Christian Ministries Major/Minor
The Christian Ministries major prepares you to lead others through in-depth Bible studies, leadership development seminars, and educational classes in the historical and psychological foundations of ministry. The Ministry program provides scriptural, educational, and managerial training for students who want to pursue ministry careers or further study in graduate schools or seminaries. Taylor’s Christian Ministries professors help you prepare for your future, not just in academic and career pursuits, but also through your faith.
Ministry courses provide students with a three-dimensional understanding of Christian ministries, honing in on spiritual formation, cross-cultural and local service, and experiential learning. Classes on teaching and learning strategies will help you communicate God's truth with specific groups as well as philosophies and strategies for Christian ministries. Other courses focus on studying, interpreting, and applying Scripture and mobilizing, training, and equipping fellow believers to serve the Church. Because of the complementary Bible classes in this major, Christian Ministries students also earn a Biblical Literature minor.
The Christian Ministries curriculum gives students the opportunity to serve those in our local and global communities. The curriculum requires students to participate in four semesters of departmentally approved ministry, a summer of full-time ministry, and a capstone trip that introduces them to more than one hundred key Christian leaders and ministries.
Listen to Dr. Mike Severe, Associate Professor of Christian Ministries, talk about the distinctives of Taylor’s Christian Ministries program.
Minor in Christian Ministries
Develop logistical and educational ministry skills that could supplement your declared major or allow you to serve the local church. This minor requires two semesters of extracurricular, department-approved ministry in addition to normal course requirements. A Christian Ministries minor pairs well with many majors, including Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Philosophy, or Biblical Literature.
Christian Ministries Curriculum & Degree Options
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries
- Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministries
- Christian Ministries Minor
Listen to testimonies of Christian Ministries graduates as they explain how their Taylor studies helped them discover their calling and launch into ministry after college.
- Rachel Williams ’16
“As a student at Taylor, I studied Christian Ministries with a minor in Biblical Literature. I loved this program. Not only was I studying ministry, I was challenged to ‘do’ ministry outside of the classroom as well. During my serving experiences through the Christian Ministries program, God revealed to me His plan to use me in Children’s Ministry after college, and for that I am so thankful! I currently serve as the Children’s Minister at Fairfield Christian Church in Kokomo, Indiana where I oversee ministry for kids ages birth through 5th grade. Taylor’s Christian Ministries program prepared me well for the ups, downs, and demands that vocational ministry requires. I feel so blessed to be God’s servant at FCC, and much of that is due to how the Christian Ministries department was formational in my life and career.” - Stu Poulson ’14
“Looking back on my four years at Taylor, I realize they were the most influential years of my life. I entered the Christian Ministries and Biblical Literature programs as a freshman who despised learning and had never done homework. I fell in love with learning. The courses showed me the tremendous love of my Savior and equipped me to share that love with the world. After graduating I went to work for Youth For Christ, where I helped create a welcoming community where teens could discover the Truth. My courses at Taylor truly gave me the tools I needed to communicate the gospel. My professors, courses, and workload at Taylor prepared me to make the leap into full-time graduate school. Studying at Taylor has deeply impacted every step of my professional career, and I am forever grateful.”
Contact the Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries & Philosophy Department
Dr. Michael Harbin, Department Chair of Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries & Philosophy
(765) 998-4972
mcharbin@tayloru.edu
Joy Brainer, Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries & Philosophy Program Assistant
(765) 998-5148
jybrainer@taylor.edu
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Related Majors
Related Minors
Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries & Philosophy Department
While all Taylor students take biblical courses, students who want to dive further into God’s Word or pursue further studies in seminary or a career in ministry will be welcomed into the Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries & Philosophy department (BSCP).
In this department, you will examine your understanding of faith with the help of caring faculty, who will serve as scholars, mentors, and teachers and push you to think through critical issues, question why you believe what you believe, and commit to a greater pursuit of your personal faith. Taylor’s BSCP program will build a strong foundation of biblical truth and knowledge that could strengthen the spiritual health of any student.
Our Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries & Philosophy faculty introduce plenty of development opportunities to our majors. Faculty often invite students to attend conferences and meetings with national ministry organizations to expand their horizons, discover ministry trends, and introduce them to ministry leaders.
Students are encouraged to join on-campus and local ministries, from campus chapel bands to church youth groups to county-wide food drives. Some students also put their critical thinking skills to the test with our nationally-ranked Ethics Bowl team—the Taylor chapter of a national intercollegiate program where students from different schools debate ethical topics.
Biblical- and ministry-focused study abroad opportunities are open to all Taylor students. Walk in the footsteps of the apostle Paul and study the New Testament while exploring Greece, or visit the birthplace and several ministry locations of Jesus during a trip to Jerusalem. Other opportunities include semester-long, J-term, or Spring Break trips to learn about the Word of God and evangelize across diverse cultures.
In our Bible and Ministry programs, our faculty help you develop practical thinking, critique, and discernment skills as you strengthen your faith and love for truth and wisdom. The professors are committed to a high view of Scripture and dedicated to providing an eye-opening Christian education, whether in major or general education courses. They are actively seeking out ministry and theological developments, and many are also at the forefront of these developments, researching and publishing book—such as textbooks, faith-building books, and in-depth scholarly reference books—and articles in publications like Tyndale Bulletin, Philosophia Christi, and Christianity Today.
Students from any major can take Greek or Hebrew classes to meet the Bachelor of Arts foreign language requirement. Taking two years of either language almost always counts toward at least one year of the language for a seminary program.
As Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries & Philosophy students have a 99% placement rate coming out of Taylor, you can graduate with confidence that your liberal arts education will stand out to future employers.
