It’s always nice to think through things with someone else – or a team of people.  But there’s something different about doing it with the RIGHT person or people!  So, I invited a life long friend of mine, and a board member of CollegeLeader up here to Portland to help me think through some things.  Jonathan is a great guy, has a ton of business and ministry experience, but he also loves the local church and understands our need to minister to college-age people in that context!  We sat outside my favorite coffee shop for about 3 hrs. talking, brainstorming, dreaming, coming up with logistics, etc.  

Now, I’m sitting on my couch, with both of our macs on our laps nd taking a break 

Specifically we are thinking through how we can more effectively help college-age ministry leaders around the country.  We are coming up with a number of avenues that we are very excited about because we think we’re hitting the core needs of people working in this ministry.  I will fill you in at a later date, but – and I’ve never asked for this up to this point – but please pray that we can truly develop something that will help!

I don’t think it would surprise any of us to see research that suggests that the opinions of college students seem to stray from those they were raised with.  I know we are perplexed as to the reasons why so many Christian’s are detaching from Christian community, but the fact is this is an issue faced by all, despite upbringing in any faith tradition.  That’s not to say, however, we cannot do some things differently in the church – which I’ve devoted a huge part of my life to helping the church understand and embrace.  But, there are some interesting findings that you may be interested to know about that the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute just published.

Some of the research suggests college students claim to be more conservative than before – but these are in very specific issues.  However, in other areas they become far more left as they progress through college.  To read the article click here

Ok, want a discussion starter for small group this week!?  Here’s one for you! It’s amazing the rationalization that occurs in the human mind sometimes! For the sake of “empowering” herself as a women and “doing something for herself” a student auctions off her virginity to pay for grad school…so she can become a marriage and family counselor.  Whoa.  Apparently she’s already been offered $250,000.  To read the CBS article, click here  To see CNN interviews and reports click here

I went to Reed College today for lunch with a friend. A guy that came through my college ministry is a new employee there. We haven’t seen each other in about 6 months or more, so it was good to catch up, see where he’s living, walk around campus and grab a bite in the DC. I always enjoy visiting college campuses because each one is so different. However, Reed is a bit more unique than most. First, it’s an absolutely beautiful campus unparalleled by any other campus I’ve visited. Tree’s, streams, old brick buildings – amazing. And of course true to it’s Oregonian flavor all the new dorms are entirely environmentally friendly. But there are also some other uniques aspects to this school.

Reed has often been called the most liberal college in the US. It’s known for parties, woodstock-like events, “free love,” and deep intellectualism. I’ve even heard, and has been affirmed by others that have gone there, that they have a “topless” day where many people actually get involved – and no, I’m not exaggerating. Of course not everyone gets involved on this day, but apparently there are those that do participate. One thing, to give you an idea of the uniqueness, they have a corporate seal on mugs, shirts, etc. that says, “Atheism, Communism, Free Love.” I’m assuming it’s the idea of tolerance and acceptance that brings this type of phraseology out, but nevertheless it’s unique (and controversial).

I must say the people I met today were genuinely nice and seemed to be pretty down to earth. The school is well known for its academic rigor and high scholasticism and many students attend there for that reason. I learned today that the library is open until 2:30 am and is typically filled with students until closing time. Liberal, maybe – but committed higher education also characterizes this school.

The most interesting thing though, and this might give you a bit of a pit in your stomach (no pun intended – you’ll see what I mean) was becoming aware of the “Scrounge Table” in the dining center – notice the people standing in the distance. This table is situated directly in front of where students drop off their trays when done eating. You’re probably getting the point now, but apparently this is a table in which students who cannot afford to pay for lunch (probably because tuition is apparently $40k a year), or simply don’t want to pay hang out and eat everyone else’s left overs. Yep, they actually stand at the table and wait for people to bring over their half eaten sandwiches, soup bowls, burgers, etc. and then go to town. The number of students at this table continued to grow throughout lunch. One of the people at the table had a boom-box blasting Rush through the dining hall, which is I guess the norm. Now, that is definitely a unique element to this campus! It was truly an amazing thing to watch. Probably the most interesting thing to me, however, was that students didn’t appear to look down on the “scroungers” in any way- which I thought was pretty cool. In most contexts this group of people would probably be made fun of in extreme ways. But, not here, not at Reed.

The great thing about this school is that it’s unique. The saddening parts are obvious, but what a place to be involved with from a ministry perspective! It also gives a decent feel, I think, of the Portland area – known to be one of the most liberal areas in the country. Portland has the most strip clubs per capita and this is among many many many other elements that you may be shocked at…oh, and it’s also the “least churched state” in the country. Maybe that has something to do with it…

When Churches are having financial problems there are always tough decisions to make. In today’s economy, it seems, a lot of churches are having to lay off staff, freeze spending, etc. It’s a tough thing to have to do in leadership and unfortunately I’ve been hearing a lot of churches lately having to make these kinds of cuts.

