| Motto | The whole Bible for the whole world. |
|---|---|
| Type | Seminary |
| Established | 1923; 102 years ago (1923) |
| Endowment | $149.9 million (2020)[1] |
| President | David F. Watson |
| Students | 1,710 |
| Location | ,, United States |
| Campus | Exurban (Kentucky), Suburban (Florida), Online |
| Website | www |
 | |
Asbury Theological Seminary is a ChristianWesleyanseminary in the historicalMethodist tradition located inWilmore, Kentucky. It is the largest seminary of theWesleyan-Holiness movement.[2] It is known for its advocacy ofegalitarianism, giving equal status for men and women in ministerial roles and for ordination. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools[3] and theAssociation of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).[4]
Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in Wilmore, Kentucky, in 1923 by its first president,Henry Clay Morrison, who was at the time the president ofAsbury College. In 1940, Asbury Seminary separated from the college in order to satisfy accreditation requirements. Because of the proximity of the two schools (across the street), similar names, and common theological heritage, many people confuse the relationship between the college and the seminary. While they are separate institutions, the schools maintain a collegial relationship that benefits both communities.
Asbury Seminary has had eight presidents since its founding.[5] In December 2023, the seminary announced thatTimothy C. Tennent, the eighth president, would transition out of the presidency to be a Professor of World Christianity.[6] In February 2024, the seminary launched a search process for the next president.[7] In May 2024, The Board of Trustees named David J. Gyertson interim president starting July 1, 2024.[8] In March 2025, the Board of Trustees elected David F. Watson as the next president effective July 1, 2025.[9]
In addition to the main campus atWilmore, the seminary offers courses through online learning and extension sites in Memphis, Tenn., Tulsa, Okla., Colorado Springs, Colo., Tampa, Fla. and Orlando, Fla.
Asbury Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master's and doctoral degrees. The Seminary is also accredited by theAssociation of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. It is an accredited member ofAssociation for Biblical Higher Education.[10] Asbury Theological Seminary does not, within the context of its religious principles, heritage, mission, and goals, discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, physical impairment, or gender in the administration of its admission policies, educational policies, scholarship, and loan programs, athletic or other school-administered programs. The seminary is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.[11]
Asbury Theological Seminary has four academic schools.
In addition to these separate denominational groupings, one needs to give attention to the large pockets of the Holiness movement that have remained within the United Methodist Church. The most influential of these would be the circles dominated by Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary (both in Wilmore, KY), but one could speak of other colleges, innumerable local campmeetings, the vestiges of various local Holiness associations, independent Holiness oriented missionary societies and the like that have had great impact within United Methodism. A similar pattern would exist in England with the role of Cliff College within Methodism in that context.
37°51′44.34″N84°39′39.56″W / 37.8623167°N 84.6609889°W /37.8623167; -84.6609889
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
