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Welcome to the School of Religious Studies. It is the one school within Pillar College devoted exclusively to the study of the Bible, Christian ministry, and Christian thought. We designed our programs to equip students with the education and training needed to pursue careers as leaders in Christian churches, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and ministerial vocations. As we aim to cultivate a distinctively Christian worldview, the spiritual formation of our students remains an extremely high priority and is reflected in every course. We want to inspire men and women to lead effectively and faithfully in a wide variety of environments (including but not limited to) the local church and parachurch organization settings. We also provide opportunities for field education and global learning for an enhanced educational experience.
The Biblical Studies program prepares individuals for a career in a variety of ministries in the Christian church, Christian education, the mission field, social work and services, media and technology, and chaplaincy work. The Biblical Studies Department offers courses in Biblical Studies proper—including both Old Testament and New Testament, Christian Ministry, Church History, and Christian Theology. A seminary track is also available for those who desire preparation for graduate school in ministry which includes a study of the original languages of the Bible.
Church Leadership, Christian Counseling, Urban Ministry, Mentoring and Discipleship, Christian Education, Priest or Pastor, Associate Pastor, Campus Minister, Denominational Administrator, Chaplain, Religious Education Teacher, Seminary Administrator, Campus Religious Coordinator, Counselor, Director of Religious Development, Missionary, Religious Staff Writer.
You’ll find Chaplains in virtually all aspects of modern life. From multinational corporations to the military, from hospitals to law enforcement and more, Chaplain ministries play a crucial role in the lifeblood of the organizations in which they serve. The Pillar College BA in Biblical Studies offers a unique Concentration in Chaplaincy. It explores in-depth the foundations, history, practice, legal foundations, and Biblical basis of Chaplain ministries. This innovative Concentration includes both theoretical and hands-on learning opportunities, as students will hear from a wide range of guest speaker Chaplains, who will explain the nature of their role and duties in organizations such as:
A major component of our Chaplaincy Concentration is our Clinical Pastoral Education program, where students actually get to practice as a chaplain-in-training at places including hospices, prisons, nursing homes and more. This hands-on experience proves invaluable in terms of evaluating and understanding their responsibilities as they prepare for future work in this field.
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This concentration is an introduction to various aspects of church leadership, including church administration, leadership & integrity, preaching, pastoral care, counseling, and family ministry in a local church setting.
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This concentration emphasizes the counseling aspects of ministry, including counseling methods, Christian peacemaking, multicultural counseling and emotional intelligence.
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A concentration in urban ministry focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of ministry in an urban setting, including racial and ethnic diversity, multicultural ministry, discipleship, and social consciousness.
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Become the Leader your Church and Organization needs with a Master’s in Ministry Leadership. Complete in as little as 3 Semesters. The MA in Ministry Leadership Program (MAML Program) is a 48-credit, cohort-based program designed to produce academically, ethically, and spiritually competent professional ministry leaders who are inspirational, motivational, and theologically sound. People of faith expect the leaders of their local churches to deliver a variety of diverse services, including sound preaching and teaching, organizational leadership, community services, and marriage and family counseling. It is incumbent upon the church to assure that its leaders are properly educated and equipped with the content knowledge, dispositions, and research-based practices to serve with the highest level of quality, skill, and integrity.
The concentration in Healthy Leadership and Ministry is geared towards shaping tomorrow’s church leaders. It gives students a rock-solid foundation in pastoral care and emotional health, to best prepare them to promote and perform ministry to their congregants as well as the community at-large.
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The concentration in Church and Community Transformation equips students with the tools and knowledge to affect meaningful change throughout the church, as well as the greater community. It places an emphasis on church and community planning, as well as organization and development. Graduates will be empowered to assume their role in the next generation of Christian leadership.
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The concentration in Women in Ministry empowers tomorrow’s Christian leaders, building a strong framework for women to thrive in the ministry. At the heart of the program is a robust focus on contemporary women’s issues, particularly those pertinent to pastoral leadership, pastoral care, ministry to women, and self-care.
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