There are also ministries that suffer during this time. Sometimes entire ministries get cut out from the budget when financial trouble comes. Unfortunately one of the first ministries to take the hit are college-age ministries. Why? Well, because it’s viewed as a financial liability, not an asset. Kind of weird to think about a ministry like that, but that’s the reality we’re in – the ministry has to support itself, right?

However, I think this is a fatal mistake that’s made based on a fundamental misunderstanding of college-age ministry. Sure, it doesn’t directly bring in much money – college-age people (especially students) don’t have a lot of money to give. Most are living off Top Ramen and free dinners we give them. But if we neglect ministering to them by cutting the ministry designed specifically for them, often without realizing it, we are also cutting out the life of other ministries. Take for instance high school and junior high ministries. I don’t know about your context, but in mine most of our volunteers are college-age people.

Most churches don’t seem to the think through the implications like this. The decision to cut this ministry (usually for a “time” and just until things get back on track) is made for a short term solution of saving money (which, believe me, I understand to some degree), but in the long run I think it’s risking killing the entire life-line of the church. Sound like a big statement? Well, it is I guess, but let me describe briefly TWO ways the decision of cutting a college-age ministry now can negatively effect the rest of the church down the road.

First, when we fail to directly deal with college-age life stage issues we will inevitably lose. Not only are we failing to meet them where they are and helping them process through their unique struggles, but this always causes them to eventually detach. When they detach they also stop their involvement with other ministries – such as junior high and high school ministry. Because they are, for lack of better terms, “transient” this also means they “go with the flow.” If you haven’t noticed yet they travel in packs. Once some begin to leave with the mentality the church has nothing for them, others immediately follow. This type of reputation spreads rapidly.

So, what we can end up doing is also cutting the student ministry life out. Then, when the student ministries begin to suffer the parents can get disgruntled. When this happens they go to the next church because their kids like those ministries better. This leaves the financial situation even worse off.

Now, some might be thinking that’s a bit of a stretch and I’m going over board, thinking of the worst possible situation. I don’t think so. Not only does this actually happen, but we also see churches that don’t effectively reach out to 18-25 year olds experiencing HUGE generational gaps. Let’s look at the second reason cutting this ministry can negatively effect the church…

The fact is when churches effectively minister to 18-25 year olds by connecting them with the rest of the church body during these years, they will stay involved at the ages of 26 and older. Let’s just say the generation gap is 18-35 (which is generally the way it goes in most churches). Looking at this from a strictly financial standpoint, if you drop them between the ages of 18-25 you also lose them between the ages of 26-35. This is over 10 years!!! During these years, again from a financial standpoint, is a much more of a financially stable time of life where tithing is a natural outflow. In the long run cutting a college-age ministry now can simply cause losing over 10 years of tithes later.

The mentality of college-age ministry being a liability has to change. It’s this short-term mentality that has led us to the generational gaps we have today! Help your church understand the vitality of this ministry! I pray we will make decisions based on long term solutions. If we’re going to talk about money being the reason for change, let’s look at it from all angles.

For those of you interested in a conference specifically for church-based college ministry leaders our dates for DRINK are set for ’09! Set October 15-18 aside for the conference.

In addition to the conference we will also be doing one day regional training days. Topics, dates, and locations coming…

Ok, David Crowder (and the rest of the guys) are great guys.  I’ve had the privilege of getting to know David a little – had a couple lunches, a dinner or two at some conferences we were both at, and I’ve had them play at our ministry a couple times (actually, I think 3 times).  Anyway, good people. Truthfully, they are the real deal.  But, regardless of all that, check out this video!  Ted Nugent is playing….huh!?  Crazy.  Amazing.

This past weekend I was speaking at Hume Lake Christian Camp for a couple’s conference.  I had a great time.  I love Hume, it’s a great camp with great people and the camp has been a major part of my faith development…and my marriage (I started dating my wife one summer I worked up there).  

Initially I was a bit uncomfortable speaking at this conference.  Friday night dinner brought the abrupt realization that I was close to the youngest person involved, and I was speaking!  I’m 33 and have been married for 8 years, but there were couples attending that had been coming to this conference for as long as I’ve been alive.  There was one couple that had been married for 57 years, and he was a retired pastor.

There, of course, were some people that were married far less time (one couple I met had only been married 5 months), but I thought, “what in the world do I have to tell these people about marriage?”

Long story short I think it went very well and I was very encouraged by how many older couples were challenged and encouraged by the messages.  Whew.  Prayer does work!

