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Campus News From LCMS Districts CNH Lutheran - January 1998 Issue a publication of Correspondence: Campus Ministry Awareness The Campus Ministry of the CNH District is responsible for extending ministry to college campuses in the District. The program of campus ministry, guided by the Campus Ministry Committee which in turn answers to the PARTNER MINISTRY COMMITTEE of the District. In a recent survey conducted by Rev. Stewart Crown, Trinity, Palo Alto, a member of our committee, we sought information regarding parishes and what interest or effort was being shown to students on college campuses. We presently have 11 parishes involved in campus ministry in varying degrees. We are pleased there are another 11 parishes that are interested in pursuing the opportunity. We request two things: 1. If your parish is in close proximity to a campus, let students on campus know of your desire to minister to them. 2. If your son/daughter is away at college contact or ask your pastor to contact a parish in the area to welcome and invite your loved one to their church. Enjoy the following article from, Carl Stenzel, who serves our Campus Ministry station at Humboldt State, Arcata, Calif. Pastor Bill Plath An Essay: The Campus Challenge When I was a college undergraduate a few years back, one of my "General ed." classes was in Anthropology. Imagine my surprise when the professor began the course by lecturing for an entire class period that "modern science" had made it impossible to believe that the universe has any purpose, meaning or guiding intelligence (such as God). This was obviously a shocking signal to me that the campus is not always an easy place to be a Christian. Campus life is no less of a challenge to Christians in the ‘90s. A challenge can be a negative and difficult thing at times. Students have long faced pressures involving time management, substance abuse, sex, and the like. I have also noticed in my ministry to Humboldt area students that open hostility to Christianity (and Christians) appears to be on the increase. Christian students I serve have faced social pressure and "academic" attacks directed at their faith. In some circles Christianity is stereotyped as being responsible for such human tragedies as slavery and environmental pollution. Twice I have heard of teachers spreading the twisted caricature that Martin Luther was a forerunner of Adolf Hitler. The HSU library’s collection of writings by Luther and the Church Fathers has been marred by a vandal who scribbled obscenities over the pages of numerous volumes. In one theater class the students were expected to participate in religious Yoga practices, without any acknowledgment that Christians might object. One professor of Religious Studies (an ex-Christian) enjoys "baiting" Christians in class, for example, attacking their belief in the deity. Christian standards of sexuality morality are mocked all over the campus community. I do not mention these incidents to induce panic. Still less do I want to see Christians on campus (or elsewhere) engaging in inflammatory, politicized "culture war" rhetoric. This plays into anti-Christian stereotypes, obscures the Gospel, and tempts believers to the deadly sin of self-righteousness. On the other hand, I also deplore any approach to campus ministry that waters down the Christian message. Making compromises with the "spirit of the age" is dangerous. It is also foolish to do ministry by "dumbing down" the faith, using vague piety, shallow campfire songs (they’re not all bad), or the highly misleading title "non-denominational" to paper over serious issues--and rob bright Christian people of the campus community opportunity to grow spiritually. My goal in campus ministry is to show students the positive side of the "campus challenge." I try to create an atmosphere where students can find support when their minds and hears suffer the wounds on campus. Beyond that I share resources in which intelligent Christians respond to intellectual attacks, reminding us that God’s Word is still quite "valid" today. We can join together in exploring the richness of that Word in depth, and also encounter many contributions to theology, music and the arts made by Christians of all ages (including Martin Luther!). With such a grounding in the faith, a well-informed Christian can speak with integrity and gentleness to outsiders, taking up the "campus challenge" to be a witness for Jesus in one of the world's most difficult mission fields. Some campus ministries pursue the challenge of witnessing to the many international students on American campuses as well. Serving Christ in a campus setting is always challenging, frequently rewarding and never, never boring! During my work on campus I am often encouraged by St. Paul's response to the first century version of the "campus challenge." In Acts 17 we see Paul bringing the Good News of Jesus to the educated people of Athens at the Areopagus. His witness does produce results, although by no means spectacular results (only two of the new Christians are named in the text). I am learning that campus ministry often requires a great deal of patience and that results are not always easy to see. Nevertheless, Paul’s example show us what campus ministry is all about: sharing the Good News of Christ with the educated in a faithful, winning and loving fashion; and thus announcing God’s forgiveness and redemption for each person as a whole: body, soul and mind! Carl Stenzel, M.Div. CNH Lutheran, January 1998, page 6. Campus Ministry: Suggestions for Students facing the Campus Challenge -Contact us immediately*. Find the nearest LCMS ministry or parish and -et us your C, address and phone ASAP. Set a pattern of involvement as soon as you get to college. Time pressures can be one of the devil's most effective tools to isolate students from God's people and from God Himself. You will be overwhelmed with opportunities for activities, many of which look much more attractive on a resume than Christian growth. A small amount of time spent in daily devotions and weekly worship and Bible study can bring you great benefits and keep you anchored in Jesus' love all through the chaos of college life. -Don't panic! Your faith is going to be attacked on campus. But no intellectual attack, no matter how formidable it seems, can truly overthrow the Christian faith. You are not alone. Don’t be afraid to seek help from fellow believers and church workers. All of us have questions and doubts, even the greatest of saints (Just read the Psalms!), and it is all right to share them. Church workers are often amazingly gifted in intellectual or personal support, and if faithful they should not be shocked at anything you say. -Be informed in advance. Since a "sheltered" life is impossible at college (even a Christian college), get as much information as you can from Christians at that campus as to the local atmosphere and obstacles for Christians. For example, on several campuses, students encounter problems in Religious Studies classes due to the anti-Christian bias of some scholars in the field (e.g., Joseph Campbell). Try not to be discouraged if you or other Christians are "baited" or tripped up by a professor in an argument. God's people have lost many arguments, yet God is not thereby dethroned, nor is Jesus returned to the grave. Some humorists speculate that one of the attractions of being a professor is never having to admit being wrong! -Be discerning. Choose a campus Christian ministry or parish based on substance, not hype, entertainment or popularity. Watch out for attractive sounding but deceptive names! Sadly, some self-styled "ecumenical" groups encourage ideologies that radically revise or reject parts of the Biblical witness. Likewise, ignore claims by groups to be "non-denominational," because doctrinally there is no such thing. Groups that make such claims (such as, Campus Crusade) are overwhelmingly Baptist or Pentecostal in outlook. Lutherans in such a setting may be misunderstood, or sometimes pressured to be "rebaptized" and join another kind of church. Cults sometimes also try to recruit members claiming to be "Christian." Learn to appreciate and trust the Lutheran Church and her priceless grace-centered message. -(Speaking of grace) Remember the Gospel. A "faith" based on fear won't survive one term. The center of true faith that "conquers the world" (I John 5 :4) is God's wonderful forgiving love in Jesus Christ. This is the sort of faith that will not just survive, but will flow out to others in a verbal and non-verbal witness. The Holy Spirit can use both kinds of witness to bring people into God's Kingdom of grace and love. -"Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17). You are never alone! God comes to you in His Word and Sacrament, and He always hears and lovingly answers your prayers. When times are tough, keep running to Him, not away from Him. And remember His love in good times as well. "Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1: 17). * Contact Rev. William Plath, Campus Ministry, ChairPerson, Greenhaven Lutheran Church, 475 Florin Rd., Sacramento, CA 95831-2024; 1-916-428-8449; FAX: 1-916-428-3213; E-mail: glc-lcms@msn.com CNH Lutheran, January 1998, page 12. |