collegeministry.com

CollegeMinistry.com in 2012

by Brad Baker

©CollegeMinistry.com 2012

Perhaps you’ve wondered why there’s been a 32 day gap between our last blog post and today.  Granted the Holidays played into it, but the real reason for the silence is all the work going into the 2.0 version of CollegeMinistry.com.  We are just a few short hours away from launching the brand new site!  This collaborative project has been in the works for months now and the anticipation we feel in palpable.  From a fresh mission and vision, to countless unique features the new site is sure to engage a wide variety of college ministry leaders.  Seeing that we are so close to the launch I won’t spoil it by telling you everything about site.  However I can’t resist giving you a little preview.

First, the new mission and vision is simple and engaging.   

Our Mission:  To serve and strengthen existing college ministries and those that lead them.

Our Vision:  To start hundreds of new college ministries in locations where they’re desperately needed.  Our desire is that CollegeMinistry.com is less of a site you visit and more of movement you fully buy into.

Second, the leadership is shared, open and collaborative.  There are 9 “Official Contributors” who love learning alongside fellow college ministry leaders like you.  Moreover CollegeMinistry.com invites everyone to lead by sharing what they’ve learned and created.  Collaboration, co-creating and connecting are at the heart of everything we aim to do. 

Third, the new features provide an online environment unlike any presently available for college ministry leaders.  For far too long college ministry has played second fiddle to Jr. High and High School.  The desire for strong churched and campus based college ministries is reflected in how much time, energy and thought has been put into the new site.  Here are just a few of the features you’ll be able to enjoy.

 -The first ever job bank and resrouce store designated exclusively for college ministry. 

-A monthly subscription that gives you access to an online collaborator’s form, resource bank that’s updated weekly and a College Ministry Tool Kit that’s sent to your doorstep at the start of each semester. 

-Subscribers also enjoy free tickets to an annual CM training event held in Southern California, personal coaching from an Official Contributor and entry into an amazing monthly giveaway that’s sure to make you smile

Ok I’ve said way too much.  Before your head hits the pillow tonight the new site will launch.  The next time you type www.collegeministry.com  into your address bar you’re in for a totally new experience.   

We feel so honored and excited to be partner with you to reach and disciple the Millennial Generation.

Generation Ex-Christian: Why Young Adults Are Leaving the Faith...

by Lisa Birle

I just finished Drew Dyck’s book “Generation Ex-Christian: Why Young Adults Are Leaving the Faith…and How to Bring Them Back.”  I’ve been involved in college ministry for eight years, and I recognize that young adults are continually leaving their faith, but this book explored why they do.  In fact, “Generation Ex-Christian” is the first research-based book that thoroughly explains the whys of leavers.  I had a hard time putting it down, because as I read, names of friends who have walked away from church or their faith on some level or another kept entering my mind.  This book broke my heart for college students who once knew and loved Jesus, but for one reason or another, left him in the dust as they transitioned from youth to adulthood.

The book is well-organized and easy to read.  The contents page easily shows how the book is broken down into six main sections; each section highlights a type of leaver and explores the thought, pain, childhood experiences, sin, or confusion that lead them to decide to dismiss Jesus.  Dyck identifies six main categories of leavers—postmodern leavers, recoilers, modern leavers, neo-pagans, rebels, and drifters.  Each section ends with practical steps that we can take to speak to, reach, and engage with leavers.  Armed with an understanding of why they left better equips us to address their specific concerns.

For example, I now realize that I should avoid arguing the legitimacy of the gospel based on reason with a postmodern leaver, because they don’t believe reason is the way to truth.  Instead, I can build trust with them by inviting them to serve with me, because many of them are socially conscious and very concerned for the marginalized and poor.

I now understand that recoilers have often tragically suffered abuse in the name of God, and when they felt wounded by God, decided he didn’t exist.  They also were hurt mostly in the context of relationships, so healing must also come in that context.  My best approach in caring for them is to empathize, not argue, and to point them to the cross, a symbol and promise to all who suffer that even the worst injustice can lead to redemption.

I see that modern leavers abandon their faith for intellectual reasons.  They love to debate, they love objective truth, and they love rational reasoning.  To reach modern leavers, I must do my homework and be prepared to give good answers to questions about my faith, listening to them and asking questions about their worldview in the process.

