Welcome to Converse College! We believe nurturing the spiritual life is an integral part of your college experience at Converse. Through the Chaplain’s Office we offer a wide variety of experiences designed to foster and support spiritual growth.

In the Founder’s Ideal, Dexter Edgar Converse, desired “that the instruction and influence of Converse College be always such that the students may be enabled to see clearly, to decide wisely, and to act justly” within the context of a college that is “always truly religious, but never denominational” and “to be liberally and tolerantly Christian.” To that end we have a diverse array of Christian student groups who offer programming for our students… extend gracious hospitality and generous respect to persons from all religious traditions.

Worship Opportunities at Converse College

SHILOH: a worship gathering

Shiloh is based on four principles: Worship, Art, Communion, and Scripture.

Shiloh also incorporates fellowship time before and after the worship service. Students gather before worship to share a Common Meal provided by local churches. After the service, Shiloh Groups provide an area to discuss and question spiritual themes brought to the surface during worship.

Shiloh meets every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in Gibbs Chapel. The Common Meal meets at 6:00 p.m. before Shiloh and the Shiloh Groups meet at 8:30 p.m. after Shiloh.

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WEEKLY PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES IN CHAPEL

Morning and Evening Prayer
Wednesdays in Gibbs Chapel

Start your day off with a time of prayer and reflection beginning at 8:15 a.m. and end your day with prayer and reflection beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Midday Prayer on Mondays at 12:30 p.m. led by Dr. Jean Dunbar and Dr. Laura Brown

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PASTORAL PRESENCE

The Religious Life program is overseen by the Reverend Jason Loscuito, the College Chaplain and ordained Baptist minister. Jason completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Samford University and his Master of Theological Studies degree at The Boston University School of Theology. He is married to Chamlee McGuire Loscuito and together they have a daughter, Abigail.

Jason seeks to provide spiritual and intellectual guidance to a diverse faith community of students, faculty, and staff through worship, pastoral care, dialogue and counseling. The Founder’s Ideal sets forth the “desire and hope that Converse College always be truly religious, but never denominational…to be really, but liberally and tolerantly, Christian.” Jason works with students, faculty, and staff to offer a variety of programs and events, which emphasizes the vitality of faith and learning, examines challenging ethical and social issues, raises awareness of and celebrates differences, and fosters greater knowledge and understanding of all religious and spiritual development.

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CAMPUS MINISTRIES

• Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM)
  
  The Baptist Collegiate Ministry is an organization sponsored by South Carolina Baptist churches. It is for all students who will come and be a part. The primary purposes of the BCM are to assist and encourage students toward spiritual growth and to provide opportunities for developing meaningful, supportive friendships. Activities include Bible studies, informal worship, recreational events, community service projects, and retreats. Most BCM programs are held at the Baptist Student Center, located off campus at 529 North Church Street.
  
  
• Campus Crusade For Christ
  
  The purpose of this organization is to aid students spiritually through Bible studies and meetings. This organization strives to become a spiritual resource for the campus. Membership is open to any student wishing to join.
  
  
• Canterbury Club
  
  Canterbury Club is a Christian Fellowship organization that is sponsored by the Episcopal Church. Activities include Bible study, Communion, game nights, and more. Meetings are usually held on Sunday evenings. All students are welcome, regardless of denomination.
  
  
• Converse College Gospel Choir
  The purpose of this organization is to promote a spirit of unity and Christian fellowship through song and praise. The organization will also promote a spirit of loyalty, service, and fellowship to the Converse community.
  
  
• Newman Club
  
  The purpose of this organization is to administer to the needs of all Roman Catholic students and faculty, as well as to all others who wish to participate. Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Newman Club is affiliated with St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and Our Risen Savior Catholic Church in Spartanburg.
  
  
• Presbyterian Student Association (PSA)
  
  The Presbyterian Student Association is an exciting group of college students from Converse, Wofford, USCS, and SMC. PSA strives to create an environment to build community by developing a stronger faith among its members. Faith is built through retreats, coffeehouses, attending PC(USA) churches, weekly bible studies, share groups, service projects, clowning, spring break mission trips, weekend escapes, challenging discussions and weekly speakers. Worship, fellowship, and service are all incorporated.
  
  For information of when we meet on YOUR campus, please call us at 864.582.5600 or check out our website at www.spartanburgpsa.org
  
  
• Student Christian Association
  
  The Student Christian Association (SCA) coordinates monthly meetings including the participation of the various Christian groups on campus.
  
