Columbia Theological Seminary

Columbia Theological Seminary is an educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It is a community focused on theological inquiry and ministry formation in the service of the church of Jesus Christ. Its mission is to educate women and men for leadership in ordained and lay ministries through graduate degree and continuing education programs. In addition, the seminary strives to provide theological resources for the denomination, the ecumenical church and persons with a variety of theological concerns.

History and Location

From its 1828 founding in Lexington, Georgia, Columbia Theological Seminary has nurtured and been nurtured by the Presbyterian Church in the South. Its first permanent location was Columbia, South Carolina. In the 1920s, when the population growth of the Southeast began to shift to Atlanta, the seminary moved to Decatur, Georgia — six miles from the heart of that growing industrial, cultural, educational and commercial center.

The seminary's beautiful 57-acre campus invites peace, contemplation, and involvement in the rhythms of one of our nation's largest and busiest urban environments. Here churches, colleges, hospitals, shelters and housing projects serve as the context for intensive professional development.

What programs does Columbia offer?

475 students are enrolled in Columbia's six degree programs: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological Education, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Theology and Doctor of Educational Ministry. Since 1993, Presbyterians have represented on average more than 84 percent of the students enrolled in the seminary's Master of Divinity program.

Columbia is widely recognized as a pioneer in cross-cultural and international theological education. In addition, its Center for Lifelong Learning offers courses for church professionals and lay leaders, faith and arts discussions and events, travel with purpose (pilgrimages and trips), and a spiritual formation certification program.

Columbia Theological Seminary News

From the Presbyterian News Service • OCtober 10, 2008

Mendenhall concluding Columbia Seminary presidency

Returning to Texas in summer of 2009

by Genie Hambrick
Director of Communications
Columbia Theological Seminary

DECATUR, Ga. — Laura Mendenhall announced Oct. 8 that she will conclude her tenure as president of Columbia Theological Seminary at the end of the 2008-2009 academic year.

Mendenhall and her husband, Chuck, will return next summer to Texas to be with family. She also intends to continue her ministry as senior philanthropy advisor for the Texas Presbyterian Foundation, an agency for the Synod of the Sun. Keep reading this story.