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As You Begin

Your Call

One of the scariest questions you may hear is: Have you been called to the ministry? Sometimes scary questions are appropriate! And this one is significant no matter what ministry specialty may be in your future. As you seek to respond to that question, we encourage you to prayerfully consider the following literature on the theme of ministry:

  • Scripture Passages
    • Isaiah 6
    • 1 Corinthians 4, 9, 12-14
    • Ezekiel 34
    • Ephesians 4:1-16
    • Matthew 4:18-22; 10; 28:16-20
    • Philippians 2:1-11

  • Ellen White on Ministry: Testimonies to Ministers, especially pp. 142-158

  • Other Authors
    • H.M.S. Richards, Feed My Sheep. Review & Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D. C., 1958.
    • Eugene H. Peterson, Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1987.
    • Eugene H. Peterson, The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction. Word Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois, 1989.

Academic and Behavioral Objectives: Examining Your Call

It is important to prayerfully consider your progress from time to time and especially target areas for personal growth in which you judge yourself to be deficient. While grades and the like provide helpful evaluation, professional ministry requires a broad range of virtues, knowledge and skills, many of which are not adequately reflected in any grading system. The following lists are designed to help you in your self evaluation. Some time ago your Religion Faculty compiled the following list of areas for development for Religion Department majors:

  • Virtues:
    • Spiritual awareness and maturity
    • Receptivity to ideas
    • Sensitivity to human suffering
    • Social concern
    • Awareness of personal gifts
    • Mature attitude toward human sexuality
    • Aesthetic sensitivity

  • Knowledge:
    • Clear understanding of the gospel
    • Sound knowledge of the Bible and the tools for biblical study
    • Broad education in the liberal arts
    • Basic understanding of Christian theology as historically developed
    • Basic understanding of Adventist history and mission
    • Acquaintance with literature that enhances human empathy
    • Understanding of social structures and institutions
    • Understanding of the human body and health principles

  • Skills:
    • Clear articulation of the gospel;
    • critical thinking;
    • writing well;
    • handling of crisis situations;
    • social involvement and community leadership;
    • church leadership abilities;
    • basic administrative and financial skills;
    • creative theological and biblical study;
    • readiness for graduate seminars

Advisement Instructions and Procedure

Your advisor plays an important role in counseling you regarding  the structure of your program at PUC. However, you are ultimately responsible for knowing your own program and making certain you are meeting the requirements for graduation. Listen with care to any advice provided by your advisor. You should know thoroughly the sections in the appropriate PUC Catalog on "The Academic Program" (pp. 21-32) and "The Religion Department" (pp. 185-191).

All freshmen and new students are assigned an initial advisor who will help to plan the first quarter's schedule (usually at the beginning of fall quarter). Four to six weeks into the first quarter you will have the opportunity of choosing a permanent advisor.

You should plan to meet at least twice per quarter with your permanent academic advisor--once early in the quarter to do some long-range planning of your academic program and to keep your advisor informed, and again at the time of pre-registration to work on the next quarter's schedule. Don't be afraid to initiate a meeting with your advisor whenever you feel such a session would be helpful to you.

Important Calendar Highlights

  • Freshman Year:
    • Autumn and Winter Quarters - Theology majors attend Ministry Colloquium at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays.
    • September/October - Meet with advisor; plan initial program of study. Select permanent advisor.

  • Sophomore Year:
    • Autumn and Winter Quarters - Theology majors attend Ministry Colloquium at 9 a.m.on Tuesdays.
    • January/February - Participate in the Sophomore Assessment Process.
    • March - Submit application for entrance into the Ministerial Studies program.

  • Junior Year:
    • Autumn and Winter Quarters - Theology majors attend Ministry Colloquium at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays; participate in the Extern Program
    • Autumn/Winter & Spring Quarters - Theology majors participate in the extern program.
    • Fall Quarter - Theology majors interview by the Michigan Conference.
    • January/February - Theology majors meet with Pacific Union Conference leaders at the junior breakfast.  Apply, if interested, for participation in a summer Task Force program or the Summer in Ministry Program.

  • Senior Year:
    • Autumn and Winter Quarters - Theology majors attend Ministry Colloquium at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays
    • October - If planning on Conference employment, submit documents for inclusion in dossiers to be prepared for the conference interviews. Make appointments through the department secretary for pictures to be taken. You will be contacted regarding these activities.
    • January - You will be contacted by the department secretary this month for an interview appointment with conference officers.
    • January/February - Attend senior banquet with Conference leaders and be interviewed by Conference leaders.
    • April - Sign up in the Religion Department to take the Senior Comprehensive Examination.
    • May - Attend Religion Department Senior Consecration service in the PUC Church Youth Chapel at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 3.

Student Ministry Opportunities

The following ministry opportunities are available on the PUC campus. You are encouraged to participate. Local churches also sponsor various outreach and ministry programs, and many religion and theology majors enjoy crafting a new ministry to meet some specific need. The point is this: Get involved! Exercise the good gifts God has given you.

  • Bridge Ministries
  • Family Group Ministries
  • Health Ministries
  • Homeless Ministries 
  • Lighthouse Ministries
  • Neighborhood Table
  • Parable Players
  • Prison Ministries
  • PUC Church Community Services Center
  • Short Term Missions
  • PUC Vespers
  • World Missions