I have been asked to elaborate more on Appendix B of my book College Ministry 101, which speaks directly to church-based leaders who are working in a college town where campus ministries are present.  This issue can be a major tension for church-based leaders.  Do I go on campus?  Surely the answer is yes.  But unfortunately there does seem to be a sense (for lack of better terms) of  competition – or to some degree an ora of “what are you doing here, this is where I’m working.”  At least that’s been the majority of my experience as a church-based leader – and many others I’ve worked with.  There are however, of course, campus ministers that are not only “open” to church-based pastors coming onto campus, but actually initiate and help cultivate that.  I think this relationship needs to be cultivated much more and I will likely write a book on how this can happen at a later date.

That said, I’ve been asked (via twitter request) to elaborate on that specific Appendix and so I will do so (if you have not read it, click here).  I will attempt to give some perspective on campus ministry from a somewhat outside point of view.  I have certainly been a part of campus ministry, served in numerous and worked alongside dozens and dozens of others.  I have, however, never led one personally.  So, hopefully an outside opinion will be taken, not as a critique, but as helpful insights into some potential areas (much of which I’m sure people have already thought through and are implementing).  

The specific request was for me to give some more insights into how a campus ministry can be more discipleship focused and how assimilation can work – rather than give programmatic insights.  I’m thankful, as I’m not into giving those – as you know if you’ve read my book.  So, let me begin this series of blogs by issuing one thought regarding the assimilation side.  I’m trusting many of you (church-based and campus-based leaders) will jump in and give your thoughts…  

Thought #1 for campus leaders: Clarifying the goal of your ministry.  You may make a broad statement like, “Make disciples,” “to glorify God,” or something to this affect.  Certainly not bad goals and we all have broader, more general statements like that.  I would however issue you another, hopefully helpful and very specific goal as a campus minister (that by the way, would accomplish both of the above broader statements): to connect college students to the beauty of being a part of a local church.  Why?  Well, ultimately they will leave your ministry.  People will need to connect to a local body if they are going to continue to mature and campus ministries have a crucial role in this.  So getting people to come to or be a part of a campus ministry surely cannot be THE goal.  I don’t think anyone would admit that this is the goal (or at least I hope not), but our actions often prove differently.  More on that in a minute.

We have to prepare these students for a life of being a disciple and campus ministry can play a vital, yet small, part in the life long discipleship of an individual.  So, naturally, if connection to a local church is the goal then EVERYTHING we do in our ministry ought to work toward this end.  This is true in any organization.

I will say this: I think the heart of many campus ministers is to prepare their students for a life of being a disciple of Christ.  I will also however say: many of the methodologies of campus ministries are undermining what they say they desire to do.  How?  Well, first off,  I think it shows in that a ton of time/energy/resources are put into attracting people to the events and gatherings of the campus ministry itself – especially in comparison to connecting students to the local church.  So, maybe not in words, but at least in action there are ways in which our methodology can actually undermine what we’re saying.  

I will say that having methodologies that often undermine our words is not a “campus ministry” issue, it’s more of an overall leadership issue we all face.

There is (in general) a lack of intentionality from both ends – campus ministries and church based – building ongoing relationships with each other.  I know some hairs are standing up right now and I’m sure some people will say, “Hey!  We are doing that!!!”  I agree, I’m just saying there needs to be much more initiation on both ends – church-based and campus-based leaders – on initiating this connection.  If we can’t be in relationship, truly like-minded, unselfish, and completely Kingdom minded we’re robbing the life-long discipleship process of our students.  I will also take this a a step further and say that the relational connection needs to be the focal point of everything we do.

Working toward this can be intentional, but I would say it cannot be “programmed.”  In short, I think you can take all the advice I gave in Appendix B to a church-based leader and flip it around to be written to a campus ministry leader.

So, to guide discussion let me ask the following: Church-based leaders, what are the road blocks, tension points, fears, you have engaging campus leaders?   And, for campus leaders: What do you think about the goal I’m suggesting for your ministry?  And, what are your thoughts on my concerns regarding methodology?

Well, I think that “opens enough cans” for now, this discussion should be fun…

For training in the trenches of college ministry click here.

Related posts:

1. Fall Retreat(s)
2. Campus Sub-Cultures, Part: One
3. Thoughts Welcomed!
4. 3 Tips To Getting On Campus
5. Christian College Environments [2]