About GC

Mission, statement of purpose and affirmations

Goshen College is a liberal arts college dedicated to the development of informed, articulate, sensitive, responsible Christians.

As a ministry of the Mennonite Church, we seek to integrate Christian values with educational, social and professional life. As a community of faith and learning, we strive to foster personal, intellectual, spiritual and social growth in every person. We view education as a moral activity that produces servant-leaders for the church and the world.

For more information about GC's educational mission, statement of purpose and affirmations, contact public relations.

Educational mission

At Goshen College we intend to create a community of faith and learning built on five core values: Christ-centeredness, passionate learning, servant leadership, compassionate peacemaking and global citizenship. In our academic program and campus life students will develop the knowledge, skills and values for:

A life that is CHRIST-CENTERED, with

		a reflective faith that nurtures spiritual growth in individual and corporate contexts
		an active faith that informs all life's choices

A life of PASSIONATE LEARNING, through

		the mastery of a major field of study as the basis for life-long learning, service, relationships, and work in a socially and culturally diverse context
		an extensive foundation of knowledge, skills, processes and methodologies derived from a liberal arts curriculum that are required for systematic study and problem solving

A life of SERVANT LEADERSHIP, based on

		a leadership ability that empowers self and others
		a healthy understanding of self and others that is reflected in relationships of interdependence and mutual accountability

A life of COMPASSIONATE PEACEMAKING with

		a personal integrity that fosters the ability to resolve conflict and to promote justice
		a commitment to diversity in all of its forms both conceptually and in practice

A life of GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP with

		an intercultural openness with the ability to function effectively with people of other world views
		a responsible understanding of stewardship for human systems and the environment in a multicultural world

Goshen College's academic program is integrated into all aspects of college life, curricular and co-curricular. We encourage students to learn and grow beyond the parameters of their discipline-based training, to recognize the powerful connection between the disciplines, and between the education of the mind, body and spirit.

Approved by the Goshen College Board of Directors – Jan. 31, 2004

Statement of purpose

The Statement of Purpose was approved by the faculty (March 15, 1979), the Board of Overseers (Oct. 22-23, 1979) and the Mennonite Board of Education (Aug. 4-5, 1980), and was re-affirmed by these bodies in 1986.

Goshen College, a liberal-arts educational center for the transmission, enrichment, enlargement and embodiment of the Anabaptist-Mennonite vision of the church as a community of faith for the work of God in the world, seeks to develop informed, articulate, sensitive, responsible Christian disciples.

A bachelor's-degree-granting institution sponsored by the Mennonite Church, Goshen College is open to all students interested in an educational program which is committed to biblical faith and practice as revealed and demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

As a ministry of the Mennonite Church, Goshen College intends to enrich and extend the life of the church and its mission in the world by transmitting and exploring Christian faith and discipleship; by relating Christian perspectives and values to learning and professional life; by encouraging active participation and leadership in congregations; and by expanding the influence of such ideals as love and peace, justice and order, stewardship and benevolence.

As a liberal-arts college, Goshen strives to be a community of educators and students providing a learning environment which fosters personal, social, intellectual and spiritual growth; which nurtures those skills, processes, disciplines and methodologies required for systematic study and problem solving; which provides sufficient knowledge in one subject area as a base for advanced training or professional work; which develops an appreciation for and critical understanding of human experience and cultural variety; which builds confidence, acceptance and identity necessary for purposeful living in church and society.

As a center of continuing study and research on issues of importance to the church and larger society and as a center for continuing education and public service, Goshen expects to assist Mennonite congregations and agencies and the community of Elkhart and surrounding counties through the increase and dissemination of knowledge in research, writing and publications, by providing life-long educational and cultural activities, and by encouraging expanded awareness and more responsible service in the world.

Affirmations

The governing boards and faculty of Goshen College view the college as an educational institution giving concrete expression to their faith in God and Christian mission in the world. They affirm the doctrine and practice of the Mennonite Church as interpreted by the Mennonite General Assembly and formulated in such documents as the 1995 "Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective."

The Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition of biblical faith provides the theological emphases that give Goshen College its distinctive character. While the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ can never be summarized in brief statements, we offer the following affirmations as guidelines for the expression of our faith and as perspectives guiding the educational program.

First, we acknowledge the reality of God the creator of all things, transcendent source of power in the universe, the sovereign ruler of peoples.

Second, we recognize Jesus Christ as Son of God, as Lord of Life, and as Savior from the bondage of sin. Through His life, death and resurrection, the kingdom of God has been inaugurated, and through the Spirit His rule extends over all powers and authorities. We accept the Great Commission as a call to bring the message of our risen Lord to all the world so that all people might be saved.

Third, we affirm the Believers Church as defining both the shape and mission of the church. Central to this view are such emphases as voluntarism, fellowship, sharing, discernment, discipline, mission, evangelism, celebration. The character of the Believers Church is that of a peoplehood which transcends and overcomes cultural, national, racial and ethnic boundaries.

Fourth, we consider the Christian life to be a life of discipleship, a personal response of faith and obedience to the grace of God which frees us from sin. We believe that the call of discipleship leads to a life of holiness, witness and service to humanity in the spirit and power of Jesus.

Fifth, we understand that the "good news," the gospel of the kingdom, includes peacemaking, evangelism, love and social justice in a world characterized by violence, oppression and injustice. We are committed to healing and hope for all people everywhere, especially disadvantaged peoples.

Sixth, we regard education as a process not only for the developing of skills and comprehension of information but also for the development of character and acquiring of sensibilities. As such, education is a moral activity, value-laden and involves the whole person in the determination of choices and the assimilation of change. The learning process best takes place in a context of community where mutuality and caring characterize all relationships.