I have joined with Bruce and other bloggers of Presbyterian flavor in the group Presbyterian Bloggers Unite // Campus Ministry in posting something about Campus Ministry.
First of all, I have to say that Campus Ministry is dear to my heart. When I was in college at Whitworth College (now University) and then University of Redlands, each school did not have the standard campus ministry that some are used to. At Whitworth we had vesper services in the evenings and although there was a chaplain on staff, I don't remember having an organized student religious group that the chaplain headed. But it was through the evening services once a week that served to keep my interest and faith grounded as a Presbyterian. Redlands was the same way without chapel or vesper services.
My real exposure to Campus Ministry came since I have been here in New Hope Presbytery. I served for six years on the Campus Ministry Committee and was the co-moderator in 2007. We have wonderful campus ministries - UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State (includes Peace and Meredith Colleges), Duke, East Carolina, and North Carolina Central University). Each have excellent programs which reaches lots of students and are strong programs. And I can say that in the last thirteen years I have had the opportunity to live and work along students whether it has been through leading a Presbytery Intercollegiate Delegation to Haiti, participating in mission trip delegation commissioning services, involved in prayer chains for those on mission trips, preaching chapel services at Peace College, or this past Sunday when the NC State Presbyterian Campus Ministry led worship at our church. Even more importantly I have seen these students become my colleagues in ministry as they answered God's call to become Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. In my own congregation we began a relationship with students at Shaw University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) nearby. I even saw greater evidence of a wonderful and thriving Campus Ministry when I visited Maryville College's Center for Campus Ministry under the direction of Rev. Anne McKee.
The greatest hopes and challenges that Campus Ministry faces for the future? Two words come to mind - MONEY and IMPORTANCE. Money is and probably will always be an issue. However my concern is with the importance part. Undoubtedly I do believe that the PCUSA thinks Campus Ministry is important to the denomination but in the light of the recent restructuring and budget cuts, I hope Campus Ministry continues to be at the forefront!
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