Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary 
The information on this page was last updated 5/5/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
A multi-denominational, evangelical seminary equipping men & women to advance Christ's kingdom by taking the gospel from the pulpit to the pavement.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
130 Essex St.
South Hamilton, MA 01982
Website: gordonconwell.edu
Phone: 1-800-428-7329
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 042463847
CEO/President: Scott W. Sunquist, Ph.D.
Chairman: Claude R. Alexander, Jr.
Board size: 25
Founder: Billy Graham, Harold John Ockenga, Howard Pew
Ruling year: 1970
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1981
Purpose
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary combines a rich tradition with cutting-edge educational innovation. Rooted in the gospel and God's Word, the seminary seeks to develop Christian leaders who are thoughtful, globally aware, spiritually mature and ready for a broad array of ministries. Their vision is to advance Christ's Kingdom in every sphere of life by equipping Church leaders to think theologically, engage globally and live biblically.
Mission statement
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is an educational institution serving the Lord and His Church. Its mission is to prepare men and women for ministry at home and abroad. The Seminary undertakes this task as a training partner with the Church so that what is learned on campus can be complemented by the spiritual nurture and exercise of ministry available through the Church. Gordon-Conwell's mission arises out of God's redemptive work in this world effected in Jesus Christ, understood through the biblical Word and mediated by the Holy Spirit. As a theological seminary, it provides learning, resources and training through which men and women may acquire knowledge, gain skills, and develop attitudes needed in Christ's ministry.
Statement of faith
The sixty-six canonical books of the Bible as originally written were inspired of God, hence free from error. They constitute the only infallible guide in faith and practice.
There is one God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, infinite in being and perfection. He exists eternally in three Persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who are of one substance and equal in power and glory.
Man, created in the image of God, through disobedience fell from his sinless state at the suggestion of Satan. This fall plunged man into a state of sin and spiritual death, and brought upon the entire race the sentence of eternal death. From this condition man can be saved only by the grace of God, through faith, on the basis of the work of Christ, and by the agency of the Holy Spirit.
The eternally pre-existent Son became incarnate without human father, by being born of the virgin Mary. Thus in the Lord Jesus Christ divine and human natures were united in one Person, both natures being whole, perfect and distinct. To effect salvation, He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as the sinner's substitute, shedding His blood for the remission of sins. On the third day He rose from the dead in the body which had been laid in the tomb. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He performs the ministry of intercession. He shall come again, personally and visibly, to complete His saving work and to consummate the eternal plan of God.
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Triune God. He applies to man the work of Christ. By justification and adoption man is given a right standing before God; by regeneration, sanctification and glorification man's nature is renewed.
The believer, having turned to God in penitent faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is accountable to God for living a life separated from sin and characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. It is his responsibility to contribute by word and deed to the universal spread of the Gospel.
At the end of the age the bodies of the dead shall be raised. The righteous shall enter into full possession of eternal bliss in the presence of God, and the wicked shall be condemned to eternal death.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 741 of 1106 | 109 of 129 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 717 of 1107 | 91 of 129 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 584 of 1107 | 76 of 129 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 680 of 1106 | 95 of 129 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 10% | 11% | 10% | 9% | 13% | 14% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 22% | 28% | 30% | 32% | 26% | 26% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 78% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 74% | 74% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 83% | 84% | 81% | 81% | 82% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 98% | 95% | 85% | 108% | 102% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 81% | 80% | 69% | 87% | 83% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 2% | 5% | 15% | -8% | -2% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | 1% | 1% | 6% | -3% | -1% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 14% | 13% | 15% | 16% | 15% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.51 | 0.28 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.33 | 0.32 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.64 | 1.58 | 1.53 | 1.64 | 1.72 | 1.76 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.40 | 0.44 | 0.38 | 0.49 | 0.56 | 0.57 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.60 | 22.38 | 26.26 | 30.27 | 23.48 | 20.78 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.12 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 0.05 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.34 | 26.10 | 30.12 | 23.84 | 20.40 | 20.06 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 12% | 12% | 15% | 13% | 14% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 9% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 11% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 316% | 352% | 286% | 266% | 265% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $2,764,026 | $4,613,573 | $8,042,785 | $2,999,210 | $6,566,322 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $6,315,934 | $5,022,050 | $5,498,808 | $2,248,672 | $2,416,989 |
