Sheep in a field — a picture of the flock the local church shepherds

Church Partnership Pathways

For the Church

Church Partnership Pathways with Knox Theological Seminary

Theological education in service of the body of Christ — not an end in itself, but a means to faithful ministry.

Knox’s commitment to the local church

Knox exists for the local church. Every program, every faculty member, every dollar we steward is bent toward one goal: equipping the next generation of faithful ministers, missionaries, elders, and leaders for the body of Christ.

We are not the church. Knox stands alongside the local church, never replacing the body that called the candidate, never substituting our formation for the pastoral oversight of your own elders and pastors. Knox forms minds and habits. The church forms saints.

That conviction shapes how we teach. Knox courses are built for working pastors, embedded missionaries, and ministry leaders serving in their own congregations right now. Our online format isn’t a compromise, it’s a feature. It’s how the leader you send doesn’t have to leave you to be equipped with us.

If your church is praying about more intentionally forming the leaders God has called among you, we’d be honored to come alongside that work.

Why This Matters Now

The Church Needs Well-Trained Leaders

The Church needs well-trained leaders, but pastors are burning out, and nearly half are approaching retirement just as cultural and congregational pressures grow. There’s both a real need and a real opportunity: to equip leaders for the work of ministry on the ground, without pulling them away from it.

The Church Partnership Pathways offer three opportunities for your church to partner with Knox in forming the next generation of pastors, elders, teachers, and ministry leaders, right in your own context.

The Three Pathways

  1. 01

    Advocating Church

    Advocating Churches affirm Knox as a trusted source for theological formation.

    If this is your church, you:

    • Encourage staff or congregation members toward deeper theological education at Knox
    • Want alignment with Knox's commitment to biblical fidelity and Christ-centered theology

    What this looks like:

    • Pastors intentionally recommend Knox programs, certificate or degrees
    • Participation in the Church Partnership Program, where Knox matches your church's contribution toward a student's tuition, up to one-third each
    • Occasional sharing of Knox events through social media, email, or in-service announcements
    • Participation in Seminary Sunday, one Sunday a year dedicated to Knox's work

  2. 02

    Apprenticing Church

    Apprenticing Churches take an active role in developing their emerging leaders.

    If this is your church, you:

    • Champion higher education as part of your professional development and discipleship plans
    • Actively form leaders in your church by investing time and resources to make theological training accessible and practical

    What this looks like:

    • Participation in the Church Partnership Program, where Knox matches your church's contribution toward a student's tuition, up to one-third each
    • Staff and lay leaders stay fully active and apprenticed in your church while studying
    • Coordinated mentoring between church leadership and Knox faculty
    • A sustainable pathway for elder, pastoral, and ministry formation

  3. 03

    Anchoring Church

    Anchoring Churches integrate theological education into the life of their church and anchor theological training in their region.

    If this is your church, you:

    • Want to co-create courses with Knox for leaders in your church and beyond
    • Have a long-term vision for spiritual formation as part of your church's strategic plan

    What this looks like:

    • Integrate a Knox remote classroom into your facility
    • Share recruiting, development, and communication efforts
    • Coordinate mentoring between church leadership and Knox faculty

Serving the Church Together

Knox Promises

  • Accredited, biblically faithful theological education
  • Respect for your church's theological identity
  • Leaders trained while serving your congregation

Whether your church is an Advocating Church, an Apprenticing Church, or an Anchoring Church, Knox’s mission stays the same:

Knox is a seminary in the tradition of the Reformation that exists to educate men and women to declare and demonstrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our vision is that through Knox’s innovative theological education, integrated with the local church, God will use generations of our graduates to faithfully proclaim the gospel and bring transformation throughout the world.

Resources for the Church

Three Places to Start

Addressed to pastors, elders, and church leaders considering how Knox could serve their body.

Talk With Knox About Your Church

Ready to Talk About Partnering With Knox?

We start every partnership with a conversation about your church and the leaders you’re forming.

Talk With Knox About Your Church →

In South Florida?

Knox is right in your backyard. We’d love to talk more with you about additional opportunities.

Reach out to our team directly →