The Student Service Program will give students the opportunity to serve in the community in order to earn Spiritual Development credits. The program includes the opportunity to serve and reflect.
Student Service Program Mission Statement:
The Student Service Program aims to prepare students for responsible Christian living by imitating the life and ministry of Christ through serving others. This will be accomplished by creating student opportunities for personal growth through acts of service and by purposefully exposing all students to opportunities to engage in a wide variety of cross-cultural and community experiences. Students identities will be shaped by how they serve not what they consume.
Logistics:
Beginning the fall of 2009, every student will need 27 Spiritual Development credits every semester.
-Two hours of Service = one Spiritual Development credit
-Each student is able to earn 13 Student Service credits from the student service program a semester.
-Each student may only receive one Student Service credit a week.
-14 of the 27 Spiritual Development credits must come from chapel attendance.
Program Steps: How you can join the Student Service Program
1. Fill out a student service application identifying which programs you would like to serve.
2. Attend one training meetings before you begin serving.
3. Attend two small group sessions a semester and discuss experience.
4. Show up on time to the organization and follow the protocol of the organization you are serving.
5. Fill out service credit request form on my.snu.edu. You will need to fill out this form each time you serve, within two weeks of service.
6. Turn in your Reflection and Integration Paper or journal at the end of each semester of ministry.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Organizations Qualify?
Any Nazarene organization or organization that SNU has partnered with in the past is eligible for this program. A full array of experiences will be listed on the SNU Website and will also be available in the Spiritual Development office. Other experiences may count for credit, including volunteer work with a church, tutoring, serving at a local non-profit, and after-school programs. The Office of Spiritual Development prior to serving must approve all non-listed opportunities.
Can I earn Spiritual Development credits by Serving on Campus?
There may be some opportunities to receive credit from various on-campus activities, but the purpose of the service requirement is to place you in community- based service endeavors.
What if I Work at a Non-Profit or Ministry Organization Already?
A paid position cannot count toward service credit. However, if you work more than what you are paid (e.g., 20-hour contract, work 25) then you can count extra time toward service credits. This encourages students to continue working in their chosen ministry rather than finding another service opportunity.
Am I limited to the Organizations that are listed online?
You will not be discouraged from researching other organizations that you may like to be apart of, but these will have to be approved by the Office of Spiritual Development.
What is the Integration Project
A four-page Reflection and Integration paper or half page weekly journal of your experiences should be written in response to the expectations discussed in the first training session. The purpose of the paper and journal are to integrate service experience with your education and faith. This also encourages you to write the reflection while your thoughts are fresh.