| Short-term investments | $58,091,534 | $66,689,563 | $51,027,696 | $54,316,062 | $49,579,426 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $67,171,494 | $76,325,186 | $64,569,289 | $59,563,944 | $58,562,737 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $33,411,720 | $34,622,811 | $35,548,764 | $37,025,049 | $38,100,705 |
| Other long-term assets | $5,314,135 | $5,658,721 | $5,624,230 | $6,058,956 | $6,484,956 |
| Total long-term assets | $38,725,855 | $40,281,532 | $41,172,994 | $43,084,005 | $44,585,661 |
| Total assets | $105,897,349 | $116,606,718 | $105,742,283 | $102,647,949 | $103,148,398 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,717,009 | $1,805,366 | $1,748,812 | $2,016,278 | $2,236,746 |
| Other current liabilities | $1,284,364 | $1,101,574 | $383,983 | $520,009 | $581,288 |
| Total current liabilities | $3,001,373 | $2,906,940 | $2,132,795 | $2,536,287 | $2,818,034 |
| Debt | $9,404,225 | $9,792,704 | $11,615,656 | $10,134,284 | $11,300,230 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $356,908 | $819,048 | $1,988,180 | $737,066 | $704,949 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $9,761,133 | $10,611,752 | $13,603,836 | $10,871,350 | $12,005,179 |
| Total liabilities | $12,762,506 | $13,518,692 | $15,736,631 | $13,407,637 | $14,823,213 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $16,834,030 | $17,930,344 | $18,144,399 | $19,111,892 | $23,959,734 |
| With donor restrictions | $76,300,813 | $85,157,682 | $71,861,253 | $70,128,420 | $64,365,451 |
| Net assets | $93,134,843 | $103,088,026 | $90,005,652 | $89,240,312 | $88,325,185 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $8,362,458 | $9,097,426 | $11,932,754 | $8,138,802 | $8,369,062 |
| Program service revenue | $17,418,373 | $17,714,833 | $19,118,101 | $20,076,963 | $20,737,238 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $4,199,390 | $3,786,076 | $5,749,941 | $2,743,549 | $3,539,132 |
| Other revenue | $106,914 | $105,688 | $111,786 | $103,808 | $88,253 |
| Total other revenue | $21,724,677 | $21,606,597 | $24,979,828 | $22,924,320 | $24,364,623 |
| Total revenue | $30,087,135 | $30,704,023 | $36,912,582 | $31,063,122 | $32,733,685 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $24,368,861 | $24,449,741 | $25,591,165 | $27,026,749 | $27,224,706 |
| Management and general | $4,212,210 | $3,905,997 | $4,780,729 | $5,470,079 | $4,945,253 |
| Fundraising | $923,342 | $896,421 | $1,057,669 | $1,056,562 | $1,173,678 |
| Total expenses | $29,504,413 | $29,252,159 | $31,429,563 | $33,553,390 | $33,343,637 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $582,722 | $1,451,864 | $5,483,019 | ($2,490,268) | ($609,952) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $582,722 | $1,451,864 | $5,483,019 | ($2,490,268) | ($609,952) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Scott W Sunquist | President | $242,486 |
| Alex Koh | VP of Strategy and CIO | $161,751 |
| James M Singleton | Professor | $134,015 |
| Brian Gardner | VP of Advancement | $132,944 |
| Jeffrey D Arthurs | Professor | $127,144 |
| Gregg C Hansen | Chief Financial Officer | $120,343 |
| Gerald E Wheaton | Professor | $117,561 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2022
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 5/5/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
"Our task is not to bring all the world to Christ, our task is unquestionably to bring Christ to all the world." A. J. Gordon
The roots of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary reach back over 100 years to two urban East Coast schools: the Boston Missionary Training Institute and the Temple Program in Philadelphia.
The two schools shared much in common. It was the late 1800s and immigrants were pouring into their cities, only to discover little access to education. Both schools desired to engage these new residents in ministry and prepare them for the church and for missions. What better place than in two urban Baptist churches: the Clarendon Baptist Church in Boston where Rev. A.J. Gordon served as pastor, and Grace Baptist Temple in Philadelphia, led by Russell Conwell. Opening their doors to men and women of all races and ethnicities, each introduced ministry education designed specifically for people living in the city.
Underpinning the education at both schools was a biblical foundation that still animates our seminary today: a common commitment to the authority of Scripture, the experience of the new birth in Christ, biblical orthodoxy centered in Christ and the Incarnation, and the great theme of missions.
Through the years, these schools would thrive and grow, change their names, and ultimately merge in 1969 as Gordon-Conwell. But their commitments to the Bible and to the Gospel mandate steadfastly remained. We are grateful to God for this rock solid foundation, and for the wise men and women who have sustained and nurtured it for more than a century.
Program accomplishments
85 Denominations
50 Countries
4 Campuses
1 Authority