Who we are
A seminary for the local church
This program was born out of a desire to see disciples formed who become embedded in the life of local churches and society around the world. We are connected to a church planting and discipleship network called My Local, which meets in homes in different parts of the United States and around the world. You can find out more by clicking below.
Augustinian Renaissance in Theology
The "ART" in ART Seminary stands for what we want to see developed through this seminary: an Augustinian Renaissance in Theology. What does that mean?
The word renaissance comes from the French for "rebirth." There is also a time period called the Renaissance when the arts, learning, architecture, and financiers all came together to rediscover ancient ways. We long to see a rebirth in theology impacting the church and wider culture. We see this happening through rediscovering what is often referred to as an Augustinian approach to theology - one that sees the formation of the desire of our hearts, rather than only the formation of our minds, as the fundamental goal of theology.
Historically, seminaries emphasized spiritual disciplines and monastic practices alongside intellectual learning. However, after the Enlightenment, this aspect of education has sometimes been overlooked. We aim to restore the seminary as an integrative learning experience, without sacrificing academic rigor.
Meet the Team
Co-Founder and Principal
Fraser Newman
Fraser is passionate about seeing theological learning connected to discipleship and church practice. After living in Nashville, TN for around 3 years, he has now moved back to the UK to plant house churches and ART Seminary in Europe.
Fraser has worked as a music teacher and youth worker. He was also part of running a three-year degree program, gaining valuable experience in theological education. He took five students through the program, all of whom completed and passed the course, with four out of the five achieving first-class honours degrees.
Fraser studied with ForMission college in London where he graduated a first-class honours degree in Theology and Mission, receiving awards for both the highest dissertation mark and the best overall academic performance. He also holds a Master’s degree in Theology from the University of Oxford. His areas of interest include Theology and the Arts, Eschatology, C.S. Lewis, Epistemology, and Theology of Culture.
He lives in Scotland with his wife, Noa, and sons Robin & Basil.
Chief Academic Officer
Jeff Runion
Jeff brings 35 years of ministry experience to our program serving as Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor, Men's Discipleship Pastor, and Executuve Pastor. He received his undergraduate Degree in Music, Christian Education, and Bible from Welch Bible College in Nashville TN in 1989. And then completed a Master of Arts Degree in Education and Human Development in 1997. He has a passion for church history and teaches those sessions in Module 2 of Year 1 of our program. Outside of his work in the Healthcare IT Industry and serving as Executive Pastor at My Local Church Nashville, Jeff has been married to his wife Donna for 37 years and has two married sons and two incredible grandsons named Brew and Calum.
Dean of Integration
Brett Lynch
As Dean of Integration for ART Seminary, Brett carries a lifelong commitment to weaving together theology, community, and creative expression. He believes incarnational formation happens at the crux of the infinite and the intimate—where foundational Truth takes root and finds expression in daily life. Drawing from his experience as a husband, father, pastor, musician, and community architect, he seeks to guide students in the art of integration: ordering study towards embodied faith, and vocational living towards communal flourishing. His hope is to help students live out their faith in ways that are faithful, creative, and deeply human. He is currently completing Theological study while working full time in the fashion industry.
Dean of Formation
R.J. Clements
R.J. is passionate about helping people grow and develop through ART Seminary's program. He brings both ministry and professional experience to the team. He is especially interested in how soteriology informs church practice, ministry, and the way we see the world.
Chaplain
Alyssa Fitts
Alyssa has served as a house church pastor in My Local for the last several years, carrying a passionate heart for people and prayer. She is eager to learn and grow in theology, love for God and love for people. After seeing ART be an instrument in her own life to find herself in the biblical story and live in it today, she is excited to help others grow in love and discovery of those same things.
Co-Founder
Jared Runion
Big Dreamer