Western Seminary 
The information on this page was last updated 3/1/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
A theologically conservative, evangelical seminary committed to gospel-centered transformation. Students train for ministry by earning any of 12 master's degrees, doctoral degrees, or certificates that integrate specialized skills and disciplines with understanding of the Bible. Men and women from around the world study at campuses in Portland OR, San Jose CA, Sacramento CA, or online.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Western Seminary
5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215
Website: westernseminary.edu
Phone: (503) 517-1800
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 930429022
CEO/President: Chuck Conniry, PhD
Chairman: Vicki Niebrugge
Board size: 14
Founder: Walter B. Hinson
Ruling year: 1945
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1983
Purpose
The overarching purpose of Western Seminary is shaped by its Christian commitment:
All aspects of the seminary's operations therefore consciously aim at enhancing the reputation of the Triune God. Furthermore, these efforts must be consciously guided by God's inerrant word and empowered by His Holy Spirit to fulfill this high and holy calling.
Western Seminary's vision is to be an educational community that promotes gospel-centered transformation in every aspect of its life and work.
Mission statement
Western Seminary serves as a catalyst and resource for spiritual transformation by working with and for the church to equip men and women for strategic ministry roles.
To be most effective, Christian organizations must discern the distinctive contribution that God would have them make to His kingdom program. To try to do everything is both foolish and arrogant. Western, therefore, focuses its ministry upon providing degrees and programs for individuals who aspire to, or who currently serve in, strategic ministry roles so they can become agents of spiritual transformation in the lives of others. Recognizing the critical role that leaders play with respect to how effectively the Church fulfills its God-given mission, Western gives special emphasis to training pastors and related ministry leaders (whether vocational, bi-vocational or avocational).
While this ministry seeks to serve the Church, it is also done in active partnership with the Church because local congregations occupy a unique place of priority in the outworking of God's redemptive plan. Furthermore, biblical synergy results when the distinctive resources of the seminary and church unite in this equipping task.
Western also partners with selected parachurch ministries (particularly those organizations that value the local church and honor it in their ministry philosophy and practice) in the equipping of their staff.
Statement of faith
What We Believe:
All members of the Western Seminary community are united in trusting that God has spoken authoritatively in the inspired words of Holy Scripture. All confess, "Jesus is Lord," and live as faithful disciples of this gospel.
Western Seminary does not impart a particular doctrinal system or denominational creed to our students. Instead, we train our students to develop their own statement of faith which is grounded in the Bible. With this approach, our classes provide a stimulating learning environment in which students from diverse evangelical traditions wrestle together through theological issues, some of which are essential to our faith and others are matters on which we can agree to disagree.
We want our students to wrestle with Scripture as Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord, and we hope that the results are similar-that our students would come away from the experience having come to a closer knowledge of God through Christ and His Spirit, and going forward with a changed walk and a changed identity.
At the same time, we require all students to affirm the Statement of Faith of the World Evangelical Alliance as an expression of unity in the gospel.
Our core and adjunct faculty are required to affirm a teaching position that is more extensive than what is required of our students. Although our faculty personally affirms this lengthier position, our approach to teaching theology allows them to teach students who come from over 40 denominations and a greater range of theological perspectives. Our highest priority is to ensure that our students can defend their theological perspectives biblically.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 627 of 1104 | 71 of 129 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 532 of 1105 | 63 of 129 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 970 of 1105 | 111 of 129 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 274 of 1104 | 27 of 129 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 9% | 9% | 12% | 30% | 25% | 17% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 22% | 28% | 28% | 14% | 15% | 18% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 78% | 72% | 72% | 86% | 85% | 82% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 72% | 70% | 70% | 71% | 68% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 89% | 85% | 98% | 100% | 105% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 77% | 64% | 60% | 69% | 71% | 72% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | 11% | 15% | 2% | 0% | -5% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | 15% | 25% | 4% | 0% | -10% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 26% | 26% | 25% | 25% | 29% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.51 | 0.98 | 1.11 | 1.32 | 1.21 | 1.31 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.61 | 1.12 | 1.15 | 1.19 | 1.19 | 1.19 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.40 | 1.09 | 1.28 | 1.57 | 1.44 | 1.57 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.63 | 6.05 | 7.77 | 6.15 | 7.72 | 7.27 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.12 | 0.17 | 0.13 | 0.16 | 0.13 | 0.14 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.37 | 9.16 | 8.16 | 6.39 | 7.24 | 6.60 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 24% | 23% | 27% | 33% | 29% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 8% | 5% | 7% | 7% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 77% | 69% | 55% | 55% | 54% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $1,949,249 | $1,051,926 | $1,018,707 | $1,161,607 | $473,981 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,950,354 | $2,154,250 | $1,644,677 | $1,601,801 | $1,722,617 |
