A Christ-centered Focus

It is the conviction of Bethany Lutheran College that the Bible in its entirety is the inerrant, inspired and powerful word of God which explains, offers and gives salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and is the sole authority for faith and life. It is also our hope that all students will have this same conviction as their own. In order to encourage and strengthen this conviction, Bethany provides a number of spiritual life services to which all students are invited.

Chapel Service
Chapel Service is the time of the day when all students and faculty gather together as a community. This devotional time gives opportunity to hear, ponder, and benefit from the teachings and events of the Bible. A time for a devotional response through prayers, hymns, etc., is also provided. All students are expected to attend Chapel Service daily, which lasts from 10:00 to 10:15 a.m. when classes are in session.

Vespers Service
Every Wednesday from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. a Vespers Service will be held in the chapel. This service provides a nice break from studies and a time of spiritual refreshment during the middle of the week.

Bible Studies
Bible studies will be conducted at times to be announced. These provide students with opportunities to hear, discuss, and raise questions about the teachings of God's word.

Sunday Worship Services
All our students are cordially invited to attend regularly the services of our college churches, Mt. Olive Lutheran, located at the corner of Marsh and McConnell Streets, a few blocks east of the campus or Peace Lutheran Church located in Upper North Mankato. Services at Mt. Olive are 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Mt. Olive also offers an adult Bible study between services beginning at 9:45. Peace Lutheran services begin at 8 and 10:30 a.m. The pastors are willing to assist the students in their spiritual needs in any way possible. Mount Olive's office phone number is 507-345-4966. You may reach the pastor of Peace Lutheran at 507-385-1386. If you prefer to worship elsewhere, feel free to check the list of area churches that is posted around campus.

Lutherans for Life
This student organization will sponsor activities that educate people about and promote the pro-life cause. The times and places of the meetings will be announced in the daily bulletin.

Christ in the Classroom
To promote spiritual life on campus, Bethany offers a number of religion courses (one is required each semester), daily chapel services, mid-week Vespers, informal Bible studies, and several Christian student organizations. Students are encouraged to make the most of these opportunities so that when they leave Bethany, they will be equipped with a sound moral base, a sense of purpose, and an awareness of what is truly important in life.

The One Thing Needful

As a Christian institution, Bethany Lutheran College places utmost importance on spiritual affairs. It is the belief of the college that the Word of God is the one thing needful – it is the foundation on which Bethany stands.

Bethany's academic and extracurricular programs are infused with the Gospel of Christ. Course material is taught through the Christian worldview. Daily matins services, weekly vespers services, and other opportunities for worship are held in Bethany's beautiful Trinity Chapel. The choirs proclaim His good news in song.

Do I have to be Lutheran to attend Bethany?
No. Bethany accepts students from all Christian faiths. While approximately 75% of our students are Lutheran, most other Christian faiths are represented on the campus.

As a student, do I have to attend chapel?
We tell all students that we expect them to attend chapel. The only religion requirement we have at Bethany is that all full-time underclassmen take a two-credit religion course each semester. Upperclassmen must take one such course each year.