Tag Archive for 'Campus Ministry'

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The Mayonaise Jar

Published on January 25, 2010 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry, Faith and Gospel.

Over this past weekend, I got to spend some time with a great crew of young adults on a retreat. We’re calling this thread of retreats and experiences for 18 to 20+’ers Element. 

Our hope is to connect the various college students and young adults in our Nazarene network of churches here into a community. As we connect and build relationships we also want to challenge, equip, and send these students into the world to make a Kingdom-sized impact on their world.

Element…

It’s about the basic elements of faith. In ancient times there were thought to be four basic elements which constituted the physical universe. We sometimes refer to someone or thing as being in their element. Perhaps you think of a heating element which connects and conduces heat or electricity. All of these ideas could contribute to or illustrate the purposes we have in mind.

JR Forasteros shared some insights from Matthew 25 which I found to be quite helpful. Recall the parable of the talents in which three servants were given a sum of money by their master. After some time the master returned (key point) and found two of the servants as faithful and productive. The third servant (out of fear, or laziness, or some other inhibition) buried his potential in the ground.

JR made the connect between this idea and the fact that most young adults are desperate to know what God’s will is for their lives. In fact, regardless of age and phase of life, we often want to ask the wrong questions. Our questions usually focus on specific felt needs or future developments in our life. God wants us to ask the kinds of questions which would lead to our transformation in the present. What are we doing with what God has entrusted to us right now?

As my mind was wandering a bit (not unusual) I began to think about how easily we bury ourSELVES in the ground. Often, we have a tendency in the church to bury ourselves in the world of church, programs, “ministry”, serving (the church/ourselves) and fail to see how God would have us invest our lives into others…especially those who are far from Christ. Instead of burying the master’s resources in a mayonaise jar in the ground…pour yourself out…and into the lives of those around you.

 

 

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‘Spro ritual…Spiritual

Published on January 18, 2010 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry, Coffee and Third Place and Personal.

Over at Scott McKnight’s blog…Jesus Creed…I found a fabulous ‘liturgy of espresso’ by Billy Kangas. You can catch up with Billy via his blog here, or Twitter.

I have always considered coffee as a great metophor for many things spiritual, social, etc…but over at Billy’s blog…that consideration is cemented into a beautiful liturgy. Great stuff.

The cappuccino as a representation for the trinity makes a lot of sense to me. The cappuccino is technically 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 silky microfoam…blended artfully into one textured and delicious sip.

 

Properly brewed espresso has triune qualities as well. The heart, body, and crema (crema is the lighter reddish foam that floats on the surface) make up the “pulled” shot and when a glass is brewed, all three parts should be seen as three different layers.

“While the making of a good espresso drink is a complicated process; enjoyment of a good espresso drink is one of life’s simple pleasures.”

And when the simple pleasure of artfully brewed coffee mixes with the sharing of conversation, story, and friendship…ahhh, an Edenic experience of hospitality ensues.

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A Light Grip in Campus Ministry

Published on January 5, 2010 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry.

I’m always amazed to find how many lessons from the world of sports translate into other areas of life. Jamie is one of my campus ministry peers here at the Edge House. We just had a great conversation in the kitchen (where MANY great Edge House conversations take place) about things we are both learning as we minister to college students. As we were reflecting on the process through which a few students have connected with her bible study/felllowship deal on Monday nights, we both recognized the need to have a light grip when it  comes to planning and programming for relational ministry (as if there’s non-relational ministry?)

So I was reminded of a golf lesson I had a few years back while visiting Hilton Head during the PGA event at Harbortown. Two buddies and I were treated to some time with one of the most sought-after golf instructors on the island. The first thing he corrected was my grip. He showed me a few places where my glove betrayed my bad golfing behavior…gripping the club too firmly. It didn’t take him long to find my next fundamental error…tension and tightness in my arms. Most golfers know this simple lesson: relax! As soon as you try to muscle the club at the ball…you’re likely to turn the hands over too quickly or make any number of other potential errors. The greatest golf shots often feel effortless…like the club just ‘smoothes’ its way through the ball.

That’s the lesson I’ve been learning so far in my short time of ministering to college students: lighten up, relax, and let the club do the work. Perhaps that translates into ministry and relationships like this: lighten up (the expectations), relax (in prayer and in faith), and let the club do the work (realize it’s God who transforms students lives…not our effort or intensity).

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