August 2008 Campus Ministry Update
The Ivy Jungle Network
Campus Ministry Update
August 2008
Welcome Back to Campus ! This year a record 18 million students are enrolled in college and 2 million freshmen are embarking on their college careers. Many students have just begun classes and thousands like you mark the beginning of a new year working with these young women and men. Thank you for your service to the Kingdom!
Trends in Student Ministry, Culture and Higher Education:
2008 College Freshman Mindset List: nearly 2 million college freshman arrive on campuses this fall as the newest members of the class of 2012. Most were born in 1990. Beloit College has released its latest mindset list. You can view the entire 60 item list at http://www.ivyjungle.org/GenericPage/DisplayPage.aspx?guid=A7BAD524-3A6D-4C27-8AFC-61EB593C4773 Among the highlights:
This year's freshman have always known GPS navigation systems, Coke and Pepsi in recycled plastic bottles, caller ID, karaoke machines at parties, and Jay Leno as the host of the Tonight Show. They have always been "Rocking the Vote" and college grads have always been able to "Teach for America". Moscow has always had McDonalds, Clarence Thomas has always been on the Supreme Court, Pearl Jam has always been there and until this year, Brett Favre always wore number 4 in Green Bay. They have grown up quoting Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer. (None of us feel old do we?)
Drinking Age Discourse: More than 100 University Presidents made headlines by suggesting the drinking age should be moved from 21 to 18. The Amethyst Initiative began seeking support from college presidents two years ago hoping to provoke debate about the national drinking age. Proponents of Amethyst say that the culture of binge drinking is driven in part by the need for students to drink secretly when they are under 21. Mothers Against Drunk Driving has criticized the movement stating that such a move will increase drunk driving accidents and move the drinking culture of college into high schools. Research has shown than more than 40% of college students report at least one symptom of alcoholism and more than 500,000 are injured each year in alcohol related accidents. (Chicago Tribune August 19, 2008)
Social Norms to Decrease Drinking: A six year study at the University of Virginia has shown some success for their social norms campaign to curb alcohol abuse. The social norms approach attempts to give students a more accurate idea of how much most of their classmates actually drink. Most students overestimate their compatriots' alcohol consumption. UVA students exposed to social norms approach to curb drinking had experienced fewer negative results of drinking including: missed classes, encounters with campus safety and unprotected sex. (Inside Higher Ed August 12, 2008)
Living in Guyland: Sociologist and gender scholar, Michael Kimmel has published a new book that investigates the dominant male culture on many college campuses where young men engage in binge drinking, hazing, and abusive behavior toward women. In his book, Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men, Kimmel stresses that Guyland is both a developmental stage and a social space (often found on campus). Students are taking up to a decade longer to mature than their parents or grandparents did. He also thinks that men are confused by the equality and success women are finding on campus and many retreat into a misogynistic place where a "guy code" dominates that is anti-intellectual and dismissively sexist. He also states that Guyland is a predominantly white phenomenon as the majority of hooking up, hazing, and binge drinking are perpetuated by white males. He also thinks men need to be challenged to a higher bar of conduct and approach to life. (Inside Higher Ed August 21, 2008)
Bartering Sex: A recent survey of students at the University of Michigan found that a number of undergraduate college students are willing to trade sex for favors or gifts. 27% of men and 14% of women not currently in a committed relationship had offered the gifts or favors in exchange for hooking up - from help studying, to laundry, to tickets to a football game. (CNN August 25, 2008)
Dogmatic Environmentalism: Physicist Freeman Dyson argues that environmentalism has replaced socialism as the new secular religion. Writing in the New York Times Review of Books, Dyson describes environmentalism as a "religion of hope and respect of nature." Environmentalism sees waste as sin and green living as the path to righteousness. While he finds the religious ethic sound, he also fears that the dogmatic belief in global warming as the ultimate threat to the planet may short circuit important discussion. (Touchstone July/August 2008 p. 51)
Harvard Back on Top: After a dozen years in second place, Harvard has once again claimed the top spot in the US News and World Report college rankings. Princeton has moved from 1st to 2nd. Yale, MIT, and Stanford round out the top 5 schools. UC Berkeley is first among public schools at 21st. Concentrated efforts to reduce class size receive the credit for moving Harvard back to number one. (CNN August 22, 2008)
The Other College Rankings: Harvard may have the top spot, but the Princeton Review lists of other top college categories always draw great interest. Among this year's winners are the Greenest Schools (listed as an honor roll instead of rank order) which include Arizona State, Georgia Tech, and Harvard among others. The University of Florida claimed the dubious honor of top party school, with Mississippi and Penn State- University Park close behind. Princeton and Stanford led the nation in satisfaction with financial aid, while Clemson and Brown claim the happiest students. Two of the City University of New York campuses made the top 5 for diversity; and Wheaton College (IL) took best food. (CBS News July 29m, 2008)
