THE DIVINITY SCHOOL at WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
Baptist students compose a significant portion of the student body. These include students in congregations related to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the American Baptist Churches (USA), American Baptist Churches of the South, the National Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. Denominational studies for Baptist assist students in understanding Baptist identity as part of their preparation for ministry in Baptist churches or other related ministries. Through coursework and internships, students are introduced to Baptist history, theology, and polity.
The Center for Congregational Heath was established in 1992 by the School of Pastoral Care at North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Inc. The Center and the Vocational Formation Office of Wake Forest University School of Divinity collaborate on leadership formation courses for Divinity students and on continuing education events.
The Center assists congregations in becoming healthier communities of faith. It offers the following services:
An informal commitee of several clergy from local African-American churches approached WFU School of Divinity to discuss new ways for Divinity students to serve as a resource to their congregations. Over seven years these pastors advised the School of Divinity on leadership and program needs in African-American congregations and not-for-profits that serve African-American communities. These clergy also wanted to overcome obstacles to sustaining ministry programs initiated by interns who served in these congregations and not-for-profits. Bridging Faith Communities evolved from these discussions.
The manual for preparation for ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) outlines a process by which persons within the denomination seek ordination as "ministers of the Word and Sacrament." The two phases of this process, the Inquiry phase and the Candidacy phase, are designed to nurture and assess a student's development in several key areas: 1) education for ministry, 2) spiritual development, 3) interpersonal relations, 4) personal growth, and 5) professional development. In addition to taking Greek and Hebrew languages that are required for ordination, Presbyterian students can enroll in courses such as those that focus on Reformed history and polity and the sacraments. The Bible content examination, one of five examinations required for ordination, is offered yearly on campus.
The Center for Religion and Public Affairs promotes research, study and dialogue regarding religion's impact on public affairs and provides resources for divinity school students and members of the clergy on these issues. Melissa Rogers, Visiting Professor of Religion and Public Policy, serves as the Center's director.
The Center For Urban Ministry at Wake Forest University School of Divinity The Center for Urban Ministry, Inc. at the School of Divinity of Wake Forest University provides national ecumenical conferences such as "The City of God for American Cities: Reinventing the Urban Church." Dr. Dougless M. Bailey, Executive Director of the Center for Urban Ministry and Associate Professor of Urban Ministry, teaches School of Divinity courses on "Jesus and Justice," congregational development, and urban evangelism.
The Vocational Development Program, a central component of the M.Div. curriculum, provides a three-year framework for integrating theory and practice. The program is designed to equip students with skills for ministry in a changing world and to form in them the ability to think theologically about and within the practice of ministry.
