Graduate Attributes

Graduate Attributes are the characteristics, attitudes and skills that students should possess upon completion of their training program at the Crossway College. The training programs at college are geared towards achieving these outcomes. They reflect the vision, values and ethos of the college. They also communicate to the wider Christian community what it may expect from college graduates in ministry and mission.

Crossway graduates are expected to demonstrate the following attributes:

1) They will be passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.

Graduates will maintain a vibrant relationship with God, be passionate about following Jesus and walk by the Spirit in every area of life. They will seek to love God above all else and others as themselves in attitudes, words and deeds. They will be imitators of Jesus, obey His Word, deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus wherever He may lead (Mark 8:34).

2) They will have a sound knowledge of the Bible.

Graduates will have an in-depth and comprehensive knowledge of the Bible. They will be committed to the infallibility and authority of the Bible as God’s Word in everything pertaining to salvation and the Christian life (2 Tim 3:14-17). They will do their best to be good teachers of the Bible who correctly explain the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).

3) They will have genuine humility and demonstrate faithfulness in life and ministry.

Graduates will live lives of holiness, prayer, humility and faithfulness. They will be willing to acknowledge their shortcomings and mistakes, and be open to receive constructive criticism and advice. They will do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility will consider others better than themselves (Phil 2:3). They will be prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ, knowing that “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

4) They will be effective communicators of the Gospel.

Graduates will know the Gospel and will be eager and able to communicate the Gospel, especially in word, but also through writing and other media, in ways that are culturally sensitive and intelligible to others. They will have compassionate hearts, listening empathetically to people in their particular contexts. They will be ready to preach the Word at any time with patience and care (2 Tim 4:2), trying to persuade people to believe the Gospel and to become followers of Jesus (2 Cor 5:11).

5) They will have a great commitment to God’s mission.

Graduates will be aware of the needs and opportunities of local and global mission. They will endeavour to see the coming of God’s kingdom in every sphere of life, strive for justice for the poor and work towards community transformation. They will be passionately committed to and will be active in working towards the fulfilment of the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-20).

6) They will be committed to team ministry and servant leadership.

Graduates will be committed to the local church as the family of God and as their context for ministry and base for mission (Heb 10:24-25). They will work enthusiastically and cooperatively with others in ministry teams. They will be open to Christians across various evangelical denominations and churches (Luke 9:49-50). As leaders they will be disciple-makers, following the Lord Jesus in serving, leading by example, and training and mentoring other leaders (Mark 10:43-45).

7) They will be competent in basic ministry skills.

Graduates will be competent in basic ministry skills, including preaching, teaching, leading and caring for people. They will use their gifts to implement constructive change in the church and community (1 Tim 4:6-16). They will be culturally attuned and flexible in dealing with a range of issues (1 Cor 9:19-23). They will embrace accountability and maintain professional standards in various contexts. They will be “salt and light” in the world (Matt 5:13-14) and be able to “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph 4:12).

8) They will be committed to life-long learning and personal growth.

Graduates will be proactive in expanding their knowledge and abilities. They will be open to new challenges, be willing to face unfamiliar problems and accept wider responsibilities. They will continue to grow in faith, knowledge and maturity, “forgetting what is behind and pressing … toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14).