Community & Values
About North Park Theological Seminary
Our Values
Living Gospel
Whole People
Rigorous Humility
Intercultural Community
Active Hope
Some seminaries define themselves by a statement of doctrine. We know what we believe, and yet we are defined too by the living gospel of our heart and our hands—how we love and serve God and our neighbor.
Who We Are is Who We Are
Faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends—our institution isn’t defined by bricks or statements, but by our warm, faithful, and generous people—our living stones.
The North Park Story
From a humble immigrant school for Swedish pastors to a thriving intercultural Christian university—our story shapes what we know and value.
I appreciated the rich depth and breadth of experiences that our professors brought into the classroom. They were passionate about their subject, and you could really tell that they wanted us to succeed. But also they were gracious enough to share their family life with us—their love of music, poetry, travel, their pets, nature, and hobbies. It was just clear that they were lifelong learners, and it was easy to relate to them. They modeled for us how to handle the Word and handle it with care, and how to be well-rounded people who led with compassion.
—Paulita T (MACF)
The first experience I had that made a big impact was when the staff prayed for my mom when she was sick. My New Testament professor showed me some grace in completing assignments and being considerate of my situation. The community is very gracious.
—Jason L (MACF)
I was transferred from solitary confinement to Illinois, which is where I met the staff and the faculty of the School of Restorative Arts. The compassion and the empathy of the individual professors and the volunteers who came in—they had a particular commitment and investment that other universities didn’t have. It was truly about creating a beloved community, and that it is something that you cannot put a price on because it rejuvenates, restores, and can resurrect someone’s humanity.
—Antonio P (DMin)
I appreciated the rich depth and breadth of experiences that our professors brought into the classroom. They were passionate about their subject, and you could really tell that they wanted us to succeed. But also they were gracious enough to share their family life with us—their love of music, poetry, travel, their pets, nature, and hobbies. It was just clear that they were lifelong learners, and it was easy to relate to them. They modeled for us how to handle the Word and handle it with care, and how to be well-rounded people who led with compassion.
—Paulita T (MACF)
The first experience I had that made a big impact was when the staff prayed for my mom when she was sick. My New Testament professor showed me some grace in completing assignments and being considerate of my situation. The community is very gracious.
—Jason L (MACF)
I was transferred from solitary confinement to Illinois, which is where I met the staff and the faculty of the School of Restorative Arts. The compassion and the empathy of the individual professors and the volunteers who came in—they had a particular commitment and investment that other universities didn’t have. It was truly about creating a beloved community, and that it is something that you cannot put a price on because it rejuvenates, restores, and can resurrect someone’s humanity.
—Antonio P (DMin)
The Only Seminary of the Evangelical Covenant Church
Since 1891, we have been founded and rooted in the Evangelical Covenant Church, a Swedish immigrant group of mission friends that has grown to a multicultural, missional denomination across North America.
While many of our students are from ECC churches, every year we welcome students from many other affiliations.
Worship & Community
Our learning community is formed around the rhythms of worship and table, from weekly chapel to holiday meals.
Our Chicago Campus
Whether staying for a week for an on-campus intensive, or living full-time with our local Chicago cohort—our seminary students experience our North Park University campus as an historic oasis in the midst of the vibrant, world-class city.