NPTS Integrative Emphases

There are six key emphases that integrate our life and learning at NPTS. These flow out of the commitments of the Evangelical Covenant Church and are consistent with those of North Park University. They are reflected across our curricula, woven into our communal life, and together mark our graduates. These distinctive emphases are:

Scriptural Engagement: The Bible is the life-giving word of God. We engage with the Bible because through it God has engaged us in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Throughout our living and learning we approach Scripture with critical rigor, passionate devotion, and obedient faith.

Cultural Engagement: All cultures and peoples are loved by God, and are both embraced and challenged by the gospel. We live and learn embracing cultural and ethnic diversity. We seek to foster the attitudes and skills essential to hear and express the gospel in diverse cultures and contexts.

Forming Thoughtful Minds: To love God and neighbor with the mind is a vital aspect of Christian obedience. We nurture careful, sustained reflection in all our living and learning as essential to fruitful ministry and faithful discipleship.

Forming Godly Hearts: Spiritual wisdom grows and matures through intentional, obedient practice and is essential to ministry. We nurture its growth through curricular and communal emphasis on spiritual practices, spiritual direction, and effective self-care.

Serving Congregations: Congregations are primary embodiments of the Christian gospel and instruments of the mission of God. Our living and learning are permeated by concern to nurture congregational life through informed and skilled leadership.

Being Missional: We seek to communicate the gospel through proclaiming Christ, pursuing justice and living with compassion. We seek to foster the attitudes and skills essential for the church to exercise transformative ministries.