Throughout the world graduates of Trevecca's Millard Reed School of Theology and Christian Ministry are serving Christ and the Church faithfully as pastors, youth and children’s pastors, teachers, missionaries, evangelists, and administrative personnel. The Millard Reed School of Theology and Christian Ministry has a rich tradition, beginning with the earliest days of the University when J. O. McClurkan, founder of the University, sought to establish a “Bible Training School” for persons who were called to “missionary, evangelistic, and other branches of Christian work.” Since those earliest days, such names as Greathouse, Wynkoop, and Dunning have contributed to the rich tradition that characterizes the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. For a century the Trevecca School of Theology and Christian Ministry has made great contributions to the ongoing dialogue within the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Today seven full-time faculty and four adjunct faculty, along with more than 130 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate students continue to contribute to that dialogue as they prepare for ministry in the 21st century.

What will a major in religion or religious studies prepare me for?

Graduates with a major in religion or religious studies are specifically prepared to be able to

  • Envision the practice of the pastoral arts with Christian imagination
  • Carry out disciplined reflection on the Christian faith
  • Embody the habits and practices of the Christian faith
  • Know the significant events, persons, and themes of the biblical narrative
  • Be acquainted with current exegetical methods and practices
  • Define the Christian faith with special attention to the place of the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition within it
  • Know the major movements of the history of the Christian Church
  • Understand the history and polity of the Church of the Nazarene within the history of the Christian church
  • Define the major figures and movements of philosophy
  • Understand the significance of philosophical reflection for theological understanding
  • Within the context of the above outcomes, know and demonstrate rudimentary skills in the practice of professional Christian ministry in the areas of
    • Preaching and teaching
    • Leadership and discernment
    • Worship and the administration of the sacraments
    • Compassionate service and evangelism
    • Congregational administration and care.

What are graduates from this program doing?

Students graduating from the Trevecca School of Theology and Christian Ministry pursue a variety of paths following their graduation. The great majority continue their education through graduate studies. Graduates of Trevecca are presently studying at such seminaries and graduate schools as Nazarene Theological Seminary, Asbury Seminary, Fuller Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Vanderbilt Divinity/Graduate School, Chandler School of Theology (Emory), Princeton Divinity School, and Southern Methodist University.

Each year one graduate is selected to receive the William M. Greathouse Scholarship. This scholarship provides full tuition for three years of study at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Criteria for selection include GPA, involvement in ministry during undergraduate study, and promise for pastoral ministry.

Many other graduates enter into full-time ministry immediately upon their graduation. While some enter into senior pastoral ministry, others enter into youth ministry, children’s ministry, and other associate areas. Other graduates may seek global volunteer service for a year through NIVS (Nazarenes In Volunteer Service).