Christian Education
What is God Calling You to Do?
The Call of God and the Will of God are a process in which God leads us through personal decisions, prayer, Bible study, relationships and circumstances. As you continue your journey here at Southwestern, keep in mind the venues of ministry are not tied specifically to your specialization. God knows how and where to use you. Consider this. You can easily build a Graduate education on your Christian Education bachelors. Here are a few of the ministries this degree will prepare you for:
Pastor* Your CE Specialization is part of a Major in Church Ministries. You receive the same number of Bible hours, Theology, and Practical courses as Pastoral Ministry, Youth or Children’s specialists.
Staff Member. Children’s Pastors and Youth Pastors are hired at churches based on their dedication to God, ministry experience, and people skills. A CE Specialization only adds to the mix of your burden for children or youth because you focus on the big picture of church ministry. Often times, experienced Youth and Children’s pastors develop into Senior Associates and Pastors. The practical, administrative skills you focus on in your CE specialization open doors for all the ministries God will lead you to. Also, as the number of Senior adults in North America continues to rise, those who have the burden for discipleship, pastoral care and administration will be called on to minister to these saints of God.
Missions*. Discipleship is part two of the Great Commission. Most of the ministries of career missionaries is education, bible college, discipleship/ministry training, and administration. The hunger to reach the lost can be maintained and perpetuated with the skills of the Christian Educator.
Chaplains**. Military Chaplains, Prison and Institutional Chaplains, and Vocational Chaplains enjoy the privilege of one on one discipleship ministry. The best of Pastoral, Missions, Christian Education are woven into the ministry of the Chaplain.
Professors** The love of God’s word, the passion for research and the desire to develop God’s people may compel you to graduate education. If you have a passion for study and research, lay the right ministry groundwork by learning how to teach, disciple, lead and organize. Christian Education is the perfect foundation for the rigors of Seminary.
Christian Organizations Perhaps God is calling you to some other vision of ministry. Christian media, Mens and Women’s ministries, Christan Camping, Christian Schools and or Daycares. The principles taught via the Christian Education Specialization are applicable in that ministry God is calling you to. The vision may yet be for an appointed time, but it will take planning, organizing, and persevering to get there. Give yourself the best opportunity by specializing in Christian Education.
*In the Assemblies of God, these ministries require credentials. The good news is your Christian Education Specialization, as a part of the Church Ministries Major, gives you all the preparation you need (in addition to the call to preach) to get AG credentials. Your process with your Section, District, and the General Council goes hand in hand with your ministerial preparation. Christian Education is Ministry.
**In addition to ordination, these ministries require graduate education. For Chaplains, the MDIV (Master of Divinity, usually 72 hours past the BS) is required. For College teachers, that depends on what you want to teach. You can build a MA(CE) Christian Education or MA(RE) Religious Education, MA in Practical Theology, or MA in Biblical Studies, Philosophy, or Theology on this CE degree. If God is calling you, the Christian Education specialization will prepare you for the best of both worlds: theology and ministry