The Aqulia Report received the following statement early Tuesday (May 1) afternoon and it is published below with the Seminary’s permission.

Since 1956, Covenant Theological Seminary has remained faithful to the Scriptures, true to our Reformed confession, and rooted in the gospel as we fulfill our mission of training pastors and church leaders for effective ministry. As evidenced by the more than 3,300 alumni who are currently ministering in all 50 US states and in more than 40 countries, Covenant Seminary’s decades of theological training has, by God’s grace, had a manifold impact. Today, that commitment remains strong as our faculty of pastor-scholars unites around the charge of equipping students for rapidly changing local and global ministry contexts.

From its founding, Covenant Seminary has been blessed with a legacy of gifted leadership that has strengthened the achievement of mission and prepared generations of those sent to minister. With that in mind, at the April, 2012 meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously moved forward with a goal set in prior years to transition President Bryan Chapell to assume the role of Chancellor, a more outward facing position at the Seminary. Effective June 1, 2012, Dr. Chapell will move from his role as President of Covenant Seminary to assume the new position of Chancellor. As Chancellor, Dr. Chapell will focus on representing the Seminary among its external constituencies, continuing his teaching duties, and engaging in opportunities that advance the Gospel. Dr.Chapell will assume these responsibilities upon his return from his current sabbatical.

Dr. Chapell has responded, “My wife, Kathy, and I have considered it a great privilege to serve the Covenant Seminary family, the PCA, and Christ’s body by helping to prepare future church leaders to proclaim the gospel of grace. We now give special thanks to our God for a Board that has provided this opportunity to direct our energies to the areas of service we most treasure.”

Consequently, the Board of Trustees named Dr. Mark Dalbey, current Vice President for Academics, to the role of Interim President, effective June 1, 2012. Dr. Dalbey began serving at Covenant Seminary in 1999 after 15 years of pastoral ministry. He has served for 10 years as Dean of Students, followed by a period of three years as Vice President for Academics. Dr. Dalbey also serves as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. As Interim President, Dr. Dalbey will assume the management of the institution’s operations and academics.

Additionally, a search committee will begin a formal process of recommending a new President. Board member, PCA ruling elder, and former Board Chairman, Walt Turner, has been named by the Board as Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee. The Committee, comprised of representatives from the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees, will lead the Seminary through the Presidential search process.

As Covenant Seminary looks to the future, Board Chairman Bill French reflects, “We are grateful to the Lord for the 25 years of dedicated leadership from Dr. Chapell, and look forward to his participation in a new role, championing the mission of Covenant Theological Seminary, and proclaiming the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”