September 2007 Campus Ministry Update

 

 

The Ivy Jungle Network

Campus Ministry Update

September 2007

 

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Less than 60 Days to the 2007 Ivy Jungle College Ministry Conference!  Make plans to join with hundreds of men and women in campus ministry for the 11th College Ministry Conference, November 15-17 in Orlando, FL.   To learn more and REGISTER visit www.ivyjungle.org

 

Trends in Student Ministry, Culture and Higher Education:

 

Beloit Freshman List:  Beloit College has published its annual list about this year's freshman class.  Here are some of the highlights regarding the class of 2011, born in 1989:

  • Born the year the Berlin Wall fell.
  • Humvees have always been available to the public.
  • Have never "rolled down" a car window.
  • Have grown up with bottled water
  • Nelson Mandela has always been free and a political force in South Africa
  • Pete Rose has never played baseball
  • Russia has always had a multi-party political system
  • The year they were born a Harvard Law Review editor named Barack Obama announced he might some day run for office.
  • U2 has never brought to mind a spy plane
  • They first met Jack Nicholson as "the Joker"
  • Fox has always been a major network
  • Time has always worked with Warner
  • MTV has never featured music videos
  • They are more informed by John Stewart and Stephen Colbert than the newspaper
  • The world wide web has been an online tool since they year they were born
  • Dilbert has always been ridiculing cubicle culture
  • They learned about JFK from Oliver Stone and Malcom X from Spike Lee
  • Class mates include: Michelle Wie; Jordin Sparks; and Bart Simpson

 

Record Number of Students on Campus:  17.6 million students now attend colleges and universities in the US.  That number is an increase of 2.3 million students in the last 5 years.    The number will reach just shy of 20 million by 2015.  The population of people 18-30 years old is now 2.1 million more than in 2002.  56% of them are female (up from 54% in 2002).  (Harris Interactive Trends and Tudes vol. 6. Issue 6 Aug. 2007)

Young Not Abandoning God:   A poll conducted by the Associated Press and MTV indicates that young people who consider themselves religious are happier than those who are not.  The survey of 13-24 year olds , indicates that 44% of young people say that religious beliefs are at least very important to them.  Only 14% said that it was not important at all.  80% of those who said that spirituality was the most important thing in their lives said they are happy.  Only 60% of those who do not consider God important at all indicated happiness.  Sociologists say the results confirm the importance of the sense of community found in most religions.  (AP August 29,2007)

Spending Power:  College students today spend more money than students in any other era.  Discretionary spending by this growing demographic is $63 billion, up $10 billion since 2002.  Food accounts for the largest chunk of that spending (37%); followed by clothing and shoe purchases.  Technology is also very important to these students.  Laptops now outnumber desktop computers among all students (63% have a laptop – up from 42% in 2005).  Digital cameras, MP3 players and portable game systems are also popular items on campus. (Harris Interactive Trends and Tudes vol. 6. Issue 6 Aug. 2007)

Cell Phones on Campus:   Virtually all students now have a cell phone – and less than half have a landline phone.   In 2002 just over 2/3 of students owned  a cell phone.  In addition to calls, nearly 70% of students frequently use text messaging and almost half take, send and receive pictures.  (Harris Interactive Trends and Tudes vol. 6. Issue 6 Aug. 2007)

Online World:  More than half of college students visit social networking sits (i.e. MySpace; Facebook; etc.) every day.  These sites are the preferred mode of communication for more than a quarter of students, whether communicating with friends on campus or staying in touch with friends across the country or around the globe.   Online gaming has increased significantly in the last five years from just 2% of students in 2002 to nearly a quarter today.  (Harris Interactive Trends and Tudes vol. 6. Issue 6 Aug. 2007)

Playboy Social Networking Hits Campus:  The parent company of the infamous magazine has launched a social networking site aimed exclusively at college students.  Playboy U resembles the functions of Facebook and signed up several thousand members in its opening weeks.   The magazine has continued to lose money and readers over the last number of years. (Chicago Tribune August 23 sec. 1 p. 6)

