LRBS - General Information

The London Reformed Baptist Seminary aims to give the maximum encouragement and help to men who desire to preach. We cannot make preachers, nor accredit them, for this belongs to local churches alone. But we try to inspire minds and hearts to embrace the doctrinal, pastoral and methodological standards sought by many fellowships.

Pastors, lay preachers, church officers, and serious aspirants for Christian service are invited to apply for the course, which involves eight Saturday all-day seminars each year, coupled with programmed reading, over four years. Pastors and church officers who do not wish to undertake course work may register to attend as auditors.

We invite and urge all who have a real burden on their hearts to minister the Gospel to apply. Church officers are welcome because they bear great responsibility for the health of their churches, and need to be aware of the issues of the day.

Ideal for Serving Pastors

Over the years an increasing number of serving pastors have joined the part-time course. Some of these have been men who were trained in non-theological disciplines. Others were trained in liberal or liberally-inclined theological colleges. Naturally, such men have not been free to lay down their pastorates in order to undertake additional training, and they have found the LRBS part-time programme ideally suited to their needs.

Ideal for Officers

The LRBS has seen many elders and deacons following the course. Such men may not aspire to whole-time ministry, but desire training for the more effective discharge of preaching, counselling and leadership responsibilities as lay officers. They have also felt a great need to be equipped to deal with the problems of the hour.

So often it is elders and deacons who are the abiding pillars of the local church while pastors come and go. They must 'pick up the pieces' in times of difficulty, and maintain the ministry of the Word when the pastorate is vacant. But who trains lay officers for their burden of responsibility? The LRBS recognises that office bearers are frequently God's chief instruments in the formation and survival of churches, and provides for their admission to the part-time study programme along with those preparing for whole-time ministry.

Auditors

Seminars are open to others who are not enrolled on the part-time course. Those who wish to attend should write for auditor details to the Admissions Secretary, and if registered they will receive the monthly notices advising topics for the day.