To:  ACTS Community

 

From: Bill Taylor, ACTS Chairman

 

March 26, 2024

 

Greetings sisters and brothers in the ACTS community. I trust you are finding time to meditate on our Lord and his redemptive plan during this Easter season.

 

As you know, ACTS leaders, faculty, and staff are committed to providing the best possible theological education to our students so they can serve and provide transformative ministry in the workplaces, church, and mission outposts of God’s world. ACTS was founded as a kingdom-minded consortium, with a heart to serve students and produce graduates who would excel in redemptive ministry.

 

Much has changed in the world and in theological education since ACTS was birthed in 1989. These past few years, the ACTS board has deliberated over what structure will best serve students today and in years to come and ensure the flourishing of their education. The ACTS board has agreed on a plan that will allow our students to continue to receive quality theological education in a vibrant, sustainable seminary. In short, we plan to ask ATS to move the governance and control of ACTS to TWU and TWU will open a TWU School of Theology. The ACTS partner seminaries and affiliate schools will continue to serve their denominations and constituencies, providing quality theological education in a variety of forms that may include continued partnership with TWU in some programs.

 

Here are the next steps you can anticipate:

1. Change in Governance: ACTS will file a Petition for Change in Control or Legal Status to ATS (our accrediting agency) by April 1, 2024. This will request a move of governance from the ACTS Society to Trinity Western University.
2. Transition Planning: The ACTS board has set up a task force of member presidents, CFOs, and the Executive Committee to outline a transition plan by June 24, 2024.
3. Site Visit: ATS will do a site visit in the fall of 2024 to ensure that the ACTS board is committed to smooth transition and care of students to the new TWU School of Theology.
4. ATS Approval: In February 2025, ATS will vote regarding transferring governance and control of ACTS to the TWU School of Theology.
5. Launch: If ATS grants the Petition for Change in Control or Legal Status to ATS and the ACTS Board approves the Transition Plan, on May 1, 2026, TWU will launch the TWU School of Theology.

 

While this news will spark both discussion and questions, please rest assured of our enduring support for your call to ministry. To facilitate fruitful conversation and provide insight into the process and its implications for you as a student, faculty member or staff member, you will receive invitations in future weeks to provide input and ask questions through various means, including a “Town Hall” style discussion and online survey.  We will work hard to ensure a clear, smooth and positive transition for existing ACTS students to the new TWU School.

 

We are grateful to continue to provide quality theological education to students who will be a redemptive presence in this world. Please pray for us as we move forward on this plan.

 

Serving with you,

 

Bill Taylor

Chairman, ACTS board

1)     Is the ACTS consortium closing?

 

Yes. The ACTS board of directors and partners made the decision to transition ACTS to a new Trinity Western University School of Theology and close the ACTS Society.

 

2)    Why is the ACTS consortium closing?

 

Over the past few years, the ACTS board of directors, in collaboration with member seminaries, has deliberated over what structure will best serve students today and in years to come to ensure the flourishing of their education. The ACTS board of directors has agreed to a plan that will allow each member seminary to grow and deliver excellent theological education through unique models that meet the specific needs of their constituencies while ensuring that students can continue to access course-based theological education through a seminary at Trinity Western University.

 

3)    When is the ACTS consortium closing?

 

The plan to transition the ACTS accreditation to Trinity Western University takes a phased approach, with active involvement and approval from all member seminaries, our accrediting agency, and the ACTS board of directors. The transition will officially take effect on May 1, 2026.

 

4)    Is Northwest Seminary and College closing?

 

No. Northwest Seminary and College is a strong and vibrant seminary known for its innovative and effective leadership training. We will continue to offer competency-based theological education programs, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and Korean language programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels.

 

5)    Will Northwest Seminary and College remain on the Trinity Western University campus?

 

We are currently located in the Northwest Wing of the Fosmark Building on the campus of Trinity Western University. We are two years into a 25-year pre-paid lease. We have no plans to change our location.

 

6)    What is the difference between the Northwest Seminary and College and the ACTS consortium?

 

Northwest operates in two ways.

