CIP Code: 39.9999
Mission Statement:
The Christian Ministry faculty of Missouri Baptist University desires to assist churches in developing leaders with Christ-like characteristics so that they can extend Christ-like influence, by providing majors, minors, and certificates which are foundational and practical. This course of study has been designed in an effort to emphasize applicability to life, orientation toward the church, and fidelity to the biblical revelation. In accordance with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University and the academic program, the Christian Ministry faculty provides curriculum leading to general education and degree requirements as well as major and minor programs of study in the disciplines of Christian Ministry, Ministry and Leadership, and Christian Studies.
Mission
Applicability to Life: The intellectual discipline of theology has often been separated from the experience of human life which is lived before God. The ultimate concern of theology should be with God in his relationship with humans, and thus with human life as it is lived before God, hence one’s life as lived unto God. Theological study should involve not only correct thinking about God but also good living before God. It should involve a consideration of the question, “How can we use what we learn to glorify God, to live well before him, to do his will, to cause his name to be honored in the world, and to enjoy him?”
Orientation toward the Church: Theological study has been relegated to the academy and is often divorced from the life of the church. At a distance of two millennia from the New Testament era, there may indeed be a need for special training for those who minister the Word of God; but the New Testament itself does not envision any locus for such training apart from the local congregation. In a time when professionalization and academic credentials are emphasized, the study of theology needs to be undertaken as an adjunct of church life, with a concern for the church, and with the goal of feeding theological truth back into the church.
Fidelity to the Biblical Revelation: Modern theological study has often taken its cues from the surrounding culture instead of occupying the ground established by divine revelation and thus speaking an alien word to the culture. In recent times this has meant surrendering the concept of “truth” and acceding to the relativism of modern thought, relegating “religion” to the realm of subjective personal preference. In contrast, the core of a common Christian theology must be seen as the expression of divinely-revealed truth, valid for and making claims upon all people.
