Few seminary schools explicitly identify themselves as “congregational seminaries,” as this is more an organizational distinction than a theological one. Several seminary and theology schools serve denominations that have congregational forms of church government, though. Therefore, they might be thought of as “congregational,” although this usually isn’t their only label.
Additionally, students who hope to serve in congregational churches shouldn’t necessarily limit themselves to the seminary, theology and divinity schools listed below. Congregational churches and denominations often accept graduates from other schools that don’t necessarily claim to be congregational.
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Churches of Christ Seminaries
The Churches of Christ (sometimes Christian Churches) is an association of autonomous congregational churches. The churches trace their history to the Restoration Movement.
There are three Churches of Christ seminaries:
- Abilene Christian University Graduate School of Theology, a Churches of Christ theology school
- Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University, a Churches of Christ seminary
- Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan, a Disciples of Christ and Churches of Christ seminary
- Fred-Hardeman University Graduate School of Theology, a Churches of Christ school of theology
- Harding School of Theology, a theology school of the Churches of Christ
- Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University, a Churches of Christ theology school
- Kearley Graduate School of Theology of Faulkner University, a Churches of Christ school of theology
- Lincoln Christian Seminary, a Churches of Christ seminary
- Lubbock Christian University College of Biblical Studies and Behavioral Sciences, a Churches of Christ Christian university
- Oklahoma Christian University Graduate School of Theology, a Churches of Christ theology school
Disciples of Christ Seminaries
The Disciples of Christ (sometimes The Christian Church) is an ecumencial denomination based in the reformed tradition. The denomination is part of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches.
There are several Disciples of Christ seminaries:
- Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, United Methodist Church, and Disciples of Christ divinity school
- Central Baptist Theological Seminary, a seminary school of the Disciples of Christ and many other denominations
- Christian Theological Seminary, a seminary of the Disciples of Christ
- Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan, a Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ Seminary
- Lexington Theological Seminary, a Disciples of Christ theology school
- Pacific School of Religion, a United Methodist Church, United Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ school of religion
- Phillips Theological Seminary, a Disciples of Christ seminary school
Evangelical Congregational Church Seminary
The Evangelical Congregational Church is a denomination of evangelicals that come out of the brethren tradition. The denomination is focused on keeping authority in the local church, as its name implies.
There is one Evangelical Congregational Church seminary:
- Evangelical Theological Seminary, a methodist seminary affiliated with the Evangelical Congregational Church
General Association of General Baptists Seminary
The General Association of General Baptists is a baptist denomination primarily located in the Midwest United States. The denomination’s churches are defined by their congregational structure and adherence to general atonement (the doctrine that Christ died for everyone).
There is one official General Association of General Baptists seminary:
- Chapman Seminary of Oakland City University, a seminary of the General Association of General Baptists
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United Churches of Christ Seminaries
The United Churches of Christ (UCC) is historically grounded in the Reformed Tradition and congregationalism. Today, the denomination has thousands of churches and almost 1 million members. The denomination is known for its ecumenical and interfaith efforts, and maintains full communion with many other mainline protestant denominations.
The United Churches of Christ has official relationships with seven seminaries:
- Andover Newton Theological Seminary, an American Baptist Church USA, and UCC seminary
- Central Baptist Theological Seminary, a seminary of the UCC and many other denominations
- Chicago Theological Seminary, a UCC seminary school
- Eden Theological Seminary, a theology school of the UCC
- Lancaster Theological Seminary, a seminary school of the UCC
- Pacific School of Religion, a United Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ and UCC theology school
- United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, a United Methodist Church, and UCC theology school
One seminary isn’t officially affiliated with the United Churches of Christ, but offers UCC courses:
- Iliff School of Theology, a methodist theology school that has courses on the UCC
A number of theology schools are no longer official United Churches of Christ seminaries but have historic roots in the tradition:
- Hartford Seminary, a non-denominational seminary that has historic ties with the UCC
- Harvard University Divinity School, a non-denomination divinity school that has historic ties with the UCC
- Howard University School of Divinity, a divinity school that historically had ties with the UCC and served the African American community
- Interdenomination Theological Center, an interdenominational seminary that historically had ties with the UCC and served the African American community
- Vanderbilt University Divinity School, a divinity school with historic ties to the UCC
- Yale University Divinity School, a historically UCC divinity school
Looking for more seminaries? Check out our lists of historically African American, baptist, ecumenical and protestant seminaries. Alternatively, peruse all the denominations we have listed.