Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary is an evangelical Christian college and seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. The institution was established in 1996 by Eddie G. Grigg, a pastor, educator, and theologian. The institution was approved as a degree-granting institution in 1997.
History and location
In 1997, a church school began offering courses on the campus of New Life Baptist Church in northeast Charlotte, NC. At the time, Dr. Eddie G. Grigg was the senior pastor of this congregation. The school became New Life Theological Seminary in April 1999 and began seeking recognized accreditation. The institution received TRACS accreditation in 2003, complemented by its move to a campus near the heart of Charlotte. Whiting Avenue Baptist Church graciously donated their facility on of land near Uptown Charlotte in 2002. In 2003, the institution began offering classes at 3117 Whiting Avenue in the NoDa neighborhood. The facility was renovated in 2007 to meet ADA standards, house administrative offices and classrooms, and provide wireless Internet access throughout the building. In 2014 an addition of a study mezzanine was constructed and along with additional ADA upgrades. New Life Theological Seminary received Reaffirmation I in April 2013 which is good until April 2023. Encouraged by the progress of the institution, the Board of Directors, working with key institutional leadership, developed an aggressive plan for growth of the institution. The Board officially approved the plan during its regular session February 23, 2014. This plan included a name change to become Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary. April 4, 2014, the North Carolina Secretary of State approved the name change, followed by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools on June 26, 2014. The institution did not go public with the name change until Fall Convocation, August 26, 2014. During the Convocation, President Grigg laid out the vision for the next phase of development and growth and shared that the institution "must be more than just a seminary if we are to impact our cities for Christ." After a passionate sharing of the vision, then Dr. Paul Boatner, TRACS President, assisted President Grigg in unveiling the new logo to a standing ovation. In 2019, the Board of Directors sold the Whiting Avenue campus and relocated to 7520 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28227. The Board plans to remain at this location until a permanent suitable site can be acquired.
Associate of Arts Biblical Studies Urban Christian Ministries
Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies Concentrations in: Biblical Languages New Testament Old Testament Theology Pastoral Studies Urban Christian Ministries Concentrations in: Counseling Christian Education Church Planting Cross-Cultural Studies
Master of Arts Biblical Studies Concentrations in: Old Testament New Testament Theology Urban Christian Ministries Concentrations in: Church Planting Multi-Cultural Studies
Master of Divinity Concentrations in: Chaplaincy Pastoral Counseling Pastoral Ministry General Pastoral Studies Doctor of Ministry With Foci in: Preaching, Leadership, Marketplace Ministry, or Urban Ministry. Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary operates on a semester system. The institution focuses on practical training for inner-city ministers; most courses are held in the evening to accommodate working adults. The institution utilizes a "flipped and blended" approach to education. The classroom hours required for classes are less than comparable classes in other institutions with most of the course instruction being delivered through web-based software. The institution offers students the option of distance learning and every class taught on campus is also available online. Students supplement classroom time with guided, extra-curricular readings, practicums, and volunteer hours. Though most students are pursuing undergraduate degrees, the Seminary offers several graduate programs: the M.A. in Biblical Studies, the M.A. in Urban Christian Ministry, and the Master of Divinity. The M.Div. offers specializations in pastoral studies, pastoral counseling, and chaplaincy. Dr. Gary Baldwin heads this program. He serves as the Head of the Department of Pastoral Studies. The Doctor of Ministry degree program was added in 2015 and is designed to allow the student to focus on areas of personal weakness, enabling the graduate to be well-rounded in their skills for ministry.
Library
The library was officially named the Daniel and Madeline Goldberg Library in 2018. The Goldberg Library houses 27,000 volumes, 60 periodical subscriptions, and subscribes to the ATLA database. The collections' strengths are in pastoral ministry and urban ministries, drawing from scholarship in urban sociology, urban anthropology, and urban theology. The library is a member of Carolinas Theological Library Consortium, a regional consortium of the American Theological Library Association.
