To enact its mission and fulfill our purposes, Smith Christian University Int'l has set forth specific goals and objectives. SCU goals describe the results desired from the University's educational program, and the objectives set forth general guidelines to be followed on the road to reaching those goals. When combined with SCU's mission statement and institutional distinctives, these three sections set forth the University's educational philosophy.

Goals

Educational

• To train separatist pastors, educators, missionaries, and other local church workers.
• To promote theological education founded upon the Bible as the written, authoritative Word of God.
• To engage in theological research and to publish the results for the benefit of all who study theology or engage in preaching and spreading the Gospel.
• To train Christian leaders who will be engaged in non-vocational local church service.

Spiritual

• To instill within students a heart for the ministry, which reflects not only personal convictions regarding the truth, but also a servant's attitude in shepherding and serving a flock through conscientious, dedicated, sacrificial labor.
• To encourage a balance between academic excellence, personal piety, and practical competence among students.
• To encourage daily consistency and personal integrity among the students.

Practical

• To prepare specialists for the task of starting new congregations, of pastoral leadership of established congregations, and of spreading the Gospel to foreign lands.
• To benefit local churches through in-service practical training in preparation for full-time ministerial service.

Objectives

Educational

• To retain an academically credentialed faculty which balances intellectual stimulation and practical application.
• To produce and maintain courses that will present the biblical position academically and practically.
• To assemble and maintain a library that contains a maximum amount of material consistent with the seminary's purposes, goals, objectives, and curriculum.
• To provide and maintain strong, core associate through ph.d. programs stressing biblical studies, distinctives, original languages, and practical training.
• To encourage faculty research and publication.

Spiritual

• To provide a spiritually stimulating chapel and classroom environment.
• To promote a "community of learning" atmosphere by encouraging open faculty-student relationships both in and out of the classroom.
• To maintain a Christian perspective of concern, cooperation, helpfulness and encouragement.
• To direct each class session and all University activities toward personal, spiritual and intellectual profit.
• To provide and encourage the continuing growth of graduates through refresher courses and seminar studies.

Practical

• To expect students to seek opportunities for service and experience in all phases of local church ministry through active service in churches.
• To expect first-hand acquaintance with procedures of establishing local churches.
• To assist interested graduates in finding opportunities of service.
• To promote and encourage growth in Christian character.
• To encourage student study of a foreign culture by providing individual guidance.