To Pursue the Mission Part III


previous page....next page III. God's promises for ministry in higher education *A. The promises of God's kingdom* The promises of God sustain people in ministry. The last two chapters of the revelation given to St. John sketch out the eschatological promises not only for God's people but for the heavens and earth as well. In the fullness of time all the nations will gather around the throne, celebrating the promises and gifts of God and the newness of all things (Rev. 21:5). The story of God's love begins in the garden and culminates in the splendid city bathed in the light of divine grace and mercy. That love, in action, reached into the lives of Abraham and Sarah, gathered slaves into a nation, and comes in the kingdom, of which the suffering Servant is the exalted King forever and ever. In this crucified and risen one all things "holdtogether," and "through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven" (Col. 1:17, 20). It is this God‑given promise for the future that shapes our sense of who we are and what we must be about, in all ministry, until Christ comes. The Reformed tradition is grounded in the conviction that God is not confined to the stained‑glass walls of the institutional church. That is why the Vision for Campus Ministry statement declares, "Through faith we know that Jesus, the Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is already present in institutions of higher learning."[31] Thus it is possible for scholars to "follow the Lord with integrity, in the rigors of their studies."[32] And many do. The vocation for many committed Christians is practiced in the context of higher education. Campus ministry, because it witnesses to the gospel in the context of curiosity about the universe (university), must employ mission strategies that give attention to the whole of God's kingdom. Gathering persons into Christ's community is part of that mission but not the whole of it. Campus ministry is called to pursue a full witness to the kingdom, arrived and yet to come, all to the glory of God. Campus ministry is shaped by our relationship with God, by the mind of the church, and by the mission of the church. Therefore, we seek to develop certain characteristics in ourselves and in those to whom we minister. 1. Campus ministry shaped by our relationship with God will be a. Doxological The Triune God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—who created, sustains, and redeems the world; who is revealed in Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, and creation; and who is the indwelling power of Jesus' kingdom—elicits our highest praise and ever faithful service.[33] b. Christological Despite the strong centrifugal forces in postmodern times, which threaten to eradicate any conceivable “center” from which to minister, we confess that Christ reigns and that “in him all things hold together." (Col. 1:17, NRSV). c. Covenantal We find refuge in God's promise to be faithful, to send the Spirit, and thereby to equip us for ministry. d. Eschatological The presence of God within the world of higher education invites campus ministries into the disciplines of a prayerful longing for the day of fulfillment. In ministry we negotiate the "white waters” of contending principalities and powers, of changing societal trends and social mores, of conflicting ideologies and political shibboleths, of decadent religion and morals, of the siren calls of heroes and demons—all in the context of a transcendent struggle which engages even the hosts of heaven. But the Christ is the Alpha and the Omega! He shall return! His kingdom is coming! May he keep us faithful! 2. Campus ministry shaped by the mind of the church will be a. Chastened As a gathering offorgiven sinners, we reject the pretensions oftriumphalism and acknowledge that we are implicated in the brokenness of the world. We think of ourselves as "one beggar telling another beggar where to find some bread."[34] b. Civil In an increasingly pluralistic world God calls us to respect persons and be civil to those who embrace different values, beliefs, and opinions from our own.[351 c. Servant‑shaped Challenged by the love of the suffering Servant who came not to be served but to serve, we seek to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Mark 8:34). Thus, our ministry is to be shaped by loving service of God and compassionate service of our neighbors (2 Cor. 4:6). d. Communal and ecumenical In the kingdom God calls people not only to himself but also into true community with each other. In the CRCNA we acknowledge that we are a part of the body of Christ in higher education and that we live in an increasingly global world. We therefore seek to be in authentic partnership with all individuals and institutions that honor Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life and encourage students, faculty, and staff to make similar commitments.[36] 3. Campus ministry shaped by the mission of the church will be a. Contextual The pattern of Christ's own incarnation calls us to be compassionately present with persons and their institutions. In the case of ministry in higher education this implies patient, careful listening as well as speaking to the university.[37] b. Prophetic The very existence of the church declares that a new order of true justice and abiding peace is coming. We acknowledge that we, with as many others as possible, are called to exhibit that new order in our individual and collective lives and to Joyfully work for its coming into the world. c. Evangelistic With passion and intentionality we witness to the nearness and presence of God's reign so that persons are brought to salvation, and are reconciled to God and each other and so that all nations will be gathered before the throne of God to praise the Lamb. d. Creational The whole universe belongs to God, and within it we are God's stewards. God's creational blessing calls us to become better stewards of the world and its creatures. This implies that we must change our ways and standards of living so as to make that possible. *B. The mission of the CRCNA in higher education* The following mission statement encapsulates the central purpose of campus ministry as found in the Vision for Campus Ministry statement of the CR‑CMA and CRHM.[38] The mission of the CRCNA in higher education is to promote gatherings of God's people in the specialized context of higher education to engage in wholistic kingdom ministries that are sustained in relationships of mutual accountability, and are led and served by campus ministers. *C. The future we desire for CRCNA ministry in higher education* Our desire is that the CRCNA will be able to enter the twenty‑first century pursuing a renewed commitment to ministry in higher education. That desired future for campus ministry requires that the CRCNA accomplish the following by the year 2000. Recognition of the essential role that the CR‑CMA plays in the campus ministry effort of the CRCNA, as a representative voice of campus ministries in the CRCMA and a gathering place for people concerned for the welfare of campus ministry in the CRCNA. Renewed commitment to Christian ministry in the world of higher education as an important denominational concern of the whole church. Establishment of supportive partnerships an behalf of campus ministries with congregations, classes, and denominational agencies of the CRCNA. Development of strategies for the collegial support, spiritual formation, and continuing education of personnel in campus ministry, including designing specific programs for spiritual renewal and professional development. Identification of specific means by which to interpret campus ministry and the world of higher education to the church at large. Development of strategies for recruiting and training new personnel to staff campus ministries (both ordained and unordained). Development of plans for strategically placing new campus ministries on campuses in the United States and Canada. Assignment of denominational support staff and funding for campus ministry consistent with the vision and resources of the CRCNA. Identification of criteria for carrying out faithful campus ministry appropriate to the Reformed tradition. Development of high quality interpretative and teaching materials for use by campus ministries, and making these readily available through a central resource center. Development of a clear set of expectations and accompanying strategies for enabling God's people in higher education to fulfill their academic vocations as partners in the ministry. This would include strategies for linking up on campus with Christians of other traditions. previous page....next page

