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Spiritual Life Activities
The spiritual life of Bethel College contributes to and reflects our vibrant, diverse, and stimulating community life. While the categories below highlight the key pieces to our spiritual life, many students, staff or faculty members would add that their spiritual life is formed as much in the classroom or lunchroom as in chapel or campus ministries. At Bethel, our faith is routinely challenged by a roommate or student, staff person or professor. Because of this, we all grow in articulating our faith and in gaining more understanding of and respect for one another. Sometimes a convocation speaker may trigger a theological discussion; other times a chapel speaker or chapel service prompts conversation, or simply your own soul searching. In other words, “spiritual life” on the Bethel campus occurs in nearly every pocket and hour of campus life. Bethel College is uniquely equipped both to challenge and to nurture the spiritual life of its students, faculty and staff members, given our commitment to our spiritual life and our diverse community. Bethel students are trained to think through and articulate their faith even as they are invited to practice it in service and mission to the world.
Agape Center in Richert House
Chapel
Weekly chapel services are central to the spiritual life of our Bethel community. Attendance is voluntary, and many students, staff and faculty members regularly attend and participate. Chapel services provide a variety of worship experiences that draw from the traditions and experiences of our community and contribute to our spiritual development. We maintain a faithful adherence to Mennonite faith and worship practices even as we honor other denominational traditions through varying liturgies, music and biblical emphases. Chapel takes place at 11 a.m. in the Administration Building chapel during the school year.
Church Attendance
To ensure a healthy balance in one’s spiritual life, students are encouraged to attend a local church. Many students go to church together on Sunday mornings. It is important for college students to fellowship with people of every age, and to receive the nurturing, edifying benefits of pastoral and congregational care. View a listing of area churches.
Campus Ministries
Bethel students experience encouragement and fellowship through various campus ministries led by students and adult mentors. Some campus ministries have become Bethel traditions, like Hymn Sing and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Others vary each year in response to the needs and initiatives of students. They include small group fellowships, prayer groups, Bible studies, informal worship gatherings, and Service Corps. In addition, weekend retreats and group trips to Christian concerts, seminary samplers, and peace conferences provide students with a rich variety of worship, ministry and learning opportunities off campus.
Service
True to its Anabaptist heritage, Bethel College emphasizes service to others as evidence and fruit of our faith. When students give of themselves to serve others, they find that their spiritual life is deepened, stretched and challenged. Some students voluntarily serve throughout the school year with organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters; the local homes for troubled youth, disabled people, or retired folks; or at the local homeless shelter. Others volunteer in periodic service initiatives led by Service Corps. Many students, staff and faculty members participate in our annual Service Day each spring. After Hurricane Katrina, a committed group of students volunteered to work alongside Mennonite Disaster Service in Louisiana during spring break. Read more about service opportunities at Bethel.
Student Chaplains
Bethel College students are characteristically involved in leading and participating in a host of service and ministry opportunities. To discover and tap into the energy and gifts of our students, and to give our students more ownership in Bethel’s spiritual life, four students are appointed by the campus pastor each year to serve as student chaplains. These students work closely with the campus pastor and minister to students to help provide a vital, relevant and wholesome spiritual life that supports and leads the Bethel College community. Meet the current student chaplains.