I understand that Wiccans (or neo-pagans), have been heavily influenced by feminism, the environmental movement, secularism, and consumerism.  They are also enraged that Christians spread false rumors about them—that they worship Satan and sacrifice animals.  So I should communicate a familiarity with their beliefs, demonstrate a care for creation and the environment, and highlight women in ministry as we share spiritual experiences.

I know that moral rebels just want to party and have a good time, and spiritual rebels don’t want anything to do with submitting to an all-powerful deity.  Rebels value their autonomy.  I see that underneath their rebellious behavior is a thirst for adventure and purpose, and I can show them the adventure, sacrifice, and risk of the gospel while demonstrating the freedom that comes from serving God.

I now recognize that some young people just drift from their faith gradually, almost imperceptibly.  Drifters learn spiritual truth through atmosphere, so I know to invite them to places where they’ll hear the gospel and be around other Christians.

Figuring out why young people walk away from Jesus is key to learning how to effectively adapt our approach to connecting with them.  After all, Jesus never approached two people the same way.  The gospel doesn’t change, but the way we share it should.  This book has given me a ton of insight into understanding why so many young people are walking away from a God they once knew, loved, and worshiped.  It’s also helped me feel equipped as someone involved in college ministry to engage and care for those who have stepped away from their faith more effectively.

I also appreciated that Dyck pointed out the importance of prayer in this book.  “I’m convinced we can give our loved ones who have strayed no greater gift than time spent in the presence of God on their behalf.  Please, ramble, cry, rage—but don’t stop.”  When we pray for prodigals, we are praying according to God’s will.

Dyck’s introduction of the book includes speaking about the parable of the sheep, and that the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one that wandered away.  It’s a great illustration of God’s heart for the lost…for those who have wandered from him.  This book will help us in our pursuit of those lost sheep.  More than sheep, the book is about the Good Shepherd, and that ultimately it is HE who deeply cares for them and longs for their return.  May we search for those wandering sheep who are dotting our communities, and take heart knowing that the Good Shepherd is already searching for them…

Crash Course in College Ministry

by Brad Baker

After years of being under-resourced and poorly networked, the tide seems to be slowly turning in the college ministry world.  It thrills me to see more and more quality books written on the topic and local churches finally understanding the importance of ministry to the collegians in their area.  My team and I have recently spent loads of time investigating the state of college ministry in its various expressions and contexts.  It seems there are more quality leaders pouring their time, energy, and money into the college students of our country than ever before.  This fills my heart with hope for a fresh movement of God among Millennials.  Although most of the statistics floating around today regarding the next generation are discouraging and need to be carefully considered, there are actually a lot of positive signs pointing to a Gospel-receptivity among Millennials.  The time is now for college ministry leaders to not only serve in their local context but to assist in raising up others to do the same.  Imagine the exponential impact of every existing college ministry leader helping a rookie leader pioneer a new work to reach Millennials.   For existing leaders to do this effectively, they must first admit they don’t have it all figured out and move quickly to round out their understanding. 

Here’s what I’d like to recommend every college ministry leader to in the next 2-3 months:

#1.  Identify one or two people that have the potential to launch a college ministry in a largely unreached setting. 

#2.  Regularly meet with this person(s) and begin talking and praying through the possibilities.  Make sure you don’t get hung up on WHAT it will exactly look like or HOW it will come into being, but rather agree that it DOES need to happen and commit to working together to make it happen. 

#3.  Ask a small group of people to help you read through the best college ministry books on the market and share all the learning with your mentee.  I asked my team (comprised of volunteers, interns, and staff) to pick one of the books listed below and respond in 3 ways.  First, as they read the book they will highlight things that could be applied in our ministry.  Second, they will write a short book review that summarizes the book’s main points.  Third, they will write a blog post centered what they decide is the most important aspect of the book for college ministry leaders in general.

Here’s the list they picked from:

College Ministry from Scratch by Chuck Bomar

College Ministry in a Post-Christian Culture by Stephen Lutz

God on Campus by Trent Sheppard and Pete Greig

The Millennials by Tom and Jess Rainer

Essential Church by Thom S. Rainer and Sam S. Rainer

Generation X-Christian by Drew Dyck

Worlds Apart by Chuck Bomar

Slow Fade by Reggie Joiner, Chuck Bomar and Abbie Smith

The Blueprint by Jaeson Ma

Lost in Transition by Christian Smith, Kari Christoffersen, Hilary Davidson and Patricia Snell Herzog

 #4.  Attend a college ministry training gathering of some sort. Big conferences can be inspirational and definitely have their place but I find smaller gatherings that allow you to bring your specific pressing questions into the mix are often more helpful.  If there’s not one in your area then organize one.  Spend the day talking shop with 5-10 college ministry leaders in your area and you’ll be better for it.      