previous page....next page

III. God's promises for ministry in higher education

A. The promises of God's kingdom
The promises of God sustain people in ministry. The last two chapters of the revelation given to St. John sketch out the eschatological promises not only for God's people but for the heavens and earth as well. In the fullness of time all the nations will gather around the throne, celebrating the promises and gifts of God and the newness of all things (Rev. 21:5). The story of God's love begins in the garden and culminates in the splendid city bathed in the light of divine grace and mercy. That love, in action, reached into the lives of Abraham and Sarah, gathered slaves into a nation, and comes in the kingdom, of which the suffering Servant is the exalted King forever and ever. In this crucified and risen one all things "holdtogether," and "through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven" (Col. 1:17, 20). It is this God‑given promise for the future that shapes our sense of who we are and what we must be about, in all ministry, until Christ comes.
The Reformed tradition is grounded in the conviction that God is not confined to the stained‑glass walls of the institutional church. That is why the Vision for Campus Ministry statement declares, "Through faith we know that Jesus, the Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is already present in institutions of higher learning."[31] Thus it is possible for scholars to "follow the Lord with integrity, in the rigors of their studies."[32] And many do. The vocation for many committed Christians is practiced in the context of higher education.
Campus ministry, because it witnesses to the gospel in the context of curiosity about the universe (university), must employ mission strategies that give attention to the whole of God's kingdom. Gathering persons into Christ's community is part of that mission but not the whole of it. Campus ministry is called to pursue a full witness to the kingdom, arrived and yet to come, all to the glory of God.
Campus ministry is shaped by our relationship with God, by the mind of the church, and by the mission of the church. Therefore, we seek to develop certain characteristics in ourselves and in those to whom we minister.

1. Campus ministry shaped by our relationship with God will be
     a. Doxological
          The Triune God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—who created, sustains, and redeems the world; who is revealed in Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, and creation; and who is the indwelling power of Jesus' kingdom—elicits our highest praise and ever faithful service.[33]
     b. Christological
          Despite the strong centrifugal forces in postmodern times, which threaten to eradicate any conceivable “center” from which to minister, we confess that Christ reigns and that “in him all things hold together." (Col. 1:17, NRSV).
     c. Covenantal
          We find refuge in God's promise to be faithful, to send the Spirit, and thereby to equip us for ministry.
     d. Eschatological
          The presence of God within the world of higher education invites campus ministries into the disciplines of a prayerful longing for the day of fulfillment. In ministry we negotiate the "white waters” of contending principalities and powers, of changing societal trends and social mores, of conflicting ideologies and political shibboleths, of decadent religion and morals, of the siren calls of heroes and demons—all in the context of a transcendent struggle which engages even the hosts of heaven. But the Christ is the Alpha and the Omega! He shall return! His kingdom is coming! May he keep us faithful!

