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ATS Affirms Seminary Programs

By Rachel Wegner 07

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Click Photo to Enlarge Dr. James Barber (right), director of Field Education for the graduate school, is a member of Dr. Mathew's leadership team. He has pastored several churches, is involved in parachurch ministries, and has gone on short-term missions trips to three countries.

Click Photo to Enlarge ATS applauded the seminary's adherence to its mission. The mission statement is shown here, along with Dean Mathew.

The ORU Graduate School of Theology and Missions recently received official word that their accreditation had been reaffirmed for another 10 years by the highly respected Association of Theological Schools.

It was no small task for the Graduate School of Theology to prepare for a site visit by a committee from the Association of Theological Schools in February 2008. In fact, they began the preparation process two full years in advance, assembling a self-study that examined everything from departmental leadership to textbooks.

When the ATS committee arrived, it included the interim vice president and provost of Kentucky-based Asbury Theological Seminary, the president of New York Theological Seminary, a Catholic nun from Missouri-based Aquinas Institute and a staff member from the ATS. In light of challenges and changes at ORU prior to this visit, Dr. Thomson Mathew, the dean of the school, said the committee had many concerns when they first arrived. But in no time, their preconceived notions were replaced with a much more positive view.

"When they left, they were really impressed and said we have three very strong areas: mission, faculty and dynamic leadership," Dr. Mathew said. "They found the faculty is committed to the mission [of ORU]. They said they were pleasantly surprised at how stable the school has been, and in the last 10 years how much progress we have made to become stronger."

The dean says alumni of the Graduate School of Theology can take pride in the fact that they come from an ATS-accredited school, as it is the highest level of accreditation possible within the U.S. and Canada.

Spiritually speaking, Mathew emphasized that the school works to be trans-denominational, welcoming a diverse and global student body while remaining firmly committed to being charismatic and mindful of their calling as healers in the world. Academically speaking, this dean who holds degrees from ORU, Oklahoma State University and Yale University, said he is proud to see the graduate theology program accredited on the same level as those at such well-regarded schools as Fuller Theological Seminary, Asbury Theological Seminary, Perkins School of Theology and Duke University Divinity School.

"We are a very strong school," Mathew said. "Academically, we could stand up with anyone. On spiritual matters, I would say we are one step ahead because there is openness to the things of God. There is academic freedom here, but within that freedom, we are deeply committed to the gospel. I cannot say that about all schools."

During their three-day visit, the committee spoke with the school's professors, students, staff, administrators and alumni on both an individual and group basis. What they found, according to Mathew, was sound leadership, excellent academics, a commitment to the vision of the university and a family atmosphere.

"There is no 'us and them' in the School of Theology," Mathew said. "Faculty and administration here are like brothers and sisters. We know our titles, but we are not hierarchy-oriented or rank-conscious. We are a team God called to [accomplish] this mission."

ATS will return to campus in 2010 for a focused visit and again in 2018 for a full assessment. For the names and titles of the school's current leadership team, click here.