Faith at CMU

At CMU, faith and learning are not parallel tracks—they are deeply intertwined. The university’s commitment to faith-shaped education means that students are invited to explore how belief, values, and spiritual practice inform their academic pursuits, and vice versa. This doesn’t mean faith is imposed; rather, it’s engaged as a living, evolving conversation. Whether in theology or chemistry, literature or economics, students are encouraged to ask how their studies intersect with questions of meaning, justice, and purpose.

This integration is rooted in the Christian Anabaptist tradition, which emphasizes community, peacebuilding, and service. Faculty model a posture of humility and openness, creating space for students to wrestle with complex ideas and diverse perspectives. In this environment, faith becomes a resource for intellectual exploration—not a boundary. Students learn to think critically and faithfully, discovering how their convictions can shape their scholarship and how their scholarship can deepen their convictions.

CMU is a place where questions are not only welcomed—they are essential to the learning journey. Students bring a wide range of beliefs and experiences: some with deep religious roots, others with uncertainty or curiosity, and many somewhere in between. What they find at CMU is a community that listens well, engages respectfully, and values the process of discovery. Faith conversations at CMU are not about arriving at the “right” answer—they’re about asking questions, growing in understanding, empathy, and courage, and in relationship with Jesus.

This openness is reflected in classroom discussions, chapel gatherings, and informal conversations across campus. Students are encouraged to bring their doubts, convictions, and hopes into dialogue with others. Faculty and staff walk alongside students, offering mentorship and modeling lives of thoughtful faith. In this context, asking hard questions becomes a spiritual practice, and exploring identity becomes part of what it means to be educated.

Faith at CMU is not confined to personal belief alone—it’s understood as expressed in how people live, serve, and engage the world. The university’s commitment to peacebuilding, sustainability, and social justice reflects a theology that is active and outward facing. Students participate in initiatives like community development, restorative justice, and environmental stewardship, learning to embody their faith in practical and transformative ways.

This emphasis on action is grounded in the Anabaptist tradition, which calls people to follow Jesus through lives of service, humility, and reconciliation. Whether through work-integrated learning, volunteering on committees, or participating in other campus programs, students are equipped to respond to real-world challenges with compassion and creativity. Faith becomes a catalyst for change—not just in personal lives, but in communities and systems.

At CMU, academic excellence and spiritual inquiry go hand in hand. Professors bring both scholarly expertise and a deep commitment to thoughtful engagement with faith. Students are invited to explore how their studies connect with ethical, theological, scientific, social, and philosophical questions in small, discussion-based classes. This approach fosters a learning environment where ideas are tested, beliefs are refined, and new insights emerge.

Students are challenged to consider how their academic work contributes to the common good. Whether researching climate change, Indigenous-settler relations, or global economics, they ask: What does this mean for how I live? What does my faith call me to do? The interdisciplinary orientation at CMU encourages students to make connections across areas of study, cultivating a holistic understanding of knowledge that is both rigorous and rooted in values.

CMU is rooted in a particular Christian tradition, Anabaptism, which shapes its commitments to peace, community, and service. But this rootedness is not restrictive; it’s a foundation for openness. The university welcomes students from a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs, and identities, fostering a campus culture that is both grounded and inclusive. Diversity is not seen as a threat to faith—it’s embraced as a gift that enriches learning and deepens understanding.

This welcoming spirit is evident in the way CMU approaches dialogue and community life. Students are encouraged to bring their full selves into conversation, knowing they will be met with respect and curiosity. Faculty and staff model a posture of hospitality, creating space for honest engagement and mutual transformation. In this context, faith is not about uniformity—it’s about learning and growing together in love, truth, and justice.

At CMU, faith is understood as a journey—one that involves exploration, questioning, and growth. Students are not expected to arrive with all the answers or fit into a predetermined mold. Instead, they are invited into a community where faith is dynamic and personal, shaped by dialogue, experience, and learning. This approach creates space for students to discover what they believe and why it matters.

Academic study becomes a companion to spiritual growth, offering tools for reflection and insight. Whether through literature, science, or philosophy (and beyond), students encounter ideas that challenge and inspire them. In this environment, faith is not static; it evolves as students engage with new perspectives and wrestle with complex realities. CMU offers a place where discovery is sacred, and where the journey of faith is as important as the destination.