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Olivet University Chapel assists in the spiritual development of students’ Christian character: spirit, mind, and body. As a vital activity for which the University community meets regularly, Chapel contributes significantly to the spiritual development for students. Consequently, Chapel is viewed as an integral part of the Olivet experience.
Olivet University students are required to attend Chapel, which is held every Tuesday and Thursday. Students should have a participatory attitude towards worship. There are approximately 30 chapel services or convocations offered each semester. In order to “pass” chapel, students are required to obtain twenty seven (27) attendance credits per semester. Attendance at chapels and school-wide convocations is required during each semester at Olivet..
Absences due to “extended” illness, referring to sickness or injury from which a student is either hospitalized or unable to attend class for a week, can be excused. Absences due to the death of a family member, or participation in jury duty, are excusable in a similar manner. Absences for any other reason will not be excused. Students will only need to excuse the difference between chapels taken and required, not between chapels taken and offered..
Broadcasted Chapel will be uploaded in the Chapel Classroom of MyOlivet. Attendance at chapels and school-wide convocations is required during each semester of enrollment at Olivet..
Olivet University wants to provide an atmosphere of spiritual enrichment through Christian living, allowing students, staff, faculty, and administration to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and live emboldened by Jesus Christ.
Olivet challenges every community member to live totally committed to Jesus Christ, in the image of the apostles and saints of the early church. Students should honor Christ and express love for him by assuming his humility and attitude of self-sacrifice, revealed through a life of faithful service.
To this end, Olivet University actively seeks to cultivate the habit of continuous scriptural study and the practice of discipleship in our students
Olivet encourages students to devote time each day to bible reading, “Quiet Time,” meditation, and prayer. However, this foundation of biblical knowledge should not be the end, but rather the start of a deepening relationship with the scriptures. Such a relationship requires reflection, especially in the forms of meditation and writing. To achieve this end, the Olivet University community collectively engages in “Quiet Time” (QT) at the beginning of each day to meditate on the scriptures.
Olivet University strongly encourages students to maintain a daily prayer-time. Students can participate in “Set-time prayer,” a prayer given at a specific time of day over a period of time. Students can also do “Continuous prayer,” which can be done spontaneously.
The Olivet University Chapel is open for morning and evening prayers to the entire community.
Students who attend Olivet on-campus are required to attend Friday Prayer Meetings, which is recorded and broadcast internationally. Students abroad are encouraged to attend the broadcasted services live, or view the taped recordings later on.
Fasting is abstaining from food for a period of time in order to master the cravings of the physical realm, thus opening ourselves to the spiritual world. Fasting is more than a diet adjustment- it involves spiritual intensity and prayer intercession. Fasting should always be accompanied with prayer, meditation, and scriptural study.
Anyone may fast voluntarily for a personal prayer topic or for self-discipline. However, students are strongly advised to counsel with the University Chaplain or the Dean of Students before deciding to fast.
Olivet University desires to train disciples of Jesus Christ to serve as leaders in Christian mission and ministry. Thus, Olivet’s community members should not conclude by knowing God. Rather, they must practice the teachings of the scriptures by actively seeking to make Him known to the world. To this end, Olivet University strongly encourages students to incorporate daily evangelism into their academic and personal routines.
Anyone who wishes to preach and teach about the bible more effectively is welcome to contact the University Chaplain or the Dean of Students to request informal training with an EAPC pastor or ministry worker. Such training is viewed as an extension of evangelism, and is not eligible for course credit at Olivet.
The University is concerned with each student’s personal spiritual development and the spiritual growth of the whole community. For this reason, the University Chaplain and the Dean of Students seek to introduce programs and activities that nurture this spiritual growth in the context of a Christian faith community. Students are expected to take advantage of these opportunities by enthusiastically participating in the various spiritual activities.
It should be noted that the Olivet community maintains a culture of shepherding, even among its student body. More senior students are expected to support and facilitate the emotional, social, spiritual, and academic maturity of newer students in accordance with University’s mission and core values.
Olivet University holds regular retreats that are co-sponsored by EAPC, AM and/or YD fellowships, which feature sustained time for prayer, biblical studies, and fellowship. These gatherings usually take place seasonally and are led by a group of EAPC pastors, worship leaders, and administrators at Olivet University. Olivet students frequently assume leadership roles at these gatherings and hold responsibility for organizing event activities. Participants often testify that retreats encourage a deeper spiritual experience at Olivet, while cultivating stronger community bonds. Retreat locations will vary. Participation must be done in-person, but broadcasting services are provided.
Olivet University recommends that its students attend regular prayer meetings at their local churches. As previously mentioned, on-campus Olivet students must attend Friday prayer meetings at Olivet University Chapel.
Students are encouraged to communicate openly, but respectfully, with all Olivet University staff members, and to seek spiritual guidance at any time – especially from the Dean of Students, the University Chaplain and the Director of Christian Service. Personal counseling is intended to help students better adjust to their University experience and to provide support for their personal walks of faith. Olivet University also encourages students to maintain ties with EAPC church leaders throughout their studies at Olivet University, especially for students who attend online.
Olivet University also allows online students to seek counseling services available in their local areas by requesting referrals from our office.
