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Division of Religion

Religion Major Concentrations

Division of Religion Student Handbook (Undergraduate - pdf)

Bible
The Bible concentration is a 35-hour track of study that is designed for persons entering a ministry related field. This concentration can also be used as a foundation for graduate work in the field of biblical studies, especially the New Testament.

Children's Ministry
The Children's Ministry concentration is a 48-hour program for students who anticipate leading children's ministries in churches, working with children, and equipping volunteers to work with children.

Christian Ministry
The Christian Ministry concentration is a 51-hour track of study that provides biblical, theological, and pastoral leadership foundations for those entering careers in ministry in the local church. This concentration is appropriate for those going directly into ministry and is a very strong pre-seminary program. This is the ordination track program for students pursuing Wesleyan ordination.

New Testament Greek
The New Testament Greek concentration of study is a 35-hour track of study for those who are particularly interested in doing extensive study of the New Testament in the original Greek.

Sports Ministry

Youth Ministry

Minors (and Cognate)

The minors are all 23 hours in length and can complement one of the Division of Religion's concentrations. Any minor can be taken out of interest or to complement any other of Southern Wesleyan University's majors. Minors allow students to develop a specific area of expertise in ministry. Any of the following minors, in addition to the Christian Ministry concentration, meets academic requirements for ordination in The Wesleyan Church.

Bible
The minor in Bible provides for examination of specific books of the Bible, methods of biblical study, and foundations for communicating biblical truths. Because the Bible is foundational for faith and ministry, this minor is valuable for both religion majors and students in other majors as well.

Christian Education
The Christian Education minor serves to prepare students for leadership in the educational ministries of local churches.Local church educational ministries have become even more important as the church responds to more complex needs of persons at all age levels and to help them to integrate Christian faith in a rapidly changing culture.

Missions
The Missions minor is for those who are interested in intercultural missions as a career as well as for those who are interested in short-term missions assignments, for planning missions involvement for the local church, and for cross-cultural ministries within the U.S.

Pastoral Studies (cognate)
The Pastoral Studies cognate is an option only for those who are completing the Christian Ministries concentration. Coursework expands the study in leadership, planning, and counseling. This cognate is designed as an extension of the Christian Ministries curriculum for those who plan to serve as solo or senior pastors shortly after graduation.

Youth Ministry
The youth ministry minor equips students to provide leadership in youth ministry in local churches. Attention is given to teen development, youth cultural influences, program and leadership development, and teaching in the youth ministry of the local church.