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Home > Resources > Worshiping Communities > Campus > MinistriesAbilene Christian University
Abilene, Texas
| Denomination: Affiliated with the Churches of Christ | Size: More than 4800 students |
| Affiliation: Member of the CCCU | Website: http://www.acu.edu/campusoffices/spiritualformation/chapel.html |
Vision Statement: Faith Commitment
As a nationally recognized Christian university, our mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. We integrate faith and learning throughout the curriculum, reflecting the theological perspective of the broad mainstream of Churches of Christ. .
A majority of our students are drawn from Churches of Christ, and our links to members and leaders in this heritage are strong. We want to nurture and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Churches of Christ as we foster a revitalization of Christ-centered faith. One of our goals is to encourage more Christian students to receive the exceptional education ACU offers so they can be bright lights anywhere in the world.
We welcome all students of character and ability who share our Christian values. Throughout the decades of its existence, ACU has made an increasing effort to create a friendly and inclusive environment for students from a variety of religious, ethnic, social, cultural and geographical backgrounds.
ACU feels a great responsibility to leverage the God-given gifts and knowledge of all our students, faculty, staff and alumni as we seek to show Christ to the world. We will support growth, stability and spiritual health of the body of Christ on earth as we prepare Christian servant-leaders to honor God and serve Christ through a wide variety of professions.
Chapel
The Mission of Chapel is to provide the ACU community a daily time to build relationships with God and one another through worship, fellowship, and other spiritual disciplines that help develop us for service and leadership throughout the world.
This Chapel Information is highlighted in a box on many of their chapel pages:
- Chapel is from 11:00-11:30 AM in ACU's Moody Coliseum.
- Speakers have about 10 minutes to speak and it's very important that you finish on time because students have classes, lunch or jobs immediately following.
- Dress is casual or better, no need to wear a suit; no shorts.
- Approximately 3,000 students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be present.
- Please consider that while we are affiliated with the Churches of Christ, our student-body is made up of many different denominations and also includes non-Christians.
- Please avoid any negative references to any denomination, confronting or embarrassing anyone in the audience, racial, cultural or gender insensitivities.
- Due to ACU's practice regarding authority in worship, certain areas of involvement are predetermined. Approved male roles include leading worship, reading Scripture, praying, giving the presentation and presiding. Approved female roles include giving the presentation.
Fall - Explore a transformed life lived in the Spirit, "Life in the Spirit"
Spring - Challenges for life in "Messages from the Prophets"
Primary Format of the Week
Monday - theological presentation of the theme and text
Tuesday - application or integration of faith and life regarding the week's theme and text, using speakers, music, art, drama, or other types of presentations
Wednesday - BreakOut Chapels-primarily a celebration of community life at ACU with emphasis on learning, growth, and service; the first Wednesday of each month is Departmental Chapel; the third Wednesday is Class Chapel
Thursday - Small Group Chapel day with chapels held in various locations across campus
Friday - primarily a praise and worship day for the community, led by members of the ACU community and experienced guests
Typical Chapel Format
12 minute devotional (including Scripture and prayer)
Prayer and introduction of presentation (done by presider)
Presentation
Closing comments, prayer (presider)
In keeping with the mission of the university, daily Chapel will be held as a part of the curriculum. Regular attendance by undergraduates is required.
Highlights
Theme 2003-04 Overarching Theme for the Year: "Quest"
Fall - Deep Calls to Deep: The Quest for God in the Psalms
Spring - Dangerous Dialogue/Risky Peace: The Quest for Wisdom in the Proverbs
The chapel leadership pages present very helpful resources for offering a pastoral prayer (which they see as the most important element in worship) and guidelines for other worship participants.
There is a page listing all of the songs in their Powerpoint program.
There are so many worship resources on their pages!