Archive for the 'Campus Ministry' Category

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Where Hospitality & Discipleship Meet

Published on September 27, 2011 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry, Coffee and Third Place, discipleship, Gospel and Hospitality.

It was about this time last year that I had a similar post, sharing a bit of a promo for the weekly gathering which I host at the Edge House.

With more in mind than just publicity, I share a similar post today.

Although I’m often conflicted about maintaining a program or event with all its administrative and logistic baggage, I am also compelled to provide a consistent opportunity & place for students to gather, worship, study the Scriptures, experience community and hospitality.

JOURNEY = a common metaphor for the spiritual life.

Jesus called himself the “way”…odos in the Greek (pronounced “hodos”). It’s the origin for derivative words such as odometer and exodus (“a way out”). So the discipleship component of our gathering is all about being FORMED into the likeness of Christ as we join Him on the Kingdom path.

Speaking of FORMED…that is the ‘curriculum for Christlikeness’ we’ll be engaging along the WAY. You can download the accompanying prayerbooks here or find out more about FORMED here. You can also “like” FORMED on facebook and be part of the community engaging this material and mission.

2.8 = refers to 1 Thessalonians 2:8 in which Paul encourages and reminds the Thessalonian Christians, “We loved you so much that we wanted to share not just the Gospel but our lives as well.”

Hospitality is more than serving coffee and pastries. It’s about blurring the lines between kin and foreigner. It’s a recognition that we are all pilgrims journeying towards some purpose or end. In Christ, we have been brought near to God. Though we were once considered estranged enemies of God, because of Christ…we are children of God. How great is that kind of love? The scandalous love of a Father for his prodigal child?! The whole paradigm of the Gospel is reconciliation…God extending gracious hospitality to His creation. So we who have received this grace and blessing are called to be people of grace and blessing to other “foreigners,” pilgrims, college students…whoever. And as Paul indicates, sharing the Gospel is about sharing life…not just information or some magical salvation prayer.

JOURNEY 2.8 then is about embracing the call to follow Jesus within the context and ethos of hospitality. It’s designed to be a welcoming environment but especially suited for students who want to be transformed by the Word/words of God in order to transform the world.

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Move-In Week at UC

Published on September 16, 2011 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry, Church, discipleship and Faith.

This video clip from News 5 in Cincinnati gives a little taste of what move-in week is like at UC but it doesn’t really capture the gravity of what’s happening in a college student’s life as they pack up a dorm room’s worth of belongings and start their new life on a college or university campus.

As I had lunch with one young freshman girl and her parents, I was reminded of all the little questions and concerns that parents have in the process. And for many parents who have raised their children in a particular faith environment, one of their greatest concerns is whether their student’s faith will grow or be dismantled during these all-important course-setting years of campus life.

I often try to encourage parents. There’s a healthy and natural process that most college students go through which usually involves deconstructing the faith & value system they were raised with in order to reconstruct the faith and worldview which they can own from this point forward.

That’s why I believe my calling is so significant…to come alongside of college students and walk with them through this process. It’s not my intention to prevent students from asking the tough questions or even laying down their faith for a time. I’m sure it can unnerve parents a little to hear me say that (which is why I usually don’t say it quite like that), but in the long run, the journey towards a fully integrated life and faith is just as important as the destination.

That’s what I’m doing whether I disciple students one-one-one or facilitate a similar experience in community (Journey 2.8). If I can help a student engage that process and plug into a healthy faith community (church) during their years at UC, I believe they will actually be transformed by Christ and prepared to transform the world.

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Tips for College Students

Published on September 12, 2011 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry, Church, discipleship, Faith and Prayer.

I stumbled across this list of tips as I was reading up on college ministry stuff. The original article is here.

1.  Location, Location, Location…Serious about getting work done? Find a good location. Use the libraries, study rooms, or empty classrooms. (Or perhaps the Edge Houseif you’re in Cincinnati!)2.  Make It a Habit: Do Coursework Every DayCramming is not conducive to understanding and retaining large amounts of information. Time on your courses each day is the best way to learn. Use the time between classes to stay on top of readings.

3. Help Exists! Seek It Out and Improve Your Grades

Whether you’re an ‘A’ student or a ‘D’ student, you can strengthen your skills. Get to know your professors and tutorial assistants. Use study guides and help centres. If you’re struggling academically, ask your professor what resources might be available from campus/student services.

4.   Write It Down

Use a day planner or wall calendar. Plan time for coursework. Plan ahead for assignments and exam periods.

5.  Get Energized – Eat, Exercise, Sleep

Fatigue and stress weaken memory and comprehension. Eat properly, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.

You can find the rest of the list here.

Of course, as a campus minister/pastor/missionary…I’m interested in students being more than just academically successful. So here are my top 5 tips for being “spiritually” (in a wholistic, not dualistic sense) successful as a college student.

1. Be With other Followers

Whether this happens in a formal campus ministry environment or simply by seeking out some Christian brothers/sisters, you need to spend some quantity AND quality time with a few others who are also on the journey to be Formed by Christ.

2. Be With a Congregation

Many college/university students overlook this piece but it can be critical as well. The local church has and always will be God’s chosen vehicle for cultivating Gospel community. Being part of a church body provides a place to worship, serve, grow, encourage, and learn. (not to mention the other 40+ “one another” commands in scripture that cannot be fulfilled apart from a faith community).

3. Be With a Mentor-Discipler

Paul had his Barnabas. Timothy had his Paul. We all need someone mentoring and challenging us during significant seasons of life. This could be a pastor, a campus minister, or nearly any mature Christ follower…but it must be someone you respect, seek out, and listen to.

4.  Be With Those In Need

According to Jesus, it’s impossible to love God while not loving others.  (Matthew 22 & Mark 12) These are the two greatest commandments. Without engaging regularly in service and compassion, our faith can become ingrown and self-serving. Since the very first covenant God made with Abraham, the blessings we receive from God are to be poured out on those around us.

5.  Be With Jesus

This may be the most important “Be With” tip so I am wrapping up with this one. Spending time with God…in prayer, reading scripture, meditating, worship, etc is not to be some daily checklist of Christian performance. However, these and many other Christian practices (spiritual disciplines) are the ways in which we position ourselves to be transformed by God. I love the illustration of sailing when it comes to spiritual formation. When we engage in spiritual disciplines, we are simply raising the sail into which then God will breathe and direct our lives by His Spirit.

 

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