The Bible Seminary

The Bible Seminary (TBS) is a non-denominational, 501(c)(3) charity and institution of higher education located in the United States. It is registered as a domestic nonprofit corporation in Texas and received 501(c)(3) charitable status in August 2010[3][5].

History

The vision for The Bible Seminary originated in 1996 with Dr. Jim Leggett, the founder and senior pastor of Grace Fellowship United Methodist Church in Texas. Initially, the idea was to create a school offering seminary-level training to both church laity and professional ministers. In 2008, this concept evolved into a Bible Institute under the leadership of Paul Helbig. The Bible Seminary was officially incorporated in February 2010[3].

Programs and Mission

TBS offers various programs, including a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts with multiple majors, Dual Degree Completion, and a Certificate of Theological Studies. The seminary is committed to providing comprehensive training in all 66 books of the Bible, integrating historical, theological, and practical disciplines essential for professional ministry skills in the 21st century[2][4]. One of the unique features of TBS is its commitment to enabling students to graduate without incurring seminary debt[4].

Accreditation and Affiliations

The Bible Seminary is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)[2]. Additionally, TBS is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), allowing it to offer distance education across state lines[2]. TBS is also an accredited member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)[2].

Leadership and Governance

The leadership includes Dr. K. Lynn Lewis as President since 2014, Dr. Scott Stripling as Provost, and a Board of Trustees chaired by Mr. Adam Peters[5]. The seminary's faculty includes full-time instructors and numerous adjunct professors[5].

Financial Overview

As a 501(c)(3) institution, donations to TBS are tax-deductible. Financial reports indicate that contributions form a significant portion of its revenue[1]. The seminary strongly emphasizes financial accountability and transparency, aligning with its ECFA accreditation[2].

Core Values and Ethos

TBS is grounded in core values such as the Lordship of Christ, the Bible as the fully true Word of God, prayer, reaching unreached peoples, the local church, community, and compassion. These values guide its comprehensive and strategic training programs[4].