Life & Goals at EPTS

The most important element of a student’s life at the Expository Pastoral Training Seminary is his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Seminary desires to provide an environment which encourages spiritual growth along with academic and intellectual growth. There is no dichotomy between the heart and mind, between spirituality and scholarship. Scholarship which is truly biblical will induce true and lasting spiritual maturity. Part of this goal will be accomplished through weekly chapel\prayer meetings.

He should be a godly man, noted for holiness in all areas of his relationships (Psalm 1, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9). If married with children, he should he a loving and responsible husband and father (Eph. 5:25-6:4). He should be one who knows himself and deals decisively and honestly with his sin (Prov. 28:13, Matthew 5:29-30; Matthew 7:1-5). His Christian life should be one that is stable, self-controlled and mature (I Tim. 4:7-8; 2 Tim. 1:7, 2:1-7; 4:5).

He should have an excellent comprehension of the structure, order and major content of each book of the Bible. He should have a knowledge of the main points of each individual book as well as how each book fits into God’s overall plan (Ezra 7; 10; 1 Tim. 4: l3-16; 2 Tim. 2:2, 14-15; 3:14-17; 4:1-4). Also, he should have a basic knowledge of the major leaders and movements in Church history. He should have an understanding of the world, and culture. He should be able to communicate to the contemporary culture, confronting and correcting unbiblical thought and religion (Col 2:8; Titus 1:9; 1 John 2:15-17).

He should be able to communicate a biblical philosophy of ministry that emphasizes and balances the exaltation of God, the edification of the saints, and evangelism of the lost. He should be able to lead the Church in worship (even if it is not his most gifted area), accurately and clearly explain God’s Word, and administer the Church ordinances. He should be discipling men and building up faithful leaders (2 Tim. 2:2), and defending the faith (1 Tim. 6:20; Titus 1:9). He should be able to asses the needs of people (I Thess. 5: 14) and apply God’s Word individually to them (Acts 20:20). He should be able to train others for ministry (Eph. 4:12). He must be a mode1 in all areas of his life (1 Tim. 4: 12).