There is a lot of conversation from church leaders about the consumerism of people in churches.  A consumer, well, consumes.  He doesn’t give.  He accumulates.  He takes.  He gets what he desires and then leaves.  This frustrates many of us and, I think, it should.  Some questions I’ve been asking lately are:

1. What am I personally doing to battle this in my life?  The truth is my culture is about consumerism, so this is tough.
2. Are there ways in which we approach ministry that may actually be enabling a consumer mentality?  At worst, creating it?
3. Are there battles we’re not facing that we ought to be?  What fears are we giving into by not fighting those?
4. What does our infrastructure of ministry say about the Christian life, without using words?  In other words, what would an outsider say about the Christian life if they only had our ministry as an example?  Would it be self sacrifice, or feed a consumer mentality?

These are questions I’ve really been thinking through.  Literally sleepless nights.  Why?  Well, the very core of the gospel message is anti-consumer.  Sure, we certainly benefit from the death of Christ and enjoy many blessings.  And I’m VERY thankful for that!!  But as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:15:

“and he died for all, that those who live may no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised”

This certainly isn’t consumerism.  It’s actually exactly the opposite.  Christ also speaks to consumerism when he says that in order to follow him we have to “deny ourselves.”

So, ok, we get that.  But what about college ministry?  How does this apply to us, in college ministry, today?  Two things.  First, for our own life.  I’m actually going leave you to think through that and ask yourself whether or not you have a consumer mentality – but I will say it of course has to start with us.  The second has to do with college-age ministry and this is where I’ll try to direct some thoughts and questions.

One of my observations over the years regarding college-age people is that many of them are at a stage of consumerism.  Some of this is due to a search for identity, a search for anything to grab a hold of really.  And, truthfully, I think we’d all prefer them to be “searching” in Christian circles (at least at some levels) than we would in secular ones.  The zeal of college-age people is one of them most beautiful things about college ministry!  On the flip side we see many of them being a part of [...]

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Getting the word out.  The next 5 leaders that register for the CollegeLeader Conference and bring  student leader with them will receive a free downloadable version of College Ministry 101, plus a copy of 99 Thoughts for College-age People.

There is a new “gadget” out (well, I’ve never heard of it) that is, well, interesting to say the least!  It’s called, “Nabaztag.”  It claims to be a new community of “rabbits.”  Like I said, interesting.  Watch this intro that explains all this thing does.  Would you want one?

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 [...]

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In this video I discuss three movements I’ve seen that are needed in student ministry – this is a Youth Specialties podcast I did for those serving in student ministry and desire to prepare their kids for life after youth group (i.e. college-age years). However, I think these are certainly movements we need to be focusing on in college ministry, for sure. So, hopefully these will give you some insights that stretch your philosophy of ministry…

It shouldn’t shock you to know that community college’s across the US are growing rapidly.  There are, in my mind, two major reasons why the number of students attending these schools is increasing:

1. The economy.  They are less expensive per credit, plus most students can remain living at home decreasing living costs.
2. Lack of clarity.  Most graduating high school do not have a clear picture of what they want to do for a career.  Community college allows them more time before they have to declare a major.  They get essentially the same education, but less expensive and with little commitment.  Plus, they can transfer as a junior more easily than get in as a freshman to many schools.

The interesting thing is most college ministries haven’t figured out how to reach commuter campuses.  Even most para church campus ministries don’t focus on them.  That to say, this is a mission field that is essentially untapped.  Also, I’d say that the majority of churches work in this context – most are not close to major university campuses.  I did include an Appendix in College Ministry 101 on this that may be of assistance to you.  You can also read an article here about the challenges of commuter schools like this.

Although it’s yet to be seen how accurate it actually is, it’s fun to know there is a new show on NBC coming up called, “Community.”  It’s all about community college life – supposedly.  However “theatrical” they need to make it to be successful, I’m sure there will be a lot of accuracy in regards to culture.  I think we’ll be able to relate it to “The Office” and shows like this that have moments of insight that create the humor.  Of course The Office has some interesting characters that also add to the humor (of course).

If you want to check out some of the trailers for this new show, click here.  But, I thought I’d include one for you below (actually there’s two).  I will also be issuing reviews of the show from time to time (if not week to week).  I’ve worked mostly with community colleges, attended one myself for two years, and have worked with hundreds and hundreds of students attending them.  So, I’m excited to see what the show is like and potentially has to offer in regards to insights (if any) into the life and mindset of those attending community colleges.  Higher Ed has an article about some concerns, you can read that here.