Center for Campus Ministry

Ministry among college students is one of the most significant and strategic ways to develop the next generation’s church leaders and evangelize the lost. As a result of great interest in this area within our faculty and student body, the Center for Campus Ministry (CCM) at RTS Charlotte was formed in 2009. Briefly, our program consists of the following areas:

Degree emphasis. The CCM includes a degree emphasis within the MDiv program that offers distinctive courses and electives in the area of campus ministry. These courses are taken in place of other courses already in the MDiv curriculum.

Professors with campus ministry experience. Many of the specialized courses are taught by residential and visiting professors with a special degree of experience and expertise in campus ministry.

The CCM Fellowship. The future campus ministers and leaders enrolled in the CCM will regularly meet together for the purposes of developing a community of fellowship, but also for creating an environment where ideas and strategies about campus ministry can be freely developed, discussed, and exchanged.

Campus Ministry Opportunities. The city of Charlotte provides students with easy access to campus environments where ministry is taking place. Many universities and colleges exist within an hour of Charlotte. Students enrolled in the CCM can complete their field hour requirements by serving with these campus ministries.

Scholarships and funding. RTS Charlotte is committed to giving generous scholarship help to those connected with multiple national and international campus ministries.

Ministry Opportunities

RTS Charlotte is located in the thriving city of Charlotte. There are numerous universities in the city and within a short drive. Universities and colleges within an hour and a half of Charlotte include UNC Charlotte, Wake Forest University, Queen’s University, Johnson and Wales University, Davidson College, Wingate University, Winthrop University, and others. Just beyond our immediate region lies the Research Triangle of North Carolina which includes Duke University, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and many others.

RTS has created official partnerships with the following campus ministries: Reformed University Fellowship, Cru, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, and Campus Outreach. Our students have also had experience with other campus ministries not represented in our official partnerships.

RTS-Charlotte is strategically located near numerous colleges and universities with vibrant campus ministries. During their time as RTS students, interested CCM members can pursue opportunities to apply what they learn through CCM programs in a campus ministry context.

Campus Ministry Emphasis

The CCM will include a degree emphasis within the MDiv program that offers distinctive courses and electives in the area of campus ministry. The courses will be taught in place of other courses already in the MDiv curriculum at RTS Charlotte. The courses in the CCM include:

HT6205 Ministry in a Postmodern Context: The purpose of this course is to understand and respond appropriately to the dominant perspectives and cultural transformations that have contributed to our current context of ministry and witness. Taught by rotating visiting faculty. (Replaces an elective)

PT6250 Pastoral Ministry: Local Church & College Campus: A study of general pastoral care, shepherding of the flock, ministerial conduct, interpersonal relationships, and possible pitfalls for pastors. This course will also examine pastoral ministry in both the context of the local church and the college campus. Taught by Dr. Rod Mays.  (Replaces PT5250 Pastoral Ministry)

PT6275 Discipleship & Campus Ministry: This course addresses the need for developing a philosophy of ministry that focuses on building followers of Christ among college students in particular. Attention is given to the concept of disciple-making in general, as well as to plans and strategies for creating a disciple-building environment that can be used in a campus ministry and/or in conjunction with a local church located near a college or university campus. A Reformed theological and philosophical perspective will undergird the content of the course. Taught by Dr. Rod Culbertson.  (Replaces Leadership & Discipleship)

PT6200 Planting and Growing a Campus Ministry:  Campus Ministry, just like ministry in the local church, must be based on Biblical principles.  Methodology grows out of a philosophy of ministry, which itself grows out of the theology of the Scriptures.  What are principles that arise from Scripture that would direct the initiation and growth of a local campus ministry?  This class will delve into questions like this one.  WHAT must a campus minister DO, and WHY  must he do it?” Taught by Rev. Les Newsom.  (Replaces PT5200 Evangelism) 

ST6455 Applied Apologetics: This course will develop the student’s understanding of the Reformed presuppositional method of apologetics through its application to specific instances of non-Christian thought; familiarize the student with prominent non-Christian worldviews (both secular and religious) and their philosophical shortcomings; introduce the student to various ‘tools’ of apologetics; sharpen the student’s critical thinking skills in the practice of apologetics; and strengthen the student’s own faith to equip them to strengthen the faith of other Christians, through an appreciation of the rational superiority of the Christian worldview. Taught by Dr. James Anderson. (Replaces an Elective course)

These courses will be taught by professors with campus ministry experience, and will further equip students to apply classroom-derived knowledge to a campus ministry setting.