Redeemer’s statement of Core Values on Unity in the Church includes the following, “we are called to ‘bear with one another in love with all patience and humility’ and ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ ”   The Seminary invites all concerned “to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing” and to pursue a ministry of reconciliation.

Redeemer Seminary traces its roots back over two centuries through the history of two seminaries, beginning with Princeton Theological Seminary founded in 1812, then Westminster Theological Seminary which was founded by a group who had separated from Princeton in 1929.  In the late 1990’s Westminster began a branch in Dallas to work with Park Cities Presbyterian Church and the Southwest Church Planting Network in forming church planters, campus ministers, and pastors to serve in the Presbyterian Church in America, as well as to train students preparing for ministry in other churches, organizations, and the Kingdom.

In 2009, the Texas Campus of Westminster became independent as Redeemer Seminary which was founded to continue the purposes begun through Westminster.  Redeemer expressed these purposes in its Certificate of Formation and its Bylaws.  In 2011, Redeemer’s Faculty and Board of Trustees adopted a statement of Mission and Core Values in addition to its earlier Certificate of Formation and Bylaws.

Since 2009, Redeemer’s student body has grown to include students from a range of churches so that now the majority of the student body (approximately 160) are drawn from outside Redeemer’s historic tradition.  Redeemer now celebrates its service to a range of church traditions, including Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist, Independent, and others, in several locations.

As Redeemer has grown since 2009, including growth and transitions in personnel, faculty, students, trustees, locations, facilities and finances, Redeemer’s ministry and operations have been in ongoing adjustment under the leadership of the President and the governance of the Board.  The Board of Trustees bears the overall responsibility for the seminary, its purposes, mission, policies, resources, students and staff.  Trustees have prayerfully considered all of these and more, and have made decisions they believe to be in the best interests of Redeemer for the sake of its purposes, mission, and students.

The Board continues to affirm the founding purposes stated in Redeemer’s Certificate of Formation which reflect historic Presbyterian polity, gospel ministry, and confessional identity; and the Board continues to affirm its statement of Mission and Core Values which commits Redeemer to serving students and churches beyond its historic tradition and in a modern context of ministry.  Redeemer is actively developing training partnerships with churches beyond its historic tradition.

Since the beginning of Redeemer, the Board has directed the President to lead Redeemer in implementing the best strategies and practices of growing organizations and seminaries, in order to support Redeemer’s purpose, mission, and effectiveness. In January 2015, Redeemer’s Board undertook a plan of organizational and financial management intended to more effectively use its resources, strengthen the seminary, and develop its financial reserve ratio over time, while strategically pursuing its mission.  In developing this organizational and financial plan, Redeemer’s President and Board have considered input from numerous studies, articles, texts and recommendations from experts in seminary administration about strategic ways for achieving improvement and adopting best practices for financial vitality.  Some members of Redeemer’s community disagree with portions of this plan and various decisions of the Board and President.

In the context of the disagreements, some members of the community have expressed themselves in appropriate ways and communicated their perspectives directly to the Board and President.  Some members of the community have used anonymous articles, news services and web postings to advance their perspectives and pressure the Board and President to respond in particular ways.

From November 2014 through February 2015, five trustees resigned for various reasons, and three trustees were added.  Redeemer’s Board currently has fifteen Trustees.  In the two weeks following a meeting of the Board on February 17, 2015, three Dallas-based governing faculty members and two Dallas-based adjunct faculty who had expressed opposition to the decisions of the Board and President have submitted resignations effective May 31.  For the academic year ending May 31, Redeemer has nine active governing faculty members, seven full-time staff including some adjunct faculty, and twenty-seven part-time staff and adjunct faculty.  In decisions involving personnel and employment, not all matters can be addressed in public forums.  Redeemer will support its educational programs for the next academic year with its continuing faculty, new faculty, and adjunct faculty.

Redeemer’s statement of Core Values on Unity in the Church includes the following, “we are called to ‘bear with one another in love with all patience and humility’ and ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ ”   The Seminary invites all concerned “to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing” and to pursue a ministry of reconciliation.