Samford University's Ministry Fellows program exists to equip young ministers for personal, spiritual, and professional excellence in ministry leadership. Sponsored by the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies, participants in the Ministry Fellows Program can anticipate the following requirements and benefits:
- Ministry Fellows students will major or minor in either Biblical Studies, Christian Religious Studies, Christian Ministry, Music and Worship, or Worship Leadership. You are committing to one of these majors or minors and will register as one of these prior to your first semester of classes.
- Ministry Fellows students will register for and undertake ministry internships for at least 2 of their semesters at Samford (one internship can be during the summer). Each internship will involve regular hours of service in a local church, local church-related mission organization, or non-profit. The Ministry Fellows Program regularly maintains a job and internship board to help place students with ministry opportunities.
- Students will participate in at least 2 semesters of Ministry Cadres. These Cadres serve to supplement classroom and field experiences by providing communal, vocational, and spiritual growth through scheduled gatherings. Students share ministry experiences, and specialists address critical issues of church-related ministry. Ministry Cadres are offered each fall and spring semester. First-year Ministry Fellows are required to attend the fall cadre of their first semester in the program. These cadres are led by the Director and Coordinator of the Ministry Fellows Program and upper-classmen students who serve as Peer Mentors. Convocation credits are awarded upon completion of a Ministry Cadre.
- Students are invited to attend fall and spring Ministry Fellows retreats. The goal of these retreats is to cultivate worship and spiritual growth, encourage personal reflection, build deeper friendships and community, and provide space for rest and relaxation.
- As a member of the Ministry Fellows Program, you will be awarded a $3,000 stipend, typically accessed in your junior or senior year. Stipend funds are available upon request and after a meeting with the Ministry Fellows Coordinator. Stipend funds are typically used for supplemental income during a ministry internship, funding for a domestic or international mission trip, or to cover the cost of attending a ministry-related conference.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Completed Application & Recommendation Deadline | February 15 |
| Fellows Announced* | March |
| Fellows Confirmation Deadline | May 1 |
*Decisions of the Biblical and Religious Studies Department are final.
Eligibility
Prospective Students
Prospective students are encouraged to apply to the program.
Sense of Calling
Applicants must have a sense of calling to full-time ministry in one of the following church-related vocations: senior pastor, associate pastor, church administrator, minister of education, age group minister, music and worship minister, career missionary, hospital chaplain, campus minister, pastoral/family counselor, seminary/religion professor, bi-vocational minister, church-related social worker, justice ministry, church-related nonprofits, or Christian media/journalism.
Major Requirements
Applicants must commit to one of the following majors: Biblical and Religious Studies; Christian Ministry; Worship Leadership.
Requirements for Admission
Applicants must meet all requirements for admission to Samford University and must be admitted at the time of any official announcement of the award.
Leadership
Applicants must demonstrate leadership inclination or capacity, energy, industry and self-reliance in extracurricular activities.
Highest Moral Standards
Applicants must represent the highest moral and ethical standards and principles.