Activism over Protest: Many students claim that activism isn't dead on campus, but that it looks much different from previous generations. Sit-ins and campus protests are not how this generation of students chooses to activate its social conscious. Instead, they have started recycling stations, given up trays in the cafeteria to conserve water, and champion causes of international justice and poverty. One professor at the University of St. Thomas Center for International Studies sums up the generation as one that recognizes that all human problems will impact them and they have a role to play in addressing it. (Houston Chronicle August 10, 2008)
Graduates Prefer Green Jobs: Given a choice, four out of five college students and recent graduates say they would prefer to work for an environmentally friendly company. 81% of those surveyed say they would prefer to work for a green-friendly company, with nearly as many saying they would choose a job offer from a green company over another company if given the option. Currently, 16% of those surveyed intern for an environmentally conscious company. Experience Inc has created an online community, Experience Green to help educate students on environmentally friendly job options. ( Marketwatch.com August 4, 2008)
Younger Evangelicals: Some secular experts are shocked to find schools like Wheaton (IL) taking significant steps toward a green campus. Among the 300 Christian schools in the nation, more and more are finding students want the school to support their own commitments to social justice. Christian college students are very likely to engage in community service and disaster relief. They care about topics such as divorce, racism, and homosexuality. They still hold conservative stances on sex and abortion, but are more open to public discourse on challenging issue once thought taboo in such settings. (Newsweek.com August 18, 2008)
Christian Colleges Growing More Diverse: The evangelical schools that comprise the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities have a reputation for being very homogenous – white, affluent, and Christian. However, a recent report by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education reports that a number of Christian schools have seen significant increases in black student enrollment over the last decade. The number of CCCU schools reporting black enrollment at 10% or higher has tripled over the last 10 years while the number of schools with less than 2% has decreased by a third. The growth is attributed to a higher value on diversity at most schools, increased recruiting, and strengthened connections with black churches. In addition, more schools are offering more programs for adult and non-traditional students, which also attract higher minority enrollments. (Inside Higher Ed August 15, 2008)
Most College Grads Return Home: According to Collegegrad.com, 77% of college graduates moved back in with their parents last year. That number is an increase from 73% the previous year and 67% the year before that. The economy is often cited as a main reason to move back in with mom and dad. Students today have close relationships with their parents and do not seem to have a stigma around moving back home after college. (San Jose Business Journal August 4, 2008)
Community College Boom: In 2007, more than one third of all college students were enrolled in a two-year institution. While official numbers have not been released for the 2008 academic year, community college leaders expect that last year's numbers are at least 10% higher than the 6.2 million students enrolled in 2007. This year will be even higher. The weak economy, new academic programs, and increased recruiting all receive credit for the enrollment increase. (Inside Higher Ed August 22, 2008)
Becoming a National Community College: The University of Phoenix claims the moniker of the nation's largest private university. With more than 100,000 students in "Axia," its 2 year program, it is also the largest community college in the nation. In 2007, Phoenix awarded 13,000 Associate's degrees, just three years after the degree program was completed. The school says it did not intend to create a national community college, but rather sought to provide pre-requisite classes for their four year programs after recognizing many students needed remedial work. Less than 20% of University of Phoenix students are of traditional college age. (Inside Higher Ed June 17, 2008)
Congress Tries to Control College Costs: Congress has added provisions to a bill that would help control college costs. Among the provisions are extending Pell grants through the summer semester and requirements that would help students find cheaper textbooks. In addition, the government would publish a list of institutions guilty of severe tuition increases from year to year. The moves are part of the Higher Education Act – a bill that first came up for renewal in 2003 and may finally receive a vote this year. (AP July 31, 2008)
College Degrees Losing Value: People with a college degree will still earn greater pay than those without their BA. However, after decades in which wages outpaced inflation, salaries for those who went to college did not grow in the last year once figures were adjusted for inflation. Adjusted wages in 2007 did not increase from 2006 and were actually 1.7% below those of 2001. College educated labor is much more plentiful as more students have completed degrees. Those with professional and doctoral degrees have seen their adjusted incomes continue to increase. (Wall Street Journal July 17, 2008 D1)
