The Seminary is the primary institution for pastoral and lay training for the Methodist Church of Costa Rica and is divided into three levels.

First, the central seminary is temporarily located in Alajuela, about a half-hour from the capital city of San Jose.  Students, primarily pastors, come for one-week intensive classes each month.  The academic year is divided into four two-month class periods, and the average time to graduate is four years.   Many students are able to attend only because of the generosity of donors who provide scholarships, with an average annual cost per student of $1,000.   Please write if you are interested in sponsoring a student.

Second, there are over a dozen regional seminary centers throughout Costa Rica.  Students at these centers tend to be lay leaders in their local churches.  They meet one Saturday a month for lecture and discussion, and the bulk of the classwork is done at home.   Classes are sometimes given by visiting professors from the central seminary, or by equipped pastors in the local district.

Third, there is the level of extension seminary.  This consists of connecting individual church members with course materials designed for completion at home.   This type of correspondence learning benefits those whose schedules do not allow them to attend seminary, yet who want to improve their education and service to the local church.

PICTURES FROM THE CENTRAL SEMINARY

GRADUATION 2009

In early December 2009, during the Methodist Church's annual assembly, the Seminary proudly graduated thirteen students, primarily student pastors.  This was a special class for us, since most of them entered Seminary in 2006, the year that Will began teaching at the central campus.  The night was a wonderful celebration of these students' hard work, faithfulness, and dedication, and many of them testified to the wonderful experiences these past four years have brought them.  Please enjoy the following photos from that night.

OLDER PICTURES

Here is a picture of our students in March 2008.  Although a dozen students graduated in December 2007, we gained almost that many new students from different areas of the country. 

These are pictures from the end of our 2007 academic year, which finished during the first week of November.  The first picture is of our student body, some of whom graduated in December. 

These are pictures from our last worship service of the year, as well as of our Christmas dinner, where we honor our graduating seniors. 

Here are some pictures from our December 2007 graduation ceremony, in which 12 pastors received their diplomas:

Here are the students from the 2006 academic year:

This is our dining hall, where professors and students share meals:

 

 

 

Here is Will during an afternoon study session for a class on liturgy and worship:

These are pictures from our Wednesday chapel service.  Chapel services are the centerpiece of each seminary week, and a great time for fellowship and worship.  The last chapel service of the 2006 was planned and directed by some of the students from the liturgy class.