Cohorts

(C3 + SBTS)
C3 Rowlett is partnering with The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to provide accessible, church-based theological education through Southern’s Contextualized Leadership Development (CLD) program. This partnership is built on a simple conviction: the best place to train ministry leaders is in the life of the local church.

Have questions? We can help!

What This Partnership Offers

Church-Based Training

Courses are facilitated in the context of C3 Rowlett by trusted pastors and leaders. Meaning, you do not have to leave the church to be trained.

Seminary-Level Content

Students benefit from Southern Seminary faculty lectures and curriculum, ensuring academic depth and doctrinal clarity.

No-Cost Opportunity

Eligible students can receive seminary or college credit at no cost to Southern.
(There will be a small cost on C3's side.)

A Pathway to a Seminary Degree

Students who complete coursework through The C3 Seminary Chorts can apply their training toward a degree at Southern Seminary.

Earn up to one-third of a master’s degree through church-based training.
Seamlessly transition into a full degree program at Southern.
Begin theological education without relocating or leaving current ministry responsibilities.
Don't have an associate's or undergraduate degree? SBTS offers a diploma program for these types of students.

See SBTS Degree options

Designed for Real Ministry

This partnership allows students to be:

Theologically grounded.
Practically equipped.
Actively engaged in ministry while learning.

Southern Seminary provides the academic structure and accreditation, while C3 Rowlett provides the mentorship, discipleship, and real-life ministry context.

Who is it for?

Aspiring pastors and ministry leaders*

Church members seeking deeper theological training

Current or future seminary students

Anyone called to grow in biblical knowledge and ministry effectiveness

Why It Matters

This partnership reflects a growing movement in theological education: bringing seminary training back into the local church.
Rather than duplicating what churches are already doing, Southern Seminary comes alongside churches like C3 Rowlett to strengthen, affirm, and expand leadership development already happening on the ground.

The Vision

At C3 Rowlett, our mission is to grow in the knowledge of God and bear fruit. This includes raising up the next generation of pastors, leaders, and disciple-makers—men and women who are:
Rooted in Scripture, Clear in Doctrine, and Ready for Ministry.
All without leaving the community God has already called them to serve.

How It Works

Sign up for a C3 Seminary Cohort.

Sign up like normal for a C3 Seminary cohort. We offer two in the Fall and two in the Spring.
(Learn more about the C3 Seminary)

Declare your intention to receive credit.

Declare your intention to take the class for Southern credit BEFORE the class begins.
(Credit does not work retroactively.)

Take the class.

Fulfill all the requirements of the class outlined in the course syllabus and receive credit.

Step into deeper theological training within the life of the church.

Request more information.

*Men who plan to get an MDiv. can take three additional classes through C3 (Christian Preaching, Preaching Practicum, Pastoral Ministry)