What’s New

Recent COA Actions

COA Approval of Site Visit Response for Western Reformed Seminary (WRS).

WRS Site Visit Results for Western Reformed Seminary.

MAS receives Letter of Commendation and Continuance.

The COA voted on September 7th to approve a letter of Commendation and Continuance to Metro Atlanta Seminary.  The accreditation period will be good for 10 years.  Thad James, chair of the site-visit committee, reported that members of the site-visit team were satisfied in MAS’s responses in resolving the 11 notations issued to them on April 29th, 2023.

COA actions on Members Annual Reports.

The COA met on September 7th, and reviewed and discussed Annual Reports.  Letters of notation were issued to Birmingham Theological Seminary, Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Sangre de Cristo Seminary, and The Toronto Baptist Seminary and Bible College.  Most notations revolved around requests for further clarification of items in the annual reports.  Schools have until next August 1st to resolve all notations.

COA actions on Affiliate Members Annual Reports.

In COA meetings on August 11th and 25, the COA approved the Affiliates Annual Reports for:  Heidelberg Seminary, Log College and Seminary, Memphis City Seminary, New Geneva Seminary, Reformed Baptist Seminary and Seminario Reformado Latino-Americano.  The COA requested additional information from Carey International University of Theology, Tyndale International Univerity and Whitefield Seminary and granted a 30 business day extension for annual report submission to Greystone Seminary.

Site Visit Team Results for Grace Bible Theological Seminary.

On May 30, 2023 the COA site visit team conveyed its letter of findings to the Grace Bible Theological Seminary (GBTS) administration in response to the site visit on April 18-19.  The site visit team consisted of Dennis Bennett, Kyle Kearbey, and Dana Blair.

The COA site-visit team compiled a list of 23 notations.  GBTS was found to be in Partial Compliance with ARTS Standards: 1.5; 2.1, 2.3, 2.5; 3.5, 3.6; 4.6; 5.6; 6.2, 6.4, 6.5; 7.8; 8.3, 8.7, 8.10; 9.3, 9.4, 9.5; 10.1, 10.3 and 11.3.  GBTS was found to be in Non-Compliance with 8,8 and 8.9.  GBTS is now working on their response, which is due in 60 business days following the delivery of the site-visit report.

Site Visit Team Results for Metro Baltimore Seminary.

On April 29, 2023 the COA site visit team conveyed its letter of findings to the Metro Baltimore Seminary (MBS) administration in response to the site visit on March 21-22.  The site visit team consisted of Kyle Kearbey, John Battle and Patrick Morgan.

The COA site-visit team compiled a list of 11 notations.  MBS was found to be in Partial Compliance with ARTS Standards: 2.4, 2.5, 4.6, 5.2, 6.4, 6.5, 7.10, 8.1, 8.10, 9.5 and 10.2.  In follow up conversations with MBS they are working on their response, which is due in 60 business days following the delivery of the site-visit report.

The MBS site visit team also commended MBS for the strength and focus of their programs.

First Team Meeting for Grace Bible Theological Seminary

On March 17th, the Site Visit team for Grace Bible Theological Seminary held their first meeting.  Above, top L-R, Dana Blair and Glenn Hoyle. Below, L-R, Kyle Kearbey and Dennis Bennett.  The site visit will be held April 18-19 in Conway Arkansas.

COA Action on Metro Atlanta Seminary 5-Year Reaccreditation.

At its regularly stated meeting on February 10^th, 2023, the COA reviewed a letter of notation to Metro Atlanta Seminary (MAS) in response to their 5-year reaccreditation visit, subsequent follow up report, and an MAS response to the report.  (More information about site-visit reports and process is found in this blog post.)

The Letter of Notation documenting discrepancies is based on a two-thirds decision of the ARTS-COA.  In the case of MAS, the newly revised ARTS-COA rubric for assessing compliance with standards was employed. Our rubric specifies that institutions must fully meet all the criteria for sub-standards in order to be in compliance with the full standard.  Institutions receiving a letter of notation remain full members, but are expected to respond to the letter within 60 days, and resolve all issues noted within 12 months after the date of the notation.  (Policies and Procedures, Section 1.d.iii)

Accordingly the COA is seeking from MAS further details regarding a curriculum overview showing a plan for resolution for standards 2.4, 3.5, 5.2, 5.3, 6 and 10.5.  We mention these items to be in compliance with ARTS-COA Policies and Procedures, Section 4.a.ii.

While further clarification is being sought on the above items, the COA also commended MAS for the many other improvements which MAS has implemented as a result of the site-visit report.