Mission, Values and Faith
The Bluffton University Mission
“Shaped by the historic peace church tradition and nourished by a desire for excellence in all phases of its programs, Bluffton University seeks to prepare students of all backgrounds for life as well as vocation, for responsible citizenship, for service to all peoples and, ultimately, for the purposes of God’s universal kingdom.”
Four Enduring Values
Bluffton’s enduring values of DISCOVERY, COMMUNITY, RESPECT and SERVICE set Bluffton apart from other institutions. Bluffton provides an educational experience that teaches Christian Values in a Global Community - or put in another way - living out faith with purpose through the Mennonite values of peacemaking and service.
- DISCOVERY speaks to the explorative nature of Bluffton’s academic life and cross-cultural experiences, of making new friends, growing your personal faith and discovering your purpose in the world.
- COMMUNITY is seen in the rich collaboration that takes place between professors, students and
staff. The residential nature of campus leads to interaction, inclusiveness and lifelong
friendships.
- RESPECT means appreciating diversity, valuing the faith and opinions of others and caring for the environment. Respect and honesty are a way of life at Bluffton.
- SERVICE is expressed through a call for faith-based stewardship. You will have opportunities
to discover the needs of the world and will be prepared to make a difference through
your chosen vocation.
Our Commitment
At the core of Bluffton’s mission is to prepare students of all backgrounds for life, vocation and service to all people.
The ultimate purpose — to serve God’s universal kingdom.
This overarching faith commitment is steeped in the historic Peace Church tradition, a Christian tradition that emphasizes community, respect and service.
Our foundational commitments include:
- We welcome each person and celebrate the diversity in which we have been created as children of God.
- We seek to continually improve our ability to serve the student body by deepening our knowledge of and appreciation for their cultures, gifts and needs.
- We strive to be a Community of Respect where each member of the community is held in mutual high regard and experiences a deep sense of belonging.
- We aspire to guide students in becoming more sensitive toward humankind and in growing their understanding of other races, religions and peoples.
- We aim to cultivate an appreciation of today’s world, its history and its needs.
We hold these commitments in the hope that students will become responsible citizens and leaders who serve the common good.
Faith at Bluffton
Rooted in the Mennonite faith, Bluffton has spent more than 125 years learning, experiencing and bettering the world together. Mennonites believe, with their Christian brothers and sisters, in the great affirmations of faith: God becoming human, the lordship of Christ, the power of the Gospel, the work of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the scriptures.
In the Mennonite heritage, these beliefs lead to distinctive emphases.
- Faith is voluntary.
- Christians are called to a life of love, reconciliation and peacemaking.
- Injustice is to be overcome with good.
- Happiness is more than material well-being.
- Moral authority is more than political power.
- Life is to be lived simply.
- All of nature is a gift of God to be cherished with a sense of gratitude and stewardship.
- Loving, sacrificial service is the highest expression of faithfulness to Christ.
Bluffton University is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. Despite common misconceptions, you’ll not find buggies or horse stables on campus. What you will find is a diverse, welcoming Christian community.
We seek to shape our voluntary chapel worship services in ways that are meaningful to all students, regardless of their religious background. A wide variety of spiritual life organizations and activities are available.
With students from 26 different Christian denominations, 20 states and 11 countries, the Bluffton University campus is very diverse. Shaped by Mennonite values of respect, peacemaking and service, we believe there is great value with people of different backgrounds come together to create one community.
Mennonite organizations and institutions: