Requirements
A cross cultural experience is required for all M.Div. and MAR students at Southern Seminary. The purpose of this requirement is to equip our students to better understand the challenges of Christian ministry in a pluralistic context. The Contextual Education Office will coordinate a variety of possible sites and settings for this experience. Students are permitted to propose an experience that speaks to their own interests. All cross cultural experiences will share the following criteria:
- The site should intentionally present a setting apart from the traditional western European approach to ministry.
- The experience should be under the auspices of a recognized ecclesiastical ministry.
- The experience should include appropriate supervision and have a clearly articulated ministerial component.
- The experience should allow for and encourage theological reflection as an integral part of the experience.
- The experience should take place during the student's seminary career.
- The experience should last from 10 days to 3 weeks.
- Students follow up their experience with a 6-10 page theological reflection paper to be presented and discussed with their advisor. The advisor will in turn inform the Contextual Education Office that one credit hour has been awarded for meeting the criteria.
