About the Seminary

Mission & Calling

The purpose of City Seminary of New York is to seek the peace of our city through theological education. We are an intercultural learning community focused on the study of Scripture, mission, applied theology, and the changing church. Through this learning community, our imagination is being shaped for the work of God’s peaceable kingdom in the city.

Two realities shape City Seminary of New York. For the first time in human history, the world is now more than half urban, and it is projected that the future growth of the human population will occur in cities. Filled with proliferating networks, new polarities, and interconnections between cities, our urban moment is complex and constantly changing. Globalization is experienced in the local settings where we live, work and worship.

Second and simultaneously, the center of Christian gravity has shifted from the West to the non-Western world, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Church membership, theological concerns, and leadership are undergoing historic changes.

Today, a new phase of immigration from the non-Western world is once again altering New York's demographic identity. A global and cross-cultural diaspora is rebirthing the church of New York from the ground up. Joined by communities of faith historically present in the city, the churches of a globalizing New York represent a dynamic urban and world Christianity.

Together, these changes in the city and church represent the cultural, social, theological, and missiological context of City Seminary of New York.

From Pentecostal to Presbyterian, from every borough, and from around the world, we are on a journey together to follow Christ in the city. At City Seminary of New York, we learn from one another, support and pray for one other, and build bridges between our diverse ecclesial communities. Our common reference point is Jesus who proclaimed good news and the Spirit who brings new life.

Believing in a plurality of callings for God's invitation to urban peacemaking, we are forming the ministry leaders, pastors, evangelists, community developers, church planters, and missionaries of tomorrow.

Whether you hope to enrich your present ministry or begin a new chapter in your calling, we invite you to consider joining with us as we seek God's peace in our city and world.

City Seminary of New York does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in its admissions policies and educational programs.