October 2007 Campus Ministry Update

 

The Ivy Jungle Network

Campus Ministry Update

October 2007

 

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Ivy Jungle Conference – Hotel Deadline Now October 21!  You still have another week to lock in the best rate for a hotel room at the Ivy Jungle Conference.    Don't miss this year's event, November 15-17 in Orlando, Fl.   To learn more and register online, visit www.ivyjungle.org and click on College Ministry Conference 2007.

 

"Help us Reach Out to Millions of Students" - The Ivy Jungle Network is joining the Youth Transition Network in a national YouTube outreach to high school and college students.    Read below for details on a national You Tube campaign to help high school students connect with campus ministries connect with campus ministries nationwide.  Watch your email on October 18 for a link to send to students and staff as part of this national campaign.

 

Trends in Student Ministry, Culture and Higher Education:

 

Unchrisitan:  A new study by the Barna group confirms what many have felt to be true – many young adults today are more skeptical resistant to Christianity than they were 10 years ago.  The results are chronicled in the book, Unchristian, by Dave Kinneman of the Barna Group and Gabe Lyons of the Fermi Project.**  The research concludes that Americans ages 16-29 are becoming increasingly disillusioned with Christianity.  In fact, only 16% said they have a "favorable impression" of Christianity.  Only 3% have a favorable view toward "evangelicals."  The most common terms to describe Christians are judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), old fashioned (78%), and too involved in politics (75%).  When asked about the positive attributes of Chrisitianity, the best impression was "Christianity teaches the same basic ideas as other religions (82%).  Good values (76%) and friendly (71%) were two other positive descriptors.  Only 55% said Christianity is a faith they respect.  The most common perception about Christianity is that it is "anti-homosexual," a belief held by 91% of respondents.  (Barna.org September 24, 2007)

** Come hear Gabe Lyons, founder of the Fermi Project and author of Unchristian, as he presents one of the plenary speakers at this year's Ivy Jungle Conference in Orlando. **

Free Speech?  An editor for the student newspaper has refused to resign after criticism for a four word editorial that used an explicative to criticize President Bush.  The editorial, which played on the tasering of a student at a John Kerry speech, ran in the student paper, but was not approved by the faculty advisers.   The student claimed that such obscenity was necessary to get through the apathy surrounding students on his campus. (AP September 24, 2007)

Booze News:   A satirical paper, in the spirit of The Onion, has drawn considerable criticism for its portrayal of college life as a general drunken stupor.  A number of local businesses (and even a fraternity house) in Columbia, Missouri have thrown out the paper for being over the line.  The Booze News, as it is called, currently distributes its paper on six campuses in the Mid-west and hopes to gain national recognition.  Initial criticism has come for its celebration of binge drinking, however, the most recent ire occurred after a satirical article in which a gay adoptive couple was referred to as "freaks."  The editors admit they probably crossed a line with that article, but intend to keep expanding the Booze News distribution.  (AP October 8, 2007)

Congress Questions Endowments:  As the wealthiest colleges announced the performance of their endowment portfolios, Congress has called their rising tuitions into question.  Yale led this year's returns at 28% bringing their holdings to $22.5 billion.  Harvard now has nearly $35 billion in endowment, after a 23% last year.  The Senate finance committee has asked these top performers why they don't invest more to stem tuition increases.  Unlike other foundations, schools are not required to spend at least 5% of their endowments.  If schools were to raise their contributions to that level another $1.5 billion would be available to students.   In 1990, only 17 schools held at least $1 billion in endowment.  Today more than 60 do.  (AP October 14, 2007)

Tuition Inflation:   Most of us feel like we already pay a lot at the gas pump, but if the cost of gas had increased at the same rate as college tuition over the last 25 years, it would now cost $9.15 a gallon.   By the same comparison, a gallon of milk would cost more than $15.  (AP October 14, 2007)

Big Donors Dictate Their Funds:  After a couple of high profile gifts were taken back from universities in the early 2000's, several high value donors including Bernie Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot and John Templeton Jr. have created the Center for Excellence in Higher Education.  Their goal is to "use philanthropy as a lever to reform higher education."  They want to use their multi-million dollar gifts to see values such as free market completion, balanced politics, tuition relief, and more tenured faculty teaching classes.  They will create contests for their funds so that universities will have to compete with one another to present the best proposal for their money.  (Wall Street Journal October 13, 2007 p. A10)

