History and Purpose

• The AACCS operated informally for about 15 years before it was officially incorporated in January 2005. The association, established in 1985, was originally known as the American Association of Christian Colleges. It grew out of a focused division of the American Association of Christian Schools. In 1990, the AACC, so as to represent the true nature of the association, voted to change the name to the American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries. The AACCS provides various services for its member schools including support for the assessment of academic progress and personal assistance for their administrators. The association also provides a network for professional training in administrative principles of higher education.
  
  

Doctrinal Statement

• The AACCS is governed by a set of principles derived from the Bible. The doctrinal statement is an outline of beliefs strongly grounded in the teachings of the Bible from creation to the atonement of sins at the cross and that salvation is by grace through faith. Acceptance of this statement is a prerequisite to membership of the AACCS. Furthermore, the statement specifies some organizations which members should not associate with, as they believe such involvement would be inconsistent with the purposes of the AACCS.
  
  

Membership

• Membership of the AACCS must be renewed annually. The association sends out the annual membership renewal packets to the member institutions usually by the Oct. 15. The deadline for submission of renewal forms is Jan. 10, but reminders are sent out to those who fail to meet this deadline along with information regarding a delinquent fee charged after a grace period, which ends in February. Any institution that does not submit the renewal form by the May 1 loses its membership but is encouraged to reapply the following year. The deadline for new applications is Dec. 1.
  
  

Events

• The AACCS has a set of annual events planned well in advance that create opportunities for personal fellowship and professional development. The formal AACCS events include the Annual Meeting held every February and the National Legislative Conference in September. Related events include the Bible Faculty Summit in July and the Presidents' Prayer Advance held in August. Smaller focus groups are also run throughout the year.