The Living Learning Floors at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Trinity Graduate School exist to assist students in the integration of theological reflection with practical application that meets needs for both personal growth and ministry engagement in a residential living community.
We believe that the best opportunity to learn and grow holistically occurs when theological reflection, personal development and experiential learning meet. Combining the elements of classroom learning, living experiences and a caring community, the Living Learning Floors create an intentional environment designed to engage ideas, become bravely introspective and reflective, and build into one another and the larger Trinity community.
Spiritual Formation Floor
The Spiritual Formation Floor relies upon reading Scripture together, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the accountability of community to seek spiritual development and emotional healing in relationships with God and one another. It also engages spiritual disciplines and formation principles from the historic church to equip students with tools for a sustainable and Christ-centered spirituality.
Location: The Spiritual Formation Floor is located in the Owen’s Residence Hall (Owens 800), which is a co-ed environment.
Community Involvement: Residents on the Spiritual Formation Floor lead an undergraduate Life Together Group. Each group includes 4-10 undergraduate students and meets on campus Mondays at 11am-12pm. Scripture portions and reflection questions are provided and weekly floor meetings provide support and guidance for this ministry.
Cost: Current housing rates
Recommended courses: EM 5510 Christian Formation and Journey, ST 7070 Models of Sanctification
Social Justice Floor & CCDA Academic Chapter
Trinity is proud to be the home of one of the nation’s first Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Academic Chapters, functioning within the context of expanding mutually beneficial partnerships in Trinity’s Mosaic Ministries. Students in the chapter will participate in a unique curriculum of service learning in partnership with local leaders, including place-based learning, weekly discussions, large group events, and special training throughout the year.
The CCDA Academic Chapter seeks to impact our local community and build students’ relationship with Christ, learning to understand his heart for Social Justice through Biblical and theological reflection.
Students will be given the opportunity to reflect on their own experience in North Chicago as well as stories, case studies, and articles with the instruction and leadership of unique CCDA curriculum including a focus on the 8 key components:
- Reconciliation
- Relocation
- Redistribution
- Leadership Development
- Listening to the Community
- Church-Based
- Holistic Approach
- Empowerment
Read more about Trinity’s relationship with CCDA.
Location: The Social Justice Floor is located in the Owen’s Residence Hall (Owens 800), but students living off campus can be involved by committing to the requirements of the floor.
Expected Outcomes
- Learned cultural intelligence that can be utilized in multiple contexts.
- Holistic spiritual formation through study, service, and reflection/prayer; Leadership development in multi-cultural context to produce global leaders; Cultural engagement with globally diverse local community.
- Evangelical leaders who can articulate a biblical theology of ministries of mercy and justice and understand Christian witness within a racialized society.
- Cost: Current housing rates
Recommended Courses
Students participating in the Social Justice Floor or Circle Group Leadership are highly recommended to consider registering for one of the following courses during their first time in leadership:
- PT 7860 | Social and Cultural Exegesis
- CO 7900 | Multicultural Counseling
- ME 6760 | Theology of Mission & Evangelism
Additionally, students interested in this floor might also be interested in the MDiv emphasis in Compassion & Justice.
Community Benefits
- Up to 2 Field Education Credits
- Leadership development training and opportunities
- Mentoring
- Practical engagement with classroom content
- Dialogue and growth with fellow residents who facilitate thoughtful integration of ideas and practical living
- Intentional community living
Community Commitments
- Weekly floor meetings
- Participation in local ministry either on or off campus (Field Education)
- Fall and Spring floor retreats
Apply Now
If you are already a student, or are accepted for Fall 2013, apply now!
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the Living Learning Floors, please feel free to contact us:
Assistant Resident Director Michael Roop | zmroop@tiu.edu
Resident Director Heather Rosenberg | hrosenbe@tiu.edu