Religion Division

Vocational Ministry Minor

Are you preparing for a career in law? Or perhaps in medicine? Do you want to go into business or banking? Have you thought about advertising or public relations? What about teaching? Or perhaps you've considered sports medicine or even coaching.

Regardless of your career objectives, we've designed a minor that will help you integrate your career with a life of faith. More than that, this minor will equip you to treat your career as both ministry and vocation.

When we use the word "vocation," we mean two things. First, we mean a sense of calling, the notion that my choice of career grows out of who I really am, deep down inside, and that my career choice reflects God's calling for my life.

Second, the notion of "vocation" has much to do with the call to service, with the summons to lose one's self on behalf of others and to reach out to others in the genuine ministry.

Course Description

The minor in Vocational Ministry consists of five upper division courses in religion. Four courses have been pre-selected: the fifth may be chosen from any upper division religion course, although "Religions of the World" (REL 526) is strongly encouraged.

In addition to the one course you will choose, the following courses are required for this minor.

REL 302 – Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (4) Course Description: A study of the methods used in interpreting biblical texts. Special attention will be given to the history of biblical interpretation and its significance for contemporary exegesis.

REL 330 – History of Christianity Course Description: A survey of Christian history from the New Testament period to the present with special focus on early, medieval, reformation, modern, American, and third-world Christianity.

REL 530 – Career as Vocation and Ministry (4) Course Description: This course develops a theology of vocation as a public and private exercise. The course will give special attention to helping students think theologically and engage in personal spiritual reflection.

REL 572 – Urban Ministry and Missions (4) Course Description: This course focuses on Christian mission and ministry in the growing urban areas of the United States and the Third World. It will explore the biblical basis for and of urban ministry strategies. It will pay particular attention to urban issues such as ministering among the poor, raising a family in the city, and planting urban churches in at-risk and under-served neighborhoods.