Heidelberg Theological Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD trains and prepares men who are committed to being faithful and devoted pastors in the Reformed Church in the United States (and sister denominations), all to the glory of the one head of the church, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Prepare for the Ministry of the Word
“HTS not only teaches students the Biblical doctrines necessary for the ministry, they also make sure students are ready to care and tend for God’s people in a practical manner. Students will have an opportunity to learn from experienced pastors who will pass on their wisdom from their time in the ministry. By the grace of God, students will leave HTS with a better understanding of the Reformed faith, and how to apply it to the lives of God’s people.”
Cody Schwichtenberg, HTS Class of 2015
“Many seminaries today set out to produce theologians and not necessarily pastors. At HTS, the professors train men to be theologically sound but also to be pastoral and solid communicators of the gospel. The seminary employs working pastors as its instructors of homiletics, and the students benefit from these pastors’ experiences. The seminary community is an intimate one in which the professors and board members take an active role in nurturing the students and showing interest in their lives. I am grateful to God for the training I have received at Heidelberg.”
Rev. Chuck Muether, HTS Alumnus, Evangelist at Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church (OPC), Pella, IA
“One of the greatest needs for the people of God today are faithful pastors who will never tire of teaching and preaching to their congregation all things Christ has commanded us in His Word. As Jesus said to Peter, ‘”Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”‘ And the only food given to the pastor to feed the beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ is the Word of God! It’s this Word that is faithfully and zealously taught to the men who are trained at Heidelberg Theological Seminary.”
Rev. Scott Henry, HTS Alumnus, Pastor of Providence Reformed Church (RCUS), Vermillion, SD
Why an M.Div. Degree?
The purpose of the program is to prepare the student for the Ministry of the Word and to equip the student to meet the educational requirements as prescribed by the Constitution of the Reformed Church in the United States, Articles 19 to 24.
The curriculum is centered upon areas of study normally associated with a theological degree. All areas of study are designed for the following purposes:
- To provide a structured opportunity to develop a thorough, discriminating understanding and personal appropriation of the heritage of the Christian faith (e.g., the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments, the traditions, doctrines, and practices) in its historical and contemporary expressions;
- To assist students in understanding cultural realities and social settings within which members of a Christian Church live and carry out their missions, including the institutional life of those communities;
- To provide students with growth opportunities for personal formational experiences essential for the practice of ministry, namely, emotional maturity, personal faith, moral integrity, and social concern;
- To assist students in gaining the capacity for entry into and growth in the practice of the Ministry of the Word. Instruction in these areas of theological study are designed and conducted to demonstrate their interdependence, theological character, and common orientation toward the goals of the degree program.
All dimensions of the educational program are designed to enable students to function constructively as ministerial leaders in the Christian Church in which they intend to work, and to foster an awareness of the need for continuing education.