Christian Related Vocations

The Christian Related Vocations (CRV) program is a pre-professional program designed especially for the preparation of future ministers, vocational or otherwise, and involves the supervised practical application of learned ministry skills and theory. The CRV program may be combined with most any major offered at William Jewell. Students participating in the CRV program are expected to be active participants in ministry while on campus and through the local church. Participation in the CRV program includes a Talent/Co-curricular Financial Award that is subject to the rules and regulations governing financial assistance.

Is CRV for me?

The Program is for students of any major who are in one of the following categories.

• planning on pursuing a career in a church related vocation
• planning on being involved in ministry as a volunteer
• wanting to learn and practice a variety of ministry skills in various ministry settings
• planning on attending seminary or other graduate level ministry training
• considering post-graduate short-term or vocational missions

Requirements

Participation in the CRV program involves the following requirements:

• Be accepted into the program on recommendation of the student's church and approval of the Dean of the Chapel.
• Successfully complete a major or a minor in Religion.
• Successfully complete CRV 201 Introduction to Ministry Skills during their first fall semester in the program.
• Successfully complete CRV 203 Ministry Internship.
• Successfully complete any two classes chosen from CRV 205 through 211.
• Maintain active membership in Sigma Epsilon Pi.
• Maintain active involvement in ministry on campus through Christian Student Ministries or be employed in a local Christian ministry or church.
• Participate in a ministry project at least once per semester or be employed in a local Christian ministry or church.
• Be an active member in a local church.

Applying

Are you interested in applying to the CRV program? Students interested in the CRV program should …

1. Complete the CRV application
2. Give the completed application to their Minister
3. Talk with their Minister about their commitment to and interest in ministry
4. The Minister sends the application to the Dean of the Chapel along with a letter affirming the student’s pursuit of a vocation related to Christian ministry.

Hester Scholars

Each year, one or two students are named Hester Scholars. This distinction is awarded to a student majoring in Religion and preparing for a career in ministry who excels in scholarship, ministry and leadership.

To qualify as a Hester Scholar, students should be in the top 25% of their high school graduating class; evidence leadership and involvement in school, community and church; agree to major in the study of religion; and state their commitment to professional Christian service through pastoral ministry, teaching, or missions. The Talent/Co-curricular Financial Award for a Hester Scholar is more significant than the CRV award.

If you would like to be considered for a Hester Scholar award, complete the CRV application and submit an additional essay on the topic, “What role do you see academic study playing in your preparation for and ongoing commitment to professional Christian ministry?” The application, letter of recommendation, and essay should be submitted to the Dean of the Chapel. Hester Scholars are determined by the faculty of the Department of Religion.

Pre-Seminary Study

William Jewell College follows closely the recommendation of the American Association of Theological Schools on pre-seminary study. A summary of college recommendations follows.

Recommendations for Pre-Seminary Studies

 Skills and Mindset

• Communication skills: writing and speaking.
• Ability to think critically.
• Appreciation for the great Christian traditions while remaining attentive to one’s own and others’ experiences.
• Awareness of growing sense of moral responsibility, both personal and social.
• Awareness of the world and its complexities, especially as they relate to the Christian mission.

 Information Base

• A fundamental understanding of the tools and methods of biblical interpretation.
• A basic grasp of biblical history and the Christian heritage.
• An awareness of the theological and biblical resources that shape Christian ethics.
• Familiarity with the historical, philosophical, and literary developments of Western civilization.
• Awareness of non-Christian and non-Western religious traditions.
• A basic competence in New Testament Greek syntax, grammar, and reading skills.
• Some basic hands-on experience in ministry (through the CRV program).

Subjects in Pre-Seminary Study
By combining their study in the religion department with a complementary area of study at William Jewell, students will be better prepared for the significant learning experiences of seminary and for the field of service to which they have been called. The religion major normally requires a minimum of eight four-hour courses. This requirement leaves enough hours to pursue another area of study to provide a solid liberal arts base for seminary study.

 Possible combinations are:

Pastoral Ministry – religion + literature or history
Church Music – religion + music
Church Recreation – religion + physical education
Evangelism – religion + communication
Mission Field – religion + foreign language
Christian Counseling – religion + psychology
Denominational Service – religion + business

General Information
All pre-seminary students should have the chair of the department of religion or a professor of that department serve as an academic advisor throughout their course of study. When a major other than religion is chosen, a joint program of advising will be undertaken with a member of the department of major study advising in academic matters pertaining to the major. The double major (religion plus another area) is strongly recommended.

Sigma Epsilon Pi

Students interested in ministry or Christian related vocations are invited to participate in Sigma Epsilon Pi, the formal organization of students considering careers in ministry.

Sigma Epsilon Pi is an organization for students who are pursuing a future in some type of ministry (vocational or volunteer). This group includes but is not limited to students in the Christian Related Vocations program, a program designed to expose students to a variety of ministry settings and opportunities, teaching them practical ministry skills, connecting them with local ministers and ministries, and helping them to understand God’s call for their lives.