Parents' View on Teen Challenges:  Parents identify peer pressure as the most significant challenge facing teenagers.  A Barna survey shows 42% of parents view peer pressure as the most significant challenge facing teenagers.  School performance (16%), substance abuse (16%) and behavioral issues (15%) ranked next.  Challenges related to faith were only listed by 3% of parents. (Barna.org September 10, 2007)

College Students and Sleep:  It may be early in the semester for students to have begun pulling all-nighters, but mid-terms will arrive soon enough.   Like generations before them, today's college students will likely load up on caffeine and stay up all night cramming for tests and writing papers.  A study by St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY confirms that sleep deprivation causes performance to suffer.  In addition to slower recall and more frequent mistakes, a separate study by Stanford University  demonstrated that college basketball players who slept 10 hours the night before a game ran faster and made more shots than those who slept six hours or less.  (USA Today September 16, 2007)

Txt to Win:  Radio stations have discovered text messages as a way to conduct contests and communicate with listeners.  Stations have only just begun adopting the practice, but with 76% of mobile phone users texting (over a quarter of them daily), it will soon be common practice across the country.  Stations are now developing databases with mobile numbers so they can send announcements and contests directly to their phone carrying listeners. ( Reuters September 16, 2007)

College Students Want Money:  According to a study funded by the Pew Charitable Trust, 81% of 18-25 year olds list "getting rich" as either the most important or second most important goal in their lives.  Many believe that if they pursue money early in their careers they will later be able to pursue the other things that make them happy and fulfilled.  They would do well to heed the words of Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary under President Clinton and current professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy a the University of California Berkley who says, "Any young person who believes they can make loads of money first and then pursue their dreams afterwards is fooling themselves.  The pursuit of money as its own end can cause dreams to disappear.  (MSNBC September 16 ,2007)

Do You Believe in Heaven and Hell:  In 1997 only 56% of Americans claimed to believe in hell.  That number spiked to more than 70% after the September 11 terrorist attacks.  However, recent polling indicates the number has once again fallen to less than 60% of the population.  (ABC News July 11, 2007)

Media Obsessed:  The average teenager consumes enough TV shows, DVD's, and movies in theatres to fill just over a month of their time every year (33.4 days). However, they lag weeks behind their  parents in the 45-54 year old group. Men in that category watch an average of 40.2 days a year and women more than 1142 hours, or  47.6 days a year.  (Research Brief August 2, 2007 quoted in Mission America Coalition News and Trends Sept. 2007)  

You Tube Studies:  Pitzer College in California offers a class focused on the online video site.  The class requires both watching and posting videos.  The professor says that You Tube is important as a "corporate-sponsored democratic media expression."   (Press Association Sept. 15, 2007)

 

 

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

 

HOTEL DEADLINE is approaching.   Be sure to book your room by October 11 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. 

 

 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.

 

*** 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: ***

 

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

 

 

**  Director of Outreach at Belmont University:  Belmont University is seeking a full-time Director of Outreach in their department of University Ministries to provide local outreach involvement, leadership and training opportunities for its 4500 students.  The director will be responsible for implementing and managing an array of local outreach opportunities as well as contributing to other aspects of the spiritual formation and leadership development of students.  Belmont is a Christian University and seeks candidates who are committed to the Christian faith.   Qualifications:  Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in appropriate field, Master's degree preferred, with 2-3 years experience in ministry and/or outreach.  Higher education experience desirable.  The candidate must be committed to the spiritual, intellectual and personal development of college students and be a team player willing to contribute in a collegial environment.  S/he must be a person with a knowledge and understanding of urban ministry who possesses excellent administrative, communication and relational skills. 

Application Process:  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made.  To apply, go to www.belmont.edu/hr to complete an online application.  An electronic format of your resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references with contact information are required as part of the application process.

 

 

 

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