Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I major in Christian ministries?
The Christian Ministries and Missions Department faculty understands that many students want to make a difference in their world through various forms of ministry. Such individuals may have felt a "calling" into full-time Christian service. Designed to help students apply their learning to a ministry setting, the department prepares students to understand the foundational principles that develop the Christian mind and lifestyle.
What about graduate school or seminary?
Grad school is fairly common for Christian ministries majors; in our last survey of graduates, exactly half had taken graduate work (seminary programs are most common). Graduates often wait until they have gained experience in ministry before seeking further formal education.
If I'm planning on going to seminary, shouldn't I major in a non-ministry field as an undergraduate? Won't I get all I need for ministry training at seminary?
Graduate school, including seminary, provides opportunity for advanced study in one's chosen field. Students going into ministry who took an undergraduate major in a different field will find themselves at a disadvantage in seminary. On the other hand, students who majored in a ministry field as an undergraduate will be able to do more advanced study at seminary and are likely to have greater success than if they had not studied ministry as an undergraduate.
Are professional/career missionaries still needed, or should future "missionaries" pursue a different profession (and a field of study other than missions)?
Given the critical and complex demands of cross-cultural ministry, every missionary team/organization must have those whose profession is cross-cultural ministry. These are the people who are trained to discern the theological and ministry issues that exist on the field, to identify the principles and practices needed for effective evangelism and discipleship, and to "chart the course" for the ministry to follow.
What will I study?
All programs in the Department of Christian Ministries and Missions will help you understand basic principles of ministry and the mission and work of the Church. You'll study the dynamics of spiritual growth, develop views for becoming a global/world Christian and learn how to study the Bible and lead Bible study groups.
The Christian Ministries major will help you understand how to minister to people of all ages. You'll learn a variety of ways to approach educational ministry. You'll understand what organizational structures prove most effective. You'll discover principles for developing and evaluating curriculum and resources that serve as tools for reaching people of all ages for Christ.
If, however, domestic or overseas mission work is your desired goal, the Missions major will help you learn how to communicate with people in cultures other than your own. Students in this field study world religions, the uniqueness of the Christian message, trends in mission activity and principles and strategies of cross-cultural communication.
The Youth Ministry major will prepare you for ministry with adolescents in a church or parachurch context. You'll understand the unique journey of faith that teens experience. You'll discover a variety of models and strategies for youth ministry. You'll learn how to analyze youth culture. You'll gain tools for building relationships, discipling, counseling and leading recreation with youth.
How can I apply my classroom learning to a real-life ministry experience?
Experiential learning is distributed throughout the programs in our department. Beginning with the first course, students observe and reflect on ministry taking place in local churches and interview ministry leaders. In other classes, we may develop a two-year plan for a children's ministry, work through case studies of ministry with adolescents, investigate a church's ministry to adults to write a program analysis.
In addition, students are encouraged to volunteer in local church and parachurch ministries, because
"you can't learn ministry just in a classroom." Students in all three majors are required to participate in an internship appropriate to their respective major. Christian Ministries or Youth Ministry majors complete supervised internships in churches as children's ministers, directors of Christian education, or youth ministers; in parachurch ministries, like Youth for Christ; or in a Christian camp environment. Most students choose to complete their internship during the summer in full-time, paid positions, though the internship requirement can be met any semester in volunteer or paid positions. Many churches actively recruit Asburians for these positions.
Missions major students complete internships with extended ministry involvement in cross-cultural settings. Typically, trips are overseas, although students have opted to work in a cross-cultural setting in the United States.
Furthermore, many of the department's students are involved in weekend and summer ministry teams, discipleship groups and community service projects. Dozens of ministry opportunities exist on campus.
What facilities are available?
The Christian Ministries Resource Center, housed in the King Curriculum of the Kinlaw Library on campus, provides opportunities for students to study current developments in curriculum and resources for age-level and educational ministry. Curriculum materials from more than 20 publishers, as well as a variety of other resources, are available for student use in class projects and/or church ministry. The center is also utilized by classes and students from Asbury Theological Seminary, our daughter institution.
Quick Facts
Nearly 100 percent of Christian Ministries graduates who seek ministry placement secure a position within a few months of graduation; many are hired prior to graduation.
Approximately 50 percent of graduates from the department eventually enter graduate school.