Phoenix Seminary 
The information on this page was last updated 11/30/2022. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Founded in 1988, Phoenix Seminary trains men and women for Christ-centered ministry for the building up of healthy churches in Phoenix and the world. Phoenix Seminary is a dual-accredited graduate school of theology offering masters and doctoral degrees in all major ministry disciplines.
Phoenix Seminary is a Protestant, evangelical seminary that shapes men and women for ministry with essential foundational tools so that, as pastors, missionaries, or counselors, they can carry out their biblical calling and significantly impact the world through the Church on its mission.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Phoenix Seminary
7901 East Shea Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Website: ps.edu
Phone: 602-850-8000
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 860711495
CEO/President: Brian Arnold, Ph.D.
Chairman: Ron Ogan
Board size: 8
Founder:
Ruling year: 1992
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1994
Purpose
Phoenix Seminary seeks to promote personal and spiritual growth through the alignment of degree program student outcomes with the following educational values:
Theological Understanding through Biblical Study
We believe the Word of God is foundational to life and ministry. Therefore, we will provide education that stimulates increasing love, respect, and submission to the Word of God as well as accurate and appropriate handling of the Scriptures.
Character Development through Mentoring
We believe godly character is paramount for successful Christian ministry. Therefore, we will enable mentoring relationships that encourage personal integrity and Christ-like character.
Ministry Skills through Practice
We believe ministry skills are formed in the classroom and proven in ministry practice outside the classroom. Therefore, we provide opportunities that develop essential skills for reducing marginalization and injustice of people groups by bridging cultural, socio-economic, ethnic, racial, and gender boundaries.
Mission statement
Phoenix Seminary trains men and women for Christ-centered ministry for the building up of healthy churches in Phoenix and the world.
Statement of faith
Concerning God
We believe there is one God, who eternally exists in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Concerning the Bible
We believe the 66 books of the Old and New Testament are the authoritative Word of God based on an inspired text without error in the autographs. "Autograph" is a theological term referring to the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek manuscripts of Scripture.
Concerning the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ
We believe in the full deity and humanity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us, and in His personal return in power and glory.
Concerning the Human Condition
We believe all human beings are lost and sinful by nature. Consequently, salvation can only be accomplished by God's grace through regeneration and justification by the Holy Spirit. Salvation cannot be earned. It is a gift from God, received only by faith in Jesus Christ.
Concerning the Present Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe the indwelling Holy Spirit works the regeneration, sanctification and preservation of the Christian. His ministry is to glorify Jesus Christ and empower the believer for godly living and service.
Concerning the Spiritual Unity of Believers
We believe the Church is the body of Christ of which He is the Head.
Concerning the Future
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved unto eternal life and the lost to eternal condemnation.
Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct
This Statement of Faith does not fully encompass the extent of our doctrinal beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality and the proper conduct of mankind, and is the sole and final source of all that we believe.
For purposes of Phoenix Seminary's doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, the Board of Directors, as advised by the faculty, is the Seminary's final interpretive authority on the Bible's meaning and application. Phoenix Seminary students must affirm the statement of faith. Phoenix Seminary's resident faculty and senior administrators hold to a more detailed Faculty Teaching Position.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 141 of 1074 | 10 of 130 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 28 of 1075 | 13 of 130 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 678 of 1075 | 78 of 130 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 109 of 1074 | 10 of 130 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 11% | 7% | 13% | 8% | 6% | 15% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 6% | 10% | 7% | 5% | 12% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 18% | 86% | 75% | 87% | 93% | 85% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 9% | 11% | 8% | 5% | 9% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 82% | 14% | 25% | 13% | 7% | 15% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 81% | 70% | 68% | 31% | 75% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 70% | 86% | 83% | 116% | 139% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 57% | 60% | 57% | 36% | 105% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | 30% | 14% | 17% | -16% | -39% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 4% | 93% | 313% | -190% | 106% | -646% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 10% | 19% | 24% | 64% | 16% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.50 | 1.94 | 1.63 | 2.50 | 6.20 | 2.24 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.66 | 1.33 | 1.59 | 2.49 | 3.10 | 2.95 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.54 | 2.59 | 2.59 | 6.23 | 19.26 | 6.62 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 7.30 | 7.29 | 5.05 | 2.47 | 0.85 | 1.63 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.20 | 0.40 | 1.18 | 0.62 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.41 | 4.00 | 3.71 | 1.15 | -0.11 | 0.70 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 25% | 11% | 91% | 126% | 182% | 90% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 15% | 0% | 77% | 108% | 144% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 143% | 46% | 5% | -11% | -13% | 4% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Cash | $2,624,065 | $1,596,083 | $681,019 | $387,139 | $394,533 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $107,083 | $92,176 | $82,426 | $182,666 | $430,766 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,672 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $2,731,148 | $1,688,259 | $763,445 | $569,805 | $830,971 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $885,283 | $970,467 | $1,095,726 | $1,198,701 | $1,622,388 |
