Ten-Year Reaffirmation

Earlier this month, Columbia Biblical Seminary received official notice from our professional accreditor, the Association of Theological Schools, that our accreditation has been reaffirmed for the next ten years through July 31, 2029.

The ATS Board of Commissioners acted on the report of the evaluation team that visited campus in March and recommended reaffirmation of the seminary as a whole, all its degree programs, its comprehensive distance learning (online) program, and the complete degree-granting site at the Academy for World Mission in Korntal, Germany.

As part of the team’s report, they noted four distinctive strengths of Columbia Biblical Seminary:

1. Institution-wide commitment to the mission, vision, and core values, especially the school’s “Great Commission” focus demonstrated in a missiological and multicultural mindset and in an internationally diverse student body.

2. Faculty who are internationally engaged with and widely praised by students, especially for teaching and mentoring inside and outside the classroom and for focusing on student formation and vocation.

3. Trustees who are deeply committed to and generously supportive of the school’s mission and vision, as well as the school’s leadership and faculty.

4. Administrators who are visionary and entrepreneurial, while remaining committed to the school’s mission and core values—a distinctive leadership that embodies care and engenders confidence.

We give thanks to God for this gracious report and for the faculty, staff, and students who made it possible.

Alumni Spotlight: LT Charles Daniels III, CHC, USN

Charles Daniels graduated from Columbia Biblical Seminary in 2016 with a Master of Divinity (Chaplaincy) degree. Here are his reflections on how his time at CBS prepared him for what the Lord has called him to do:

LT Charles Daniels III, CHC, USN

“During my time at Columbia International University, I have found some key correlations from college life to transition me into my career as a US Navy Chaplain.  I can see the core values of CIU functioning in my life each day as I am offered the privilege to minister outside of the four walks of the church setting. The chance to build relationship equity with members of diverse faith groups and make a profound difference in the lives of individuals. These are some of the things that CIU’s impact has made on the work of a Navy Chaplain so rewarding and so unique.”  

Leadership lessons from a former Krispy Kreme CEO

By Bob Holmes

Anne Marie Green was so excited about what she was hearing at the Columbia International University Leadership Luncheon that she tweeted it out right away: “Culture is the platform for strategy and vision.”

Green, a member of a local school board, joined nearly 80 other business and community leaders in downtown Columbia for lunch, and to hear former Krispy Kreme CEO James Morgan discuss how creating a culture of humility in the workplace leads to success.

Morgan, 71, drew from his 40 years of business experience in discussing the attributes, qualities and characteristics of a good leader, as well as the lessons he learned from his time at Krispy Kreme. And of course, there were doughnuts for dessert.

Read the full article

Talented director to lead dynamic 100-voice choir

A new 100-voice choir is in development Columbia International University led by a talented and experienced chorale director.

Bryce Thompson comes to CIU from Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, Michigan where he built a choir program that emphasizes music literacy and high-level musicianship. His choirs have performed before large audiences in churches and cathedrals. They also performed the National Anthem before a Detroit Tigers baseball game and provided the halftime entertainment for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons.

Read the article

CIU Prison Initiative plays vital role in preventing inmate suicides

South Carolina inmates enrolled in the CIU Prison Initiative provide an important listening ear to fellow inmates on suicide watch. The student-inmates have become known as Health Companions who routinely check on their peers who are going through significant challenges and may be suicidal.

Read the full article

CIU Leadership Luncheon emphasizes leadership through humility

By Bob Holmes

Anne Marie Green was so excited about what she was hearing at the Columbia International University Leadership Luncheon that she tweeted it out right away: “Culture is the platform for strategy and vision.”

Green, a member of a local school board, joined nearly 80 other business and community leaders in downtown Columbia for lunch, and to hear former Krispy Kreme CEO James Morgan discuss how creating a culture of humility in the workplace leads to success.

Morgan, 71, drew from his 40 years of business experience in discussing the attributes, qualities, and characteristics of a good leader, as well as the lessons he learned from his time at Krispy Kreme. And of course, there were doughnuts for dessert. Read the full article.

From The Desk Of The Dean

Greetings from the faculty and staff team of Columbia International University’s Seminary & School of Ministry (SSM). It is my privilege to provide a brief introduction to the mission and goals of our college.

As one of the colleges of CIU, we wholeheartedly embrace the purpose of educating people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ, or to put it more succinctly, “to know Him” better and “to make Him known” more effectively.

In SSM we pursue our role in implementing that purpose through three divisions: the Undergraduate Ministry Division, the Clinical Counseling Division, and the Seminary Division—Columbia Biblical Seminary (CBS).

Although the missions of the individual divisions are stated differently, each presupposes the same four educational components: biblical-theological knowledge, spiritual formation, practical skill development, and a Great Commission focus.

As a faculty and staff, our desire is that studying with us will transform your life while enhancing your knowledge, attitudes, and skills in four areas:

1. The biblical-theological knowledge necessary to interpret and apply the biblical text and to engage contemporary theological, ethical, and apologetic issues
2. Consistent growth toward Christ-like attitudes and behavior accompanied by a commitment to helping others grow in Christ 
3. A set of practical skills necessary to serve others with cultural understanding and sensitivity 
4. A Great Commission mindset toward life and work 

In other words, we hope you will strengthen your ability to think biblically, grow spiritually, and minister effectively with a Great Commission focus.

If we can help you personally, please call us at 800.777.2227 or email us at SSM@ciu.edu so we can answer your questions or discuss your specific needs.

Yours in Christ,

John D. Harvey, Th.D.

Dean of the Seminary & School of Ministry