Our Distinct Approach

We live at the intersection of theology, psychology, and culture, training artists, pastors, therapists, counselors, and change-makers to join God — Father, Son, and Spirit — in the restoration of their communities. We exist to create a community of people who go into places of despair and trauma, bringing the light of God’s presence to even the darkest places.

Like the synagogues of Ancient Israel, we gather around biblical, theological, and cultural texts to wrestle with their meaning in our lives for the purpose of faithfully engaging our world. Holding text, soul, and culture together with a diverse and inclusive community means we are always learning from each other through dialogue at the intersection of different perspectives.

We train practitioners who see the world through this threefold lens, skilled in their particular craft, ready to serve God and neighbor through transforming relationships.

commencement 2017students in class
text
To make meaning in our contexts, we must be skilled interpreters of the texts that fill our lives: Scripture, literature, art, and our own narratives.
soul
We understand ourselves to be souls with a psychological, social, and spiritual dimension made in the image of God.
culture
Truth is never disembodied, but takes shape through our identities and contexts. We seek to understand the contexts of our culture so we can respond with healing, hope, and change.

Our Core Values

Formation
We seek to form people through a holistic process that encompasses transformational learning methods, cross-disciplinary inquiry, personal and spiritual development, and experiential learning.
Integration
We practice the exercise of integrating theology and psychology as a means to emphasize scholarship with a goal towards effective service and practice in a complex world.
Sustainability
We emphasize personal and relational development in preparation for service to the common good and the social and spiritual revitalization of the Christian Church.
train in front of The Seattle School

Our Story

The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology began as an idea around a kitchen table, where a gathering of a few passionate dreamers dared to imagine a new kind of theological and psychological training. They envisioned a community of change agents being equipped to understand the narrative of their own lives, while growing in capacity to bring healing to others who had experienced deep darkness and trauma.

 

Our mission of training people to be competent in the study of text, soul, and culture to serve God and neighbor through transforming relationships is embodied in our graduate school and seminary, the Allender Center, and the Center for Transforming Engagement. Our commitment to Kingdom imagination and prophetic leadership is expressed in the twice-yearly print and digital journal, The Other Journal.

 

Through many difficulties and joys, a brand new kind of school was born,
The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology.

  1. 2020

    Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities grants regional accreditation to The Seattle School.

  2. 2019

    Dr. J. Derek McNeil is appointed as President.

  3. 2018

    The Seattle School appoints Dr. Craig Detweiler as President.

  4. 2018

    Resilient Leaders Project is launched to help leaders cultivate flourishing lives in the midst of demanding ministries.

  5. faculty embrace

    2013

    The Association of Theological Schools accredited The Seattle School as a full member.

  6. continuing education lecture

    2011

    The Allender Center at The Seattle School is formed to steward the legacy of Dr. Dan Allender.

  7. new school name on door

    2011

    We adopted the name “The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology” to more clearly reflect our mission and identity.

  8. President Keith Anderson inauguration

    2009

    Dr. Keith Anderson is installed as our second President.

  9. seattle school building

    2007

    We moved to our current home in Belltown in 2007, a beautiful red brick building filled with stories from its life as former fish canning facility and luggage factory on Elliott Bay.

  10. 2002

    Mars Hill Graduate School gains independence from Western Seminary.

  11. new student orientation

    2002

    Dr. Dan Allender is appointed as our first President.

  12. Western Seminary sign

    1997

    The School was initially established under the auspices of Western Seminary in 1997. In 2000, it became Mars Hill Graduate School at Western Seminary.