Giving Away iPhones: Several colleges have begun giving iPhones to incoming freshmen this year. The schools tout the internet capable tools as important for communicating campus-wide notices and downloading applications like campus maps. However, it is more likely they are capitalizing on the "cool" factor. Mobile technology is slowly gaining ground in higher education, but most professors still do not use it as a part of regular courses. A few years back, several schools also gave out iPods in an attempt to attract students and with hopes they would "record" lectures on the mp3 players. Apple stands to be the big winner with schools helping introduce their product to hundreds of new consumers. (NYtimes.com August 21, 2008)
The Dangers of Cheerleading: Cheerleading accounts for 2/3 of all catastrophic sports injuries to women in college. A new study from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill shows that the number of serious cheerleading injuries is even higher than previously thought. (Inside Higher Ed August 12, 2008)
Religoulous: This fall, Bill Maher will release a "documentary" on religion. The "Politically Incorrect" host has never masked his dislike of organized religion. The film, from the director of Borat, traces Maher as he interviews people about their religious beliefs and challenges their faith. Religulous (a combination of religion + ridiculous) will appear in theaters on Oct. 3. (Boston.com August 26, 2008)
*** Events, Resources and Jobs ***
Following Christ 2008: InterVarsity's triennial conference for graduate students, faculty and professionals. The theme of Following Christ 2008 is "human flourishing" - what it truly is, what's wrong when it's absent, and how God is calling us to both model and multiply it. Conference presenters include: Anne C. Bailey, Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Francis Collins, Andy Crouch, Michael Lindsay, MaryKate Morse, Mark Noll, Jeff Van Duzer, N. T. Wright, and many more. Worship led by Brian Moss. December 27-31, 2008 at Chicago's Marriott Magnificent Mile hotel. Upper-level undergraduates considering graduate school are encouraged to attend, and we warmly invite those ministering on campus to join us as well. For full details and to register, visit: www.followingchrist.org
*** Resources: ***
Back2School: 18 million college students are taking classes this year. According to the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, ,ore than ¾ say they are on a spiritual quest. Most freshmen indicate they expect college to assist in that journey. Campus Crusade has created Back2School as a resource to help campus workers and students in this journey. Visit http://www.campuscrusadeforchrist.com/back2school
**Christian Education Journal highlights articles on College and Young Adult Ministry. Authors include Kara Powell (Fuller Center for Youth and Family Ministry); Chris Kiesling (Asbury) David Setran (Wheaton); Wesley Black (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary); Evan Hunter (Ivy Jungle). Links to the articles can be found at: http://wisdom.biola.edu/cej/issue/
** Join the Ivy Jungle Network Group on Facebook** Right now check out a link to 90 titles Campus Ministers have been reading this year: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13424091882
Resources from ProActive Faith for your campus ministry:
- God Moments In Time:
- Each chapter has five discussion questions.
- Ideal for small groups!
- Will challenge your students to live a life in such a way that God can open doors of opportunity in their life where they can experience God Moments In Time.
- Read the customer reviews @ Amazon.com & BarnesandNoble.com
- Order 20 copies or more for the bulk price of $5.00 each
- CRUNCH Time:
•· A five session evangelism resource written for students on the collegiate campus.
Revival or Retreat Needs:
- Please contact Thomas, a former campus minister, and current full-time evangelist and law enforcement chaplain to speak at your ministry event. He speaks with boldness and compassion as he points individuals to the Cross! He is available for one or multiple nights. Thomas@proactivefaith.org or Cell:
Evangelism Training:
- Evangelism training is done through resources such as CRUNCH Time or The CROSS Training
Visit our website www.proactivefaith.org to discover how these resources will impact the lives of your students and their campus. You can also call our office at
Free shipping when you enter ivy jungle in the discount code box.
After you place your order you will receive a personal call from our office to confirm your order before any charges are made to your credit card.
Preparing High School Seniors for College: Each year thousands of our youth will fall away from their faith after their first year of college. The two major reasons for this have been linked to lack of preparation and not getting connected to a campus ministry. TransitionsMSM is a web-based tool created to help in this transition. It comes with interactive scripts, video resources and more that anyone can teach. Take a look at www.transitionsmsm.org for a great resource to help prepare and connect our youth! For more info, e-mail info@transitionsmsm.org
Fellowships for College Graduates: The John Jay Institute is awarding academic Fellowships for 2009 to college graduates interested in exploring the nexus of religion and public life. Fellowships entail an academic residency at the Institute in Colorado Springs followed by an externship field placement in a public policy organization. For more information please visit: www.johnjayinstitute.org
*** Jobs: ***
Director of College and Young Professionals Ministry: Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Northville, Michigan - Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church (www.wardchurch.org) is currently a congregation of almost 3000 active members with Sunday worship attendance averages 2200. The purpose of Ward EPC "as a family of Christ-followers, is to love God passionately, serve others joyfully, and intentionally share our faith with people across the street and around the world.
Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church is seeking to identify the individual who will serve as the Director of College and Young Professionals. This role will require an individual who can dream big, lead effectively and who is not afraid of challenges. The opportunity for innovation and growth are significant for the person with the skills and abilities to advance a missional ministry with those who sociologists have come to call ‘emerging adults'
The Director of College and Young Professionals will be required to effectively understand and engage post-modern, post-Christian culture in order to develop and implement an innovative thriving ministry with college and young professionals.
Candidate Criteria
- Clear and living faith in Jesus Christ with a commitment to prayer, study of His Word and fellowship with other believers
- Track record of effective and engaging church or para-church ministry with college student and/or young professionals
- Strong preaching and teaching and shepherding skills and experience
- Masters level seminary degree
- Willingness to pursue ordination in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
For consideration, please submit your resume to: Rick Heltne Senior Search Consultant People Management Minneapolis Phone: 952.841.7223 Mail to: mailto:rheltne@peoplemanagement.org
Minister of Worship, Music and the Arts: Huron Hills Baptist Church is a growing church of 500 in Ann Arbor Michigan, with an inter-denominational feel. We have a strong connection with and commitment to university ministry. Our mission is to draw those who are far from God into a close and living relationship with Jesus Christ. We are seeking a full-time Minister of Worship, Music and the Arts (MWMA). The Minister will lead the congregation, encouraging their participation and educating them in both familiar and new ways of worship. More information available at www.huronhills.org. If interested please send inquiries and resumes to Ken White at kwhite@huronhills.org. Materials that demonstrate job fit are especially helpful (i.e. websites, CDs, downloadable recordings, DVDs, etc.)
CCO Leadership in the State of Indiana: We are currently looking for strong initiator types (entrepreneurs) who are interested in taking the CCO to the state of Indiana. The two positions that are currently available are for an Area Director and a Development Associate. A passion for campus ministry and a desire to see this generation of college students transformed by the Gospel required. Each position is funded by half salary, benefits and expenses. There is a possibility for having at least two campus staff positions on the ground for the fall of 2009.
For more information, contact Tom Rapchak, CCO Central Region VP (
Working with Artists: All Angels' seeks a full-time Director of Worship Arts to provide leadership in cultivating and deepening the worship life of the congregation and developing worship leaders and artists within the community. Email resume and cover letter or send inquiry for fuller job description to jobs@allangelschurch.com.
United Campus Ministry: United Campus Ministry located at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma is currently seeking an outgoing, self motivated director to lead an ecumenical campus ministry made up of mainline and nondenominational churches. We are seeking a person who is theologically competent, an effective communicator, with strong relational and administrative skills, and with a heart for campus ministry. Salary based on experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates can submit a resume' to Rev. Steve Taylor, 1709 E 17th, Ada, OK 74820 or if you have questions contact Rev. Steve Taylor at
InterVarsity Area Directors—Looking for a Challenge? InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is looking for Area Directors who will lead staff teams to grow vibrant, cross-cultural, interdenominational, groups on college campuses across Illinois and Indiana.
The college campus is a strategic entry point for the gospel. Students, open to new ideas, away from home and searching for the truth, often find Jesus through groups of believers who are being a witness on the college campus. InterVarsity has been engaging the university for Jesus for over 60 years and has a vibrant ministry throughout the United States, and strength in the Midwest region. In order to be able to continue to grow and serve more campuses we are seeking to add Area Directors.
Area Directors are the front line supervisors of our campus staff. An Area Director provides supervision and support for 5 – 8 Campus Staff Workers usually on several different campuses. Working within the framework of established InterVarsity systems, the Area Director oversees the staff in his/her area. They are responsible to recruit, train, deploy, monitor and nurture these staff. An Area Director knows that he/she is successful when they see the groups on campus growing and the staff they are supervising making an impact.
This is a high-energy position, with new challenges every day. It requires commitment to the job, your team, and the calling of God to succeed, but the reward is equally great; see students and faculty transformed, campuses renewed and world changers developed. If you have a call to ministry, 5 or more years experience in leading ministry in a church or para-church organization, (or substantial management experience outside the church) and have a heart for college students and the university we'd like to talk to you. We have multiple positions throughout Northern Illinois, Chicagoland, and Indiana (including Indianapolis, Bloomington and NW Indiana).
