University Passage and Practices

Spiritual Life provides numerous resources to help APU community members deepen their relationship with Christ and with each other, and to offer support and information for the Christian journey.

University Passage

A Legacy of Transformation

Each year, our community selects Scripture to guide us forward, bring us together, and center our hearts on Christ. For this academic year we will turn our attention to Ephesians 3:14-21 as our guiding passage. We hope you commit time to engaging with this passage for personal and communal growth and we look forward to studying together in chapels this year.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

Recent University Passages

• 2025-26 1 Corinthians 2:9
• 2024-25 Nehemiah 2:20
• 2023-24 Romans 12:2
• 2022-23 Matthew 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount)
• 2021-22 Exodus 16 and Matthew 4
• 2020-21 Romans 12
• 2019-20 John 14
• 2018-19: Isaiah 53 and Philippians 2:1-11
• 2017-18: Micah 6:8 and Acts 2:42-47
• 2016-17: Romans 12
• 2015-16: Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Mark 12:28-34
• 2014-15: I AM Statements from the Gospel of John
• 2013-14: Ephesians 4
• 2012-13: James 2

University Practice

Scripture

Connect with a Local Church

Our hope is that every student becomes an active participant within a local church beyond APU ministry and chapel experiences. We believe that it is important to be involved with the body of Christ where young and old worship together. The churches in our area can be dynamic and transforming communities where you can live out discipleship. You may not find one exactly like the one you grew up in, but you may find that God has something new for you to learn about spiritual growth within the body of Christ.

Selecting a Church

Church size, denomination, theological tradition, worship style, pastoral leadership, opportunities for college-age students, and distance from campus are just a few of the many things to prayerfully consider when selecting a local church. Students also often ask about which churches are “safe” in terms of promoting healthy, Christ-centered relationships, so here are a few tips to help you navigate the decision-making process:

Some Signs of a Healthy Church

• Visionary, empowering, and accountable leadership
• Positive relationships among pastoral staff and leadership
• Missional focus that embraces community and global engagement
• Healthy process for conflict resolution
• Clear statement of beliefs consistent with historical Christian faith
• Relational connectedness throughout congregation
• Celebration in corporate worship

Some Signs of an Unhealthy Church

• Overly dependent focus on pastoral leadership
• Secretive or unethical leadership practices
• Lack of mission and vision
• Intolerance for differences of opinion or healthy conflict
• Dysfunctional patterns in congregational relationships (exclusive, emotionally fused, shaming, lack of connection, spiritually abusive)
• Does not value theological education
• Lack of spiritual vitality in corporate worship