students in class

Threshold

Threshold

 

Threshold is a unique, weeklong opportunity for students to complete one or more in-person courses at our Portland Campus. It is offered every semester and is especially designed to provide community and mentorship for students who might not live in Portland. 

Condense Your Class Time

While coursework for Threshold classes is spread out over the entire semester, class time is concentrated in all-day intensives on the Portland Campus. Classes meet for two or four days, depending on the number of credits, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many students will participate in more than one class at Threshold, while enjoying community meals together and fellowship with faculty and classmates throughout the week.

Here is a sample Threshold schedule:

 

An Enriching Seminary Experience

woman in class

Flexibility

Come to Portland for only a short period of time and receive the rich benefits of in-person learning. 

 students eating lunch

Community

Develop relationships with other ministry leaders as you engage in class and enjoy meals together.

 Professor Stephen Stallard chats with students

Mentorship

Be mentored by our faculty—ministry practitioners with a pastoral heart to serve students.

Spring 2026 Courses

Dates*CourseCreditsProfessor
Feb. 23–24 CS502—Practicing Christian Spirituality 2 Andrew Pack, EdD
Feb. 25–26 BT501—Hermeneutics 2 Daniel K. Eng, DMin, PhD
Feb. 23–26 TH502—Theology II: Glorifying the Word of Life 4 Todd Miles, PhD

*Coursework begins on Jan. 3 and ends on April 10.

Planning for future semesters? View our 3-year Threshold Rotation Schedule.

Summer 2026 Courses

Dates*CourseCreditsProfessor
June 8–9 ML506—Ministerial Ethics 2 John Kwak, PhD
June 8–11 TH503—Theology III: Living as the Community of the Spirit 4 Todd Miles, PhD
June 10–11 BT502—Understanding Biblical Theology 2 Demetrius Rogers, DMin
June 12–13 TH527—Equipping for Spiritual Warfare 2 Gerry Breshears, PhD

*Coursework begins on May 2 and ends on Aug. 7.

Meals

MealsWestern provides lunch to Threshold students on Monday through Thursday. We also host two dinners and provide breakfast and snacks on certain days. 

Accommodations

Although Western does not offer on-campus housing, we can help connect you with several options in the Portland area, including staying with a Western family or sharing an Airbnb with other students. Please contact Emily Stone at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out what lodgings are available.