Our Mission
The mission of the Northeast School of Theology & Ministry (NSTM) is to train qualified men for pastoral ministry. The training model will be to offer college level courses in Bible, Theology, and Practical Ministry, utilizing academically qualified, experienced pastors that have a passion and skill set for identifying, mentoring, and teaching next generation ministry leaders – “Pastors Training Next Generation Pastors”. A secondary mission, recognizing that non-pastoral leaders in churches may also benefit from our ministry, is to provide some of the courses to such people upon their pastor’s recommendation.
Our Distinctives
Convenience
A course delivery format that focuses on weekend modular classes. . .one weekend a month, Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. . enabling many students to continue full-time employment schedules while taking classes. We will offer courses on a 3-month quarterly system with Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. The courses would be offered at 3 regional teaching sites in New York State: which would allow most students in this region to take many residence classes at a site within a 2-3 hour drive from home.
Conviction
While some schools may be diminishing their doctrinal roots and commitments, the NSTM would align itself with the theological convictions of the Northeast Fellowship and its long-held beliefs such as biblical inerrancy, dispensationalism, pre-millennialism, cessationism, Baptist distinctives, etc. Additional NSTM commitments would relate to the centrality of the Local Church and an intentional sensitivity to the smaller church/town and solo pastor church leadership.
Credibility
All faculty will be, experienced pastors that have a passion and skill set for identifying, mentoring, and teaching next generation pastors. In addition, all faculty would have high academic credentials, equivalent to the requirements for teaching at a Bible college or seminary, with Masters or Doctoral degrees in ministry/theology.
Constituency
Our Ownership/Governance structure is aligned with a network of churches, the Northeast Fellowship, and provides a constituency of supportive pastors and churches and a base for student recruitment, support, and ministry placement options.
Cost
With the cost of Christian higher education sky-rocketing at an alarming rate, this school will operate on a low-tuition rate scale (our initial cost plan is for $100 per credit hour – with no additional fees) that would enable most students to affordably complete their training with no debt. In addition, since pastors are identifying potential students from their own churches, the concept of churches sponsoring and supporting their own students financially will be encouraged.
Collaboration
We view our educational ministry as a collaborative partnership between pastors, local churches - and the NSTM. Our curriculum is local church focused and our faculty is made up of effective pastors who have had significant pastoral experience. Additionally, we are committed to fostering mentoring connections between home church pastors/congregations and their students throughout our program of study.