thanks from PSALT
For the Presbyterian Student Advocacy and Leadership Team (PSALT), I just wanted to thank everyone for talking today TOGETHER about campus ministry. I hope we continue to connect with each other so that we can minister better together and on our individual campuses. It's great to hear about the importance of campus ministry in the PC(USA) today and for the future.
Also, if you haven't checked out www.pcusaCOLLEGE.org, I encourage you to do so. It's one way we're trying to connect students to campus ministries within the PC(USA). AND right now we're asking for feedback too (know that the resources page is in construction though...) -- let us know what you think on facebook (pcusaCOLLEGE.org) or on the contact us page.
PEACE!
Campus Ministry
As a Campus Minister with the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia serving at the Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia I have definitely been personally impacted by Campus Ministry. I began here four years ago with no students. Currently we have 25 - 30 who participate on a regular basis in Bible studies, Women's Groups, Mission and Service projects, and fellowship activities. Each time a student comes into our building I am impacted by their need for grace, acceptance, a place to ask questions and someone to talk with freely. The students want to talk about social, political, economic, religious and personal issues. They come from a variety of backgrounds and levels of religious knowledge. I have been blessed to watch them grow and mature in their faith and in their personal lives. They seem to share a passion for service and mission, a desire to make a difference in the world in which they live. We recently returned from a week in New Orleans where lives were changed. Anyone who spends any time in a campus ministry I believe will be personally impacted by the students and ministry found within the walls and on the campus. Campus Ministry is different than the traditional church ministry in many ways, but perhaps the biggest is that our "membership" is constantly changing. Churches seek to bring members in and retain them, Campus Ministry brings students in knowing that in four to five years they will leave. Campus Ministry is planting seeds, making disciples and sending them out into the world. It is tremendously rewarding as I seek to help these young people find and renew their faith.
As for my future commitment to supporting Campus Ministry, it is my hope to remain here for several years. Campus Ministry is not just my call, but my passion. There is so much to be done on our campuses, and I hope to continue to work to provide an opportunity for future students to have the same opportunities that exist today. Unfortunately, funding continues to be an issue with campus ministry across the denomination. Although we as a denomination continue to say that youth and young adults are a priority, the funding for ministries to reach these young adults continues to shrink. Currently I am considered a "part-time" campus minister. However, we all know that there is no "part-time" in ministry. While being paid for 25 hours most weeks I work 35-40. Because I believe in this ministry one of the things I am willing to do to support campus ministry is continue to work for my passion, not my salary. I will also continue to advocate for campus ministry on a presbytery, synod and GA level. As a denomination we need to raise awareness of the need for, and the benefits of campus ministry.
As I look forward to the future of Campus Ministry I realize that in this economy and time of budget reductions there will continue to be issues regarding funding of Campus Ministry. However, in the midst of denominations, even ours, that are losing members, especially young adults, it seems that ministries directed towards youth and young adults should be seen as a priority. So the challeges facing Campus Ministry are raising awareness of the importance of Campus Ministry within the churches and the denomination as a whole, and finding funding to support these ministries. My hope for the future is that we will see the importance of Campus Ministry as a place where young adults can continue to challenge, grow and mature in their faith, and a place where they can find a safe place in the midst of the challenges of college life.
It is my hope and prayer that the GA, synods and presbyteries across our denomination will see and respond to the opportunity to plant seeds, send out disciples, and connect with young adults on our campuses.
Presbyterian College will invite posts on campaus ministry
We will ask our students and staff, our Bluefish interns and others to take part in this event on April 1.
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Presbyterian Bloggers Unite // Campus Ministry
http://www.mod.reyes-chow.com/…
To build awareness of the joys and struggles of the past and future of campus ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA)
On the first day of each month, in order to build awareness, strengthen community and spark action Presbyterian Church (USA) bloggers will post their thoughts and musings addressing the following questions: - how have you been personally impacted by CAMPUS MINISTRY? - what future commitment are you willing to make to support CAMPUS MINISTRY? - what are the greatest hopes and challenges that you think face CAMPUS MINISTRY in the future? This month [04.01.09] it is CAMPUS MINISTRY.
Presbyterian Campus Ministry and Amazing Grace
4/01/09
by: danwboles
Submitted my post, but here's another link to it:
danwboles.com/2009/04/01/pcm-amazing-grace/
Grace and peace,
Dan Boles
Director / Campus Minister
CELTIC CROSS PCM
Kennesaw State University
www.celticcross-ksu.org
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