2. Campus ministry shaped by the mind of the church will be
     a. Chastened
          As a gathering offorgiven sinners, we reject the pretensions oftriumphalism
and acknowledge that we are implicated in the brokenness of the world. We think of ourselves as "one beggar telling another beggar where to find some bread."[34]
     b. Civil
          In an increasingly pluralistic world God calls us to respect persons and be civil to those who embrace different values, beliefs, and opinions from our own.[351
     c. Servant‑shaped
         Challenged by the love of the suffering Servant who came not to be served but to serve, we seek to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Mark 8:34). Thus, our ministry is to be shaped by loving service of God and compassionate service of our neighbors (2 Cor. 4:6).
     d. Communal and ecumenical
          In the kingdom God calls people not only to himself but also into true community with each other. In the CRCNA we acknowledge that we are a part of the body of Christ in higher education and that we live in an increasingly global world. We therefore seek to be in authentic partnership with all individuals and institutions that honor Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life and encourage students, faculty, and staff to make similar commitments.[36]

3. Campus ministry shaped by the mission of the church will be
     a. Contextual
          The pattern of Christ's own incarnation calls us to be compassionately present with persons and their institutions. In the case of ministry in higher education this implies patient, careful listening as well as speaking to the university.[37]
     b. Prophetic
          The very existence of the church declares that a new order of true justice and abiding peace is coming. We acknowledge that we, with as many others as possible, are called to exhibit that new order in our individual and collective lives and to Joyfully work for its coming into the world.
     c. Evangelistic
          With passion and intentionality we witness to the nearness and presence of God's reign so that persons are brought to salvation, and are reconciled to God and each other and so that all nations will be gathered before the throne of God to praise the Lamb.
     d. Creational
          The whole universe belongs to God, and within it we are God's stewards. God's creational blessing calls us to become better stewards of the world and its creatures. This implies that we must change our ways and standards of living so as to make that possible.

B. The mission of the CRCNA in higher education
The following mission statement encapsulates the central purpose of campus ministry as found in the Vision for Campus Ministry statement of the CR‑CMA and CRHM.[38]

                        The mission of the CRCNA in higher education is to

promote gatherings of God's people

in the specialized context of higher education

to engage in wholistic kingdom ministries

that are sustained in relationships of mutual accountability,

and are led and served by campus ministers.

C. The future we desire for CRCNA ministry in higher education
Our desire is that the CRCNA will be able to enter the twenty‑first century pursuing a renewed commitment to ministry in higher education. That desired future for campus ministry requires that the CRCNA accomplish the following by the year 2000.

Recognition of the essential role that the CR‑CMA plays in the campus ministry effort of the   CRCNA, as a representative voice of campus ministries in the CRCMA and a gathering place for people concerned for the welfare of campus ministry in the CRCNA.

Renewed commitment to Christian ministry in the world of higher education as an important   denominational concern of the whole church.

Establishment of supportive partnerships an behalf of campus ministries with congregations,   classes, and denominational agencies of the CRCNA.

Development of strategies for the collegial support, spiritual formation, and continuing education of personnel in campus ministry, including designing specific programs for spiritual renewal and professional development.

Identification of specific means by which to interpret campus ministry and the world of higher education to the church at large.

Development of strategies for recruiting and training new personnel to staff campus ministries (both ordained and unordained).

Development of plans for strategically placing new campus ministries on campuses in the United States and Canada.

Assignment of denominational support staff and funding for campus ministry consistent with the vision and resources of the CRCNA.

Identification of criteria for carrying out faithful campus ministry appropriate to the Reformed tradition.

Development of high quality interpretative and teaching materials for use by campus ministries, and making these readily available through a central resource center.

Development of a clear set of expectations and accompanying strategies for enabling God's people in higher education to fulfill their academic vocations as partners in the ministry. This would include strategies for linking up on campus with Christians of other traditions.

previous page....next page