2025 AHOS Graduate Placement Survey Report
Quantitative Analysis: Total respondents: 57
Program Completion
| Program | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| St. Stephen’s Certificate (SSC) | 3 | 27% |
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | 3 | 27% |
| Master of Theological Studies (MTS) | 5 | 46% |
Current Ministry/Service Location
| Location | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Parish | 9 | 82% |
| Missions | 1 | 9% |
| Other (e.g., Ancient Faith Ministries) | 1 | 9% |
Further Theological Education
| Response | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No | 6 | 55% |
| Yes – Informal programs (online courses, seminars) | 5 | 45% |
Commitment to Lifelong Theological & Spiritual Formation
| Rating | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Very High | 10 | 91% |
| High | 1 | 9% |
Liturgical Roles
| Role | Number of Respondents |
|---|---|
| Not currently serving | 5 |
| Subdeacon | 3 |
| Deacon | 2 |
| Reader | 1 |
| Sunday School Teacher | 3 |
| Adult Education Leader | 4 |
| Curriculum Developer | 3 |
| School Chaplain | 1 |
Preparedness for Parish Ministry
| Program | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Very Well Prepared | 3 | 27% |
| Well Prepared | 5 | 45% |
| Good | 2 | 18% |
| Adequate | 1 | 9% |
Confidence in Teaching Orthodox Theology
| Program | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Very Confident | 5 | 46% |
| Confident | 4 | 36% |
| Adequately Confident | 2 | 18% |
Engagement in Youth or Young Adult Ministry
| Program | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Regularly | 5 | 46% |
| Occasionally | 3 | 27% |
| Not Currently Serving | 3 | 27% |
Perceived Equipping for Youth Ministry
| Program | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Well Equipped / Very Well Equipped | 7 | 64% |
| Adequately Equipped | 2 | 18% |
| Not Adequately Equipped | 1 | 9% |
| Not Applicable / Not Serving | 1 | 9% |
Qualitative Analysis
Spiritual Formation
AHOS has strongly impacted personal prayer life, liturgical participation, and theological understanding.
Common themes include:
- Deeper personal prayer life.
- Greater desire for regular services.
- Grounded in Orthodox theology and history.
- Inspired by the spirituality of the Church Fathers.
Educational and Pastoral Roles
Alumni actively serve in Sunday School teaching, catechesis, adult education leadership, curriculum development, and chaplaincy.
Challenges:
- Sustaining youth engagement.
- Integrating converts and cradle Orthodox youth.
- Balancing parish responsibilities with life demands.
Strategies:
- Prayer, mentorship, and personal engagement.
- Use of practical resources and curriculum guides.
Youth Ministry
Successful programs mentioned: ECM, FOCUS, YES, small group discussions, and service projects.
Challenges include maintaining long-term engagement and involving parents in faith formation.
Bridging cultural and generational gaps is a key concern.
Liturgical & Pastoral Preparedness
Alumni generally feel well-prepared and confident for ministry roles.
Suggested improvements:
- More interactive Zoom breakout sessions for discussions.
- Increased hands-on training in liturgics, homiletics, and iconography.
- Assigning mentors for ongoing support and development.
Artistic and Cultural Expression
Participation in iconography and church architecture is occasional but valued.
Artistic expression is seen as vital for embodying Orthodox theology.
There is a desire for more creativity and practical guidance integrated into curriculum.
Mission and Outreach
Local ministry includes parish work, prison ministry, and youth engagement.
International outreach focuses on building churches and spreading the Gospel.
Witness often happens through personal conduct, teaching, and public engagement.
Suggested improvements: stronger parish networks, mentorship, and family-focused outreach.
Advice for Future AHOS Students
- Prioritize personal spiritual formation alongside academic study.
- Balance coursework with ministry practice for real-world experience.
- Engage actively in online discussions, residencies, and peer interactions.
- Use resources effectively, including books, mentors, and alumni networks.
Areas for Improvement in AHOS
- Increase student-professor interaction, especially in online classes.
- Provide more practical training in liturgical participation, homiletics, youth ministry, and artistic expression.
- Enhance mentorship opportunities, alumni networking, and hands-on experiences.
Summary of Key Insights
- Strong Spiritual Formation: AHOS effectively deepened alumni’s prayer life, liturgical participation, and theological understanding.
- Confidence in Ministry: Alumni feel prepared and confident for parish ministry and educational roles.
- Youth Ministry Challenges: Sustainable youth engagement and family involvement remain challenges.
- Practical Training Gap: There is a need for more hands-on liturgical, homiletic, and arts-based training.
- Mentorship and Networking: Alumni seek ongoing support through mentors, discussion groups, and alumni networks.
- Art and Culture: Recognized as vital for communicating theology but currently underdeveloped in the curriculum.
- Program Satisfaction: Generally positive, with suggestions for more interactivity and practical application.