Christian Vocations Program

The mission of the Lantz Center for Christian Vocations and Formation is to foster a curriculum that sustains a community of Christian Formation, vocational exploration, mentoring relationships, and Christian service. Named after the sixth president of the University of Indianapolis, G. Benjamin Lantz, Jr., the Center was started in 1998 with his encouragement.

The CVOC curriculum is an integral part of the Lantz Center. The curriculum introduces the student into a spiral of learning as each course takes the student deeper and deeper into the Christian journey of vocaitonal exploration and formation. Not unlike a potter who takes time to center the clay on the spinning wheel, the CVOC courses serve to center the students in Christ. In the context of a community, the students have the opportunity to envision new possibilities for themselves.

During the first year of courses (CVOC-110 and 111), students have the opportunity for vocational exploration while becoming more familiar with the practices of Christian spiritual formation.
In the second year (CVOC-210 and 211), students build on the foundation of exploration and formation they began in the first year by incorporating the practies they have learned into a Rule of Life. As they live their Rule in the company of their classmates, students have the opportunity to reflect on their practice of the Christian faith. They also have the opportunity to develop mentoring skills.
In CVOC-105-01 and CVOC-105-50 ASP, students have the opportunity to volunteer hours of community service and reflect on their experience in light of their Christian faith.
An opportunity for students who want to work in a closely supervised context of practical experience in a particular field of Christian service is offered in an internship (CVOC-406).

These courses may be taken at any point in a student's career provided that this sequence is followed: CVOC-110, followed by (or taken in conjunction with) CVOC-111, then CVOC-210 followed by (or in conjunction with) CVOC-211. Students who participate in all four courses in their career will be invited to participate in the Christian Vocations Commissioning Service to occur each spring. CVOC-105-01 Service Learning has no prerequisite. CVOC-406 has a prerequisite of CVOC-210. Students will also be encouraged to participate in various noncredit retreats, programs, and lectures offered through the Lantz Center. All courses through the center are graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.

Additional information about the courses listed above can be found in the section of the catalog entitled Course Descriptions.