Why Theology and Ministry at OCU?
Three things make OCU’s Theology and Ministry department unique:
- Our commitment to Scripture. We believe that the Bible is God’s word—not merely a collection of human words—and that it is authoritative and without error in all that it means to say. For this reason, we study Scripture deeply so that we can proclaim it faithfully to the world.
- Our passion for holiness. We believe that God not only calls believers to be holy; he also empowers us to be holy by his Holy Spirit who dwells in us. We stand in the Wesleyan-Arminian theological tradition, and while we welcome students from all Christian traditions, we have a distinctively Wesleyan optimism about the power of God’s grace to transform human lives.
- Our heart for the church. We have a deep love for the church and see everything that we do as being in service to the church. Our faculty are not ivory-tower scholars but pastor-theologians who research, write, preach, and teach in order to prepare the next generation of leaders for the church.
Caleb T. Friedeman
David A. Case Chair of Biblical Studies, Associate Research Professor of New Testament
Gerald Mershimer
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries
Benjamin Williamson
Associate Professor of Theology
The Most Affordable Christian Bachelor’s Degree Programs, 2022
BA in Biblical Studies (on-campus)
BA in Biblical and Theological Studies (online)
BA in Christian Ministry (on-campus)
BA in Global Missions (on-campus, online)
BA in Student Ministries (on-campus)
BA in Leadership and Ministry (on-campus)
BA in Worship Leadership (on-campus)
Total cost is $28,319 below the state average for similar programs!
Ohio Christian University delivers flexibility, affordability, and academic excellence through its outstanding selection of Christian bachelor’s degrees. Students here enjoy a Christ-centered learning environment that boasts plenty of personal interaction through a low, 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Interested in taking your degree one step further? Add a minor in biblical studies, Christian ministry, global missions, or student ministry.
- Options to personalize your program by adding a minor in biblical studies, Christian ministry, global missions, or student ministry
2022, March 9. 2022: The Most Affordable Online and Campus-Based Christian Bachelor’s Degree Programs in America. ChristianMinistry.EDU. https://christianministryedu.org/editors-picks/most-affordable-christian-bachelors-degree-programs/
Theology and Ministry Degree Programs
Ohio Christian University has developed its Master of Arts in Ministry to enhance the ministry skills of pastors and lay leaders in the local church. The major will prepare students to serve even more effectively in the church and society, whether they are in paid or lay ministry. All courses contribute to the ability to enhance students’ ministry skills. All graduates of this major must be grounded in the Bible, theology, and historical thought and context of the church.
Objectives:
On completion of the major a student should be able to:
- Demonstrate a deep love for God by continually practicing spiritual disciplines.
- Analyze Christian theological thinking through the centuries and its effects on the church and culture and the effects of culture and church on Christian theological thinking.
- Conduct independent research and evaluation of biblical and theological literature and apply knowledge to enhance ministry practices.
- Analyze situations and choose the proper interventions to help others cope with crises. (Pastoral Care and Counseling)
- Demonstrate skills in church administration, preaching/ teaching, handling sacraments and rituals, and care giving in the local church. (Practical Theology)
Ohio Christian University has developed this unique dual major program in Business Administration and Ministry to address the needs of its constituencies. This program serves pastors who need to be a “tent-maker” or to lead in the financial aspects of their ministry, and business people who desire to fully engage in churches and ministry organizations.
Objectives:
Upon completion of the MBA/MA dual degree program, the graduate should be able to:
- Apply management principles that coordinate with human capital and processes to optimize organizational success.
- Develop holistic strategies that enable organizations to effectively create, communicate, deliver, and exchange offerings to create a profit in today’s global environment.
- Evaluate business operations using qualitative and quantitative analysis to assist decision-making and problem-solving for performance improvement.
- Analyze historical Christian theological thought and address how it compares to current theological trends.
- Integrate biblical application to the practice of Christian ministry to help others process and grow in their faith.
- Identify spiritual practices and disciplines that equip the ministry leader for effective ministry and spiritual growth.
- Demonstrate skills in church administration, preaching/ teaching, developing disciples, administering sacraments and rituals, and pastoral care in the local church.
- Conduct independent research and evaluation of biblical and theological literature and apply knowledge to enhance ministry practices.
The Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies equips students with the exegetical, linguistic, and theological knowledge and skills needed to interpret the Bible faithfully in a contemporary context. This major prepares students for seminary and other graduate work in Bible, theology, and related disciplines and provides students with a grounding in Scripture and theology that will be useful in ministry positions.
Objectives:
Upon graduating from the program, students should be able to:
- Interpret Scripture accurately in its literary, canonical, and historical context using the inductive Bible study method.
- Utilize an intermediate knowledge of Greek in interpreting the New Testament.
- Articulate the overarching narrative and unifying themes of Scripture.
- Address contemporary challenges and questions in light of Scripture and classic Christian teaching, particularly Wesleyan-Arminian theology.
The Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies equips students with the exegetical and theological knowledge and skills needed to interpret the Bible faithfully in a contemporary context.
Objectives:
Upon graduating from the program, students should be able to:
- Interpret Scripture accurately in its literary, canonical, and historical context using the inductive Bible study method.
- Articulate the overarching narrative and unifying themes of Scripture.
- Address contemporary challenges and questions in light of Scripture and classic Christian teaching, particularly Wesleyan-Arminian theology.
The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries prepares students to lead in church and parachurch ministries. It provides students with essential biblical, theological, and practical knowledge and skills needed to minister faithfully in the twenty-first century.
Objectives:
Upon graduating from the program, students should be able to:
- Interpret Scripture accurately in its literary, canonical, and historical context using the inductive Bible study method.
- Address contemporary challenges and questions in light of Scripture and classic Christian teaching, particularly Wesleyan-Arminian theology.
- Provide pastoral leadership and care in various ministry contexts.
The Bachelor of Arts in Global Missions prepares students to minister cross-culturally. It equips students with essential biblical and theological knowledge and skills as well as the missiological tools and experience needed to communicate the gospel and make disciples among the nations.
Objectives:
Upon graduating from the program, students should be able to:
- Interpret Scripture accurately in its literary, canonical, and historical context using the inductive Bible study method.
- Address contemporary challenges and questions in light of Scripture and classic Christian teaching, particularly Wesleyan-Arminian theology.
- Articulate the unique truth claims of Christianity in relation to other religious and non-religious worldviews.
- Contextualize the gospel in a cross-cultural setting.
The Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Ministry equips students with leadership skills for ministry. It provides students with essential biblical and theological knowledge and skills as well as training in leadership theory and practice.
Objectives:
Upon graduating from the program, students should be able to:
- Interpret Scripture accurately in its literary, canonical, and historical context using the inductive Bible study method.
- Address contemporary challenges and questions in light of Scripture and classic Christian teaching, particularly Wesleyan-Arminian theology.
- Apply leadership theory and techniques to facilitate change within an organization.
The Bachelor of Arts in Student Ministry prepares students for student ministry positions in the local church. Graduates demonstrate expertise in adolescent spiritual development and the ability to exegete the culture in application to the students and the local church. It is designed to develop high-capacity student pastors, trained, and equipped to lead the new generation of the church with excellence.
Objectives:
On completion of the program, students should be able to:
- Interpret Scripture accurately in its literary, canonical, and historical context using the inductive Bible study method.
- Address contemporary challenges and questions in light of Scripture and classic Christian teaching, particularly Wesleyan-Arminian theology.
- Describe their Christian calling and philosophy of ministry.
- Demonstrate skills for leading an effective student ministry including volunteer management, organization, and staff development in churches and associated venues.
- Demonstrate an understanding of student ministry praxis associated with adolescent spiritual development as it interfaces with contemporary societal influences and issues.
- Exhibit Christ-like character in religious and secular contexts.
The Associate of Arts in Christian Ministries equips students with basic biblical, theological, and practical knowledge and skills for ministry.
Objectives:
- Interpret Scripture accurately in its literary, canonical, and historical context using the inductive Bible study method.
- Apply classic Christian teaching to contemporary issues.
Demonstrate skills for pastoral leadership.
Awakening God's people to His purposes for the world. We strive to see the fullness of God's Kingdom revealed where He is not yet known.
We mobilize people to transform the world for Christ. God has always used ordinary people to do extraordinary things to expand His kingdom.
Word Made Flesh is called and committed to serving Jesus among the most vulnerable of the world’s poor. This calling is realized as a prophetic ministry for, and an incarnational, holistic mission among the poor. We focus our energy to make Jesus known among the poor while reconciling the church with the poor.
