Getting Started - Starting a Campus Ministry
© 2010 Campus Ministry International Starting a Campus Ministry August 2010 STARTING A CAMPUS MINISTRY Table of Contents 1. The Staggering Potential of Campus Ministry............................................................... 1 2. Why Campus Ministry: An Argument for the Skeptical ................................................ 2 3. Getting Started: Building an Effective Foundation to your Campus Ministry Chapter ..... 4 4. Choosing a Specific Direction for Your Campus Ministry ............................................ 9 5. “What Can We Do To Meet Hungry Students?”.......................................................... 11 6. “Once We Meet Students, What Do We Do?” ............................................................. 13 7. Basic Training—The Fundamentals: Organization ...................................................... 15 8. Establishing an “On-Campus” Organization ......................................................... 1
1 | 1. The Staggering Potential of Campus Ministry Campus ministry presents a greater opportunity for the expansion of the Kingdom than perhaps any other field of evangelism today. The entire spectrum of beliefs, attitudes, philosophies, and religions, set within a mosaic of races and languages, is accessible to anyone who takes the gospel to a college or university campus. Given this reality, the words of Jesus Christ are immediately brought to mind: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19 - 20) Can there be a better place to “Go ye therefore, and teach” than the college campus? This material is to help a church start a campus ministry. Each church-campus relationship is unique, so the ideas contained are not prescriptive (i.e., every body must do each step in order). Instead, this information is intended to serve as a framework for the development of your effort. About Campus Ministry International Campus Ministry International (CMI) was formed to enable and encourage local churches to effectively reach out to the college and university students in their vicinities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is done by a variety of means, including motivating Districts and churches to establish and maintain campus evangelism, providing materials and training to aid in the formation of these campus ministries, acting as a clearinghouse for the gathering and distribution of new information, ideas, and materials, and establishing communication and cooperation between campus ministries in our fellowship. 2 | 2.Why Campus Ministry: An Argument for the Skeptical Purpose: Introduction There are over 18 million students in North American colleges and universities. As a group, these individuals represent one of the most exciting areas of outreach that exists today because they are: Transitioning— Learning Location Campus Ministry Basics A campus ministry can be broken down into three general target areas: Outreach— Foreign Missions— Strengthening— 3 | campus ministry that is focused on outreach. Being a part of a fellow student’s salvation experience will prove invaluable for our own Apostolic young people to thrive spiritually, not just survive. As Jesus said, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). 4 | 3. Getting Started: Building an Effective Foundation to your Campus Ministry Chapter Purpose: Overview To get started in campus ministry, the necessary ingredients are not all that different from other areas of outreach. One way to approach a new effort is as follows:
The Details Some of these are obvious with any new ministry, yet others are specific to this ministry. 1. Pray and Fast about Your Local Campus— 2. Talk to Your Spiritual Leadership— 5 | As in all matters of outreach and ministries within the church, campus ministry must be done “decently and in order.” As scripture reminds us, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). 3. Research Your Campus—
4. Designate a Leader— 5. Get Organized and Choose an Approach— 6 | America are completely different. A variety of possibilities are described, and a basic plan should be identified as part of getting started. As you develop your chapter, the failures and successes you experience will confirm the best method of outreach to your campus. Building Local Support In a practical sense, it will be helpful to keep in mind the strength of the local church base in starting your ministry. It would make the job much easier if there are several people interested in the ministry and if the church has a high level of commitment to campus evangelism. (Financial backing also may be helpful, but not necessary.) Campus ministry can work without these resources, but if they are available, the campus minister should use them wisely and coordinate them effectively. College students in the local church provide the best source of help. They are on campus, know their way around, have contacts with other students on a peer level, and understand the attitudes of college students. In fact, adult students may be more effective than younger people who are not. A broad talent base in the church can be imaginatively used to enhance outreach and ministry on campus in a variety of ways. Most college students enjoy and respect talent of any kind. If the local church has a talent base in music, art, dramatics, or literature, it should be channeled into campus ministry. Instrumental and vocal music is especially helpful in leading worship in on-campus meetings, if that is the approach which is taken. It also may serve as a drawing card in special, music-oriented services. Leadership potential among the ministry team must be sought out and actively trained. Many groups mistakenly concentrate all or most leadership functions in one person. This is not always intentional. Many times it happens because people who promise to help do not show up, or because no one else is capable of doing the job. Whenever possible, however, it is better to share these responsibilities, not only for practical purposes, but also so that the fate of the ministry will not be tied to a single leader. Moreover, when more people are involved, the capacity for multiple forms of outreach increases as well. The organizer should break the ministry down into manageable tasks that individuals can handle and continue to teach the ministry team about the spiritual responsibility involved in each task. Training is not easy, but as the example of Jesus Himself shows, placing the work into the hands of others is richly rewarding. 6. Go Ye Therefore . . .— 7 | The ideal church which can supply all of the suggested attributes of a campus outreach effort probably does not exist. Take whatever tools God has provided, and let Him work in and through your team. General Considerations Whatever style of ministry is planned, experience has indicated a few considerations to keep in mind: A. The Bible
