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College of Bible & Ministry

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Overview

Across the nation, we need leaders in churches and ministries who guide and grow others with solid biblical teachings, transparency and integrity. At Lipscomb, you will be equipped to serve God’s kingdom in the world with wisdom, compassion, humility, and a curious and adventurous heart. Lipscomb’s College of Bible & Ministry will provide you with a solid Scriptural foundation through a perspective rooted in our Christian heritage and close association with the Churches of Christ. Study the classic disciplines of Bible, theology and church history at one of only two schools in Middle Tennessee that is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. By integrating strong academics with spiritual formation and practical experience, we will prepare you to serve Christ’s mission in the world with integrity and truth.

Three student talking

Undergraduate Programs

We offer a number of faith-focused majors and minors that prepare you for missional work, worship ministry, Bible education and more. To put selfless service into practice in the real world, students also have the option to take part in mission trips and service learning opportunities.

View Undergraduate Programs
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Graduate Programs

As one of the only two schools in Middle Tennessee that is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, Lipscomb will provide you with the strong academics and spiritual formation needed as you pursue the next step of your calling in ministry.

View Graduate Programs
Dean Leonard Allen speaks in front of group in Ezell Chapel.

Hazelip School of Theology

With us, your degree is as much about academics as it is about the personal journey you take as you study Scripture, church history, Christian thought and ministerial formation. Here, academic subject matters are put in conversation with the concerns of today’s practitioners. As one of the few ATS-accredited graduate schools in the region, we offer real-world ministry experiences and quality academics.

About Hazelip
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Engage

Lipscomb’s Engage Youth Theology Initiative is for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in exploring what it means to live a life of Christian leadership and service. This initiative seeks to encourage young people to explore theological traditions, ask questions about the moral dimensions of contemporary issues and examine how their faith calls them to justice and service.

About Engage

People

Meet the key people who make up the College of Bible & Ministry.

  • Leonard Allen Headshot

    Leonard Allen

    Dean, College of Bible and Ministry

    C. Leonard Allen serves as dean of the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb University. He taught theology, ethics, and philosophy at the graduate and undergraduate level for over...

    Meet Leonard Allen
  • Holly Allen headshot

    Holly Allen

    Professor

    Holly Catterton Allen is Professor of Family Science and Christian Ministry where she holds a joint appointment in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Bible...

    Meet Holly Allen
  • Mark Black

    Mark Black

    Professor

    Mark teaches Luke-Acts, Synoptic Gospels, New Testament Theology, Corinthians, New Testament Exegesis, and Biblical Ethics. He received his B.A. in Bible from Freed-Hardeman University, his M.A. and M.Th. from Harding...

    Meet Mark Black
  • Steve Bonner headshot

    Steve Bonner

    Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Bible

    Steven Bonner serves as the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Bible and Associate Professor of Christian ministry. He attended Lipscomb University where he received his B.A., M.A., and M.Div. He received...

    Meet Steve Bonner
  • Terry Briley

    Terry Briley

    Professor

    Terry teaches Old Testament and Hebrew courses. He is also one of the pulpit ministers for the Natchez Trace Church of Christ and is involved with mission work in Brazil....

    Meet Terry Briley
  • Lee Camp headshot

    Lee Camp

    Professor

    Lee is an Alabamian by birth. He met his wife Laura at Lipscomb as an undergrad (BA in Computer Science), and then did seminary at Abilene Christian University (MA and...

    Meet Lee Camp
  • Phillip Camp headshot

    Phillip Camp

    Professor

    Phillip Camp teaches various Old Testament text courses, OT Interpretation, and Hebrew. He is the author of "Finding Your Way: A Guide to Seminary Life and Beyond" (Cascade, 2009) and...

    Meet Phillip Camp
  • David Fleer headshot

    David Fleer

    Professor

    For the last thirteen years David has served as Professor of Bible and Communication, Special Assistant to the President at Lipscomb University and Executive Director of the Thomas H. Olbricht...

    Meet David Fleer
  • George Goldman headshot

    George Goldman

    Professor

    George teaches courses in New Testament, Greek, and Faith & Culture. He received his B.A. and M.A. from Lipscomb University (1988, 1991), his M.Div. from Harding University Graduate School of...

    Meet George Goldman
  • Frank Guertin headshot

    Frank Guertin

    Assistant Dean

    Frank Guertin is Assistant Dean for the Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University and Assistant Professor of Theology. Guertin completed his bachelor's degree at Ohio Valley University and his...

    Meet Frank Guertin
  • John Mark Hicks headshot

    John Mark Hicks

    Professor

    John Mark teaches theology and history courses. He received his B.A. in Bible from Freed-Hardeman University (1977), his M.A.R. in Theological Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary (1980), his M.A. in...

    Meet John Mark Hicks
  • Richard Hughes headshot

    Richard Hughes

    Scholar in Residence

    The scholarly interests of Richard Hughes, the Center's Scholar in Residence, have ranged from religion and race in America, to religion and American self-understanding, to religion and American higher education,...

    Meet Richard Hughes
  • Steve Joiner headshot

    Steve Joiner

    Dean, College of Leadership and Public Service

    Steve Joiner is the Dean of the College of Leadership and Public Service and Managing Director of the Institute for Conflict Management at Lipscomb University. Joiner also serves as Professor...

