Because a zeal without knowledge or knowledge without godly zeal can only injure the Church, the school seeks to develop in its students a balanced combination of solid learning and Christlike piety by educating them to approach theological and practical ministry issues with cultural sensitivity and discernment.

The school is faithful to the intellectual tradition and apostolic priority of the Christian Church ?reverent and critical service of the faith that does justice. Doctrinally the School stands for the fundamentals of the faith as taught in Holy Scriptures and handed down by the Church.

The school's pledge is to serve the entire church of Jesus Christ in its various expressions - whether congregational, denominational or multi-denominational and to reflect the ecumenical vision embroidered in the structure and substance of the Church. The school offers a theological and ministerial education that is grounded in Scripture and the heritage of faith; yet is also an education in touch with the issues affecting contemporary ministry and the lives of people in today's world.

The STMS offers courses in religion, Christian counseling and education, religious beliefs, theology, the ministry and ministerial administration. Courses in the STMS address the critical issues relating to the subject of religion, theology, Christian counseling and education, ministry and ministerial administration in their many facets: historical, cultural, literary, aesthetic, sociological, experiential and philosophical. Students who undertake religious, theological and ministerial studies learn both to appreciate the importance of religion, theology and the ministry to human thought, action, and creativity and to judge their character and historical impact in cultural context. Moreover, they discover how the critical study of religion and the work of the ministry leads to increased understanding of the relationship among the various fields of knowledge that constitute the humanities and social sciences.