The Language Barrier
Ministry Creativity—
D. Resisting discouragement— 8 |
E. Let God be God—
9 | 4. Choosing a Specific Direction for Your Campus Ministry Purpose:
Structured “Official” Approach—
Unstructured “Unofficial” Approach—
10 | Basic advantages of this general approach are that it requires no university recognition to share the gospel, allows the campus minister to be more flexible in the presentation of the gospel, and requires no special training, little money, and no special planning meetings or other administrative details. Regardless of the general strategy chosen, the bottom line is meeting students and sharing the Gospel with them. As such, there are two basic questions which can be addressed: “What can we do to meet people?” and “Once we meet people, what do we do?” 11 | 5. “What CanWe Do To Meet Hungry Students?” Purpose
Become a Member of a Service Club or Organization—
12 |
2. General Campus Activities—
The Student Newspaper—
Foreign Students—
covers this topic in a more comprehensive manner.) It is possible to actually do foreign missions work right at the local campus! 13 | 6. “OnceWe Meet Students,What DoWe Do?” Purpose: To provide direction on growing a spiritually successful campus ministry. After the initial connection, the challenge is to bring them to the point where they can receive the gospel. Before discussing specifics, let us look at what students face in their first few years in college. After that, we will look at what has been most successful in one-to-one campus ministry. Challenges to College Students The college years may best be described as a five-year crisis. The student is asked to take stock of his or her strengths and weaknesses and commit the next few years to a rigorous schedule of classes to prepare for a career that will last until retirement. Additionally, they are adjusting to their newly acquired independence and dealing with the many associated pressures. Realistically, someone who is struggling with these issues cannot be expected to accept the gospel within five minutes. It often takes time, patience, and love before they are ready. Experience has shown that it is not unusual for a student to wait at least a few months or even an entire semester after an initial contact before obeying the gospel. Challenges to CampusMinisters Since it will take time and friendship, the campus minister must relax and give students as much time as they need to develop confidence in the salvation experience. After all, they are being bombarded with many experiences in their college life, and may think that every thing available is to be tried, with each experience claiming to be the greatest. They may not recognize the power of Christ in an instant. The campus worker should open his or her home to students, host a casual dinner with them (perhaps on a weekly basis), and maybe give a standing invitation to come back. Sharing the gospel may need to come after a discussion on current issues or on other interests in research and study. These areas almost always lead into discussions of ultimate values and question, right and wrong, ethics, and so on, and the campus minister can present the biblical view. From such a dinner session, those students who seem most interested to study the Bible’s views may be invited to do so. They may then come to a separate, ongoing, weekly Bible study at a convenient location for them. In dealing with these types of issues, an informal atmosphere works best. Students will feel much freer to participate, express views, ask questions, and make comments. Of course, the worker should ask them what authority they use to support their feelings and should refer frequently to the Scripture to see if their feelings are valid biblically. This technique will assure that they are exposed to the 14 | Word of God. At the same time, it should be balanced by a demonstration of loving, patient giving. Seeing Through Jesus’ Eyes Students need to feel that they are valuable for themselves and not because they are a campus worker’s project. From their standpoint, they are not merely souls to be won; they are people to be appreciated. The worker should avoid making a student feel that he or she is just a means to a goal. Students need to feel that they are loved and that they are welcome in the campus minister’s home at any time, even if they do not decide to come to Jesus. In general, the answer to the question “What do I do?” will be clear if the campus worker makes friends with students based on mutual respect and appreciation. Friendship that is based on common interests will grow, and the relationship will deepen. What road that takes is not important, as long as it is maintained in the Spirit of Christ.What will help win the student is warmth, love, and concern— qualities that are sadly lacking in our world today. 15 | 7. Basic Training—The Fundamentals: Organization Purpose: Campus Organizations Although this approach may not work for every situation, a student organization has several advantages that make it both practicable and valuable. A campus organization may be preferred if there are a number of college students in a local church who want to be involved in campus ministry. It is difficult to operate solely on a one-to-one basis if the numbers become unmanageable. A group meeting is a more efficient way to involve more people. Tasks can be spread out among the group members, depending upon their abilities. Many students who want to help may not be equipped to teach a Bible study or carry the major load of the meeting, but they can distribute flyers, use a computer, or play a guitar. A campus organization may be preferred if .
