RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY

The Mrs. Columbus Roberts Department of Religion and Philosophy has been preparing college students for Christian ministry and for seminary and graduate study in religion since the early twentieth century.

Mission Statement
Objectives
Degree Programs
Meet the Faculty
Recent Activities

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Department of Religion and Philosophy is to produce graduates who model academic excellence and professional competence blended with passionate devotion to Christ, and his church, and who are prepared for ministry on the global edge.

OBJECTIVES

The Department of Religion and Philosophy offers majors designed to produce graduates:

• with a basic grasp of nature, background, and content of the Bible;
• with a Christian worldview from which they can reflect on the contemporary issues;
• with an understanding of major doctrines of Christianity and the major figures in church history;
• with the intercultural and interreligious awareness necessary for ministry work in the global community;
• able to read with understanding, think critically, and write and speak clearly;
• prepared for further study, either in a graduate program or for continuing personal enrichment;
• equipped for lifelong servant leadership in Christian ministry, with emphasis on the local church and its mission.

DEGREE PROGRAMS

To ensure that its graduates are prepared in every possible way for ministry careers and further educational pursuits, the Department offers the following courses of study:

Religion and Philosophy (BA)

This degree program is designed to prepare students for seminary and graduate study. A carefully balanced curriculum of courses in biblical studies, church history, theology, philosophy and world religions coupled with a strong core curriculum in the liberal arts gives students a solid foundation from which to continue on to seminary or graduate school.

Christian Ministry (BS)

Students who choose to major in Christian Ministry follow a curriculum that prepares them for ministry vocations immediately after their graduation from Shorter College. Of course, these students may also choose to go on to seminary.

The Christian Ministry major consists of courses in biblical studies, church history, theology and world religions as well as courses in such practical ministry areas as worship, preaching, faith development, recreational ministry and youth ministry. Students also take a number of courses in such areas as psychology, business, and communication arts.

Religious Studies (BS)

Some students will be interested in pursuing a degree in religious studies as well as a degree in another field. For this reason, the Department offers a degree in religious studies that is designed with considerable flexibility so that students can complete another major during their course of study at Shorter College.

Religion Minor

The Department offers a minor in religious studies that consists of nine hours of biblical studies and nine course hours in such areas as church history, theology, philosophy, or practical ministry.

Youth Ministry Minor

Students may also pursue a minor in Youth Ministry that consists of eighteen hours of coursework in Church Recreation and Recreation Leadership, Spirituality and Faith Development, and two practicum courses.

MEET THE FACULTY

	Dr. Richard Bray Director of the Davis Center Assistant Professor of Religion Office: Sheffield-Thompson, 1st floor Phone: 706-233-7493 Fax: 706-233-7516 Email:rbray@shorter.edu
	Dr. Alan Hix Chair, Department Religion & Philosophy Associate Professor of Religion Associate Director of the Excavations at Kursi Office: Sheffield-Thompson 1st floor Phone: 706-233-7257 Fax: 706-233-7516 Email: ahix@shorter.edu
	Dr. Aaron J. Werner Dean of the Chapel Assistant Professor of Religion Office: Fitton Student Union, 2nd floor Phone: 706-233-7321 Fax: 706-233-7378 Email: awerner@shorter.edu

RECENT ACTIVITIES

October 31 to November 1, 2008
Mission trip to Helen, Georgia

Many Christians struggle with how to approach Halloween. A group of Shorter religion students took advantage of the holiday to share the love of Christ with others. These students enrolled in the class Special Topics in Christian Ministry taught by Dr. Richard E. Bray, Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry. As a part of the requirements for the class, the students had to plan, implement, and evaluate a mission project. Keith Ivy, Director of Georgia Mountain Resort Ministries, agreed to help the students complete their ministry assignment. Corey Barnes, Ward Bearden, Chris Brown, Matt Clark, Jeremy Kirby, April Morrison, and Jennifer Warren scheduled and planned the mission trip which took place in Helen, Georgia.

The students decided to paint a mountain scene and take pictures of people as they stood in front of that scene. After taking the pictures, the students printed them and glued them to a card with a preprinted gospel presentation which was written by the students. These cards were presented to the people as a souvenir. The students gave out seventy to eighty photos.

While people were waiting to have their pictures made and waiting for the pictures to print, the students engaged them in conversation. Some partnered with personnel from Georgia Mountain Resort Ministries to make balloon animals. A local church provided candy for visitors.

On Saturday morning the students went to Neal’s Gap, one of the mountain passes on the Appalachian Trail, and cooked hamburgers for hikers, bikers and others. These hamburgers were free to anyone who asked. While some cooked others engaged people in conversation and were able to share the love of Christ. One student commented, “the trip was a great chance to share the love and the glory of God with a community.”

Students having their photo taken in front of the moutain scene they painted.

Cooking burgers for hikers, bikers and others at Neal's Gap.