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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
Students walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma Alabama Play Video

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 of the College of Bible

    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
  • Steve Bonner headshot

    Steve Bonner

    Professor and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Bible

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

    Meet Steve Bonner
  • Deron Smith headshot

    Deron Smith

    Director of Accelerated Pastoral Leadership Program

    Deron came to Lipscomb as Dean of Vocation and Spiritual Formation in July 2020 to join the wider mission of Lipscomb to equip and educate students to reflect the character...

    Meet Deron Smith
  • Frank Guertin headshot

    Frank Guertin

    Assistant Dean and Associate Professor

    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
  • Carlus Gupton headshot

    Carlus Gupton

    Director, Doctor of Ministry Program

    Dr. Carlus Gupton is Assistant Dean, Professor of Ministry, and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Hazelip School of Theology. Before that, he was Professor of Ministry and...

    Meet Carlus Gupton
  • Randy Willingham headshot

    Randy Willingham

    Competency-Based Education Director

    Meet Randy Willingham
  • 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

  • JP Conway

    Faculty Affiliate

    Meet JP Conway
  • 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 Old Testament and Hebrew courses. He is the author of "Finding Your Way: A Guide to Seminary Life and Beyond" (Cascade, 2009) and "Living as the Community...

    Meet Phillip Camp
  • Claire Frederick headshot

    Claire Frederick

    Faculty Affiliate

    Claire Davidson Frederick teaches in the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb University and serves as Program Director for the ENGAGE Youth Theology Initiative, a public theology and racial...

    Meet Claire Frederick
  • 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
  • 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
  • Aaron Howard headshot

    Aaron Howard

    Assistant Professor

    Aaron teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in ethics. He holds a PhD in Ethics and Society from Vanderbilt University. an MA in Theology & Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary,...

    Meet Aaron Howard
  • Earl Lavender headshot

    Earl Lavender

    Professor

      Earl was born to missionary parents in Trieste, Italy. He earned undergraduate degrees from Ohio Valley College and David Lipscomb College (Physical Education and Coaching).  He is married to the...

    Meet Earl Lavender
  • 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...

    Meet Kris Miller
  • 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

  • Paavo Tucker

    Faculty Affiliate

    Paavo was born in Nashville, and grew up in Finland as a missionary kid before moving to the United States to go to college at Freed-Hardeman University. He attained his...

    Meet Paavo Tucker
  • Lauren White headshot

    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

    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

    Professor

    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

Student reading Bible
Academics
September 23, 2022

Redesigned Doctor of Ministry centers on congregational leadership
Lipscomb President Candice McQueen in Bison Square
Academics
September 22, 2022

McQueen among team of experts to advance innovative Carnegie Foundation national classification model
Dr. Harold Hazelip
Community
September 21, 2022

Lipscomb mourns the loss of former President Harold Hazelip
Provost Bledsoe gives the faculty charge at the 2022 President's Convocation on Aug. 23.
Academics
September 4, 2022

Bledsoe leaves lasting legacy, strong foundation as Lipscomb’s first provost
More News

Events

More Events

Blog

Junior Nursing Major Ashlyn Holmes Reflects on Spring Break Missions Experience

A reflection from Ashlyn Holmes, Junior Nursing major, on her spring break missions experience When I was looking for universities, Lipscomb’s missions program is what initially attracted me here and sparked my interest in attending a school with a robust missions program. Once I chose Lipscomb and became involved in the...

Tue, 09/13/2022 - 12:16
Posted by Grace Evans

Nashville Churches are Greater Together

“There was surprisingly little planning,” said Mark Adams (D.Min. ‘16) about the success of the “Greater Together” events he and four other ministers hosted this summer. “We credit God with the result of our simple effort to remind each other of our mission and our identity in Christ.” Last year four Nashville-area ministers began...

Tue, 09/13/2022 - 11:55
Posted by Grace Evans

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

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.