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School of DivinitySchool of Divinity

2 GARDNER WEBB UNIVERSITY|SCHOOL OF DIVINITY Faith Service Leadership 3

At the School of Divinity, men and women are

encouraged to pursue their ministry calling wherever

God is leading them.

Quick Facts

Accreditation: Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools of U.S. & Canada (ATS).

Financial Aid: Students receive financial assistance including grants, institutional and external scholarships, and loans.

Schedule: Operates on a “block schedule” in which classes are offered all day Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday evening allowing full time employed students to attend.

Graduates: Our graduates are working with local, regional, and Baptist churches and associations.

History: Founded in 1992 with ties to NC Baptist State Convention and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Location: Boiling Springs, NC, located 50 miles west of Charlotte, NC.

Campus: Located on 250 acre main campus of Gardner-Webb University.

Faculty: 11 Full Time, 100% with the highest degree.

Study Travel: Holy Land Trip, Turkey, Greece, and Civil Rights Trip

Number of Students: Total student population 215 (190 M.Div. | 25 D.Min.)

Minorities Represented: 18%

Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1

SCHOOL OF DIVINITY|THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION

Theological Education is the heartbeat of the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University!

In the truest sense of the word “theological,” we exist to equip, nurture, encourage, and support men and women

for their very best service in the Kingdom of God.Excellent scholars teach the classical Christian disciplines with full awareness that academics alone will not meet the needs, concerns, and challenges of the varieties of Christian ministries to which God calls us. We are certain that unless we attend to our spiritual, personal, and emotional development, the ministries to which we are called will fall far short of our Lord’s expectations.

At Gardner-Webb University, great faith manifests itself in who you are and how you act. Because greatness, after all, is really about changing lives and helping others (at Gardner-Webb, you’ll do plenty of both).

Here you’ll test your intellectual mettle - and you’ll also seek your purpose. You’ll strive to find that place where your faith reaches out to meet the needs of the world. In other words, your calling.

Dr. Robert CanoyDean|School of Divinity

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2 GARDNER WEBB UNIVERSITY|SCHOOL OF DIVINITY Faith Service Leadership 3

SCHOOL OF DIVINITY|MISSION

Students Engage in the study of and reflection upon the data, meaning and implications of

the Christian faith, beginning at its biblical base.

Enter into thoughtful and critical assessments of church history and theology.

Become Involved in the process of spiritual formation personally, socially and vocationally.

Participate in the study and practice of various expressions of Christian mission and

ministry.

Founded Upon the affirmation of ultimate commitment and loyalty to the God disclosed most

fully and completely in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Stands in the mainstream of the Baptist tradition within Christian heritage.

Faculty Affirms and bears witness to their commitment that the Scriptures constitute the final

authority in the matters of faith.

SCHOOL OF DIVINITY|ACCOMPLISHMENTS The School of Divinity is nationally accredited by The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.), as the basic professional degree, offers concentrations in five (5) areas: Biblical Studies, Christian Education and Formation, Missiology, Pastoral Care and Counseling, and Pastoral Studies.

The School of Divinity employs eleven (11) full-time faculty members who serve as both professor and advisor to the Divinity student.

Graduates of the School of Divinity are employed in many local and regional churches and para-church ministries, as well as, organizations such as the NC Baptist State Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

The School of Divinity operates on a “block schedule.” Classes are offered all day Monday and Tuesday and Thursday evening, this allows even a full-time employed student to attend.

Over 90% of students in the School of Divinity receive financial assistance in the form of grants, institutional and external scholarships, and loans.

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree at the School of Divinity was the first D.Min. degree offered by a Divinity School in NC.

6 GARDNER WEBB UNIVERSITY|SCHOOL OF DIVINITY

Procedure for Admission|Master of Divinity Submit a completed paper or online application and return to the Divinity Admissions Office. Submit official transcripts of all baccalaureate and graduate-level work. Submit three recommendations, consisting of one by a major professor and two from

either personal or professional relationships. Submit a completed Church Approval Form from the church where the applicant is a member. Submit a 1-2 page Christian pilgrimage statement outlining conversion, call to ministry,

and ministry objectives.