  Because Dexter Edgar Converse founded our college as “truly religious, but never denominational,” every student is encouraged to become actively involved in SCA. It is not exclusively for any particular type of Christian. SCA strives to create an atmosphere in which the student may develop as a person and have an opportunity to act upon her beliefs on the campus and in the community.
  
  SCA meetings are a time for fellowship through songs, prayers, speakers, skits and bible studies. SCA also sponsor Communion, coffeehouses, prayer meetings, and other special activities. Additionally, SCA sponsors special worship services such as a Thanksgiving service, an Ash Wednesday service, and Candlelight Services. SCA’s weekly planning Cabinet meeting is required for officers, but open to everyone.
  

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RELIGIOUS EMPHASIS WEEK

Religious Emphasis Week recognizes the lives of Converse College’s various religious groups by hosting spiritually based events. These activities encourage students, faculty, staff and other participants to explore other faith traditions as well as their own. Learn how others from your own faith might worship in a different context. Share your story, or listen to others speak of their paths. Search for God on your journey.

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LINKS

Method-X Reviews
MethodX (the way of Christ) is an online Christian community where young adults (college to 30s) can identify and explore their relationships with God and with others. The website offers articles, news, and reviews on films, music and books.

HollywoodJesus.com
Pop culture from a spiritual point of view. Visual movie reviews, with explorations into the deeper more profound meaning behind film, music and pop culture.

PracticingOurFaith.org
This website offers resources for people who yearn to live in ways that are attentive to the active presence of God and supportive of the well-being of themselves, others, and the world.

SpiritualityHealth.com
Spiritual practices for human being This website reports on the people, the practices, and the ideas of the current spiritual renaissance, offers self-tests, guidance on spiritual practices, reviews of the latest resources for people on spiritual journeys, inspiration and insights from leading teachers, researchers, and practitioners, and a forum for the active exchange of ideas among various disciplines and communities.

Taizé
A spiritual community.

UpperRoom.org
Visit upperroom.org for The Upper Room daily devotional; Upper Room books and magazines on Christian spirituality, Weavings, Alive Now, Pockets, DevoZine, and El Aposento Alto; Emmaus and Chrysalis; prayer requests; chapel and museum.

WayOfTheMaster.com
This website wants to help you learn how to share your faith simply, effectively, biblically…the way Jesus did.

You'll find plenty of FREE material focused on helping you reach the lost, including: answers to the top 100 most commonly asked questions about the Christian faith, online witnessing aids, free audio lessons, monthly columns written by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort, free email newsletter, Bible study tools, memory verses, and much more.

Gospelcom.net
Gospel Communications Network is an alliance of over 300 Christian organizations dedicated to spreading the Gospel over the Internet's World Wide Web. They offer Devotionals, Bible studies, PDA resources, Online streaming media, Resources for church leaders, Family and parenting resources and much more.

BibleStudyTools.net (also CrossWalk.com)
This website offers fresh and compelling biblically-based content to Christians who take seriously their relationship with Christ. Crosswalk.com is built around four primary content areas – Faith, Family, Fun and Community. Each category is further subdivided into areas of significance to many Christians, including Bible Study, Devotionals, Marriage, Parenting, Music, etc.

They provide timely, relevant, life-enhancing material from qualified, respected Christian sources, including major ministries such as Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answerman and Insight For Living.

TheOoze.com
Conversation for the Journey

TheOoze.com Conversation for the Journey THEOOZE is dedicated to the emerging Church culture, providing a place for open communication on issues of community, culture, faith and ministry. Also, organizing the premiere annual event for this audience, called Soularize.

ExploreFaith.org
Spiritual guidance for anyone seeking a path to God.

Explorefaith.org is dedicated to providing information, thoughts and insights about God, faith and spirituality. We are not equipped to handle crisis intervention. If you are experiencing a crisis in your life, please contact your local church and/or crisis intervention service for counseling and assistance.

beliefnet.com
Beliefnet offers features on religion, spirituality, faith, health, prayer, the Bible, holistic lifestyle, and more.

weavings.org
Weavings journal is a bi-monthly publication that seeks to promote informed, committed spiritual growth with attention to the corporate dimension of the spiritual life. Such growth, to which laity and clergy alike are called, embraces all those expressions of discipline and discipleship that mark the Christian's response to God's work of weaving together the torn fabric of life.

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