ABOUT US
About Harding University Graduate School of Religion
Mission
The Harding University Graduate School of Religion is a Christian institution whose purpose is to provide postbaccalaureate theological education to equip students for leadership in churches or Christian ministries and further scholarly advancement. In support of this purpose, the Graduate School also encourages faculty research and provides services to churches.
The Graduate School pursues this purpose within the framework of basic theological and ministerial commitments. The identity of the Graduate School is rooted in its theological commitments; the ministry of the Graduate School is rooted in its recognition of the tremendous challenges that face the 21st century church.
Identity
The Graduate School is committed to God—the Creator of the world and the loving Father of humanity; to Jesus of Nazareth—the Incarnate Word, the only Son of God, and the risen Christ; and to the Holy Spirit—the indwelling presence of God among his people. We confess that the gospel of God, ultimately revealed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the only hope for fallen humanity. This commitment is grounded in our confession that Scripture is the Word of God given by divine inspiration to be our infallible guide in religious matters. Given these theological commitments, we encourage the open and honest pursuit of truth through past and present resources in the context of the historic Christian faith.
Within the context of these commitments that are shared with the larger community of believers, the Graduate School is particularly committed to providing integrated training for ministry among churches of Christ. These churches embrace the concept of restoration as a theological principle. This commitment means that we affirm such identifying theological positions as the baptism (immersion in water) of believers into Christ for the remission of sins, the weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper, autonomous congregations led by a plurality of elders, and a cappella singing in worship. As part of this intention to serve churches of Christ, the Graduate School is committed both to provide the premier theological library among churches of Christ and to maintain the broadest collection of published material by members of the churches of Christ.
Ministry
The Graduate School provides quality training for excellence in ministry and scholarship. We offer strong biblical and theological scholarship that is seasoned with a commitment to ministry. Consequently, our mission is to produce biblically informed and spiritually mature men and women who will devote themselves to long-term ministry.
Given this mission and history, the Graduate School is committed to preparing men and women for the holistic task of ministry in a fallen world, where holy servants of Christ communicate God's grace. We provide (1) training for a wide range of professional opportunities to serve in churches or Christian ministries, (2) a community for spiritual formation where faith is deepened and commitment to Christ and his church is increased, and (3) a vision for service that is both urban and global. As an institution located in an urban environment, the Graduate School is committed to supporting the mission of the church as it proclaims the Gospel in diverse social and cultural contexts. As an institution with a historic commitment to evangelism, the Graduate School is committed to increasing the church's global perspective and broadening the worldview of its students for the sake of ministry and mission throughout the world.
History
The Harding University Graduate School of Religion is a branch school of Harding University in Searcy, Ark. Harding began as a senior college when two junior colleges merged in 1924. The college moved to its present location in Searcy in 1934, and it was renamed Harding University in 1979. The University now has 44 buildings on its 200-acre campus, which, in conjunction with the Memphis, Tenn., campus, are valued at approximately $208 million.
Harding University Graduate School of Religion is an outgrowth of graduate studies in religion that began on the Searcy campus in 1952. An extension program offering such courses in Memphis was begun in 1955. In 1958, the Board of Trustees of Harding University officially expanded the Memphis program into a branch of Harding University.
Accreditation
Harding University Graduate School of Religion is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. It is a branch of Harding University, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org, (312) 263-0456 or 1-800-621-7440).
Location
The Graduate School is strategically located in Memphis, Tenn., the 18th-largest city in the United States. Metropolitan Memphis, with nearly 1 million citizens, is a modern cultural, medical and educational center with abundant opportunities for the graduate student to work. Seventy churches of Christ offer help for religious activity and spiritual development.
Memphis not only serves the citizens of western Tennessee but also has become the urban hub of eastern Arkansas, northern Mississippi and southeastern Missouri.
The Graduate School is ideally situated in a beautiful residential section of East Memphis near the corner of Park Avenue and Cherry Road (see map). It is easily accessible to shopping centers and restaurants and is within 30 minutes of downtown Memphis.
Facilities
The Graduate School occupies a beautiful, wooded, 13-acre campus adjacent to one of the largest Christian academies in the city.
Administrative, faculty and advancement offices are housed in the E.H. Ijams Administration Building. This impressive brick structure is a 40-room, three-story Georgian mansion. It was once the home of E.L. King, original owner of the property. The building also has a reception/conference room. The first-floor east wing of the building is used for daily chapel services and is known as Pittman Chapel. The Counseling Center is located upstairs in the west wing of the mansion.
A classroom building (Dr. W.B. West Jr. Center) was completed early in 1978 and includes three classrooms, the Heritage Room, the Hospitality Room, a conference room, a student lounge and an auditorium (divisible into three classrooms) equipped with videotaping facilities for preaching and counseling laboratory work.
The Benson Apartments and the James A. Harding-G.C. Brewer Apartments provide 23 on-campus housing units for both married and single students. Single students may room with up to three other students in a Benson two-bedroom unit or with one other student in a Harding-Brewer one-bedroom unit. (Housing priorities are mailed with each Housing Reservation Form.)
The Fitness Center opened in the summer of 2001 at the south end of the former bookstore. The center is open to all Graduate School students, faculty and staff. The Student Association has arranged a schedule for men and women, which is posted in the center. Along with exercise and weight machines, a shower/dressing room is available. The L.M. Graves Memorial Library was constructed in 1964, and a major wing was added in 1978.
Postal and textbook services are available on the Harding University Graduate School of Religion campus.
