SLA Role Description
The SLA plays a vital role within the living areas by fostering an environment that encourages spiritual growth through building relationships, caring for students, and being available to meet their needs. The SLA's purpose is to be of the hands and feet of Christ in the residential community and to share His love. Our Spiritual Life Advisors provide the Pepperdine residential community with a more accessible pastoral presence.
The Spiritual Life Advisor role is a 9.5 month, 15-20 hour per week ministry role beginning in August and terminating with the end of the Spring semester. The SLA should reference the calendar (at the end of the ministry agreement) for specific dates.
Spiritual Life Advisors exist to promote Christ-centered spiritual growth in residential living areas of Pepperdine University. They seek to enter into the lives of those who live around them in formal and informal ways. They provide loving and caring spiritual support for all those in their immediate living community. They work as a team with RAs and other student leaders. Spiritual Life Advisors coordinate weekly small group bible studies, accountability groups and prayer groups. Spiritual Life Advisors also lead their living area in various community service projects throughout the year.
Eligibility
Eligibility to continue in the role of SLA is based on, but not limited to, the expectations listed below. An Exemption Request Form must be submitted, within a reasonable amount of time, in the event of a change in eligibility status.
- To ensure availability, the SLA may not hold the following positions:
- RA
- SGA E-board or class president
- PAC
- President, recruitment chair, or new member educator of any club/organization
- Inter Club Council Executive Board
- Campus Recreation Student Manager
- Campus Recreation Event Coordinator
- PVC: Volunteer Program Coordinator
- PVC: Special Events Coordinator
- PVC: Student Coordinator
- Jumpstart: Corps Member
- Jumpstart: Team Leader
- UM Intern
- Graphic: Editor-in-Chief
- Graphic: Photo Editor
- Graphic: Page Editor
- Yearbook Editor
- Intercultural Affairs Intern
- NSO Counselor or Head Counselor
- An off-campus job or internship requiring more than 10 hours a week
- Member of an NCAA athletic team without prior approval from HRL
SLAs are expected to confer with the Coordinator of the SLA Program regarding the following leadership responsibilities they wish to accept while serving with HRL prior to accepting a role. Should a role be offered, an exemption request will need to be submitted for committee review and approval (Committee may be comprised of the following persons: Housing and Residence Life staff, current RA/SLAs, Seaver faculty, and other Student Affairs staff). Examples of these types of responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Additional positions
- Role in an on-campus play/musical
- Student-led Ministries Coordinator
- SGA elected position
- Project Serve Site Leader
- Dance in Flight
- TV 6 Producer or Director
- Student Teaching
- Campus Ministry Intern
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and status as a full-time student throughout the academic period.
- SLAs are not eligible to continue in the role if placed on any type of disciplinary or academic probation.
- SLAs must live in the room designated by HRL as most advantageous to the opportunities of the role.
Award
SLAs receive a scholarship equal to the cost of their housing for both semesters.
Ministry Details
SLA Fundamentals
- Have an uncompromising commitment to God through Jesus Christ.
- Feel a sense of calling to vocational ministry and/or be considering local church, pastoral, or parachurch ministry as a lifetime calling.
- Be committed to a life of prayer, reading of the Word, and communion with God.
- Live a life in accordance with the Word, with high standards of personal morality and integrity.
- Take the SLA role seriously, giving it the time and energy necessary to bring it to its potential.
- Be a positive representative of HRL and the University.
SLA Responsibilities
- Pray daily for residents.
- Serve as the "Spiritual Shepherd" to students in the assigned living area, creating an atmosphere of encouragement and support for the residents, during daily life, celebration, and times of crisis.
- Seek out individual ministry with residents through being involved and available, showing concern, listening, and praying with them.
- Work at deepening relationships with the residents by planning activities (i.e. hiking, football game, Frisbee, movie night, getting coffee), writing emails and notes, honoring special days (e.g. birthdays), "hanging out," and inviting them places.
- Keep the living area informed of relevant information and upcoming events, and provide them with resources which will help them grow spiritually (local church times, concerts, lectures, etc).
- Lead or help organize a weekly small group or Bible study in your living area each semester.
- Lead or help organize a service project for your living area each semester.
- Attend and take part in living area activities, excursions, and programs (e.g. Step Forward Day).
- Partner with the RAs, collaborating on spiritually enriching activities.
- Make a circuit of the living area a couple of times a week (approximately 6 hours/week).
- Share struggles concerning residents with your Spiritual Life Coordinator (SLC).
- Submit bi-weekly Well Being Forms 24 hours before one-on-one meeting with SLC.
- Participate in the SLA selection process for the following year.
SLA Appointments
- Arrive at Pepperdine for Spiritual Life Advisor Training on August 11, 2011.
- In the fall, spend the week between training and classes, preparing for the Small Group, partnering with the RAs, and completing the SLA Task list.
- Be present for all check-ins.
- Attend the SLA Training each semester (the fall session will be before classes begin; the spring session will be the first weekend before classes have started in January.
- Attend the weekly meetings.
- Attend the Spring SLA Retreat.
Release for Leadership Responsibilities
Housing and Residence Life holds a strong commitment to walk alongside our student staff as they grow and develop. Living out the highest standards of Christian character and integrity is challenging. We recognize that nobody does it perfectly. However, student leaders are not eligible to enter or continue in the program under the following circumstances:
- Failure to maintain eligibility requirements listed above
- Placement on any type of disciplinary or academic probation
- Decisions which irreparably impact the legitimacy and integrity of the student leadership position
- A pattern of irresponsibility related to the expectations outlined above that does not improve with assistance from HRL staff