Cedarville graduate ministry enrollment and seminary naming 

As of fall 2025, of Cedarville’s 390 students in the School of Biblical and Theological Studies, 211 were enrolled in graduate theological programs. The new seminary name clarifies the university’s commitment and helps communicate its purpose more effectively. 

“When students think of graduate ministry training, they think of seminaries,” said Rogers. “This helps align our mission with a name people recognize — we’re naming and strengthening what we’ve already been doing well.” 

Cedarville’s longstanding Bible minor remains central to the university’s academic identity and will continue to be taught by seminary faculty. Every undergraduate student completes five Bible and theology courses to earn the minor, grounding their education in a biblical worldview. 

“Our graduates are known for their biblical depth, ministry skills and pastoral hearts,” said Rogers. “That’s the kind of leader the church needs, and that’s what Cedarville Theological Seminary is committed to producing.” 

Vision for gospel-centered leaders and local church impact 

The seminary’s vision is clear: to train gospel-centered leaders for the local church — at home and around the world — through academic excellence, theological fidelity and intentional discipleship. 

About Cedarville University 

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.