Division of Religion

Mark Wilson, D.Min., Chair

The Division of Religion offers a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with concentrations in Christian Ministry, Youth and Children’s Ministry, and Worship Ministry. At the heart of our academic mission is the Word of God-both the Living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written Word, the Scriptures. Our ultimate goal is for students to be transformed by Christ and to live transformed lives that reflect His values, priorities, and calling.

Equipped to study and teach the written Word of God, our graduates are prepared to serve Christ and His Church in a variety of roles, including lead pastors, youth pastors, children’s pastors, worship pastors, missionaries, co-vocational ministers, parachurch leaders, and other ministry positions.

We also encourage our Religion students to pursue a double major or a minor in another field to broaden their education, deepen their contextual understanding, and enhance their vocational opportunities.

PURPOSE

The Division of Religion at Southern Wesleyan University exists to serve Christ and His Church by equipping ministers and scholars of the Gospel in the Wesleyan tradition who are biblically grounded, theologically discerning, contextually aware, ministerially effective, and spiritually mature.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Biblically Grounded: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the Bible and skill in the hermeneutical process. 
Theologically Discerning: Students will articulate and appropriate well-reasoned Christian theology from a Wesleyan perspective. 
Contextually Aware: Students will analyze historic and contemporary contexts of the Christian faith to inform their approach to ministry.
Ministerially Effective: Students will demonstrate proficiency in core ministerial competencies, including leadership, biblical proclamation, evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care.
Spiritually Mature: Students will demonstrate measurable growth in personal and communal spiritual practices, ethical discernment, and vocational clarity consistent with a maturing Christian faith.

ORDINATION

Graduates from any of the three tracks in our Religion major will have completed all the educational requirements for ordination in The Wesleyan Church. Non-majors seeking to become a Licensed Minister in The Wesleyan Church will obtain the education requirements for this licensure upon completion of the Wesleyan Ministerial Studies minor.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Religion (BA)

Minor