16 | attendance, but they do offer a convenient time and place to fill a gap that the church may not be able to fill otherwi
Other Privileges There are some definite advantages to being an official campus organization, including:
17 | 8. Establishing an “On-Campus” Organization Purpose: Learn how to create themost popular version of campusministry chapters. The place to find out what a particular school requires is the student activities office, the office for student affairs, or an office that goes by some similar name. A person can go to the main administrative building and ask where this office is located. Generally speaking, there are three basic criteria: A. A Minimum Number of Students—
A Faculty Advisor—
A Constitution—
Naming Your Organization Selecting the right name for your group may be a challenge. There are many existing Christian organizations, and a new group may unwittingly pick a name that is already in use. We recommend names that reflect the purpose of the group without sounding too restrictive or sectarian. If desired, Campus Ministry International makes its name available for use on the local campus, as long as it is identified as “CMI, University of __________ Chapter,” or 18 | “CMI, (local or regional name) Chapter.” This privilege is extended only to those student organizations that are a recognized ministry of a local United Pentecostal Church. 19 | 9. Establishing an “Off-Campus” Organization Purpose: Details on how to create another version of campusministry chapters. Some campus ministries may like the idea of student meetings, but for whatever reason, prefer not to pursue official status. The off-campus approach incorporates all the essentials of the on-campus meeting but takes the meeting to another location. Some groups have, for example, established a coffee house for their ministry to college students. Other groups have rented a room near the campus to conduct meetings. Some have established a boarding or rooming house for students. There are some advantages to maintaining an off-campus ministry site:
A Church-Based Ministry A church-based outreach is almost identical to the off-campus approach, except it eliminates the major disadvantage of expense. The church need not maintain a separate facility just for campus ministry and does not have to duplicate equipment, such as musical instruments, office equipment, and supplies. Moreover, the churchbased ministry may make it easier for a new convert to identify with the local church and achieve integration into the church body. 20 | Some situations lend themselves to a campus ministry staying entirely based in a local church building: If the university is located in a small town
If the church is located near a large number of colleges and universities
21 | However, rallies have some significant weaknesses in establishing a stable campus ministry. For instance: 1. There are many areas of potential failures, such as
10. A Ministry of Meetings—Managing the Basic Gatherings Purpose: To reach students, you need to be structured around coordinated meetings. Before beginning a student organization, there are some commitments that the campus ministry team should be willing to make. A campus-organization approach to evangelize the university is meeting based. Faithfulness to meetings, promptness, sticking with the published date and time, preparedness, aggressive recruitment, and effective advertising are important to the group’s success and reputation. Unless the team is committed to this approach, the purpose for the organization will be lost. Some practical points may be helpful here;
Mixing Up Your Meeting Content There are many different ways to conduct on-campus meetings.While there are many excellent sources of suggested formats for meetings and Bible studies, here are a few of the basic meeting types that most campus organizations use. A. Lecture
Bible Study
Directed Discussion
23 | dynamics, a good grip on the subject, and a sure sense of his or her overall objective before proceeding D. Testimonials
Worship
Special Testimonials
Assigned, Short Talks
Other Special Meetings
Behind the Scenes The entire campus ministry team should be alert to individual needs both before and after the official service time. These times can actually be more important than the meeting itself. At any rate, no opportunity to meet people and witness should be lost. The campus meeting approach can make great use of a number of other skills. Obviously, group leadership skills are important for the person in charge. Beyond this, there is a need for musical talent, artistic ability, skills on the word processor, and talent in many other areas. A good, healthy campus ministry is not the work of one person. Many people should be involved. Remember that the organizational, meeting-based approach does not preclude personal evangelism. Actually, both of these approaches can work side by side, complementing each other. At best, the campus meeting must be seen as a means to the goal of saving souls. The meeting is not the goal itself. If the meetings are great but no one ever finds the Lord, the main objective is unfulfilled. The objective is to 24 | use every means at our disposal to win, disciple, and integrate souls into the church of Jesus Christ. 25 | 11. The Importance of Follow-Up—The most essential aspect of building any ministry Purpose: Detailing themost essential aspect of building anyministry. The importance of follow-up can not be overstated. New converts are rarely won on the first visit. Anyone who attends a meeting should be contacted as soon as possible after the meeting date. The leader should assign a campus worker to each visitor for an ongoing connection. The contact can involve cards and weekly phone calls, invitations to parties, dinners, lunches, and other social activities. Follow-up should never be perceived as nagging or pushiness, but as genuine concern in the individual. Such concern is best communicated by showing a real interest in a person’s life, offering to help out in some way, and being available as a friend. One challenge which can arise is seeing to it that students are properly integrated into the local church. At times, those involved on-campus may find it difficult to ensure that students have a place to go for Sunday dinner, have a ride to church, or something related when they are devoting time to meeting new students. One option to solve this problem is to appoint someone.