Student Leaders

Leaders Who Live in the Gray of Life

Do you have standards for your leaders?

You know, those people who mean so much to your ministry efforts — the ones who serve as extensions of you and the ministry you oversee. Those people that multiply your reach and effectiveness exponentially. Those individuals that magnify the effectiveness of your ministry because of the unique gifts, passions, and talents the bring to the table.

You know, those folks…

Do you have standards that might qualify (or disqualify) them for leadership within your ministry?

Leadership Development

We Should Hangout More Often

I can’t quite recall when the switch happened, but it was probably 4 or 5 years into my college ministry career when I started to look forward to conference more for the relational connections than for the conference content.

Do you know what I meant?

There’s just something about being with people who get what we do that’s so significant, so generative.

People of similar heart and mind, who feel called to reach college students with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Student Leaders

Connecting With Student Leaders… Over The Summer

They’re gone, but not forgotten.

They are our student leaders — the heartbeat of our ministry on campus — and they’ve dispersed for the summer months.

But thanks to all of the advances in technology, keeping up with them this summer has never been easier!

And it will be important that we do, because the pace of life that most students live at is mind-boggling. They are heavy consumers of experiences and information… and they don’t like to say “No” to much that comes their way.

Big Ideas & 'Best Of'

Top Posts for May 2012

Count me “officially” back!

After a month away from the blog, it’s only fitting that my first post back serve as one that both “thanks” and cElEbrAtEs! those who filled in for me during the month of May.

Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!

Your contributions to the conversations happening here at FaithONCampus.com are so appreciated! And are to be celebrated!

Therefore, this month’s Top Posts are a highlight real of all of the great guest posts that were offered up!

Transitions

Don’t Get Blindsided by Life Mechanics

Stepping out, taking the risk to dive into this crazy world as an adult, as Miss Independent (cue Kelly Clarkson), can be totally scary.

We like to think we are self-sufficient and not at all apprehensive about living out on our own, out from under the wings of the grown-ups in our lives.

I remember when I moved into my first apartment post-college. It was a seven-hundred-square-foot space that was mine to decorate, leave messy, and clean up only if I felt like it.

Exciting . . . until it came time to pay rent for the first time. Yikes.

Big Ideas & 'Best Of'

Hospitality: More Than Greeters & Coffee

Somewhat ironically, though not surprisingly, I’m sitting in a coffee shop reflecting on the idea of hospitality.

At the Edge House, the place where I engage college students at the University of Cincinnati, I have often described my approach as a mix of discipleship and hospitality.

We think hospitality is a pretty critical metaphor for the Gospel.

But when I use the word hospitality, I sometimes hear reactions which betray a misunderstanding of the biblical/Jewish/Christian practice of hospitality.

Academics & Vocation

Just Keep Breathing: 3 Reasons You Should Consider Seminary

I remember a pastor once referred to seminary as “cemetery” because “that’s where promising pastors go to die.” Like most maxims, I’m sure there was a kernel of truth in that statement somewhere. But seminary isn’t just for pastors anymore. Nor is it only for people with plans to enter into full-time, paid ministry.

People from all walks of life with all different kinds of aspirations are increasingly entering into seminary as an opportunity to work out their “callings.” What about you? Could seminary be right for you? Making that determination is as simple as taking a breath.

The Local Church

I Love Jesus and I Love His Church

We need a redeemed and transformed ecclesiology.

Ecclesiology is simply a big seminary word for the way we think and talk about and practice this thing called Church.

It comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which means “a public gathering of people,” and is the word that gets translated “church” in the New Testament.

Big Ideas & 'Best Of'

Evaluating Before Hibernating

For most of us the school year has now come to an end.

The natural reaction is to breathe a sigh of relief and start packing for the beach. However, judging by the fact that you’re reading this post you realize that, while the summer means more time to rest, there’s still work to be done.

So before you enter the period of college ministry hibernation, take some time to assess this past year, while it’s still fresh in your mind.

Here are 5 questions to ask as you evaluate your ministry: