Campus Ministry

Like a college chaplain, a campus ministry leader is typically focused on ministering to undergraduate or graduate students. But rather than working for a Christian college to develop its spiritual programs, someone who does campus ministry creates Christian communities at (primarily) secular schools within a parachurch organization like InterVarsity or Cru or a particular denomination. A PhD in biblical studies would be of value for teaching the Bible in a campus ministry setting and could provide helpful experience for programs that target graduate students or faculty. But this kind of position usually involves raising support. Another option would be to work for the campus ministry organization to develop Bible study and training materials.

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Dr. Peter Green

Campus Minister

Reformed University Fellowship

West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)

As a campus minister the focus of my work is on creating opportunities for students to know and experience God as he is revealed in the Christian Scriptures. This occurs in one-on-one meetings, small-group Bible studies, and large-group worship meetings. In one-on-ones we read and discuss the Bible either for its own sake or to apply the Bible to a specific issue or question the student is wrestling with. Small-group Bible studies are oriented around reading, discussing, and applying a book of the Bible over the course of a semester. In large-group worship meetings, I preach every week through a sermon series. In addition, an essential element of the work of campus ministry is training students and student leaders in hermeneutics, leadership, and pedagogy. This happens at training conferences and in one-on-one and small-group leadership meetings.

While having a PhD is not essential to campus ministry, there are several benefits. (1) The PhD brings a certain level of credibility to interactions with students, faculty, and staff. This is especially in contrast to many other campus ministry staff that have only a bachelor’s degree. And it may open doors to adjunct or substitute-teach a class. (2) The knowledge gained in advanced study of the Bible and theology allows me to speak more knowledgeably with students when they have questions about the Bible and Christianity that arise from religion, philosophy, history, sociology, or other classes, especially when classes are taught from a secular perspective that undermines the reliability of the Bible and Christianity. (3) The research skills and resources acquired in PhD work aid in preparation for teaching and in finding answers to questions students ask. (4) The depth of knowledge about the Bible and theology (ought to) translate into a greater depth in my teaching, preaching, and counseling, and to my love for Jesus that will be manifest to my students.

Doing campus ministry also contributes to my continued development as a scholar of the Bible and theology. (1) It provides a context for me to continue studying and teaching the Bible in a wide range of different avenues (without the burden of grading!!!). This keeps me fresh and engaged with the Bible and scholarship. (2) It keeps me connected to the academic environment (did I mention no grading?), including the university’s library for continued research and guest lectures by invited scholars. (3) The pastoral role of campus ministry deepens my reflection on the Bible and theology, showing me what sort of questions the upcoming generation is asking, so that my thinking, writing, and teaching/preaching about the Bible and theology are grounded in the real needs of people instead of being preoccupied with esoteric and irrelevant debates that often pervade academia. (4) The academic calendar creates periods of lighter “on-campus” work that could be used for research and writing (if that time is not entirely consumed with fundraising).

Campus ministry is an excellent calling within which to use your skills, knowledge, and credentials as a PhD graduate.

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