There has always been urgency in ministry for those in their late teens and early twenties.  It’s a strategic window in someone’s life that closes almost as quickly as it blooms.  Here’s what I believe is different about college ministry in 2011 and beyond.  The millennial generation is poised for an unprecedented spiritual movement.  Their longing for social justice and spiritual curiosity will take them in 1 or 2 directions.  American culture is becoming increasingly polarized between those who buy into humanistic/secular philosophy and those who are holding a biblical Christ-centered world view.  The students in our area will end up in one of those two ‘camps’.  Do you want to have say in which direction they go?  

Rick Warren Pulled Me Aside...

 
 
 by Brad Baker

Pastor Rick pulled me aside after the New Year and began talking to me about a vision stirring in his heart and mind for the college students of our country.  Rick fully believers the Millennials are a “Reformation Generation” that will forever change the spiritual climate of our country and world.  The more I’ve prayed and listened to him share the more my heart has filled with anticipation.  Could this generation help plant a church in every one of the remaining unreached people groups?  Could this generation stop a civil war and help place millions of forgotten orphans into loving homes?  Could this generation be so in-tune with the Gospel and the movement of the Spirit that they see their communities transform right before their eyes.  The answer is “YES”.  Some of these things are and have been happening! 

This summer we aim to pull dozens of Southern Californian churches and college ministries together for a 3 day gathering called ‘Radicalis’.  The gathering is designed to celebrate and marinate in God’s heart for the lost, poor, abused, sick, forget and oppressed.  Rick will share his passion and vision for mobilizing this generation.  He will introduce the idea of an annual collegiate festival that will go national in 2012.   Existing church-to-church based missional work will be highlighted.

Attached is the 1 page on the event and below is some additional information.

::RADICALIS::  An Annual Gathering of College Students and Young Adults

Why::   Join us as local college ministries from churches all over Southern California unite for a unique three-day outdoor festival experience.  Camp at our beautiful Rancho Capistrano campus and experience the heart of God through the arts, music, workshops, serving, and prayer experiences.  As one body, our desire for this weekend is to see a generation of hearts be mobilized by God’s power to do something about the millions in our country and around the world that suffer because of spiritual emptiness, extreme poverty, pandemic diseases, corrupt leaders and a lack of education.  Join Pastor Rick Warren, worship artist Phil Wickham, and additional speakers and artists as our generation rises up to take their place and respond to God’s call to love those who the world has forgotten.

Speakers:: Rick Warren, Pete Wilson (www.withoutwax.tv  www.crosspoint.tv) and others
Artists:: Phil Wickham, Josh Fox (www.joshfoxmusic.com) and othersand others

Date & Location:: August 11-13^th (Thursday Night to Saturday Noon)

Rancho Capistrano—29251 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Accommodations:: Tent camping is the primary means of housing for this event.  Each church will be assigned a group of camp sites on arrival. RV parking will also be available (dry sites only).  Showers and bathrooms will be provided on-site.

Food:: Venders will be on site to provide options for snacks and meals.  Note that food and beverages are not covered in the cost of registration. 

 Tickets and Pricing::   

Early bird Price (before July 1^st)      $25 per person

Regular Price    (after July 1^st)         $35 per person

TO REGISTER::

FOR LOCAL CHURCHES—Contact your college pastor about registering, or call 949-609-8661.  crave.saddleback.com.

FOR CRAVE STUDENTS—Buy your wristband at Crave on Thursday nights, in the office during the week, or call Lisa at 949-609-8661.

Acclimate—Adapt—Lead

 

A few months back I met Guy Chmieleski the campus minister at Belmont University and the founder of www.faithoncampus.com .  He invited me to be a part of blogathon (new word to me) centered on the future of college ministry.  If you're not already a part of the descusion the time to jump in is now.  The online event started yesterday and features such leaders/writes at Scott McKnight, Margaret Feinberg and Steve Rankin.  Below is a litlte exerp from the post I put together. 

"The future of college ministry will belong to two types of leaders: new younger leaders who emerge from within the shifts of our culture, and the older, more seasoned leaders that have found a way to acclimate.  One needs only to look at the business world to realize that a lack of adaptation means death."

Visit www.faithoncampus.com to read and interact with all the content.