The mission of the Division of Religion and Philosophy at MidAmerica Nazarene University is to nurture the transformation of students throughout the community for a life of discipleship, service and leadership in the church by developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for effective ministry, particularly within the Wesleyan holiness tradition.
Religion and Philosophy
If you have been called to serve as a pastor, youth minister, Christian educator, evangelist, chaplain, missionary, or lay minister, MNU can equip you with the skills to effectively minister in this increasingly complex world.
"Practical scholarship" is the key phrase that sums up the division philosophy. The focus is upon preparing men and women with the skills to do effective ministry in the church. All faculty in the division are presently involved in ministry in the local church. For example, Barth Smith pastors a small country church and Larry Fine serves part-time on a church staff. At the same time, faculty such as Frank Moore, Randy Cloud, Mark Hayse, Jim Edlin, and Lori Niles are producing books and articles for publication.
Scholarships are available for ministry majors through the ministerial student scholarship program. Students who qualifiy have the potential to significantly reduce student loan debt.
Classroom work is supplemented by internships which include summer field experiences in churches, camps, and mission settings. Local pastors and youth leaders work directly with the student in a mentoring capacity.
Certificates in Youth and Family Ministry, Children and Family Ministry, and Bible and Theology are also offered by the division. These certificates are designed to prepare volunteer workers who are majoring in other fields.
Urban ministry preparation can be accomplished through the Bresee Institute in Los Angeles or Kansas City. A one-semester internship in these urban centers provides the student with hands-on experience and understanding of the urban setting. Opportunities for work at the Kansas City Rescue Mission and other urban ministries are also available.
Missions students are taught by people who have been there. These include Randy Beckum, Fletcher Tink, and Jim Edlin.
During Spring Break, Work and Witness trips travel to various countries throughout the world. Recent years included trips to rhe Carribean, Europe, Mexico and Central America. The Summer Ministries assignments provide additional practical experience in missions.
The Ministry Resource Center, provides additional resources for ministry development. Seminars offered through the center bring in experts on a variety of ministry-related topics to campus each semester.
In the tradition of Wesleyan-Arminian theology, the religion faculty emphasizes the importance of God's call unto holiness. The Bible is recognized as the foundation for all Christian belief and practice, and, therefore, is treated with utmost respect. Students are also encouraged to develop disciplines of spiritual formation for a life of growth and maturity in Christ. Our faculty embrace the Statement of Belief of the Church of the Nazarene.
Jim Edlin, Ph.D.
Division Chair
jedlin@mnu.edu
