I have the exciting chance to help build a course for college ministers (both present and future) at the seminary level. I was asked to provide a list of topics that would be important to include in such a class. What would you include if you only had ONE class (14 weeks or so) to train future college ministers?
Obviously, if I think these things are this important, then I probably think this list is worth using as a checklist for any college ministers out there, too – no matter how long they’ve been serving. How clear are you on these topics? Here’s a big chunk of my list:
(Big thanks to Mike Armstrong for helping me think through a little more exhaustive list.)
The Branches of Collegiate Ministry
– Campus-based (usually parachurch)
– Church-based
– Institutional (spiritual life / chaplaincy at Christian colleges)
– Collegiate churches (churches designed with a specific focus on reaching collegians)
Major Organizations and their Models
– Fully parachurch
- Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ)
- InterVarsity (along with International Fellowship of Evangelical Students)
- Navigators
- Young Life College
- Student Mobilization
– Denominational / Associational
- Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BSM in Texas)
- RUF
- Chi Alpha
- Wesley Foundation / UMC ministries
- Association of College Ministries (Independent Christian Churches)
- Church of Christ ministries
- Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) ministries
- Newman Center / Catholic ministries
- Mainline campus-based ministries
– Hybrid models
- Coalition for Christian Outreach
- Campus Outreach
– Niche-based ministry
- International student ministry
- Other niche-based ministry (FCA, Christian Medical & Dental Association, etc.)
Millennials & Post-modernism / campuses and their climate
Contextualizing your ministry (possibly with Church Planting or Missiological principles)
Practical Ecclesiology (how do we teach collegians about “churchmanship”?)
Mobilizing college students for Missions
Cults / Unhealthy ministry among college students
Apologetics for use in college ministry
Introduction to Teaching / Preaching
Small Group Ministry
Funding a Ministry
I don’t know your criteria for campus ministry organizations, but the Association of College Ministries represents 120-125 campus ministries connected to the independent Christian Churches.
Amen!
Annoyed I didn’t remember the non-denomination denominations! I love ACM!
I’ll add you guys and Church Of Christ as soon as I can.