Thanks for working to help that change!

The local church has no approach to reaching the university world. The church, especially in large university centers, has to be sensitized to the mission field of the university. This is what I am working at doing through teaching, modeling, casting vision.

Historically, we know that this model was practiced by the Apostle John who gathered a group of disciples of which Polycarp was a part (Bishop of Smyrna and an early martyr of the the faith). Polycarp formed a group of disciples of whom Irenaeus was a part (a huge figure in the early church whose theological impact is still felt today). Irenaeus formed a group of whom Hippolytus was a part (another Big Dog in the early church). And on it goes…

This is a rhythm of gathering and sending. Getting into this groove is what it is all about for us.

And that’s just it – the way you guys (clearly) are approaching it is to apply that much-needed discipleship area to college students, on purpose and with purpose. It’s when churches act like students are already “transitioned,” as though the world they’re in doesn’t need to be considered a “Point A” that comes before the “Point B” (or by that time, maybe Point C or D) of the Real World – that’s when I’m concerned.

(And to the original point, students also miss all the Point A Mission that is available.)

Having worked on campuses for the past 12 years, I have seen the growing significance in partnering with the local church… and seeing our work as intimately inter-connected.

Ministry on campus provides, among other things, a constant presence, high level of accessibility and frequent convenient ways for students to worship, gather in intentional Christian community and serve the campus and local community.

From day one, however, we are telling our students that they must take the initiative to find a new “church home away from home” because what we offer on campus is meant to be “above and beyond” what they receive (and give) in the local church context.

Ultimately, I believe that local church leaders and campus ministers need to grow in their awareness of, and relationship to, one another so that we can see each other as members of the same team and not in competition with each other.

It takes time, yes, but our approach to reaching college students during these incredibly formative years of their life can and should be much more intentionally connected between the local church and the para-churches that all desire the same end goal…

to see college students become the men and women of God that He desires them to be and to be equipped to use the talents, gifts and passions that He has uniquely created them with to go out and meet the needs of a hurting world!