More than a cosmetic adjustment or a marketing strategy, the renaming of a theological school is an exercise born of hope. It is a strategic and spiritual signal of evolving mission, shifting demographics, and broader ways of engaging the world. It reflects a deep consideration of change, and the emergence of plans to strengthen (and sometimes shift) the spiritual, cultural, and operational direction of the school.
The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) reports that more than 40 institutions in North America – about one in seven members – have changed their names in the past 25 years. These decisions matter because they signal how institutions are negotiating their identity at a time when denominational affiliation is eroding, students are seeking broader vocational preparation, and seminaries are under pressure to show relevance.
Several ATS schools reported making changes in response to practical concerns, such as students assuming – often incorrectly – that certain groups were excluded. Others reflected the need to avoid confusion with similarly named institutions or to shed labels that no longer fit expanding student populations. Behind the statistics are four recurring reasons that drive most renaming efforts.
Missional Alignment
For many schools, renaming is about clarifying core theological purpose. Missio Seminary, formerly Biblical Theological Seminary, embraced a name that reflected its missional identity. “The new name was not a shift in our identity,” said Frank James, who served as president during the transition. “The name change was just the next logical step.”
At Kairos University, the shift from Sioux Falls Seminary reflected a global vision and a new approach to theological education. “The term kairos reinforces the idea that learning and discipleship are integrated processes, shaped by moments in time,” said Greg Henson, Kairos president. “Being a Spirit-led institution means discerning what the Spirit is doing now, not just following a rigid plan. The name reminds us of that.”
Broader Focus
Many schools rebranded to reflect growth beyond a regional or ministry-specific label. BSK, once the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, now serves a national student body, with more than half its students outside the state.
“Kentucky made sense when we were regional,” said David Cassady, president of BSK Theological Seminary. “Once we moved fully online and became the official seminary of the National Baptist Convention of America, we needed a name that reflected our national reach.”
At Kairos, the move away from “Sioux Falls” reflected its transformation into a global network. “In some countries, a degree from a seminary can be a barrier,” Henson said. “The term university allows us to serve a global student body more effectively. We needed a name that could travel.”
These changes help schools serve broader constituencies while acknowledging that ministry now takes place in multiple contexts – urban, rural, digital, and global spaces.
The term university allows us to serve a global student body more effectively. We needed a name that could travel.”
Market Relevance and Public Perception
In many instances, rebranding addressed how names were perceived by prospective students or the public. For example, American Baptist Seminary of the West became Berkeley School of Theology (BST), shedding its lengthy denominational label for something more inclusive and appealing to international students.
At BSK, confusion with another Baptist seminary in Kentucky led to misdirected donations and lost recognition. “We were even mistaken for the other school in published articles,” Cassady recalled. “That confusion made it very difficult to build our reputation.”
Missio faced similar challenges. “The old name, Biblical Theological Seminary, seemed to harken back to fundamentalist Bible colleges, and we were not that,” James said. “We were an accredited graduate school committed to serious academics.” These changes are not about abandoning values, but about removing barriers. As James noted, “The term ‘missional’ represents a gracious outward expression of the gospel, one that younger Christians especially resonate with.”
Denominational Repositioning
Finally, many schools have rebranded to reposition themselves within or beyond denominational lines. BST dropped “Baptist” to reflect its student body and ecumenical mission.
“We are the last of 26 Baptist seminaries to relinquish the name ‘Baptist,’” said President James Brenneman. “The new name opens us to prospective students from 22 denominations and better reflects our historic mission of hope, justice, and reconciliation.”
Cassady notes that while BSK remains rooted in Baptist tradition, its new name “gets out of the way” so the school can share its identity as progressive, inclusive, and justice-oriented. “The old name created hurdles,” Cassady explained. “For many, the words ‘Baptist’ and ‘Kentucky’ carried assumptions that weren’t true of us, especially around women in ministry or racial justice. We spent too much time saying what our name didn’t mean. Now we can focus on saying who we are.”
