As a community committed to Christian thought, behavior, and Christ-centered relationships with others and with God, Spring Arbor University has certain spiritual life expectations and opportunities.

One of the primary reasons leading students to come to Spring Arbor University is the Christian nurture that is offered within the context of earning a university degree. Along with the nurture that is provided by Christian faculty and staff, the support that comes from Christ-centered relationships and the opportunities for service, the Chapel program is provided to encourage spiritual growth and worship by drawing the students into a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Chapel services are held Monday and Wednesday morning at 10:10 a.m. in the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church. There are a few times that Chapel is held on different days of the week, but students can know of those changes by referring to the semester Chapel schedule. There are about 26 Chapels per semester.

Because the University considers Chapel an essential part of a distinctly Christian liberal arts education, attendance is required and recorded. Each student has an attendance record that is kept in the Student Development Office.

Chapel attendance is taken by cards that are available as students enter Chapel and are collected after Chapel. Attendance cards are available until 10:12. Students arriving after this time and until 10:20 are given a "Late Card." Three "Late Cards" are considered an absence. Early departure from Chapel is considered an absence. The Tuesday or Thursday chapels begin at 1:00 p.m. and the timeframe for distributing cards remains the same.

Please become familiar with the following Chapel attendance guidelines:

Attendance is required for:
1. All RESIDENT STUDENTS living in the University's residence halls, apartments, and houses.

2. All full-time undergraduate COMMUTER STUDENTS (12 credit hours or more) living in the 49283 zip code area.

3. All full-time COMMUTER STUDENTS living outside the 49283 zip code area who have a class immediately before AND after Chapel.

All students who are not required to attend as an outcome of this policy are still encouraged to attend whenever they are able to do so.

If you need to miss Chapel:
1. Six Chapel misses are permitted during each semester for such reasons as class trips, athletic events, illness, or other personal circumstances. Required attendance for class activities that would force a student to miss Chapel are not considered over and above these six misses, but one of them. On your fifth absence, and every absence thereafter, you will receive an e-mail notication.

2. Petitions for circumstances relating to regular employment or child care are available in the Student Development Office. Petitions are considered on their merit and are subject to the final decision of the Student Development Office. Observation hours for Teacher Education and substitute teaching are not conditions for petition.

3. Appeals of decisions regarding attendance or petitions are to be made in writing to the Student Development Office within 24 hours of receiving the decision. After this time frame, the decisions will be final.

4. The Accountability Plan as follows applies to students who exceed the six misses that are provided.

Absence 7: Chapel Probation for the following semester, with a maximum of four allowable absences. You can expect to be dismissed if you exceed this maximum.

Absence 8: Chapel Probation and Dismissal Warning; Appointment with the Vice President for Student Development; Notification of Parents.

Absence 9: Semester Dismissal from SAC beginning the following semester.

If you have any questions about Chapel attendance, they can be answered in the Student Development Office.

Spiritual Life
Along with campus programming, students are encouraged to make personal choices that will reflect their desire to grow in their relationship with Christ. If students need help in setting up or organizing an effective devotional life and don't know where to go for help, they are encouraged to stop by the Chaplain's Office where help and direction is available.

Students are encouraged to take part in campus activities that nurture spiritual growth such as: By-The-Book, Spiritual Life Retreat, mission trips, floor fellowships and small groups.

Sunday morning worship is encouraged and available at the church of the student's choice. If students need help finding a church, the Student Development Office can be of assistance.

Outreach/Spiritual Life Activities
Many different opportunities exist for ministry both on and off campus. The following is a partial list.

Outreach Programs
Action Jackson
Arbor Manor Care Center
Interfaith Shelter Ministries
Hands on Detroit
Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip
NYC (New York City) Spring Break Trip
Mexico Spring Break Trip

Spiritual Life Activities
Accountability Partners
Bible Study Groups
Biblical Manhood small groups
Devotional Library & Resources (Chaplain's Office)
"Heed the Man" Men's Conference
"Kindred Sisters" Women's Conference
Prayer Groups
Small Groups
Spiritual Life Retreat October
By-The-Book - Every Wednesday