Politics and Tuition:  Hillary Rodham Clinton and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson have both made promises about college tuition in their campaign speeches lately.  Clinton proposes increasing Pell grants and tax credits to help make school more affordable.  Richardson wants to give away two years of tuition for every year a student gives to public service.   Clinton has also proposed a move that would allow the government to automatically calculate financial aid based on annual tax returns, saving what she says is more than 100 million hours used by Americans to fill out financial aid forms for college.  (AP October 11, 2007)

SAT, ACT, Kick Boxing:  As young women head off to college, an increasing number of parents are encouraging them to add a self defense course to their college preparations.   Having heard that nearly one in four women will be sexually assaulted in college, martial arts instructors have begun offering special one and two day courses just for coeds.  They aren't trying to give out black belts, but to give these women the skills to escape from an attacker quickly.  One advocates an ABCDE approach:  Attack him, Blind him, Choke him, Drop him, Escape.  (Chicago Tribune October 10, 2007 sec. 5 p. 5)

Overburdened Counselors:  As more students go to college and more arrive on campus with mental health problems, many of the nations on campus counseling centers are stretched thin.  Some use off campus therapists and others have three week waiting lists to deal with the demand.  Despite the attention of mental disorders brought on by the Virginia Tech shootings, some centers have continued to see their funding diminish.  92% of counseling directors say that the number or students with severe mental health issues has increased in recent years..  63% say they are concerned over the increased demand for services by students, but without an increase in funding from schools.  37% of college students say they felt "so depressed it was difficult to function" in the past year.  Clinical depression has increased dramatically on campus since 1990.  Kansas State University says that 60% of students who seek mental health counseling are clinically depressed.  (AP September 19, 2007)

Campuses Use Alert Systems:   In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, many campuses have implemented one or more systems to alert students during a crisis.  With shootings at the University of Memphis and Delaware State as well as threats at St. John's and UW Madison, several campuses have implemented their plans.  Using text alerts, Facebook, emails, electronic billboards, and simply banging on dorm doors, all of them say that the shootings in Blacksburg have affected their responses this fall (AP October 3, 2007) 

Car Sharing On Campus:  Virtually all college campuses, and particularly those in urban settings, have far more students than parking spots.  Two different companies, Zipcar of Massachusetts and Flexcar of Seattle now offer a solution on more than 70 campuses nationwide.  Students can purchase memberships and then rent their vehicles by the hour to take care of errands or short trips off campus.    At $5-$9 an hour, many students find the cars a great idea.  In addition, the schools themselves have often subsidized at least the first two years of the program on campus.  Even if they have to payout a couple thousand dollars per vehicle, the cost is far less than the average of $22,000 it costs to create just one parking spot.  (USA Today September 19, 2007)

Microsoft Adds Facebook as a Friend?  Microsoft is reportedly considering an investment in Facebook.  The investment could be as much as $500 million in the 3 ½ year old social networking site.  Facebook founders rejected a $1 billion buyout offer from Yahoo last year.  The site now has 30 million members, second to News Corp's MySpace (110 million).  The site generates $100 million in revenue each year and may go public in 2009.  Some speculate that Facebook may actually start a bidding war between Microsoft and Google who may also want to be in on the action.  (USA Today September 24, 2007)

Halo Sick:  A number of colleges, high schools and companies saw a higher than normal absentee rate on a certain Tuesday at the end of September, particularly among 15-25 year old males. The day came after the nationwide release of Halo 3, the popular Xbox game that presold more than 4 million copies.  The game represents a new generation of promotion with advertising tie-ins with Mountain Dew, Burger King, NASCAR, and Pontiac.  An administrator at University of Cincinnati estimated that perhaps as many of 25% of students may have skipped class for an all day marathon of playing the new game. (USA Today September 24, 2007)

Candy Works:  Two grad students from the University of Illinois at Chicago have proven that professors who give candy get higher evaluations.  Professors who gave out chocolate during class saw a noticeable jump in their evaluations.  The study was conducted using different sections of the same course – same content, same TA's, but giving candy to one group of students.  (Chicago Sun Times October 15, 2007)

Campus Ministry Tour:  What happens when an 8 year veteran of campus ministry decides to take a year off and travel around to check out what is happening on college campuses and in campus ministries across the country?  We're not sure either, but you can check out a blog by one Texas campus minister who is doing just that right now.  Go to http://exploringcampusministry.wordpress.com and see what events, ministries, and campuses Benson Hines is visiting. 

 

*** Events ***

Ivy Jungle College Ministry Conference: November 15-17, 2007 – in Orlando, FL

 

HOTEL DEADLINE is approaching.   Be sure to book your room by October 21 to ensure the best rate. To book a room call 407) 850-0627 and ask for the Ivy Jungle rate.   Let us know if you are looking for a roommate . 