| Other long-term assets | $21,739 | $31,346 | $40,954 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $907,022 | $1,001,813 | $1,136,680 | $1,198,701 | $1,622,388 |
| Total assets | $3,638,170 | $2,690,072 | $1,900,125 | $1,768,506 | $2,453,359 |
| Liabilities | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $284,985 | $223,558 | $215,706 | $505,978 | $432,090 |
| Other current liabilities | $89,453 | $110,884 | $93,246 | $167,460 | $79,080 |
| Total current liabilities | $374,438 | $334,442 | $308,952 | $673,438 | $511,170 |
| Debt | $0 | $2,084,800 | $2,050,000 | $2,550,000 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $25,544 | $34,783 | $43,314 | $0 | $1,702,657 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $25,544 | $2,119,583 | $2,093,314 | $2,550,000 | $1,702,657 |
| Total liabilities | $399,982 | $2,454,025 | $2,402,266 | $3,223,438 | $2,213,827 |
| Net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Without donor restrictions | $1,915,371 | ($635,963) | ($946,027) | ($2,324,652) | ($1,428,614) |
| With donor restrictions | $1,322,817 | $872,010 | $443,886 | $869,720 | $1,668,146 |
| Net assets | $3,238,188 | $236,047 | ($502,141) | ($1,454,932) | $239,532 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Total contributions | $8,708,731 | $3,854,926 | $4,959,538 | $8,816,358 | $3,344,645 |
| Program service revenue | $1,357,644 | $1,268,749 | $1,179,887 | $944,660 | $959,097 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $5,851 | $7,375 | $7,438 | $34,184 | $6,460 |
| Other revenue | $2,528 | ($12,561) | ($434,693) | ($361,804) | ($356,094) |
| Total other revenue | $1,366,023 | $1,263,563 | $752,632 | $617,040 | $609,463 |
| Total revenue | $10,074,754 | $5,118,489 | $5,712,170 | $9,433,398 | $3,954,108 |
| Expenses | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Program services | $5,715,531 | $3,060,464 | $3,232,380 | $3,416,530 | $4,146,970 |
| Management and general | $727,818 | $825,922 | $1,138,797 | $7,046,119 | $866,456 |
| Fundraising | $629,264 | $492,937 | $385,111 | $510,695 | $487,668 |
| Total expenses | $7,072,613 | $4,379,323 | $4,756,288 | $10,973,344 | $5,501,094 |
| Change in net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $3,002,141 | $739,166 | $955,882 | ($1,539,946) | ($1,546,986) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $3,002,141 | $739,166 | $955,882 | ($1,539,946) | ($1,546,986) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Darryl Delhousaye | Chancellor | $205,009 |
| Brian Arnold | President | $152,226 |
| Justin Smith | Professor | $140,895 |
| Joshua Anderson | Dean of Students | $139,940 |
| Deborah Arnitz | Controller | $104,600 |
| John Michael Thigpen | Provost / Executive VP | $93,901 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2021
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 11/30/2022. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
In August 1987 a dozen pastors and Christian leaders from Arizona gathered to discuss the need for a Phoenix-based seminary. There was a strong sense that God had blessed the Phoenix area with a vital, growing Christian community in need of a local seminary.
In October 1987 Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon entered into a partnership with churches in Phoenix to establish a local seminary. In the fall of 1988 Western Seminary Phoenix opened its doors. The first classes were held at Scottsdale Bible Church and Grace Community Church. Sixty-eight students enrolled in the Master of Divinity and the Master of Christian Leadership programs.
After several years of growing ministry, the local leadership of Western Seminary Phoenix saw the benefits of becoming a fully independent, inter-denominational seminary. In July 1994, with the approval of the board of Western Seminary, Phoenix Seminary became independent, a private not-for-profit institution.
In April 2000 the Seminary moved to new premises of 10,800 square feet on Scottsdale Road where the Seminary could house the entire library, one classroom and office space for faculty, administration and staff. This space was expanded to 14,200 square feet in August 2001, providing additional library space, two more classrooms, four offices and a small student lounge.
In the fall of 2005, the seminary moved the campus to a state-of-the-art building on Thomas Road in the heart of Phoenix. This campus provided a superior learning environment, expanded library facilities, increased classroom space, and better opportunities for students and faculty to interact and share in ministry.
In the summer of 2017, the Seminary moved its campus to a 4.6-acre site on Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale. The facility includes a chapel, multiple classrooms, and administrative staff offices. The center of the campus is the Biblical Research Center, which houses faculty offices and the Seminary library. As the school's permanent home, the campus represents the vision of President DelHousaye as well as the generosity and prayers of hundreds of faithful donors.
In the years since it was founded, Phoenix Seminary has enjoyed God's blessing and has seen expansion of its influence and partnership with churches in Arizona.