Faith Service Leadership 7

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who

correctly handles the word of truth.”2 Timothy 2:15

SDSAJoin the School of Divinity Student Association and promote excellence in ministry education, innovation, and pace setting leadership in the Christian community.

SCHOOL OF DIVINITY|MASTER OF DIVINITY

We offer the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree, a three-year course of study accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, as the basic professional

ministerial degree. The M.Div. degree is available in five concentrations, each sharing a common 60 hour core, and multiple dual-degree combinations. Emphasizing

theological reflection and ministerial formation, this course of study is designed to provide men and women with a comprehensive, in-depth knowledge of the body of

divinity and to help ministers develop the skills necessary for effective ministry. Beyond the core, students may choose a 30 hour concentration in Biblical Studies, Christian

Education and Formation, Missiology, Pastoral Care and Counseling, or Pastoral Studies.

Program Design Unique to School of Divinity’s Master of Divinity program is a two day a week block schedule format. Most classes are offered in 3 hour blocks of time all on one day instead of being

spread out through two or three days per week. This scheduling format makes it possible for students to take a full semester course load while still maintaining their secular or church-related employment.

Core CurriculumThe M.Div. core curriculum is designed to be integrative, inductive and interactive. Moving beyond the artificial dichotomy between “theory” and “practice”, it requires students to reflect theologically on the practice of ministry while they are actually engaged in ministry.

Components of the Core Curriculum Biblical Studies 18 credit hours Spiritual Formation 12 credit hours Historical|Theological Studies 12 credit hours Ministry Studies 18 credit hours

A guiding principle behind the core curriculum is that effective ministry is not simply a function of what the minister knows, or even what the minister does, but must also include what the minister is, both personally and vocationally.

Requirements for Full Admission A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. A minimum grade point average (GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale) in baccalaureate work. A stated and demonstrated commitment to ministry.

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Procedure for Admission|Master of Divinity Submit a completed paper or online application and return to the Divinity Admissions Office. Submit official transcripts of all baccalaureate and graduate-level work. Submit three recommendations, consisting of one by a major professor and two from

either personal or professional relationships. Submit a completed Church Approval Form from the church where the applicant is a member. Submit a 1-2 page Christian pilgrimage statement outlining conversion, call to ministry,

and ministry objectives.

www.gardner-webb.edu/divinity Faith Service Leadership 7 www.gardner-webb.edu/divinity

8 GARDNER WEBB UNIVERSITY|SCHOOL OF DIVINITY www.gardner-webb.edu/divinity

SCHOOL OF DIVINITY|M.DIV. CONCENTRATIONS Biblical StudiesOffers specialized training for persons who wish to emphasize in their ministry the study and the teaching of Scripture. With additional hours of Old Testament and New Testament electives, and pedagogy, research and writing for publication seminars, this concentration prepares students for graduate research in biblical studies.

Christian Education and FormationThrough this study, one acquires an overview of age-group work, tools in designing a church’s curriculum, and principles in organizing a church for mission and ministry.

MissiologyOffers specialized training to persons who will serve in a variety of mission and ministry settings that demand cross cultural training. The program includes biblical, historical, theological and practical issues that must be addressed by missionaries and other Christian workers in the 21st Century.

Pastoral Care and CounselingOffers specialized training for persons who desire to emphasize in their ministry the pastoral role of the minister as counselor and care-giver, whether in a parish setting or in an institutional setting. The program gives attention both to theory and to clinical experience under supervision.

Pastoral StudiesDesigned primarily, though not exclusively, with a view toward pastoral ministries (i.e. pastor, associate pastor, etc.), Pastoral Studies extends the basic M.Div. core curriculum by adding courses in advanced historical/theological electives, and courses focusing on the more practical aspects of ministry in local church settings.

