I think campus pastors are unsung heroes. They pastor in academic shadows, but what they do will have more lasting impact than what happens in classrooms or dorm rooms. Did you know that 61% of college students who grew up in church will quit going to church in their twenties? That attrition rate is killing us. And campus pastors stand in the gap.
Long story short, I love college students and I love campus pastors. For that matter, I love campus ministries like Campus Crusade and IV and Chi Alpha. And I know campus pastors don't have a big book budget. So here's the scoop. The first Primal giveaway goes to campus pastors. I'm giving away 100 advance copies. They'll ship in December. Think of it as an early Christmas gift.
Simply email tour@theaterchurch.com.
Include your name, college, campus ministry, and address.
So many revivals have started on college campuses. Hoping Primal starts another one!
Long story short, I love college students and I love campus pastors. For that matter, I love campus ministries like Campus Crusade and IV and Chi Alpha. And I know campus pastors don't have a big book budget. So here's the scoop. The first Primal giveaway goes to campus pastors. I'm giving away 100 advance copies. They'll ship in December. Think of it as an early Christmas gift.
Simply email tour@theaterchurch.com.
Include your name, college, campus ministry, and address.
So many revivals have started on college campuses. Hoping Primal starts another one!
16 Comments:
Hey Mark! I think it's great you are giving a shout to campus pastors. I work with Campus Crusade in the Cincinnati Metro Area. If you ever have a moment, I would love to hear some of your thoughts about campus pastors and their relationship with the local church. Just to bang some thoughts and ideas around about ministry would be great sometime.
Mark,
I agree with Mikey...thanks for giving college ministers some love.
God used a campus ministry to bring me to Jesus when I was in college...and now I have given my life to college ministry as well.
Love your blog...love your insights...love what you're doing.
Oh, and caught your Lab at Catalyst. Man, you knocked it out of the park!
Thanks again!
Mark,
This is one of your just cool things you do posts, but it's really some confirmation from God for me. I really look up to you, and this week I'm meeting with a local pastor to talk about starting a campus ministry. This is really encouraging before going into that meeting. I already am getting a copy of your book, through the blog tour, but thank you for doing this amazing work.
Mark
Thank you so much for doing this. I have been in campus ministry for over 7 years now, having pioneered a new work at the college I graduated from, and you are right, very rarely do I have a big enough book budget (none at all this year) to spend on things like this. So thank you again!
And Adam - glad to hear you are looking at starting a campus ministry. It can be a tough road, but very very rewarding. I don't know you, but I will be praying for your meeting. I think campus ministry is one of the most important ministries any church can do, cause it impacts our future. If you need any ideas or advice, feel free to contact me. Sometimes just hearing what other ministries are doing can spark something fresh and new in you.
Pastor Mark, Thanks for the shout-out for the importance of our campus missions work...and thanks for the book! :) Karen K
Mikey,
What if you and the students you lead are a local church? Is there really a difference between a "campus pastor" who spends their time with college students and a "pastor" of a church that focuses on other generations? I pray that we can begin to understand that we are all on the same playing level and we're all doing the same work...we're leading people (the church) closer and closer to our Father.
Mark, I can not thank you enough for this. Few pastors acknowledge the work these amazing guys and gals are doing among the "campus tribes." So... thanks for highlighting college ministry, especially with the platform you have. Please keep helping your fellow pastors see the value of reaching collegians!
(written from the South Dakota School of Mines, within a seven-week road trip visiting more amazing college ministers around the country)
Thanks for sticking up for university ministry! Hope you can convince other church leaders of just how imoprtant this thing is.
Mikey,
I think churches ought to view campuses as mission fields. So I want our students to invest most of their time and energy on campus. So I think the pastor and church ought to play a support role to campus ministry.
Having said that, I think it's really important for students to develop a "church habit" so the campus ministry shouldn't try to substitute for that.
My two cents,
Mark
Mark,
I am a Campus Ministry Pastor in Louisiana. I am finding that I am seeing the churches are almost ignoring the 8500 college students that live on campus here.
So I see a need and I am not scared of the numbers of the lack of the money coming from other churches to help support this Outreach Revival.
I see this as the biggest untapped resource in our country. Many people begin to either get stronger with their walk with God or sadly are walking away from him until they have a dramatic encounter.
I am seeing this as a huge need in my area and I think that it will be a awesome opportunity to change the world thru professionals and missionaries in different job fields.
Thank,
John Wesley Pritchard
Mark,
I appreciate your posts. I am inspired by your drive to change the status quo of the image of church...a neo-renaissance for the Kingdom.
I would challenge you to reconsider your statistic of
"...that 61% of college students who grew up in church will quit going to church in their twenties?"
Where did you get that statistic? In looking at Lifeway's research as well as Jay Strack's use of that number, I think it is off base. For his PhD, Brandon Shields of SBTS, found out that number to be considerably higher than what is really happening with college students. Google him and see his research. I want there to be truth communicated and not fabricated numbers that might not be accurate. Just weighing in.
All in all, the truth does still remain, a lot of college students are choosing to trade in their faith for a life consumed with self-centered standards. This little stat doesn't change our purpose...but, it does help us see the need in a greater light.
Jeff,
I think the 61% is a Barna stat. I know there is a little variance when it comes to that stat.
Mark
Mark- my small groups have enjoyed both "In a Pit...." and "Goose Chase". I am looking forward to Primal. Thank you So much for championing the cause of College Ministry.
Mark,
It's awesome you're giving a shout out to campus/college pastors! When I was in school, my guy was amazing. I actually have an advice question for anyone out there who wants to share. I am working part time at my church as a "college pastor" and it's been a little rough so far. The church itself is not even two years old, but is growing a lot. Anyway, college numbers are low and I've been struggling with how to draw people in. It's been a little discouraging for me as well. My pastor has taken a big chance on me and wants to see me succeed,and I want to make him proud, but so far I've been failing miserably!!!
Any suggestions? Comments? Let me know.
My one piece of advice is this. Don't expect them to come to you. Go to them. I think you have to meet them on their turf--the campus. Fit into their rhythm of life.
Mark
Mark,
Thanks for clarifying your statistic. I appreciate the reference to where you pulled the numbers. It seems as I get older, I can't always rely on statistics without reference. I have been manipulated in the past by people giving numbers to help aid their motives...whether good or bad. I'm not saying you are in that boat, but this was an instance where I had heard a solid rebuttal to that number.
The doctoral student had given a special lecture in my seminary class and had presented a brief portion of his research. In addition to Barna, Thom and Sam Rainer address this dilemma in "Essential Church". Believe me, it will be one of the top reads after seminary graduation in Dec.
In reference to Lifeway, I in no way regard their work as "fabricated numbers" and fully respect their work.
I was a student who was discipled by campus ministry in college and was a catalyst for the Lord in helping bring some of my fraternity brothers to knowledge of Christ. I appreciate you showing some love to those ministering to that specific group of people.
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