We offer substantial training and support, from an experienced team of professionals who have been doing this for many years. You will be required to raise your own support, but could earn a salary of $40,000 – $75,000. We also offer a full benefits package.
Still interested? Visit www.new-hire.com Job # 2203 to apply. Or visit http://www.new-hire.com/jobs/availablejobs.asp?job=2203
College Pastor: Pleasant Valley Church, a congregation of about 850 active worshipers, has a vibrant and thriving college ministry that draws students from the three local colleges and universities. Our church is currently looking for a full-time Pastor of College & Young Adult Ministries who has a passion to see young adults come to love God, grow in community with other believers and serve the world. We seek an individual who has an understanding and experience of Christian education within the local church; displays the spiritual gifts of leadership and teaching; and has strong oral and written communication skills; and is creative and proficient in applying technology to the ministry. The ideal candidate will have 3 to 5 years experience in young adult ministry. A baccalaureate degree is desirable. Contact: Rick Iglesias
1363 Homer Road Winona, MN 55987 507.452.5518 rick@pvefc.org
Campus Minister: Iowa Wesleyan College is accepting applications for a full-time Campus Minister beginning in the summer of 2008.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Spiritual Life/Formation
Organize and lead regular chapel service, worship opportunities and mission trips.
Facilitate bible study groups.
Assist in providing Leadership opportunities for Religion majors and minors.
Organize special events: Conferences, retreats, seminars
Counseling
Provide spiritual and personal counseling for students.
Identify and coordinate community mental health resources for students.
Social Involvement
Foster campus awareness involving human justice issues.
Coordinate activities with RSI, Field Experience and community service activities on campus
Church Relations
Serve as liaison between Iowa Wesleyan College and the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Foster relationships with clergy and churches in Southeast Iowa.
Campus life
Coordinate activities / provide support to the Offices of Admission and Student Life
QUALIFICATIONS
Ordained (United Methodist Elder or equivalent preferred)
Master of Divinity degree or equivalent
Proven ability to provide spiritual leadership to college aged students
Iowa Wesleyan College
Attn: Bonny Charleston
Director of Human Resources
601 North Main Street
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
College Pastor: Mountain Brook Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama is seeking a College Pastor to provide dedicated pastoral leadership, oversight and direction to the MBCC College Ministry (University Christian Fellowship/UCF), including the development, implementation and evaluation of a variety of ministries directed to the teaching, shepherding, equipping and care of students attending college in the Birmingham area and to college students of families that attend MBCC whether they are attending college in the Birmingham area or in other areas of the country. The scope of this position includes preaching, teaching, counseling and discipleship of college students; direction of all college ministries; leadership and oversight of the MBCC College staff; management of the UCF House; and other pastoral duties. Please send resume to: Peter J. Wright, Chairman of Personnel, Mountain Brook Community Church, 3001 Highway 280 East, Birmingham, AL 35243 or email petefpc@yahoo.com. Detailed job description available upon request.
Front Porch Director: The thriving college ministry of the Presbytery of Santa Barbara at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo invites applicants for the position of director. The mission of Front Porch is to provide university students with personal encouragement, programs, and resources to foster development of a Christian world view, a perspective on life and thought that meets the intellectual challenges of university life and the personal challenges of contemporary culture with hope and empowerment centered in the person of Jesus Christ. Front Porch provides a hospitable place in the diverse university environment for open and constructive discussion of truth claims; where the integration of faith, learning, and life is explored in ways that honor the highest value of each person.
A core group of about twenty-five students is in place to offer continuity and leadership from the current successful program. An experienced board devoted to the mission, with the support of the presbytery and the majority of its churches, ensure the continuity of the Front Porch mission. The board has launched a major building project on presbytery-owned property adjacent to campus to provide student housing and a ministry center which will be ready for occupancy fall 2009. For more information (requirements, responsibilities, salary, etc.) go to:
https://clc.pcusa.org/aspx/CIFViewQuery.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2faspx%2fOpportunitySearchResults.aspx&cif=74025.AB or www.frontporchonline.org
Applicants should direct questions concerning the position or application materials (a cover letter not to exceed 500 words, a resume, and email contact information for three references: pastoral, academic, personal) to search committee chair Dr. Thomas Schmidt: at tomschmidt@cox.net. Apply by email only, application deadline is 15 May 2008.
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