 

First, we operate as an independent school with our own charter from the Province of British Columbia to grant theological degrees.  We also have our own accreditation to offer programs at an undergraduate, graduate (e.g. Immerse), and post-graduate level (e.g. KDMin).

 

Second, Northwest Seminary and College partners with Trinity Western Seminary, Canadian Baptist Seminary, and Mennonite Brethren Seminary to form ACTS (Associated Canadian Theological Schools), which offers traditional course-based degrees.

 

While we’ve worked together closely to offer course-based education for students across Canada for over 30 years, each seminary is an independent school. Each member seminary has its own charter, mandates, and ways of serving its constituency outside of ACTS.

 

7)    What does this mean for the future of Northwest Seminary and College?

 

The future of Northwest Seminary and College is secure and bright. We are blessed to be in a stage of growth and are well-positioned to accommodate this transition. We are grateful to have strong partnerships with our churches in Fellowship Pacific, the larger Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches across Canada, and the support of our students, donors, and leadership.

 

8)    Why was the decision made to shift the ACTS accreditation to Trinity Western University (TWU)?

 

Trinity Western University is the largest Christian University in Canada committed to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and authentic community. ACTS programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Transitioning the accreditation of ACTS to TWU will allow the school to open its own Graduate School of Theology and students in Western Canada to continue to receive course-based theological education in a vibrant and sustainable seminary.

 

9)    Will Northwest Seminary and College programs continue to be accredited?

 

Yes. Northwest College and Seminary will keep its charter from the Province of British Colombia to grant theological degrees. We have our own accreditation for graduate theological programs with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This is the highest level of accreditation available for graduate theological education in Canada and Northwest Seminary and College is proud to offer this to our students. Additionally, Northwest holds candidate status with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).

 

10)  How will this impact Northwest Seminary and College’s competency-based theological education (CBTE) graduate and undergraduate programs?

 

Northwest Seminary and College is committed to offering unique opportunities for our students through the graduate and undergraduate CBTE programs. The decision to move ACTS accreditation to Trinity Western University will not impact our CBTE programs like Immerse.

 

The CBTE model is flourishing across Western Canada and spreading to other areas of the country, as well as internationally. We remain committed to the CBTE model as we see well-equipped, proven leaders prepared and released into full-time work in churches, ministries, and missions organizations.

 

11)   How will partner churches and networks be impacted by this decision?

 

Northwest Seminary and College has enjoyed the strong support of Fellowship Pacific, the larger Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada, as well as other churches and networks that we partner with in support of our CBTE programs. We want to reassure all partners that this transition will not impact our relationship with you, Immerse, other CBTE programs, or students within your churches. What we have built together is not at risk.

 

12)  I’m currently an ACTS student. Where will my forthcoming degree be issued from?

 

If you graduate before May 2026, nothing will change. Your degree will be issued by the seminary that you are enrolled with and Trinity Western University (TWU). After May 2026, you will receive a degree from the new Trinity School of Theology. If you transition to Northwest Seminary and College or another member seminary, you will receive a degree from that seminary as each school has the ability to grant degrees.

 

13)  How does this transition impact students?

 

This transition will primarily impact ACTS students. Students in any Northwest Seminary and College-owned programs including Korean programs or competency-based theological education (CBTE) graduate and undergraduate programs will not be impacted.

 

14) Is my ACTS degree still valid?

 

Yes.

 

15)  What is happening to the three other consortium members?

 

Canadian Baptist Seminary, Mennonite Brethren Seminary, and Trinity Western Seminary will continue to grow and deliver excellent theological education, within their own unique models.  We are incredibly grateful for 34 years of strong partnership with ACTS Seminaries and will remain in fellowship and friendship with the consortium members.

 

16)  How can I support Northwest Seminary and College at this time?

 

Kingdom ministry requires many resources, but the most important one has to be prayer. Would you pray for us? We invite you to pray for:

 

• Wisdom for the ACTS board of directors and the four member organizations
• Peace for students who may be impacted by this transition
• That God will provide the funds necessary for us to fulfill our vision as we embark on this journey with excellence

Thank you for partnering with us, in prayer.

 

The future of Northwest Seminary and College is bright and secure, thanks to the support of donors, partners, churches, and students. This support means our school can continue to innovate and offer unique opportunities to our students, who, in turn, bless the churches, ministries, and mission organizations they go on to serve.