 

The Ivy Jungle College Ministry Conference is a one of a kind gathering of men and women who serve college students.  Come to learn, network, be challenged, and encounter God. 

 

Early Bird Sessions on Leadership and Evangelism with Tim Elmore and Rebecca Pippert

 

Plenary Sessions include:

•·         Lauren Winner, author of Real Sex, Mudhouse Sabbath, Girl Meets God

•·         Os  Guinness, author of The Call, Long Journey Home, Prophetic Untimeliness

•·         York Moore, evangelist with InterVarsity, author of Growing Your Faith By Giving it Away

•·         Charles Gilmer, President, The Impact Movement – Campus Crusade African American Ministry

•·         Gabe Lyons, founder of the Fermi Project, author of UnChristian

•·         Tim Elmore, president Growing Leaders, author of Habitudes

 

           

 Sponsored by Coalition for Christian Outreach, Compassion, Expelled – the Movie, Food for the Hungry, Foundation for Evangelism, Growing Leaders

 

Visit www.ivyjungle.org for more details and online registration.

 

"Help us Reach Out to Millions of Students":  The Ivy Jungle Network is joining the Youth Transition Network in a national YouTube outreach to high school and college students.   We have three desired outcomes from this outreach.

 

  • 1. High School Seniors will be motivated to use LiveAbove.com to connect with your ministries now, long before they arrive on campus.
  • 2. College Students who are experiencing the difficulties depicted in the video would connect with your ministries through LiveAbove.com. Our prayer is that this will include lost sheep from the church and those who do not know the Lord.
  • 3. Gate Keepers (parents, youth leaders, pastors) will be exposed to our joint effort to motivate, prepare and connect students to our ministries before they leave home.

 

How Will it Work? 

 

  • On October 18th we will join Chi Alpha, Campus Crusade for Christ, Youth for Christ, Campus Ambassadors, Coalition for Christian Outreach, Student Venture, Christian Educators Association, National Network of Youth Ministries, Urbnet and many more in asking our staff to help push the YouTube video to the top of the play list so that millions may become exposed to the video.

 

The viral nature of YouTube will be aided by the addition of a $5,000 scholarship that students, parents or relatives can designate to the student/school of their choice.  As students register to win at LiveAbove.com, they will have the opportunity to request information from the ministries on their campus.  Pray that God will bring tens of thousands into contact with our ministries across the country as a result of this effort.  We are asking for your assistance in four ways:

 

  • On the 18th you will get an email with the link to the YouTube video...click on it to watch the 1:30 second video yourself
  • Send the link to all your students by e-mail and push it a your weekly meeting
  • Embed the YouTube video in your Facebook and Myspace pages and send invitations to as many as possible
  • Forward the link out to others you know and ask them to watch the video

 

Join with thousands of campus ministers helping to place the video on the front page of YouTube and reach out to millions of students.

 

 

 

*** Resources: ***

 

Compassion is excited to be a sponsor of the upcoming Ivy Jungle College Ministry Conference: November 15-17, 2007.

Compassion partners with colleges and universities nationwide to bring nationally known speakers to their chapels and convocation services at minimal cost to the school. If you are interested in partnering with Compassion, please email Kelley Erickson, College Chapel Representative, at kelleyerickson@msn.com or call (866) 380-6689 to get more information or request an online copy of the 2007-2008 Chapel Speaker Directory.

Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, physical, economic and social poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Founded in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean war orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training. Today, Compassion helps more than 800,000 children in 24 countries. For more information on Compassion, please go to www.compassion.com.

                                               

Ministry at the Fulcrum notes and resources online now:  Visit the Ivy Jungle website to see notes and resources from the Ministry at the Fulcrum Regional Events.


How Did a Thief and a Playboy Become the Most Important Christian Thinker of the First Millennium?


Discover the true story of one of the greatest heroes of the faith. This new translation of The Confessions of St. Augustine, complete with introduction and helpful notes by Tony Jones, makes a classic text more readable than ever. "I think that Augustine wanted to know who it was who created him," writes Tony Jones, "and how he might relate to that Being."

