..Welcome to the Sullivan Center for Innovative Ministry

The SC in our name could stand for lots of things:

:: Surveying culture

:: Sustainable change

:: Substantial collaboration

:: Supportive communication

:: Sponsoring companionship_p

All of these are important to us, but they are only part of our mission in "nurturing partnerships to explore, relate, practice, and reflect for lifelong focused learning in the ministering community."

We asked the question, “What if we pooled the resources of MidAmerica Nazarene University and church communities to educate each other, and put it together under one umbrella?” The Sullivan Center for Innovative Ministry is the result: five different venues to help us pool our growing knowledge -- learning together and from each other. Click on the tabs above to better understand the contribution of each venue.

We believe that the church is Christ’s primary tool for engaging and influencing culture in redemptive ways, and that we are enriched by an open avenue for the exchange of ideas to challenge ongoing growth, as we strive to live out the Kingdom of God. In the tradition of John Wesley, we value a faith that expresses itself through intellect and action with a focus on community.

Why the use of “our” and “we”? These are the words of inclusion and mutuality. You are not alone as you strive to discover new ways to minister through the ancient vehicle called Church. Church will endure and ultimately triumph, in part, because of our commitment to each other through learning and serving.

So observe, participate, practice, think aloud, take a class, join a book group, make some comments, listen to a podcast of someone you may never meet, share a thought you’ve never had a place to share, volunteer to serve, chat with someone who thinks differently than you, take a learning vacation to the campus, or go global – through your connection with the Sullivan Center for Innovative Ministry.

Welcome to our learning community!

Dr. Lori Haynes Niles

Director of the Sullivan Center for Innovative Ministry 

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