M.DIV.|DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS M.Div.|M.A.|Ed.S. in Mental Health CounselingDesigned to meet the needs of individuals seeking to integrate theology, faith and spirituality with counseling theory and clinical experience in the mental health field.

M.Div.|M.A. English or English EducationDesigned to enhance divinity students’ literary skills by permitting them to earn a second degree, the M.A., instead of the usual M.Div. concentration.

M.Div.|MBADesigned to enhance the administrative skills and expertise of ministers by permitting them to earn a second degree, the MBA, instead of the usual M.Div. concentration. The program has three potential student populations in view: (1) the minister who desires greater expertise in business administration, (2) the church administrator in a large church; or (3) the bi-vocational minister.


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“I landed on the beach of my calling there in a hallway of the School of Divinity. The education in the classroom was great for sharpening

my skills and it was while I was in the Divinity School I was challenged to connect passion, purpose, gifts and risk for the Kingdom of God and His work. The support and direction provided me by the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University has provided a solid foundation from which to minister.”

Dr. Stanley Spence|D.Min. GraduateSenior Pastor| First Baptist Church Lincolnton in Lincolnton, NC

“In my opinion, the feature most important about GWU is the personal relationships established between instructors and students. I thank God for the opportunity to have attended such a great divinity school and to have been able to hone skills, develop a desire to learn more about my faith and grow in a more meaningful relationship with my Lord!”

Dr. Eric Davis|D.Min. GraduateSenior Pastor|Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Shelby, NC

www.divinity.gardner-webb.edu


“The people at Gardner-Webb’s School of Divinity prepared me for what I do today. I came to Gardner-Webb after years of trying to

find open doors for women in ministry. At the School of Divinity, I met dedicated men and women who had been opening doors for others long before they met me. Theirs were the first voices of encouragement I had ever encountered in my vocational journey. Gardner-Webb quickly became my faith community; a place where worship and academics unfolded together, a place where both faith and intellect were challenged and strengthened.”

Kathy Naish|M.Div. Graduate Pastor|Spiritual Formation for Children and Adults at

Viewmont Baptist Church in Hickory, NC

“Before my time at Divinity school I had a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, but during this Divinity school journey my relationship with God was stretched beyond a surface level faith to a place of mysteries further than my human intellectual capacity. However, the knowledge I gained through my experience is nothing compared to the relationships that were formed. Inside the classroom, in the Koinonia lounge or outside on the front lawn, my theology was shaped by all aspects of my Divinity school experience, and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of the journey!”M. Lamont Littlejohn, Jr.|M.Div. GraduatePastor|Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby, NC

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY|GRADUATES

MASTER OF DIVINITY|GRADUATES


SCHOOL OF DIVINITY|DOCTOR OF MINISTRYThe Doctor of Ministry degree at Gardner-Webb University, is a professional degree designed with the working minister in mind. Intensely theological and deliberately practical, the degree seeks to foster meaningful ministerial learning set in the context of both the academy and the candidate’s ministry setting. The degree is 30 hours in length, is typically completed in three years, and during normal seminar sessions meeting on Thursday and Friday.

Program DesignUnique to the School of Divinity’s Doctor of Ministry program is a four or eight week schedule format. Most classes are offered consecutively. This unique scheduling format makes it possible for students to take a full semester course load while still maintaining their secular or church-related employment. In addition to the academic seminar rotation, often multiple seminars are scheduled in the same semester thus allowing candidates to complete that portion of the requirements in a shorter fashion.

Name ____________________________________________DOB____________

Address __________________________________________________________

City _________________________________ State_________ Zip____________

Home Phone (_____) _______________________________________________

Work Phone (_____) ________________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________________________

College/University __________________________________________________

Degrees Held ______________________________________________________


(877) GWU-GRAD|www.gardner-webb.edu/divinity

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Programs M.Div.

M.Div.|M.A.

M.Div.|M.B.A.

D.Min.

