Spiritual Growth

Discover God’s Purpose for Your Life

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, we’re here to help guide you toward Christ-like character and intellectual maturity.

To that end, we require all students to complete a set number of spiritual growth credits as part of their learning each semester. Spiritual growth is when you intentionally attend to your relationship with God, yourself and others. Led from a Christian worldview with Scripture as the guiding authority, spiritual growth opportunities at Warner are offered across five different categories:

Discipleship

Discipleship opportunities are geared toward students who would like to deepen their Christian faith or begin following Jesus Christ. Examples of discipleship activities include attending campus chapel services or worship nights, taking part in a group book study or joining a prayer group.

Personal Enrichment

Personal enrichment opportunities are aimed at helping you improve your emotional and interpersonal skills. These types of activities could include attending lectures on topics like time management, leadership skills, anger management, interpersonal skills or mental health.

Life Skills

Life skills opportunities are a great way to develop practical, real-world skills beyond your academic or professional discipline. Examples of life skills activities include workshops on personal finance, changing a tire, cooking and hospitality or writing a resume.

Courageous Conversations

Among our most distinctive spiritual life opportunities, courageous conversations are designed to promote open, empathetic dialogue around challenging social issues. These activities include participating in campus social events like Coffee and Conversation, or attending talks on topics like race and discrimination, and Christian love and the LGBTQ+ community.

Service

Service opportunities give you the chance to exercise Christ-like action to others through on- or off-campus work. Examples of service activities include participating in community service events around campus, pursuing mission opportunities or volunteering at the Lake Wales Care Center, the H.E.A.R.T. Village or the Mission of Winter Haven.

Step Into Spiritual Life

We are deeply committed to the spiritual formation of our students. Spiritual growth opportunities at Warner will give you the tools to explore your faith and deepen your Christian walk.

Chapel

Warner’s most prominent spiritual growth opportunity is Chapel, a weekly community event that gives our students the opportunity to worship and praise together, receive encouragement from one another and learn what’s happening around campus.

Watch a Chapel Service

Spiritual Growth FAQs

Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about spiritual growth at Warner.

Do I have to be a Christian to attend Warner?

You don’t have to be a Christian to attend Warner. We love everyone! We will welcome you no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. However, we are a Christian university, so the gospel will be a part of everything we do. You will be regularly exposed to Christian teachings through classes, chapels, residence life and more. Whatever your personal beliefs are, spiritual growth credits, biblical general education courses and our community commitments will still be a part of your Warner experience.

How do I earn spiritual growth credits?

You can earn spiritual growth credits by attending approved spiritual growth opportunities presented through the Office of Student Life. Available spiritual growth programs are posted on posters around campus, on the iAttended app and on the university online calendar. Opportunities are offered in person as well as virtually.

It is important to note that not all spiritual growth opportunities offered at Warner are for credit. Opportunities that qualify for credit will be clearly marked with the phrase, “Worth one spiritual growth credit.”

I’m a people person. Can I earn spiritual growth credits as part of a group?

You can earn spiritual growth credits either on your own, or as part of a core community group with a mentor.

Earning Credits as an Individual

Pursue spiritual growth credits on your own 
Students must earn 21 spiritual growth credits in total (16 for commuters). Ten of the 21 credits must be earned in person at chapel service. The other 11 credits will be earned by participating in spiritual growth opportunities.

Earning Credits in a Core Community Group

Join a core community group composed of a mentor and one to six other students. Traditional Traditional students can earn a total of 21 spiritual growth credits by attending ten chapel services in person and earning their remaining 11 credits by joining a core community group headed by a faculty or staff mentor. Attending the required ten chapels as a group is suggested, but not required.

How can I track my spiritual growth credits?

The iAttended app makes it easy to log your attendance, track your completed credits and see the progress you’ve made toward your spiritual growth requirements for the semester.

If you do not have a smartphone, or if no event code or QR code is provided at an event, be sure to communicate with the event host and provide that person your name and student ID number.

Can I host spiritual growth programs?

Yes! Students are strongly encouraged to host spiritual growth programs. To host a program, you will need to have an on-campus faculty or staff advisor who is able to agree to Warner’s statement of faith. If you’re interested in sponsoring an event for credit, the Office of Student Life is here to help! You can get started by submitting a spiritual growth programming request form.

I am a staff or faculty member that wants to host a spiritual growth opportunity.

Do I have to attend Chapel?

We want every student to feel God’s love through the chapel experience. However, if you feel you will be unable to attend chapel due to your class schedule, internship experience or some other extenuating factor, you may apply to be considered for a spiritual growth credit exemption.

What happens if I don’t complete my spiritual growth credits for the semester?

Spiritual growth credits are a requirement for all traditional students.

• Residential students must complete ten in-person chapel credits, plus 11 additional spiritual growth credits before the end of the semester.
• Commuter students must earn a total of 16 spiritual growth credits, but may earn them however they choose (chapel, in-person or virtual events, on- or off-campus activities).

For full details, please consult our Spiritual Life Requirements page.