Southern Seminary Community App
One of the most common questions I hear from online students is: “How can I connect with others who are also studying online?” Until now, we have not had a simple answer. at is why we are launching the Southern Seminary Community App, a dedicated platform for you to connect with other students, faculty, and the school.
is is not meant to replace your local church, friendships, or family. Instead, it gives you something distinct: a seminaryspecific space where you can find encouragement, meet other students walking the same academic road, and stay connected beyond the online classroom.
What You’ll Find Inside
Meet Other Students
When you join the app, you will be encouraged to post in the Introduce Yourself forum. is gives you the chance to share a little about who you are and what you are studying, and it lets others immediately connect with you around shared interests. From the very beginning, you will be able to start meeting other students virtually and begin building relationships.
Beyond introductions, you will find general chats and forums to connect with others on a wide variety of topics. Forums are designed for focused, dedicated conversations where you can post questions or reflections and return to them over time. Group chats, on the other hand, give you a space for ongoing, free-flowing real-time discussion with other students.
Direct Messaging & Local Connections
When you meet someone in the app, you can continue the conversation privately through direct messages. is gives you a natural way to build relationships beyond the group spaces, whether you are swapping study tips, checking in with a focus partner, or simply getting to know another student.
If you and another student happen to live in the same area, you can use the app’s “near me” function (optional) to discover that connection and take the conversation offline for coffee, study sessions, or ministry together.
Weekly Conversations
Many of you read and enjoy the weekly student emails. ey oen spark good reflection, but now we have a space to turn those reflections into conversations. When I share tips on study habits, productivity, or time management, you will be able to respond, ask questions, and talk with me and other students directly in the app. ese discussions will bring the whole community into the conversation instead of leaving them in your inbox.
Focused Spaces
You will also find dedicated spaces tied to specific interests such as biblical counseling and the biblical languages. ese give you the chance to connect with like-minded students around specific areas of interest, whether it is about school, ministry, or just life in general. As needs arise, we will continue expanding these focused spaces to cover more topics.
Networking Groups
Looking to build connections beyond the classroom? Networking Groups give you a place to meet other students around shared interests or goals. ese might be professional, ministry-related, or even local community-based. Whether you are forming a group remotely or in person, you will have tools and best practices to help you set purpose, schedule meetings, and grow meaningful connections.
Study Groups & Focus Partners - You now have more than one way to study with others:
Virtual Study Groups – Connect with students working through the same subject or course. Share notes, ask questions, and encourage one another.
Focus Partners – Looking for accountability instead of topic-specific study? Pair up with another student, even if you are in different classes, to check in, study at the same time, and keep each other moving forward.
In-Person Meetups – Use the app to find students in your area and organize local study sessions that fit your schedule.
Events with Faculty
Drop into casual conversations with your professors. Imagine grabbing coffee virtually with Dr. Pierre or joining an evening Q&A with Dr. Vickers, all through the app. ese are not lectures, but relaxed conversations where you can connect in a personal way.
Stay Informed
Instead of digging through emails, you will find timely updates, resources, and department-specific news all in one place. You will hear from faculty and staff in real time, right in the app.
Coming Soon
Online Mentoring Groups
A dedicated space for your online mentoring groups equipped with group chat, links to your live sessions with faculty, and a way to connect beyond the formal meetings.
Mini-Courses & Resources
Short, practical non-credit courses on topics like time management, how to read as a seminary student, and tips for retaining Greek and Hebrew.
Private Spaces for Events
If you sign up for an on-campus event like the Experiential Modular (XMD), you will be added to a private space with others attending. You will get the chance to meet virtually before arriving, helping bridge the gap between online and in-person.
New Student Onboarding
Eventually, onboarding for new online students will take place directly in the app. You will be able to introduce yourself, meet peers right from the start, and find answers to your first questions about navigating seminary.
is new space is designed with you in mind: a place to help you thrive in seminary, connect with others who understand the unique challenges you face, and strengthen your journey of equipping yourselves for ministry.
