school of christian education
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.

2.

Does the School of Christian Education equip you for teaching in public schools or private Christian schools?
This is not the purpose of the School of Christian Education. The School of Teacher Education, exists to prepare men and women for teaching in public schools as well as private Christian schools (another form of Christian education). On the other hand, some of our graduates have been placed as teachers in private Christian schools.

3.

Do your professors have ministry experience?
Christian education is a school of practical theology, which means we are concerned with the application of theology to an ever-changing world. As a result, we make sure that our professors have experienced what they are teaching. All three of the current full-time professors in this department have been ordained to the ministry by their denominations. Our shared professional practices include local church youth ministry, pastoral ministry, college chaplaincy (full time), and parachurch youth ministry. While we value practical experience, we also see their importance of academics. Two of the full-time professors have Ph.D. degrees, and the third is currently working on his doctorate.

4.

What is the difference between a Pastoral Ministries major and a Youth Ministry major?
The Pastoral Ministries major prepares a student in the areas of homiletics (preaching skills), church administration, and pastoral leadership for the church. Generally, those who take this major are ultimately interested in a senior pastor position. The Youth Ministry major, on the other hand, is designed for the pastor who desires to specialize in youth ministry, and includes courses such as Church Ministry to Youth, Evangelism and Discipleship of Youth, Youth ministry Skills, Communicating to Youth, Youth Culture and Issues, and Counseling Adolescents.

5.

Do I need to major in Youth Ministry to be a youth pastor?
No, it is not necessary, but is strongly suggested. It is generally advisable to prepare for a career by focusing your studies on your field of interest. In other words, if you want to be a doctor, you study medicine; if you desire to be a lawyer you study law; if you hope to be a preacher you study homiletics; if you desire to be a missionary, you study missiology. Likewise, if you want be a youth pastor, you should prepare by studying youth ministry.

6.

What if I want to use youth ministry as a stepping stone to a senior pastor position?
We tend to discourage using youth ministry as a stepping stone to another position. Often those who take this approach to youth ministry do not really have a heart for youth and only do it until something better comes along. We prefer to see men and women go into youth ministry for the long haul and prepare for it accordingly--that is by studying youth ministry.

7.

Are there opportunities for women in the field of youth ministry?
Yes, opportunities for women to do youth ministry are greater now than in the past. Both church and parachurch organizations are hiring women for full-time positions in youth ministry.

8.

What can I do with a Family Ministry major?
A growing number of churches and parachurch organizations are creating positions that focus on serving families in holistic ways. This major enables students to understand family dynamics and create strategies that address the increasing complexities of family needs. Graduates with this major will be prepared to fill positions such as pastor/director of children's ministries, pastor/director of Christian education with a family ministry emphasis, as well as being equipped to work for parachurch organizations that address family needs.

9.

Do you require internships?
Yes, all three of our majors require internships, generally done in the summer between the junior and senior years. Interns are required to work in a church or parachurch setting for a minimum of 240 hours over an eight-week period of time.