    Meet Steve Joiner
  • Earl Lavender headshot

    Earl Lavender

    Professor

    Earl Lavender was born to missionary parents in Trieste, Italy on July 15, 1954. He earned undergraduate degrees from Ohio Valley College and David Lipscomb College. He is married to the...

    Meet Earl Lavender
  • Rhonda Lowry

    Rhonda Lowry

    Adjunct Faculty

    Rhonda completed her M.Div. degree and has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary and Pepperdine University. She is also a fellow with the Institute for Christian Spirituality. Rhonda is a...

    Meet Rhonda Lowry
  • Kris Miller

    Kris Miller

    Assistant Professor

    Kris Miller joined the faculty of the College of Bible and Ministry in 2015, serving as assistant professor of theology and director of Lipscomb's Institute for Christian Spirituality. He has nine...

    Meet Kris Miller
  • Steve Sherman headshot

    Steve Sherman

    Executive Director, Peugeot Center for Engineering

    Meet Steve Sherman
  • Josh Strahan headshot

    Josh Strahan

    Associate Professor

    Josh teaches courses in Freshman Bible and New Testament. He received his bachelor's degree in Bible from Lipscomb University in 2004, his Master of Divinity degree from Abilene Christian University...

    Meet Josh Strahan
  • Walter Surdacki headshot

    Walter Surdacki

    Professor

    Walter teaches various Youth Ministry and practical ministry courses. He completed his undergrad studies at the Institute for Christian Studies (B.A., 1990), and graduate studies at Pepperdine University (M.S....

    Meet Walter Surdacki
  • Kate Watkins

    Kate Watkins

    LIFE Consultant

    Kate Sullivan Watkins is Assistant Professor in the College of Bible and Ministry and teaches Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Living. She is the director of the Lipscomb Initiative for Education...

    Meet Kate Watkins
  • Lauren White

    Lauren White

    Assistant Professor

    Lauren graduated with a Ph.D. in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University in May, 2018. She also holds an MTS from Vanderbilt University (2010), an M.A. in English from Abilene Christian University...

    Meet Lauren White
  • Mike Williams headshot

    Mike Williams

    Associate Professor

    Mike graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in 1986. He graduated from Abilene Christian University with a M. Div. in 1991. He holds the doctorate in...

    Meet Mike Williams
  • John York headshot

    John York

    Executive Director and Dean

    John has been part of the faculty of Lipscomb University since the Fall of 1998. Before becoming Executive Director and Dean of Lipscomb University - Austin Center (LUAC), John was...

    Meet John York

News

Meeting of the Respect Leads Council
Diversity
June 16, 2021

Lipscomb conducts campus climate survey to inform the future
Florah Mhlanga
Diversity
June 15, 2021

Florah Mhlanga led the establishment of Lipscomb’s first student research symposium
Doug Smith in graduation regalia at the December 2015 commencement.
Community
June 14, 2021

Lipscomb mourns the loss of friend, former board member Doug Smith
Scott Sager - 2021 Summer Celebration
Faith
June 2, 2021

Summer Celebration 2021 set to serve, equip spiritual leaders

More News

Events

ENGAGE
event
Jul 6 / 1:00 pm

ENGAGE Youth Theology Initiative - July 6, 2021 - University
More Events

Blog

Josh Strahan Offers Charge to May 2021 Graduates

I am struck by how Donald Miller opens his book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: If you watched a movie about a guy who wanted a Volvo and worked for years to get it, you wouldn’t cry at the end when he drove off the lot, testing the windshield...

Thu, 05/13/2021 - 15:12
Posted by Grace Evans

Aaron Howard Appointed Assistant Professor of Ethics, Reconciliation

Lipscomb’s College of Bible and Ministry and George Shinn College of Entertainment and the Arts has appointed Aaron Howard as assistant professor of ethics and reconciliation.  Howard will teach graduate courses in Hazelip School of Theology, undergraduate courses in the CEA’s Worship Arts program as well as organize and lead the...

Mon, 05/10/2021 - 14:08
Posted by Grace Evans

Carlus Gupton Appointed Director Doctor of Ministry

Carlus Gupton (‘82) became the director of the Doctor of Ministry program in the Hazelip School of Theology in January 2021, but his relationship with Lipscomb goes back much further.  “My first ever connection with Lipscomb was in the summer of 1976. I came as part of an admissions event when...

Mon, 05/10/2021 - 14:06
Posted by Grace Evans

More Blog Posts

Undergraduate Programs

Whether you feel called to youth ministry, preaching or foreign missions, domestic church planting, urban ministry or life in an intentional community, our undergraduate programs will equip you for a life of faith and service in ministry. Our core theology and ministry program will provide you with a foundation of knowledge, tools and skills necessary for Christian leadership and service. Explore your options at Lipscomb.

Graduate Programs

If you are considering entering or are already active in ministry, we offer a number of paths and majors for your walk with God. For example, our Master of Arts in Christian Practice degree includes theological studies that you can pursue alongside a graduate certificate program or additional coursework at our Hazelip School of Theology. All of our graduate programs are designed to provide you with advanced theological learning within practical ministry contexts.