African American Church Studies Program

Rev. Ralph C. Watkins, D.Min., Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for African American Church Studies
Associate Professor of Society, Religion and Africana Studies

On behalf of our program and Fuller Theological Seminary I want to welcome you to our webpage.  Fuller is committed to equipping leaders for the African American Church,  parachurch and the academy.  We believe that God has called, equipped and uniquely positioned us to serve the African American Church in the 21st Century.  We are developing a program that is biblical, Christ-centered, relevant, socially conscious, and empowering.  We want you to be a part of our program.

Here are the pages and resources you will find in this site:

African American Church Studies Program

Designed to further equip African American men, women and those of other ethnicities who have expressed a call to minister to their community and beyond in pastoral and academic arenas.  The African American Church Studies Program ascribes to the three-fold purpose of admissions advocacy, degree development and commitment to enhancing African American student’s experience within the Fuller community and encouraging involvement in the larger church community. The larger goal of the African American Church Studies Program is to empower African American congregations to fulfill their divine destiny.  

Degree development includes offering courses toward the M.Div. or M.A. degree. These courses are taught by professors who are passionate about the African American experience and address theological and pastoral issues from an African American perspective.  The courses are relevant to your context and will empower you to make a difference in the ministry in which you serve or hope to serve.

As much as African American students are encouraged to participate in all areas of student life in the Fuller community and beyond, the program is sensitive to the spiritual and social needs particularly to these students. The program offers special events and administrative support, and acts as a community liaison to meet the diverse requests for fellowship, guidance, and ministry opportunities. It seeks to provide links between the Fuller community and African American churches throughout the Los Angeles area.

Mission Objectives Specific to the African American Church Studies Theology Advising Program
 

  1. Orientation of first year students and transfer students
  2. Serve as an academic support and mentoring arm in conjunction with the Theology Center
  3. Develop scholars and church practitioners who are committed to advancing the African American religious experience
  4. Serve as a catalyst to involve pastors of predominantly African American congregations in the life of the seminary and work to connect our students, faculty and staff with African American congregations
  5. Develop an extended family for prayer, support, advice and shared leadership of the African American Church Studies Program
  6. Work with the seminary to develop appropriate recruiting and other materials that promote the mission of the program and Fuller Seminary
  7. Advocate for diverse representation throughout all sectors of the seminary
  8. Serve as a center, in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Alumni Office, to maintain a healthy relationship with Fuller Alums and keep them abreast of the state of the African American Church Studies Program
  9. Work with the campus community to integrate African American traditions in the total life of seminary to include worship experiences
  10. Develop and maintain a list of scholars who specialize in African American religious experiences

Please feel free to contact our office at 626-584-5591. You can also send us e-mail at: afam-studies@dept.fuller.edu.