Bible, religion and philosophy

	Major in Bible and religion		Minor in Bible and religion
	Major concentration or minor in youth ministry

Course Details (online catalog) Youth Ministry  Related links & online resources

Faculty Contact Us

Preparing students for active participation
in congregational life

The Bible and religion major is designed to provide students with an introduction to biblical studies and the academic study of the Christian tradition while affirming their faith and orienting them toward the value that the Anabaptist tradition places upon the Bible and the church.

Download and print our department flyer:
Bible, Religion and Philosophy at-a-glance (.pdf).

Bible & religion major
The major requires courses on the content and methods of biblical study, church history, theology, ethics and philosophy which culminate in a senior seminar. This major will be of particular value to students contemplating either graduate study in Bible, religion or theology, or a calling in Christian ministry, and can also provide a strong foundation for active participation in congregational life no matter a student’s future occupation.

Bible & religion minor
The minor in Bible and religion contains the core of the major in order to provide students with a strong foundation to complement their study of other traditions and for faith development and service to the church. Students take courses in both Testaments, Christian thought and ethics. With the permission of the adviser, some adaptations of the minor requirements are allowed in order to render the program of study as meaningful and useful to the student as possible.

Major concentration or minor in youth ministry: an apprenticeship in ministry
The youth ministry major concentration and minor provide students with theory and skills for working with young people, within the broader theological context in which to ground current or future congregational or ministry work. More information about youth ministry at Goshen.

Faith and fellowship
The department regularly hosts the majors and minors in faculty homes for informal meals, casual discussions and fellowship. Faculty members encourage personal conversations with students on issues of faith or other matters of student concern. Learn more about the BRP faculty members.

Middle East Seminar The Middle East seminar provides intensive study of the geography, history and archaeology of the Middle East. Following an orientation period on campus, the two-week seminar includes travel to Israel and Jordan. Getting involved: GC Campus Ministries You can explore your call to ministry and practice skills in worship planning and leadership, music ministry and group coordination through programs organized by Campus Ministries team: participate in and direct chapel services organize and lead weekly campus worship and prayer services join and lead small groups and Bible study write devotionals coordinate hymn sings participate in and organize service projects Ministry Club Nebula, a ministry club, provides an opportunity for students involved in or interested in ministry to support one another through fellowship and accountability by sharing personal stories about ministry and hearing from a range of persons outside the campus community; become aware of ministerial opportunities both on- and off-campus; and to help deepen self-understanding of gifts in ministry.

Ministry in action: internships A youth ministry internship in your junior or senior year will bring together your coursework, campus spiritual life involvement, exposure to practical aspects of youth ministry programs and mentoring. You may also fulfill this requirement, with advance approval from the director of youth ministry, through the following experiences (each provides a stipend or scholarship): Ministry Inquiry Program (MIP) This program offers the opportunity to spend 11 weeks in the summer working in ministry with the supervision of a pastor. Visitation, worship leading, preaching, participating in congregational boards and committees, teaching classes, leading groups, outreach ministries, reading and reflection are all part of the experience. Service Inquiry Program (SIP) The program enables GC students to spend three months in service with a church-related service or mission agency. Students learn from active service and from observing others engaged in service, and are expected to participate actively in the life of their service unit and its local congregation. Camping Inquiry Program (CIP) Explore involvement in outdoor ministry at a church-related camp or retreat of the Mennonite Camping Association through this unique program. Work with young people who experience what it means to live faithfully in a Christ-centered community, where care of the earth is an extension of Jesus' ministry.