2 answers
Ariana
Student
Covington
1
Question
Updated
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What majors are there out there that set up students for going into ministry?
I'm a current junior starting to look into my intended major, and I've noticed discrepancies among colleges with different ministry majors. I want to know which ones are actually majors that will prepare me for going into the ministry (and not just study courses) and which colleges would be best for this major.
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Ariana !
It's indicated that you live in "Covington" which is not detailed enough for me to provide you with direct referrals to colleges. There are towns called Covington in Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. So you'd need to indicate which state you live in or where you want to study in order to get advice about specific theology schools. As a Junior in High School you will need to decide if you want to study in state or out of state.
There are no Christian Ministry Majors at colleges. You'd have to go to a Theological Seminary. That is where most Christian Ministers and staff attend. Some Seminaries that you can explore are Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado. These offer a Methodist program: Duke University Divinity School, Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. There is also Fuller Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Also look into Oral Roberts University’s Graduate School of Theology and Ministry, Olivet Nazarene University’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry, Mercer University’s School of Theology, Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Your best bet for a comprehensive and program at which you can then receive ordination, I would suggest going to a Theological Seminary, not one affiliated with a university. Private seminaries are typically stand alone institutions, often deeply rooted in a specific denomination or theological tradition, which allows them to maintain a focused mission centered on spiritual formation, ministry preparation, and doctrinal consistency. It would just be a better atmosphere for this type of study. The schools of theology connected to universities have a less intense focus on specific denominational practices or spiritual formation compared to private seminaries.
So, the best way to prepare for a ministry career would be to attend a Theological Seminary not a university. Visit your High School guidance counselor and dig deeper into this to find a Seminary near you. Discuss it with your Pastor, too.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
It's indicated that you live in "Covington" which is not detailed enough for me to provide you with direct referrals to colleges. There are towns called Covington in Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. So you'd need to indicate which state you live in or where you want to study in order to get advice about specific theology schools. As a Junior in High School you will need to decide if you want to study in state or out of state.
There are no Christian Ministry Majors at colleges. You'd have to go to a Theological Seminary. That is where most Christian Ministers and staff attend. Some Seminaries that you can explore are Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado. These offer a Methodist program: Duke University Divinity School, Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. There is also Fuller Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Also look into Oral Roberts University’s Graduate School of Theology and Ministry, Olivet Nazarene University’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry, Mercer University’s School of Theology, Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Your best bet for a comprehensive and program at which you can then receive ordination, I would suggest going to a Theological Seminary, not one affiliated with a university. Private seminaries are typically stand alone institutions, often deeply rooted in a specific denomination or theological tradition, which allows them to maintain a focused mission centered on spiritual formation, ministry preparation, and doctrinal consistency. It would just be a better atmosphere for this type of study. The schools of theology connected to universities have a less intense focus on specific denominational practices or spiritual formation compared to private seminaries.
So, the best way to prepare for a ministry career would be to attend a Theological Seminary not a university. Visit your High School guidance counselor and dig deeper into this to find a Seminary near you. Discuss it with your Pastor, too.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Hi! The Covington I live is Louisiana. I am not opposed to studying out of state, but I do think that in state would probably be a cheaper option and that I would be able to pay for it easier. I had been looking into different focuses on missions or specific ministries that were offered (youth, women, etc) on the list of majors at some Christian colleges or universities, which is where my initial confusion came from initially. I very much appreciate your answer and I am so grateful for the insight!! I will definitely look into the schools you mentioned and their programs. Your message certainly helps, thank you for taking the time to write this!!
Ariana
You are welcome for the advice, Arianna ! Your plans sound great !
Michelle M.
Kikanza Nuri-Robins
Consultant
24
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Kikanza’s Answer
Hi. To go into ministry you will probably go to a seminary or school of divinity for a Masters degree. There you will study church history, Hebrew, Greek, philosophy and theology. So as an undergraduate you want to take classes that will give you a broad understanding of people and culture. You also want to read widely , write well and speak eloquently. Consider these majors and minors
Speech
Sociology
Psychology
English or American Literature
Anthropology
History
Religious Studies
Speech
Sociology
Psychology
English or American Literature
Anthropology
History
Religious Studies