Spiritual Formation Opportunities (SFOs) are part of the distinctive Malone experience and contribute to the holistic growth of each student.
At Malone, every full-time student is required to earn SFO credits each semester. Why? Since its founding, Malone has educated students holistically: emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually. As an unapologetically Christian institution, Malone views SFOs as an integral part of a student's education. The attendance requirement for all full-time undergraduate students is 15 SFOs per semester. Students can choose from hundreds of SFOs offered each semester. Options include larger group gatherings to small group studies, with diverse leaders and topics.
SFOs
Life Groups
Small groups focused on biblical study, spiritual disciplines and faith integration. Please see our Life Group Page for a list of this semester's Life Groups. See the MU Events Calendar for the complete schedule, as each Life Group does not necessarily occur weekly.
Nurses Christian Fellowship
Student-led gathering of nursing majors for mutual support and connection. Bi-weekly Mondays 10:05-10:45 a.m. in RH-208.
Community Worship
Large-group worship service with song, Scripture, sermon and prayer. Wednesdays 10:05-10:45 a.m. in the JC Worship Center. Services are also on YouTube.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Features Christian speakers with an athletic background who talk about their faith journey. Held occasional Wednesdays from 7-8pm in the Stewart Room (Barn). Malone Athletics is partnered with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Celebration
Student-led worship service with music and teaching. Bi-weekly Thursdays from 8:30-9:30 p.m. in the JC Chapel (smaller chapel space).
Fireside
Story-style teaching, acoustic worship and Spirit-led prayer. Held monthly at 7:30 p.m. in the Stewart Room (Barn).
Be:Justice
Focuses on the interaction of biblical faith and justice-related issues. Meets on occasional Fridays from 10:05-10:45 a.m. in the Stewart Room (RCC-Barn).
All SFOs will be clearly communicated via campus email, on the iAttended App, and on the MU Events Calendar and Instagram.
SFO Guidelines and Procedures
All SFOs are in-person so that students can worship and learn while present and in community with one another. Online SFOs are not offered.
Students use the iAttended app on their phone to scan for attendance at each Spiritual Formation Opportunity. Semester attendance counts may be viewed on the iAttended app. Late-arriving students will not be allowed to scan for credit. Any discrepancies in your SFO credits must be addressed with the Office of Spiritual Formation within 10 days of the event. No adjustments will be made after this time period. All full-time undergraduate students are required to attend 15 SFOs per semester.
Students not meeting the minimum expectation of Spiritual Formation Opportunities will receive a fine on their Malone account. These fines will be assessed at the end of the semester and are processed through the Malone University Business Office. The number of credits will determine the amount of the fine. For example, 14 credits = $35 fine; 13 credits = $70 fine, etc. The money received from these fines will benefit future Malone students attending the annual Jubilee Conference via the Office of Spiritual Formation.
Students who are enrolled in EDUC 460/Student Teaching as well as students in SWK 440/460 are exempt from the SFO participation requirement. Nursing students in their final senior semester clinicals are required to attend 7 SFOs instead of 15.
Our office understands the needs of students and welcomes a healthy and productive discourse about Spiritual Formation guidelines at Malone. If you find yourself in an extenuating life circumstance or are unsure if the requirement applies to you, please use the form found here to begin a conversation with us. Please note that completion of this form does not guarantee an in-person meeting, a reduction, or an exemption. All forms will be considered and a response or request for a meeting will be emailed to you. Forms must be submitted within the first month of the semester.