Denominational Relationship and Control
A coeducational university of the arts and sciences, MVNU is the official university of the East Central Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene. Primary responsibility for sponsorship and support of the University is charged to the Nazarene congregations in Ohio, West Virginia, and the eastern half of Kentucky, with control delegated to the Board of Trustees elected by the annual assemblies of the Central Ohio, East Kentucky, East Ohio, North Central Ohio, Northwestern Ohio, Southwestern Ohio, West Virginia North, and West Virginia South districts. Many students come from this church constituency. However, the University is not narrowly sectarian; students of like ideals are welcome to the University community.
As an institution of the Church of the Nazarene, MVNU stands in the Wesleyan evangelical tradition, as summarized in the "Articles of Faith" in the Manual, Church of the Nazarene. According to this "Agreed Statement of Belief," we believe:
- In one God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- The Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.
- Human beings are born with a fallen nature and are, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.
- The finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.
- The atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.
- Believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.
- Our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.
To these ends, the MVNU curriculum follows a liberal arts pattern, which encompasses career preparation at the college level in selected professional and pre-professional areas of study.