School of Theology

Alexander Hall
206-281-2342
spu.edu/depts/sot/

Doug Strong, Dean of the School of Theology

Majors
	Educational Ministry
	Christian Theology
Minors
	Christian Scriptures
	Christian Spirituality Christian Theology
	Educational Ministry
	Global and Urban Ministry
	Reconciliation
	Youth Ministry
	International Service Certificate

The School of Theology (SOT) stands squarely in the Methodist heritage, and our courses are shaped by our commitment to the method of theological inquiry delineated by John Wesley, the founder of that tradition. According to that method, there are four sources of Christian truth that believers must consult:

• The Bible (which is preeminent among the four)
• Church tradition
• Human reason
• Their own personal experience of the Risen Christ

These sources are understood to be correlative and mutually corrective, and the adventure of theological inquiry consists precisely in listening attentively to the distinct but compatible contributions of each. It is our expectation that students who practice this method will come to an informed, confident, and deeply �owned� Christian faith.

The SOT serves all SPU students through courses meeting University Foundations requirements. These requirements, described elsewhere in this Undergraduate Catalog, introduce students to the biblical heritage and to the distinctive doctrines and practices of various strands within the historic Christian tradition.

We offer two majors: educational ministry and Christian theology. Note that although they share a common core of courses (a fact that facilitates double-majoring), each also includes an array of specialized courses suitable to its distinctive focus.

We also offer six minors:

• Christian Scriptures
• Christian spirituality
• Educational ministry
• Youth ministry
• Christian theology
• Global and urban ministry

A minor in one of these areas will enrich the Christian perspective of a student�s chosen major and strengthen the connection between one�s faith and one�s life in the workplace, home, church, and world.

Finally, we offer an International Service Certificate for those interested in living and working in multicultural settings.

Admission to Majors or Minors
To qualify for a major in the School of Theology, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all previous college credits and have attained at least a B- grade in a University Foundations course.

A student must complete the major or minor requirements in effect when the student is admitted to the major or minor.

MAJORS

Educational Ministry Major
Robert Drovdahl (bdrovdahl@spu.edu), Contact
The field of educational ministry, traditionally known as Christian education, is an interdisciplinary area addressing the question of how we facilitate spiritual development in persons. To answer this question, the field explores the foundational theological disciplines, the social sciences, and educational philosophy.

A major in educational ministry is recommended for students interested in spiritual development and the educational/equipping ministry of the church. It provides a pre-professional course of study within a liberal arts perspective for students pursuing full-time ministry in a church or parachurch setting.

Occupationally, educational ministry majors work within church and parachurch organizations. Possible church roles include director of Christian education, youth director, and children�s director. Possible parachurch settings include student development, Christian service organizations, Christian camping, and curriculum design.

Some students also combine a major in educational ministry with education certification to prepare for elementary school teaching. Requirements for the Educational Ministry Major

Christian Theology Major
Richard Steele (rsteele@spu.edu), Contact
As the study of Christian belief and practice with the goal of fostering faithful Christian life, theology is necessarily multidisciplinary. The Christian theology major is designed to cultivate an appreciation for how Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience rightly inform theological reflection.

The aim of this major within the liberal arts is to nurture those skills and capacities required of a thoughtful and articulate faith.

As a result of majoring in Christian theology, the student is well prepared for either the workplace or for graduate study in the humanities or the professions.

Besides enriching the student�s life with God, this major also seeks to enhance the student�s service to the church. Requirements for the Christian Theology major

MINORS

Christian Scriptures Minor
Robert Wall (rwall@spu.edu), Contact
The purpose of the Christian Scriptures minor is to lead students into more mature understanding of Scriptures’ teaching about God. Not only is this minor designed to be intellectually invigorating, but each course also intends to relate Scripture to Christian formation in spiritually enriching and challenging ways.

Course by course, students will learn how to interpret Scripture with skill and grace, discovering the historical, literary, and theological aspects of different biblical writings and the practical implications of each for Christian faith and witness today. Requirements for the Christian Scriptures minor

Christian Spirituality Minor
Robert Drovdahl (bdrovdahl@spu.edu), Contact

The Christian spirituality minor provides a formal way for students to attend to their growth in Christian faith during the college years.

The courses introduce students to the historical and theological foundations of Christian spirituality, teach students the practices that cultivate spiritual growth, and teach the dynamics and value of life together on the journey of faith. The program culminates with a pilgrimage journey.

Requirements for the Christian Spirituality minor

Christian Theology Minor
Richard Steele (rsteele@spu.edu), Contact
The Christian theology minor is intended for the student who wants to approach his or her major discipline from a perspective richly informed by the heritage of Christian thought and practice.

As such, the student is given as much leeway as possible in course selection, within the general parameters established by the School of Theology for balanced and responsible theological inquiry. Requirements for the Christian Theology Minor

Educational Ministry Minor
Robert Drovdahl (bdrovdahl@spu.edu), Contact
Issues in spiritual development and the educational/equipping ministry of the church affect all Christians.

A minor in educational ministry provides an ideal program for exploring these issues and strengthening a student’s ability to serve in present and future life roles: church leader or teacher, Christian parent, a profession that involves a helping relationship and other roles concerned with nurturing spiritual development. Requirements for the Educational Ministry minor

Global and Urban Ministry Minor

David Leong (leongd@spu.edu), Contact
The global and urban ministry (GUM) minor serves students in all majors, equipping students to understand the theological and contextual realities of the world today, which is heavily urban and multiethnic. We strive to develop global Christians who will participate in God’s transformation of the world.

This program offers a minor, an internship, and a certificate. The internship may be completed either through the course Interpreting the City, or through a minimum of six weeks spent in residence in an ethnic community overseas or locally, working on an academic project. For more information, contact the School of Theology at 206-281-2342.

In the term preceding the field experience, the student will enroll in 1 credit of independent study with a GUM professor to design the project.

Following the field experience, the student will enroll in 1 credit of independent study to write a paper summarizing the field research. An internship will earn 5 credits, including the independent study credits. Requirements for the Global and Urban Ministry Minor

Reconciliation Minor
Kerry Dearborn (kdearbor@spu.edu), Contact
Reconciliation Studies courses are rooted in the affirmation that God is the reconciling one, and that God’s work of reconciliation occurs in and through Christ and is worked out through God’s people by power of the Holy Spirit. Reconciliation is worked out in contexts of cultural complexity and historical enmity. In order for God’s people to be equipped to participate in God’s work of reconciliation, it is essential to understand biblical and theological perspectives on reconciliation, as well as human cultural contexts and historical dividing walls. It is also vital for students to be involved in the work of reconciliation with experienced mentors.

The courses have been selected because they offer insights into the nature, contexts, and challenges of reconciliation and also equip students to participate in the work of reconciliation in their given field of study. Requirements for the Reconciliation minor

Youth Ministry Minor
Jeff Keuss (keussj@spu.edu), Contact
Reaching today’s youth with the Gospel requires dedicated, capable leadership. The minor prepares students for effective ministry by an education in the theological, relational, and programming foundations of youth ministry and training in skills for youth ministry. The minor culminates with an internship in a church or parachurch ministry. Requirements for Youth Ministries minor

Young Life Program
Students may combine the youth ministry minor with a supervised internship with Young Life. Interns may work toward full-time placement after college through Young Life’s church partnership program or as full-time Young Life staff.

For more information, contact the School of Theology at 206-281-2342.

International Service Certificate
This brief program offers useful training for students who hope to live and work multiculturally as Christians, but who cannot take enough courses to earn a minor in global and urban ministry.

Need to know when a course is being offered? Check the 2011-12 Time Schedule.

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