Concentrations Biblical Studies Christian Education

Missiology

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Pastoral Studies

Term Fall

Spring

Summer

_________ Year

Yes, I want to learn more about the School of Divinity. Please send me information!


Degree Components

SeminarsFive seminars are required of each candidate for which 18 credit hours will be earned. DSDM501 (The Ministry as Life-long learning) and DSDM510 (The Ministry of Biblical Interpretation) are required of all students and are prerequisites to all subsequent seminars.

SupervisionEach D.Min candidate will complete a minimum of two semesters of Peer Learning Supervision (6 hours) under the direction of a School of Divinity appointed Field Supervisor. In lieu of one semester of Peer Learning Supervision, a candidate may substitute one basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), with approval of D. Min. Director.

Ministry ProjectCandidate will design, implement, and reflect upon a self-directed, original project of ministry conducted in the minister’s own ministry setting.

Requirements for Full Admission

Completion of the Master of Divinity degree (or it’s equivalent) from an ATS-accredited institution.

A minimum grade point average (GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale) in Master of Divinity or equivalent studies.

Three years significant ministerial experience beyond the first graduate theological degree.

Placement in a full-time vocational ministry setting.

Procedure for Admission|Doctor of Ministry Submit a completed paper or online application and return to the Divinity Admissions Office.

Submit official transcripts of all baccalaureate and graduate-level work.

Submit three recommendations, consisting of one by a major professor and two from either personal or professional relationships.

Submit a completed Church Approval Form from the church where the applicant is a member.

Submit the Ministry Essay - the applicant will submit a ten to fifteen page double spaced ministry essay discussing the applicant’s call to ministry, theology of ministry, history in ministry, goals for ministry, and how he/she believes earning the D.Min. will enrich his/her ministry.

Submit a completed immunization History Form provided by the School of Divinity.

www.gardner-webb.edu/divinity

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Name ____________________________________________DOB____________

Address __________________________________________________________

City _________________________________ State_________ Zip____________

Home Phone (_____) _______________________________________________

Work Phone (_____) ________________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________________________

College/University __________________________________________________

Degrees Held ______________________________________________________


(877) GWU-GRAD|www.gardner-webb.edu/divinity

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Programs M.Div.

M.Div.|M.A.

M.Div.|M.B.A.

D.Min.

Concentrations Biblical Studies Christian Education

Missiology

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Pastoral Studies

Term Fall

Spring

Summer

_________ Year

Yes, I want to learn more about the School of Divinity. Please send me information!

Please send me more information on GWU’s School of Divinity!

SCHOOL OF DIVINITY|LOCATIONFaith Service Leadership


P.O. Box 7256 | 110 S. Main St. | Boiling Springs, NC 28017(877) 498-4723 | (704) 406-4723 | www.gardner-webb.edu/divinity

The School of Divinity is located in Noel Hall, which is on the campus of Gardner-Webb University situated on over 200 acres in the Piedmont section of western North Carolina. Boiling Springs is a small, rural town. Nearby Shelby, a city of 25,000, is noted for its support of the arts and as the home of state and national leaders. Fifty miles east of Gardner-Webb is the thriving city of Charlotte, the largest city in the Carolinas. Less than one hour away to the south is the city of Spartanburg, SC.

Find us by GPS 110 S. Main Street, Boiling Springs, NC, 28017


Faith Service Leadership


Faith Service Leadership www.gardner-webb.edu/divinity

As a student at the School of Divinity, the

University setting offers you many advantages such as

NCAA Division I athletic events, concerts, and theatrical productions.

For your enjoyment, access to the Suttle Wellness Center, pool, free

weights and nautilus rooms, tennis and basketball courts, and much more is available.

We’re all about community and fellowship, which is why the Koinonia Lounge, located in the School of

Divinity, provides a gathering place for students to relax, join a study group, or find out where the crowd’s going for lunch.

SCHOOL OF DIVINITY OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS GARDNER WEBB UNIVERSITY PO BOX 7256 BOILING SPRINGS NC 28017-9980

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