Church Vocations

Christian Ministry

undergraduate programsgraduate programsdegree completionlibrarystudy abroadregistrarprograms a-z

Christian Ministry

You feel a call to ministry. That may be ministry in the traditional sense, pastoring a church, or could be something more unique like running a Christian school or camp.

 

 

Program Description

The Christian Ministry program at Tennessee Wesleyan prepares students with theological foundation, as well as training in the practical aspects of a wide range of callings. Small class sizes provide numerous opportunities for conversational teaching and close connections among faculty and staff.

 

Student take eight courses, including two internships, under religion and philosophy, that serve as foundational courses about the nature of Christian ministry, and religion and Bible. They then embark on one of four emphases: Youth Ministry, Church Camps and Recreation, Church School Education, and Church Business.

 

The Christian Ministry degree is interdisciplinary in nature, allowing students to broaden their background and give them a wealth of resources and depth of understanding to draw upon in a life of ministry among young people.

 

Career Opportunities

The Christian Ministry degree prepares students for a variety of ministry positions, such as:

- camp director

- ordained deacon

- church financial advisor

- director of Christian education

 

Not just theory, practice

Internships play a big role in the church vocations degree. Students often choose to work with a youth group in an area church, serve on a camp staff over a summer, or work in a Christian education setting. These hands-on experiences cultivate skills such as program planning, goal-setting, working in a group, budgetary planning, use of space and resources, teaching methods with various age groups, and assessment.

 

hero image

Introduction to Christian Ministry

An introduction to opportunities for Christian ministry and service vocations as an ordained deacon or as a Christian lay person. Includes study of the meaning of ministry for both the ordained and the laity and opportunities and requirements for positions in church-related fields. Also includes a look at the church in the twenty- first century and its role in society. Guest speakers share their experience in ministry.

Ministry Settings and Issues

This course builds on Church Vocations I, preparing students for the tasks and practice of (lay) ministry, with attention given to worship, proclamation of the word, educational ministries, nurture and outreach programming, etc. Leadership in the church is a primary focus, with specific attention paid to the various roles and functions of the ministry, though the course might, on occasion, focus also on faith formation and approach leadership more theoretically.

Jesus in the Gospels

A study of Jesus as depicted in the gospels, with an evaluation of his significance for our day.