Bible, Missions and Ministry

Rodney Ashlock, Chair
ACU Box 29411
Abilene, Texas 79699-9411
Biblical Studies Building, Room 215

Phone: 325-674-3740
Fax: 325-674-6852
Email: ashlockr@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/cbs.html

Faculty

Rodney Ashlock, Assistant Professor
Clifford Barbarick, Associate Professor
John Boyles, Assistant Professor
Kilnam Cha, Assistant Professor
Brad East, Assistant Professor
Chris Flanders, Associate Professor
Steve Hare, Instructor
Houston Heflin, Associate Professor
Larry Henderson, Instructor
Christopher Hutson, Professor
David Kneip, Assistant Professor
Victor McCracken, Professor
Janine Morgan, Instructor
Curt Niccum, Professor
Robert Oglesby, Instructor
Amanda Pittman, Assistant Professor
Jerry Taylor, Associate Professor

Introduction

The Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with two majors in:

Bible & Ministry with concentration areas in Biblical Text, Biblical Languages, Christian Ministry, and Missions
Ministry & Vocation with concentration areas in Children & Family Ministry, Vocational Missions, Worship Ministry, and Youth & Family Ministry.

In addition to these degrees, a minor in Bible, Missions, and Ministry is also available.

The following policies apply to all students working toward a degree in the Department of Bible, Missions or Ministry:

Admission Requirements. Before being admitted to a program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the University Admission section of this catalog.
Transfer Credit. To receive credit for transfer work, see the requirements listed in the Transfer Information section of this catalog.
Grades. A student must have a grade of “C” or better in each lower-level Bible/Missions course (BIBL 101 , BIBL 102 , BIBL 211 , and BGRK 221 -BGRK 222 ), an overall GPA of at least 2.25.
Graduation Requirements. A summer internship and a battery of assessments known as Readiness for Ministry Testing.
Electives. Courses numbered 0** do not count as electives or toward graduation. Electives may include deficiency requirements in science.

Acceptance into Department

The Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry welcomes all who desire to serve God. Some may serve in unofficial or vocational capacities. For those who decide to serve as full-time ministers and missionaries, we view that call as a high call, demanding high standards. We, therefore, require an admission process that usually takes place during the sophomore year. This process, described below, is intended to ensure congregations that ACU graduates are equipped for the demands of ministry.

Requirements for Acceptance

Criteria for admission to a program leading to a degree offered by the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry are:

Junior standing (60 credit hours).
A grade of “C” or better in each lower-level Bible course (BIBL 101 , BIBL 102 , BIBL 211 , and BGRK 221 , and BGRK 222 ).
A cumulative GPA of at least 2.25.
Satisfactory completion of the Readiness for Ministry Testing, usually by the early spring of the sophomore year.
Enroll in BIBL 320 in the first semester after admission to candidacy; usually this will be the fall semester of the junior year.
Payment of $80 for psychological testing and interpretation of the results. This fee is attached to the BIBL 211 - Message of the Old Testament majors’ section.
Approval by the admission committee.

For an application and further information about admission to the major, visit the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry.

Integrated Plans: BA Bible and Ministry (BBMN) and Master of Divinity (MDiv); BA Bible and Ministry (BBMN) and Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM)

The Integrated Degree Plan (IDP) allows high-achieving majors in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry (DBMM) to be provisionally admitted to the MDiv and MACM program, so that, during their senior year, they may begin taking some specified graduate courses that would also count toward their BA in Bible and Ministry major. IDP students can potentially save up to a year’s worth of tuition and living expenses and move sooner into full-time employment.

To be admitted into the program, an undergraduate student must:

be a BA Bible and Ministry major in good standing (includes assessment of maturity and fitness for ministry based on diagnostic tools routinely administered in the sophomore year)
have earned at least 104 hours toward the BA degree by the end of the junior year
hold a cumulative 3.2 or higher GPA at the end of the junior year
have completed BGRK 332 with at least a “B”
apply for and be provisionally accepted to the MDiv or MACM program

A student who wishes to explore the IDP option should visit with the DBMM Chair in the spring of the freshman year, to map out a course selection plan that will lead toward the IDP.

Revocation of Admission

The Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry reserves the right to revoke admission at any time, if a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.25, or if a student’s values or actions are not consistent with those of the university as defined in the Student Guide.

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

Interdisciplinary Degree in Biblical Studies

A total of 41 hours are required for an interdisciplinary degree in biblical studies. The student must work with his or her advisor and the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry advisor to determine the selection to be chosen.

University Requirements, 15 hours: BIBL 101 , BIBL 102 , BIBL 211 , and 6 hours Bible (Upper-Level Selections). Choose 2: BIBH, BIBL, BIBM, BIBP, BIBT, BMIS (300-499).
Interdisciplinary, 27 hours:
a. Specified, 18 hours: BGRK 221 , BGRK 222 , BIBL 320 , 3 hours BIBP, BIBT, 3 hours BMIS, 3 hours BIBH;
b. Upper level selection, 9 hours; from BIBH, BIBL, BIBP, BIBT, BIBM, or BMIS courses.

Missions Activities

Mentoring groups – A strong feature of missions training is the mentoring program. Inaugurated each fall at a mentoring retreat, each person enrolled in a degree is assigned to a mentor for the school year. A minimum of one hour per week is spent in prayer, self-assessment, encouragement and growth activities. Warm association with fellow missions students is a strong feature of the department.

Short-Term Missions Internships – Two short-term missions internship programs are available to students. World Wide Witness consists of summer internships lasting from 6-10 weeks and GAP (Global Apprenticeship Program) offers longer internships, lasting from 6 months to 2 years.

Weekly Mission Chapel – Students interested in missions may earn chapel credits by attending this weekly Small Group Chapel service.

Preacher Training School Applicants

The Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry assists graduates from schools of preaching and Bible training schools to complete the requirements toward a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry at ACU.

Although it is not possible within the university’s academic structure to accept courses transferred from schools not accredited by the regional college and university accrediting agencies, ACU’s College of Biblical Studies has a plan to help prospective students make this transition in a manner that satisfies accrediting agency requirements.

The school from which the student graduates must be approved by the dean and Academic Council of the College of Biblical Studies, who will verify that it has met sound academic standards. To be approved, a school must conduct an academic program covering at least two years of full-time study under faculty with proper academic credentials. There is no guarantee that a student will receive any transfer credit from a school of preaching or Bible school. A student applying for transfer credit should submit to the Associate Dean of the College of Biblical Studies copies of course syllabi for all proposed transfer courses. A course syllabus should show the learning objectives of the course, the lecture contents, and all required reading, writing and other assignments, along with the date when the course was completed and the name of the instructor.

The student applying for entrance to ACU from such an approved school of preaching or Bible training school will be placed on probation for one semester as a full time student. During the probationary semester the student must achieve a GPA of 2.50 or above. The student who achieves the required GPA may then be awarded up to 45 hours of college credit for his or her work at a school of preaching or Bible training school.

The possible 45 hours awarded to the student are as follows:

Lower level Bible - up to a maximum of 12 hours
Advanced Bible - up to a maximum of 33 hours

The student receiving credit from a school of preaching or Bible school is subject to the degree requirements list in the General Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees of this catalog as well as the requirements for the chosen major.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Minor

Bible, Missions and Ministry Minor (BIMM)