Elevation Church's University Programs: A New Chapter in Faith-Based Education
Elevation Church, led by Pastor Steven Furtick, has announced plans to launch its own college program, Elevation College, in 2026, marking a significant step in the church's evolution. This initiative, a partnership with Southeastern University (SEU), a Florida-based institution, signals a new direction for the megachurch, potentially impacting its theological stance and operational practices. The move into higher education raises questions about governance, finance, and the overall impact on students seeking an immersive experience in megachurch ministry.
Partnership with Southeastern University
Elevation College represents a strategic alliance between Elevation Church and Southeastern University. For the last decade, SEU has been partnering with churches across the country to create access to affordable, faith-based, need-oriented education. Under this arrangement, Elevation College will effectively function as an extension site. According to MinistryWatch, SEU has aggressively pursued this model, boasting more than 200 partner sites nationwide.This partnership allows students to earn degrees while living at home, making higher education more accessible. Fitzgerald expects the Fall 2026 semester to be a hybrid model with some online and some in-person courses.
Theological Implications
For nearly 20 years, Elevation Church was the SBC’s best-kept secret. To the average attender or online viewer, Elevation was simply “Elevation” - a brand unto itself. That tenuous and secret relationship finally snapped in June 2023 after the SBC’s move to expel Saddleback Church and Fern Creek Baptist Church for allowing women in pastoral roles. The church gave no official reason, but the timing was unmistakable. Elevation Church's partnership with SEU signals a theological pivot. By partnering with SEU, Elevation aligns itself with a tradition that structurally resembles the SBC but theologically diverges from it. This drift mirrors Furtick’s own theological trajectory. While he holds a master of divinity from Southern Seminary, his preaching and public associations have increasingly leaned toward the charismatic. Furtick has famously referred to controversial Pentecostal preacher and Dallas-based television personality T.D. Furthermore, Elevation Worship - the church’s massive and tentacular music arm - has played a key role in mainstreaming Pentecostal theology into the Contemporary Christian Music scene. However, the partnership offers a new pathway for credentialing. SEU’s programs frequently provide the academic requirements for licensure and ordination within the Assemblies of God.
Ministry Experience and Practical Training
Elevation Church already has a ministry internship program for students to gain hands-on ministry experience in areas such as technology, production, and administration. Elevation College will likely build upon this foundation, providing students with an immersive experience in megachurch ministry.
Governance and Financial Transparency
While the new college offers students an immersive experience in megachurch ministry, questions regarding governance and finance remain. If Elevation indeed wants to operate under SEU’s auspices, accreditation standards will likely force the church to revise its financial practices, as Christian accreditors have little patience for financial obsurity. Elevation Church does not file a Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service.
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Denominational Affiliations and Shifts
In June 2023, Elevation Church withdrew its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention, giving no specific reason about its departure. Earlier that month, the SBC had voted to expel two churches, Saddleback and Fern Creek, from the denomination because they have women pastors.
Potential Challenges and Criticisms
Critics of this model argue it can foster theological insularity. While the partnership with SEU offers numerous benefits, it also raises concerns about potential theological limitations.
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