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GCU MAGAZ I NE • 9
something special in common — a love of God and a desire to serve.
“Some of my closest friends are people I went to seminary with,”
McLendon said. “We’re joined in this together. It’s the same as if you
put two doctors in the same room. They’d already know a lot about
each other even if they don’t know each other. They’d still have a lot
to talk about.”
And they can talk no matter what their background or belief
system is. Jared Ulrich, GCU’s Spiritual Life worship manager, said
his time in a seminary gave him a valuable perspective.
“The thing I loved about it, and the thing that’s similar to what GCU
will have, both undergrad and grad, is that you get people from all
denominations,” he said. “You get people from the whole theological
spectrum. To me, that was the most refreshing part about it.
“Sometimes it got a little dicey and sometimes people could be a
little bit opinionated, but at the same time, having healthy, respectful
debates and dialogues about different viewpoints within the faith
was probably the most helpful thing for me in my spiritual walk.”
It was an even more unusual — but equally beneficial —
experience for Smith, who went on to a seminary after graduating
from GCU. Women in a seminary were not even a “minor
minority” in those days, she said, but she didn’t feel ostracized. The
environment certainly helped.
“You’re in a group of people who are all working together toward
the same goals,” she said. “Each one has a different focus, but they’re
pulling on the same team, all trying to get the best preparation they
can because they have an idea that God has called them to do a
certain kind of ministry.”
That brings up another important difference that GCU brings
to the seminary experience — diversity. This will incorporate a
multitude of denominations and a wide range of demographics.
“I think we’ll let it grow organically,” Smith said. “I think it would
be really odd to say, ‘This is a school that really supports women,’
because that might swing things in some odd way. But what we need
to do is show that we are diverse so that when people see us, they see
that there are men, there are women, there are many ethnicities and
they think, ‘I could fit there.’”
Hiles described the Seminary faculty as “incredibly diverse —
men, women, those who are a little older, those who are a little
younger, people of color, people who are not of color, various
denominations. It’s an incredible mix. And they work together. We’re
going to do research, we’re going to be engaged in the scholarly
community, but we’re not going to focus simply on publishing books.
We’re going to focus on the lives of our students and trying to make
our students strong.”
Community feeling
There’s another aspect of the GCU experience that will blend well
with the Seminary: having undergraduates mixing with graduate
students. Mahlouji and Ramirez both said that’s one of the things
they most eagerly anticipate.
“I think there are going to be a lot of opportunities for graduate
students to serve and to teach the undergraduate students in ways
they might not get in the classroom,” Mahlouji said.
What is the mission of
the Seminary?
To develop leaders, ministers
and scholars who rightly
handle God’s Word, teach what
accords with sound doctrine,
and equip the people of God
for missional service within a
rapidly changing world.
What is the relationship
between the Seminary
and the rest of the College
of Theology?
It is symbiotic and mutually
beneficial for all involved.
Students and faculty at the
Seminary commit to the
same doctrinal, ethical and
covenantal standards as other
students in the college.
How does that apply to the
graduate program?
The Seminary is embedded
within COT and represents a
distinct graduate theological
entity. All graduate theological
programs, whether online or
on the main campus, are under
the auspices of the Seminary.
Students who graduate
from these programs
are considered Seminary
graduates who enjoy all the
rights and responsibilities
associated with this honor.
How does the relationship
work with churches?
The process requires
meaningful church
involvement on the part
of students and also
depends substantially on
mentoring relationships and
opportunities offered by
seasoned gospel ministers
and Christian leaders.
In cooperation with the
Seminary, professional
experience and development
are provided within the
context of seminary training
through a combination of
mentoring relationships,
supervised ministry
requirements and internship
experiences. These
experiences, which take
place within the context of
a particular congregation
or ministry, provide vital
opportunities for spiritual
and professional growth and
development.
Is it affordable?
Absolutely. The Seminary
recognizes that ministers
generally don’t bring home
large salaries, and the
University has frozen tuition
on the traditional campus for
eight consecutive years.
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