Writing, reflecting and researching are essential aspects of a theological education. These essays will be evaluated for your admission to Bethany, as well as your eligibility for scholarships.
At Bethany, we welcome theological diversity, and strive to create a respectful and caring learning environment for all. Please note that your essays will NOT be judged or critiqued for their adherence to a certain theological perspective.
Essays should be typed and double-spaced, with one-inch margins, using Times New Roman 12 point font. Include a title with your name and date at the top.
Essay #1: Vocational Intentions (one page only)
For this short essay, please address your sense of call to ministry/vocation, your unique gifts for this ministry/vocation, and how a Bethany education will assist you in meeting these vocational intentions.
This essay will also be evaluated for the Church Service Covenant Grant [1].
Essay #2: Theological Reflection (two pages only)
Chose one of the following questions to address for the theological reflection essay:
1. Define a significant theological term (i.e., atonement, brokenness, salvation, grace, forgiveness, sin, etc.). While drawing upon credible resources to define this term, also reflect your personal understanding. Feel free to utilize poetry or parable, story or song, metaphor or myth to enhance how you define this term.
2. Bethany's mission states that God's shalom and Christ's peace are central to the message and ministry of Jesus. In what ways is this statement true or not true? In what ways does Jesus call us to peace-making and shalom-seeking in the 21st century? What concerns and cares of peace and justice (i.e., poverty, war, famine, sexism, racism, etc.) most speak to you and your ministry? Is Jesus central to the understanding of your mission, if so, how so?
3. Identify and describe a biblical character that connects and/or emulates your journey into ministry. How does s/he connect? In what ways are your stories dis/similar? How does God speak through this character and through you? How might this story prepare you for theological education at Bethany?
The theological reflection essay must include at least one citation, or reference, to at least one academic source. Biblical references are welcome as well. Citations from websites are not acceptable for this essay. Provide full citation information for any sources you reference, including the Bible, following one of the standard formats, e.g., MLA, Chicago, Turabian [2].
This essay will also be evaluated for the Academic Excellence Scholarship [3].
Submission of Your Essays
Email your essays as attached files in MS-Word (.doc or .docx), WordPerfect (.wpd), Open Office (.odt), rich-text format (.rtf), or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format to: admissions@bethanyseminary.edu [4].
For further assistance, contact:
Tracy Primozich, Director of Admissions
admissions@bethanyseminary.edu [4] (765)983-1832 or (800)287-8822 x1832