| Short-term investments | $4,094,763 | $3,220,406 | $2,269,961 | $2,377,766 | $2,663,103 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $7,994,366 | $6,426,582 | $4,933,345 | $5,141,174 | $4,859,701 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $628,915 | $675,413 | $657,119 | $669,623 | $540,923 |
| Other long-term assets | $300,068 | $300,068 | $300,068 | $300,068 | $400,428 |
| Total long-term assets | $928,983 | $975,481 | $957,187 | $969,691 | $941,351 |
| Total assets | $8,923,349 | $7,402,063 | $5,890,532 | $6,110,865 | $5,801,052 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $247,520 | $202,786 | $199,264 | $165,716 | $156,543 |
| Other current liabilities | $1,073,494 | $624,213 | $602,301 | $500,073 | $511,833 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,321,014 | $826,999 | $801,565 | $665,789 | $668,376 |
| Debt | $750,989 | $385,832 | $408,841 | $430,770 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $102,278 | $485,458 | $253,757 | $247,843 | $317,982 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $145 | $145 | $155,212 | $672,704 | $711,887 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $853,412 | $871,435 | $817,810 | $1,351,317 | $1,029,869 |
| Total liabilities | $2,174,426 | $1,698,434 | $1,619,375 | $2,017,106 | $1,698,245 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $3,489,669 | $2,619,153 | $2,115,242 | $2,063,628 | $2,020,926 |
| With donor restrictions | $3,259,254 | $3,084,476 | $2,155,915 | $2,030,131 | $2,081,881 |
| Net assets | $6,748,923 | $5,703,629 | $4,271,157 | $4,093,759 | $4,102,807 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $2,705,999 | $2,673,219 | $1,147,776 | $1,112,440 | $1,320,165 |
| Program service revenue | $568,332 | $561,698 | $466,814 | $440,662 | $261,074 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $102,538 | $159,554 | $191,232 | $318,540 | $41,351 |
| Other revenue | $6,414,997 | $6,275,231 | $6,125,474 | $5,541,742 | $5,599,911 |
| Total other revenue | $7,085,867 | $6,996,483 | $6,783,520 | $6,300,944 | $5,902,336 |
| Total revenue | $9,791,866 | $9,669,702 | $7,931,296 | $7,413,384 | $7,222,501 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $6,281,455 | $5,773,392 | $5,459,097 | $5,260,276 | $5,174,369 |
| Management and general | $2,233,816 | $2,132,421 | $1,946,986 | $1,889,046 | $2,220,300 |
| Fundraising | $231,301 | $331,417 | $347,795 | $273,110 | $224,446 |
| Total expenses | $8,746,572 | $8,237,230 | $7,753,878 | $7,422,432 | $7,619,115 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,045,294 | $1,432,472 | $177,418 | ($9,048) | ($396,614) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,045,294 | $1,432,472 | $177,418 | ($9,048) | ($396,614) |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
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 3/1/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Through the efforts of Walter B. Hinson, the Portland Baptist Bible Institute was organized in the winter of 1925. In 1926, efforts began to replace the Bible Institute with a graduate-level seminary to provide more adequate theological education in the Northwest. As a result, Western Baptist Theological Seminary was officially dedicated on October 4, 1927.
The purpose of the infant institution was reported by the Board of Trustees: "Looking across the years... we saw coming out of Western Baptist Theological Seminary, men and women schooled to preach and teach the eternal truths of God's Word and the redemptive love and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw pupils of sound teachers occupying pulpits and mission fields around the world."
In 1944 the Board of Trustees acquired the present five-acre campus in Portland, OR. Classes at the new site convened in the fall of that year. To make residential seminary education accessible to key cities on the West Coast, Western has also established two degree-granting campuses in Northern California. In 1985, the San Jose campus launched on the grounds of Calvary Church in Los Gatos, CA and later moved to Santa Clara location in 2010, before settling at its current home at Christ Community Church Milpitas in 2016. The Sacramento, CA campus was founded at Arcade Church in 1991, and moved to its current Rocklin location at Creekside Church in 2014.
Western's presidents have often been noteworthy and innovative leaders in theological education, including Dr. Earl D. Radmacher (president from 1965-1989), Dr. Bert Downs (president from 1998-2008), and Dr. Randal Roberts (2009-2021). In 2021, Dr. Chuck Conniry was selected as the 13th president of Western. He is committed to continuing the legacy of doctrinal fidelity and educational innovation that has been entrusted to him.
That willingness to find new and better ways to fulfill its educational mission has manifested itself in a variety of ways. For example, Western was one of the first schools to offer the Doctor of Ministry degree. In 1981, it launched an innovative video instruction program which quickly expanded to serve hundreds of students per year; today that program has become the Global Campus. More recent innovations include a unique approach to learning the biblical languages; establishing the Center for Leadership Development to provide affordable non-credit training for lay leaders; the Women's Center for Ministry that provides women with numerous fellowship and equipping opportunities; one of the few seminary-based Christian coaching programs; and increased scheduling and delivery system flexibility to make quality theological education more accessible to students whose circumstances require creative accommodation.
In terms of student head count, Western is today in the top 5% of the over 270 ATS-accredited seminaries in North America.
As we train men and women for effectiveness in present and future ministry, we are continually grateful for an impactful legacy under the Lord's leading. We will harken back to that same crucial gospel-commitment that birthed this school so many years ago.