Sunday morning, however, I had to cash in on any credibility I may have gained over the weekend and issue a challenge to them regarding college-age people (I take every opportunity to talk about this!).  I talked briefly about the detachment of college-age people in the church and the generational gap most churches are facing right now.  I also told them that I think one of the biggest reasons for this is the unfaithfulness of older people to obey the commands in 2Timothy 2:2 and Titus 2 where older men and women are told to disciple younger.  The lack of faithfulness in this area of our churches is a huge reason for detachment!

I even said the following phrase: “If you’re one of those unfaithful people that have failed to disciple I want to ask you to repent of that sin.”  

You know the amazing thing is that probably a dozen couples came up to me and thanked me for that challenge!?  If we all began to humbly approach and challenge older mature believers in our churches in this way I wonder if the Lord wouldn’t do something beyond our imagination?  Paul also tells Timothy not to “sharply rebuke older men,” so we obviously need to be careful.  

One guy even told me that he’d been married for 24 years and never really thought of himself as one of those older people, but now realizes he is – and he said he was going to pursue changing.  I think he will.

I wonder if you have credibility you haven’t cashed in on yet with some older people?  I have to admit, it’s not easy…but I think it’s an uncomfortable place we all ought to be living in.

For the past few months we’ve been looking into an invitation we at CollegeLeader receive of doing a conference in Nairobi, Kenya.  There are millions (literally) of college-age people in this city and very few churches reaching out to them.  So, they’ve contacted me to bring a group of people over there to lead a conference for students and leaders.

We will need to bring a team of people with us to accomplish our objectives.  If you’re interested in knowing more about this, let me know!  Here are some brief details – much more coming…

1. We are looking at the end of August ’09 – or possibly Winter Break ’09-’10
2. You will need to raise funds
3. This could be something you bring a few students to, as a mission’s trip
4. You have to be willing to do whatever, whenever, and however it’s needed
5. You have to be prepared to spend a lot of time with a lot of people
6. You may be asked to help with conference prep prior to our departure

That’s all I got for now.  We’re still figuring out some details, but we do know a team will be needed!

In response to some emails I’ve been getting, it has reminded me of the “limbo” like stage of some of college ministries around the country.  There are many churches trying to figure out where college ministry belongs…student or adult world?  I can understand the struggle, we went through it about 8 years ago.  But I’ve landed, and firmly so.  I’m not sure where your church lands on this issue, but I have landed in the student side of things.  Here are some reasons why…

First, strictly by definition this stage should not be considered adulthood.  The English word for adolescence comes from the Latin verb adolescere meaning “to grow up.”  Sociologically the term speaks of those who are trying to bridge the gap between dependent childhood and self-sufficient adulthood. Adulthood is the period when the individual is responsible for his own conduct, support, and choices.  Once 18 a person is legally responsible for their own actions, but the biggest issue here is the support.  We can no longer characterize this age-stage as “self-sufficient.”  73% of 18-25 year olds have had their parents recently help them with finances, but even those that aren’t financially supported by their parents, from my experience, think they should be.  In my opinion this shows the adolescent mindset of most in this stage of life.

Secondly, adolescence has traditionally been known as a time of identity formulation.  Erik Erickson, about 50 years ago, labeled adolescence as the time of exploring identity, discovering who you are and your role in society.  He also spoke of “prolonged adolescence” (or extended adolescence) being typical of industrialized cultures. He states that, “during [prolonged adolescence] the young adult through free role experimentation may find a niche in some section of his society.”

This articulates the life between the ages of 18-25 even more so today.  If there is any age group of people trying to find a niche (or place) in society, it’s this age.  Chap Clark, in his book HURT has articulated this definition:

“Adolescence, then, is a psychosocial, independent search for a unique identity or separateness, with the end goals being a certain knowledge of who one is in relation to others, a willingness to take responsibility for who one is becoming, and a realized commitment to live with others in community.”

Basically adolescence is a time of becoming self aware and beginning to think about how they might contribute to society. I can’t think of any other stage of life this definition fits better than between the ages of 18-25.  This is clearly a time of exploration and searching (which the second section of this book is designed to walk you through), not a settled down or consistent adult-like time of life. 

The Issue with Adult Categorization

I understand – to some degree- why some churches are having college ministry fall under the adult side of their ministry “org-chart.”  For the most part they consider this stage very different from the high school youth group kid, and rightly so.  However, I would suggest the college-age stage of life is much more like that now than it is a consistent adult-like life!  People, for the most part, are waiting to finish college before thinking about “what they’re going to do with their life.”  At least more so today than ever before.

The bigger problem, however, is college-age people always seem to take the back seat to everything “adult” going on in the church.  Much of this is because the leaders of adult ministries don’t understand the role a college-age ministry has in a church, but nevertheless the college ministries that get categorized in this get lost in the mix.