Religion
The department of religion is a learning community committed to the church and to the academy, dedicated to the study of Scripture, theology, mission, leadership, and spirituality for the purpose of transforming individuals, relationships and communities.
The department of religion houses both the biblical studies and leadership studies disciplines as part of the college, and serves both undergraduate and graduate programs within professional studies. The curriculum for the religion major is administered through concentrations in biblical studies, Christian formation and discipleship, intercultural studies, pastoral leadership studies, and youth leadership studies. In addition, an option in general Christian studies allows students to choose any religion electives for the major without having to select a particular concentration.
Religion: Biblical Studies Concentration (B.A.)
In addition to the religion core requirements, this concentration will give students a foundation in beginning Greek and Hebrew Studies.
Religion: Christian Formation and Discipleship Studies Concentration (B.A.)
In addition to the religion core requirements, this concentration will include courses such as Christian Formation of Children, an Introduction to Youth Ministry, and Adult Formation and Discipleship.
Religion: Intercultural Studies Concentration (B.A.)
The Intercultural Studies concentration will give students a foundation in intercultural communication, integrative field studies, and current issues in mission studies.
Religion: Pastoral Leadership Studies (B.A.)
The pastoral leadership studies concentration focuses on courses such as Narrative and Expository Preaching, Management in Christian Organizations, and Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Religion: Youth Leadership Studies (B.A.)
The youth leadership studies concentration focuses on courses such as Introduction to Youth Ministry, Narrative and Expository Preaching, and Management in Christian Organizations.
Religion: General Christian Studies (B.A.)
This concentration consists of a mix of religion electives along with Old Testament and New Testament electives.
Religion Minor
Students in other majors can earn a minor in religion (no emphasis) by completing a minimum of 20 units of course work that is housed within the department of religion.
Religion courses taken as part of the university core curriculum requirement may be applied to meet minor requirements. Transfer units from other institutions are not accepted toward the religion minor.
Ministerial Credentials
Assemblies of God Minsterial Credentials
Ministerial Internship Program and Practica
The Department of Religion is committed to provide field education experiences that integrate conceptual aspects of ministry with the practice of ministry in local churches, hospitals, mission opportunities, inner-city ministries, and other parachurch organizations. Goals for field education include spiritual formation, mentoring relationships, theological reflection, and specific training in ministry skills that provide the framework for such integration.
Accreditations
News
Frank D. Macchia
Richard S. Park, D.Phil.
Vanguard University
By Frank D. Macchia
Vanguard University
By Frank D. Macchia
Vanguard University
Book by Frank D. Macchia
Meet Our Faculty & Staff
Gregory Austring, PhD
Professor of Religion & Intercultural Studies, Chair of General Education, School for Professional Studies
School:
714-966-6344
Willem Dogterom, DMin
Professor of Pastoral Ministries & Spiritual Formation, Chair of Religion, School for Professional Studies
School:
714-966-6350
Richard Park
Professor
A Sampling of Religion Courses
PLST 440
Pastoral Care and Counseling
MILD 365
A Theology of Church Mission
PLST 420
Disciplines of the Spiritual Life
Disciplines of the Spiritual Life
A study of the biblical and theological foundations of spirituality within the Pentecostal/charismatic tradition. The emphasis will be on building a functioning spiritual life by the exercise of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, community, fasting, and other disciplines. Core requirement for the religion major offered every fall.