Student Life in the School of Pastoral Leadership

In SPL, it's all about building community. Taking a group of students with a common goal - to serve God where He may lead - and forging friendships that will last a lifetime. The community that you start here at Vanguard will likely get you through some of the best, and worst, times in ministry for years to come.

The School of Pastoral Leadership endeavors to build strong community in many ways, from posting profiles of each student on our SPL program bulletin board throughout the year, to sports events and conferences. You'll find some of the highlights below.

 

Community Life Groups

Every Vanguard student becomes part of a Community Life Group, meeting for about and hour each week. These small groups or men or women serve as a sounding board when you have a tough week, prayer support, encouragement, discussion groups and just plain relaxation and fun time. What your group will do depends on what your interests are, but the goal of fellowship and prayer remain the standard.

 

Retreats and Conferences

Every year, SPL students take in retreats together, to build program unity, and conferences. Which ones you will be involved with will depend on your year in the program.

You can read about a recent conference experience here, along with some great photos from the trip.

Every SPL student, from LIFT to the BA students, gets to know each other early on at the SPL Retreat - right on the first weekend of school. This retreat gets community off to a rolling start that just keeps building.

 

Community (Inter-program) Initiatives

Each year SPL hosts several gym socials with other Vanguard College programs including a college wide ice skating social called, Vanguard on Ice.

 

ANNUAL EVENTS

SPL is involved with different events throughout the year, including...

  • The "Phusio Cup" Soccer Challenge
    Each year we take on the School of World Discipleship in a soccer challenge outdoors - there's even a great trophy. If you don't get the name - "phusio" - you will soon after taking a Dr. Franklin class!
  • inVision Days
    SPL is involved with the college's annual more-than-an-open-house-event, inVision. For the last couple of years, SPL students have led the inVision Olympics, a late-night challenge for all inVision attendees - again, with a trophy!

There are many more events throughout the year, both formal and informal, that will help you develop lasting community in this program.

 

Connect With SPL Through These Online Resources

Vanguard Live Photo Gallery

Vanguard Vision Updates

Vanguard Message Board - SPL Discussions