The idea of Chafer Theological Seminary was born in the minds of several seminary students between 1965 and 1968, as they were finishing their academic requirements and preparing for ordination. They noticed that at the majority of schools only the most gifted were able to master the languages to the extent that they were able to use them as effective tools for ministry. Yet they believed it was important for the seminary to prepare all students to exposit God's Word.

In 1992, several meetings took place during the National Teaching Pastors' Conference in Huntington Beach, CA. These former students and other like-minded pastors, after considerable discussion and prayer, determined that the time was ripe to start a full-fledged seminary. The Lord's blessing was evident in that gifted teachers, administrative support, access to superb libraries, and an excellent location were immediately available.

All CTS instructors are loyal to our distinctives, have academic credentials in their areas of expertise, and are involved in on-going local church ministries as pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, evangelists, or administrators. We expect the instructors to serve as role models to our students, who are also expected to maintain active ties with the local churches.

Furthermore, we believe that exegesis is an art, as well as a science. One acquires the basic tools during academic training, but becoming proficient in their use is a lifelong process. It is our objective to provide students with thorough understanding of the foundational tools, as well as initial guidance in their application. Graduates then will have a lifetime to develop their skill and to master the art of exegesis.

A believer receives spiritual gifts at the time of spiritual birth. Yet Moses did not begin his ministry until he was 80 years old, and Paul did not start his first missionary journey until about 10 years after his conversion. We should infer from these examples that a few years of preparation enable one to bear more fruit. Redeem the time, for God uses prepared men and women!

CTS encourages women to take classes and to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This follows the pattern of the Lord Himself, who encouraged women to sit under His teaching--something revolutionary in His day. It is our conviction, however, based on Christ's example and passages like 1 Timothy 2:11-15, that in the church no woman is to exercise authority over men, regardless of how knowledgeable and capable she may be. This, we believe, is God's design. We do not, therefore, ordain or promote women to ministry roles that place them in authority over men. In all other roles, they may and should serve in keeping with the gifts, callings, and training God has granted them.

God created male and female as ontologically equal yet distinct and complementary entities (Genesis 1 and 2); however, geographical, racial, and linguistic differences that arose later are incidental to the creative order. Our philosophical framework echoes these truths. Therefore, we hire as faculty and accept into our training program those who honor gender distinctions as designed by God but recognize no functional distinctions based on geography, race, or language. Accordingly, throughout our training program, we do not discriminate for or against people groups but evaluate individuals according to their personal merits and achievements.

We view every student at CTS as an individual and provide all assistance he or she may need. We have found that students, even those who post top grades in college, sometimes struggle in a seminary setting. We are here to help: our instructors see themselves as shepherds, as well as teachers.

The seminary's faculty and staff are accountable to the Governing Board, consisting mostly of pastors--men who have proven themselves in the front lines of the ministry. These men have the best grasp of what ministry is and what it requires. Thus, we have a national Governing Board that provides overall direction for the seminary.