 

As Northwest Seminary and College navigates this time of transition, there is a unique opportunity for partner churches, donors, and students to play an integral role in shaping the next stage of growth for our school. To learn more, visit https://nbseminary.ca/give/.

 

17)  What are the next steps I can anticipate with the plan for ACTS?

 

This is what you can expect in the coming weeks, months and years:

 

1. Change in Governance: ACTS filed a Petition for Change in Control or Legal Status to ATS (our accrediting agency) on April 1, 2024. This requests a move of governance from the ACTS Society to Trinity Western University.
2. Transition Planning: The ACTS board of directors has set up a task force of member Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, and the Executive Committee to create a transition plan by June 24, 2024.
3. Site Visit: ATS will do a site visit in the fall of 2024 to ensure the smooth transition and care of students to the new TWU School of Theology.
4. Accreditation Transfer: In February 2025, ATS will vote regarding transferring ACTS accreditation to the TWU Graduate School of Theology.
5. Launch: If ATS grants the Petition for Change in Control or Legal Status to ATS, on May 1, 2026, TWU will launch the TWU School of Theology.

 

18)  Where can I go for more information?

 

We recognize that this transition will spark many questions. Our commitment to students, donors, partners, and churches is that updates and implications of this transition will be communicated as transparently and swiftly as possible.

 

Additional information and updates will be available on the Northwest Seminary and College website: www.nbseminary.ca. If you have immediate questions or concerns, please connect with Dr. Barton Priebe (President, Northwest Seminary and College) at [email protected].

 

 

On March 26, 2024, ACTS Seminaries announced its plan to move governance and control of ACTS to Trinity Western University and close the ACTS society effective May 1, 2026. The plan takes a phased approach to the transition, with active involvement and approval required from all member seminaries, the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accrediting agency, and the ACTS board of directors. Northwest Seminary and College was a proud founding member of ACTS Seminaries in 1989. As one of the four partner seminaries in the ACTS Seminaries consortium, we can confirm this information to be true and are in agreement with the decision and new direction.

 

This decision has been thoughtfully considered and discussed at length. We believe it will support Northwest Seminary and College and each consortium member organization to achieve our unique missions while allowing Trinity Western University to open its own School of Theology. The ACTS board of directors has agreed to a plan that will allow students in Western Canada to continue to receive high-quality, course-based theological education in a vibrant and sustainable seminary. Consortium member seminaries, including Northwest Seminary and College, will continue to grow and deliver excellent theological education through their own distinctive education models.

 

Northwest Seminary and College students and partners will recognize that theological education has changed in many ways since ACTS was birthed. In our ongoing effort to ensure excellent theological education through creative innovation, we strategically partnered with Fellowship Pacific in 2010 to develop Immerse; the competency-based, team-mentored, and contextually-delivered model of theological education we named Competency-Based Theological Education (CBTE). This unique model is flourishing across Western Canada, and spreading to other areas of the country, as well as internationally.

 

We remain committed to the CBTE model at both the graduate and undergraduate levels as we see well-equipped, proven leaders prepared and released into full-time work in churches, ministry, and missions organizations. The decision to move ACTS accreditation to Trinity Western University will not affect our CBTE graduate or undergraduate programs, nor our Korean language programs. Northwest Seminary and College retains its own charter to grant degrees, already has its own ATS accreditation apart from ACTS, and is well into the accreditation process with the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).

 

We understand this news will raise discussion and questions. Our top priority is to keep our students and partners informed as this transition progresses, both swiftly and transparently.

 

In the coming days and weeks, we will provide updates and more detailed information on how this transition might impact you. We encourage you to reach out to Barton Priebe, President of Northwest Seminary and College, at [email protected] with any immediate questions or concerns. As more information becomes available updates will be shared through www.nbseminary.ca and regular communications.

 

We look forward to the future as we begin a new chapter in our 90-year institutional history. We remain committed to creatively educate and empower followers of Jesus for joyful service and skilled ministry leadership.

 

Together with you,

 

 

Barton Priebe

President

Northwest Seminary & College