  • "You Converted Me makes Augustine's classic Confessions accessible and available to readers today---young or old, religious or not." -Brian McLaren
  • "Jones provides helpful comments and pep talks throughout the book to help readers understand what Augustine was trying to do . . . Hats off." –Youthworker
  • "If you've ever thought on hearing this classic biography quoted, 'I should read that sometime,' this is the time. You'll likely be struck by the universality of Augustine's experience with life and God." -Discipleship Journal

You Converted Me: The Confessions of St. Augustine
Introduction and notes by Tony Jones
Modernized translation by Robert Edmonson
Paperback, 250 pp.
Paraclete Press

SPECIAL OFFER: $8/book, now through 9/30/07 (regular retail: $16.95). Call 1-800-451-5006 or visit www.paracletepress.com. Use coupon code "PRTony."

 

**What to Expect When You're Accepted: An African American Christian's Guide to College

by Christopher Michael Jones, Foreword by Floyd H. Flake

 

African American students now have a Christian college resource written specifically for them! This short, practical, faith-based handbook provides tips to encourage success in the key areas of relationships, academics, health, and spiritual maturity.

To order, visit www.judsonpress.com where you'll save 20% off the retail price of $10.00! 

"... as useful as a campus map and as indispensable as a personal computer." —Dr. Jonathan L. Walton, Assistant Professor of African American Religion, University of California, Riverside

"...an astute and practical guide for students who will face the change of culture that a college experience often affords." —Rev. Eustacia Moffett-Marshall, Associate Pastor, C.N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina

 "In an age of the 'bling-bling' and 'get it cronked' culture, it is refreshing to read a student handbook designed to help young adults navigate the hurdles of college from a Christian perspective." —Rev. Otis Moss III, Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois

"Regardless of talent, motivation and opportunity, if you want to win, a coach is needed. When it's college, Christopher Jones is the coach and what's in your hand right now is the playbook." —Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover-Williams, Executive Pastor, Cathedral International, Preacher in Residence, New Brunswick Theological Seminary

"What a valuable contribution!" —Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals, Pusey Minister, The Memorial Church, Harvard University

 

Resources from ProActive Faith for your ministry:

  • Need a Speaker
  • o Please contact Thomas, a former campus minister of a BSU, if you need a speaker for your ministry. He is available for one or multiple nights.
  • o If you have a theme for the weekend Thomas will customize messages for your theme and group.
  • o Thomas is a law enforcement chaplain and can share on how to live through crisis.
  • God Moments In Time
  • o Each chapter has five discussion questions.
  • o Ideal for small groups!
  • o 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.
  • o Read the customer reviews @ Amazon.com & BarnesandNoble.com
  • o Order 20 copies or more for the bulk price of $5.00 each
  • CRUNCH Time – Just Updated!
  • o A five session evangelism resource written for students on the collegiate campus.
  • Evangelism Training
  • o Evangelism training is done through resources such as CRUNCH Time or The CROSS Training (www.mostimportantthing.org)
  • o ProActive Faith can provide a speaker to lead your evangelism 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 (405) 607-0722.

 

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 and the resources shipped.

 

 

*** Jobs: ***

 

Campus Minister:  The Cross- Greek Christian Ministries, Inc., a ministry targeting students in fraternities and sororities at the University of Tennessee, is seeking a full-time male  Campus Minister.  We are looking to have the minister in place for the 08' school year.  The applicant must be seminary trained and is preferred to have experience in southern Greek life culture.  The position will compensated through support raised through the individual.  Gifting and passion in evangelism and discipleship is primary to success in the position.  The ministry has roots in a reformed theological background yet is widely evangelical in its mission.  Please contact Gus Diamondidis at gus@thecross-gcm.org.

PROPERTY MANAGER-Brand NEW Student Housing Project-Presby Hall-McKinley Project-Champaign, Illinois-GMH Communities Trust (NYSE: GCT), a real estate investment trust(REIT) headquartered in Newtown Square, PA, currently has a career opportunity for a Property Manager for The Presby Hall, McKinley Project-Faith based ministry  providing certified student housing for the students of University of Illinois
GMH offers a competitive compensation package which includes health, dental, life insurance and 401(k) with employer match. Bonus potential available!

Please send your resume attached in a word document and salary requirements to

Tana Lee Higginbotham  Email:  tanalee@collegepark.org  www.collegeparkweb.com

To be considered an applicant you must apply for this specific position and meet its minimum qualifications as determined by GMH College Park.

GMH Communities is a specialty housing company focused on providing housing to college and university students residing on- campus and to members of the U.S. military and their families residing at installations throughout the country.

Qualifications

A minimum of four years property management experience is preferred. Candidate must be detail oriented, multi-task skills, computer literate, possess strong lease-up marketing and budget experience, interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written abilities, proficient in budgetary and marketing analysis, strengths in motivating personnel and resident relations.

Education

Bachelor Degree Preferred

 

 

 

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