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The BSU was my church. But I continued to hear conflicting messages from my leaders. \u201cHere are some great churches you can attend.\u201d Churches would table at our events, inviting us to be a part of their church. It was all so confusing. What is going on here?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
A Health Perspective of the Church<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI didn\u2019t know this at the time, but this would be what God would use to shape my ministry philosophy here after becoming the director. I didn\u2019t want students to have the same experiences as me. There was a \u201ctension\u201d that existed. Because of this confusion, I wasn\u2019t part of any local church throughout my entire college career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Church, according to the Bible, is an unveiling of the mystery of the universe (Eph. 3:6). She is in a one-flesh union with Jesus such that, as in a marriage, everything that belongs to Him belongs to her (Eph. 5:22\u201333). Even with all her flaws she is still these things.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Church, according to the Bible, is an unveiling of the mystery of the universe. She is in a one-flesh union with Jesus such that, as in a marriage, everything that belongs to Him belongs to her.”<\/p>Chris Wilson<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\nA congregation, in covenant with one another as an assembly of Christ\u2019s people, is a colony of the coming global reign of Christ (Eph. 1:22\u201323), a preview of what His kingdom will look like in the end (1 Cor. 6:1\u20138). Where there is a covenant among believers\u2014a disciplined community of faith\u2014the Spirit of Jesus is present among them, just as God was present among the people of Israel in the temple of old (Matt. 18:15\u201320).” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The church is under the authority of Jesus; the very flesh and bones of the risen Christ. She is the conduit by which hope is restored. But that doesn\u2019t mean the campus ministry is irrelevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My view of the local body was extremely skewed by my ignorance of Scriptures in my college days. A campus ministry may seem more \u201cspiritual\u201d than the congregation. Some congregations may have more of an emphasis on young people. Some congregations may seem like they are dull and behind the times. This doesn\u2019t mean you should participate in a campus ministry and not a local church. Biblically speaking, every believer is called to participate in a local church body. College ministry shouldn\u2019t take its place. It was never meant to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A Healthy Perspective for Campus Ministers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat does a healthy partnership look like between the local church and campus ministry?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My experiences as a college student, and the biblical understanding I\u2019ve gained since, have shaped the way I structure my ministry as a campus missionary. It is critical for campus ministers to work alongside the local church; not in competition with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In our context, that has meant making a few intentional choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWe did away with worship services. We no longer are in \u201ccompetition\u201d with the local church. <\/li>\n\n\n\n We ask churches how we can continue the discipleship process with the students they\u2019ve already invested in. <\/li>\n\n\n\n One of our key metrics is whether students are active participants in their local church. That is the end goal for us. We don\u2019t resent the time students spend in their local church (and I\u2019d be very concerned if a campus minister did). <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Working alongside a church is discipling that student to be actively involved in their church; even if that means scrubbing toilets. Students are going to eventually leave college. My hope is that we have discipled our students to love the local church, be able to identify what a Bible-believing local church looks like, and understand what membership looks like. If those things are in place, then when they graduate, they are equipped to find that local body wherever life leads them. That\u2019s a win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A Healthy Perspective for Pastors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThat\u2019s what healthy looks like from one campus ministry leader\u2019s perspective. But what are some suggestions I could make to my pastor brothers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What the campus ministry has taught the local church is how to efficiently and aggressively reach the college campus. Instead of hoping that your website attracts the college student who randomly wakes up on a Sunday, a healthy church will go find them. Isn\u2019t that Jesus\u2019 mandate for us? While it is true that the church carries out God\u2019s Great Commission, it\u2019s equally true that this will only happen if the church pursues the college campus like campus ministries do. It will require leaving the confines of our church buildings and minister to the dorms, the athletes, the staff\u2026the campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Church, have you considered becoming a recognized student organization? Joining a campus ministry alliance? Starting a Bible study using the college students or staff you have that attend your church? Working on the campus with your local Baptist student ministry?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A campus minister could come alongside you and help you get those things accomplished. This requires time, resources, experience, and often relationships and rapport with campus administrators. Bring to the table what you have to offer, and let the campus ministry stand in the gap as a conduit between you and the college campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A Healthy Partnership for Both<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s where a healthy partnership between campus ministries and churches exists. Are you ready? A healthy campus ministry<\/em><\/strong> that has a deep love for the biblical church<\/em><\/strong> helps to fulfill the calling of the local church<\/em><\/strong> by coming alongside local churches<\/em><\/strong> to assist in discipleship and evangelism<\/em><\/strong> on the local college campus<\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n