Just as Mid-America Reformed Seminary seeks to glorify God by training godly men for the ministry of the Word, it also seeks to glorify God in every aspect of its community life. That includes various aspects of the student's spiritual growth as well as fostering a sense of Christian community among our students and within our Seminary families.

Mid-America recognizes that its students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and enter the Seminary at different stages in their lives. Some students have benefited from Reformed teaching since infancy; some are new to the Reformed faith. Some students are single men fresh from a pre-seminary program, but others bring families and have gained years of working experience. Although different in many ways, students are united in their common purpose of being training to preach the gospel of Christ.

While the student is being trained, the Seminary seeks to minister to each student's unique situation and to enfold students and their families into the community of believers at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Part of that ministry is regularly scheduling times for worship and edification. Another part of our ministry to students is to hold them accountable for their Christian life and walk. Every student is welcomed into the general Seminary community, with special opportunities for students' wives to become acquainted with other women of the Seminary community.

Morning Chapel

Since worship is one of the believer's primary obligations as well as one of his greatest joys, chapel services are a priority in the Seminary schedule. The morning chapel sessions include prayer, praise, and meditation on God's Word. Faculty and students lead chapel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while area pastors or visiting speakers are invited to lead chapel on Fridays. On Thursdays, students meet in small groups with their faculty advisors for prayer.

The bookstore, library, cafeteria, and administrative offices are not open to students during chapel (9:55 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.) on Tuesday through Friday. Faculty and students who are present on campus are expected to attend chapel.

Special Lecturers

Both the Seminary community and the broader Seminary constituency benefit from the annual Fall Lecture Series. Distinguished scholars share insights from their areas of expertise relating to current theological issues. The Seminary community seeks to be informed and equipped regarding contemporary issues. These popular lectures are well received and well attended by the public as well as the Seminary community.

Recent special lecturers came from a variety of locations and institutions to speak on issues of theological interest. Dr. Herman J. Selderhuis, Professor of Church History and Church Polity at the Theologische Universiteit Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, examined the Reformed Heidelberg Theologians of the sixteenth century in relation to Lutheranism. Dr. Gregory K. Beale, Chair of Biblical Studies ad Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois, presented a biblical-theological study of the them of the Temple of God in Scripture. Dr. Albert M. Wolters, Professor of Religion and Theology as well as Classical Languages at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, gave a series of lectures on the prophecy of Zechariah. Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Chairman of the Systematic Theology and Apologetics Departments at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, spoke about the eschatological theology of the apostle Paul. Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, presented lectures on John Calvin. Dr. Willem J. van Asselt, Professor of Church History at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, lectured on Cocceius. Dr. Robert Lethan, Senior Minister of Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware, spoke on the dimensions of the doctrine of the Trinity.

Standards of Conduct

A student within Mid-America's community should exhibit traits of character that testify to his qualifications for the ministry. He should demonstrate servant leadership, wisdom, religious commitment, doctrinal reliability, and a willingness to serve without regard for personal gain. He should also be honest and self-disciplined, with evident emotional health that is expressed in his affirming and loving attitude toward others.

Part of belonging to a community means abiding by its principles. Students of Mid-America support and contribute to the spiritual life and testimony of the Seminary. It is expected that a student's conduct conform to the standards of Scripture. Some specific regulations and suggestions regarding conduct are explained in the student handbook. The student's signature on his application to Mid-America indicates his willingness to comply with scriptural standards as interpreted by the Reformed Confessions. Students guilty of serious moral offenses are subject to dismissal from the Seminary with no tuition refund.

In addition to abiding by specific moral standards, students are expected to sustain an effective academic standard. Persons experiencing serious academic deficiencies over a period of time may be advised to discontinue their studies.

Mid-America recognizes that the rigor of seminary training requires divine grace for success and that a seminary education is not life's ultimate goal. With this awareness, the seminary encourages each student to prioritize and exercise his responsibilities to God, his family, and his school.

Seminary Community

Not only does the Seminary hold individual students accountable in their personal life, but the Seminary also wishes to foster fellowship and a sense of community among those associated with the seminary.

All students enrolled at Mid-America are members of the Mid-America Student Association. As the vehicle for student government, the Association facilitates communication between the seminary and the student body through effective exchanges of information. The Association may adopt special projects to advance the work of the Seminary or the work of Christ's church in the world, but it focuses on Seminary families. It practices the biblical model of "weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice" by extending messages of concern or congratulations when significant events occur in the lives of members of the seminary community.

Community at Mid-America is strengthened in a number of ways. The annual Seminary Retreat at the beginning of each academic year provides an opportunity for existing members of the Seminary community to become reacquainted and allows new students and spouses to be enfolded within that community.

The Seminary is concerned that the family relationships of married students remain healthy. Mid-America recognizes that married students are not only called to the ministry, but are also called to nourish their families. While seminary training may require some sacrifices, married students are encouraged not to sacrifice in the crucial area of family relationships. The Seminary promotes healthy relationships within the student's family as a foundation for a future life of ministerial service.

Women's Fellowship

Preparation for the gospel ministry takes commitment on the part of the student's spouse as well as the student. To help support spouses during the seminary years, the Seminary Women's Fellowship has been formed. Students' spouses and staff members meet each month to hear speakers regarding a variety of interests and enjoy informal times of Christian fellowship. Additional events-such as an annual picnic, banquets, and Chicagoland field trips-are planned throughout the year.

To help students become acclimated to the Chicago area, the fellowship prepares an informational sheet detailing services such as physicians, dentists, and shopping malls. This information is sent to incoming students before they arrive for assistance in locating area services.

Faculty wives assist in the coordination of this fellowship and its activities.

Housing

The Chicagoland area provides numerous housing opportunities within only about ten to twenty minutes of the Seminary. Prospective students may contact the Seminary office, which maintains a listing of available housing, for assistance in securing housing. The Seminary enlists volunteers from the community to help locate housing for students who are unable to visit the area prior to arriving for study. Besides Dyer, Indiana, students typically live in nearby communities such as Griffith, Highland, and St. John in Indiana, and Lynwood, Lansing, Crete, and South Holland in Illinois.