In my post yesterday I shared some initial thoughts on walking with students who hurt.
Today I’d like to explore what it means to know our limitations…
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m NOT attempting to limit the ways in which God might choose to work through us… but I am, however, wanting to make it clear that for those of us who serve college students, in a pastoral capacity, that we have an obligation to our struggling students to provide them with every resource possible — even if it means passing them off to someone who is “outside” of our ministry.
College and university campuses are well-equipped these days with a host of professionals who have earned degrees in a variety of fields — all aimed at assisting college students through these formative years — just like we have.
Important to our “success” and effectiveness as ministers to a campus community is knowing the different resources the campus has to offer… and knowing when the time has come to introduce our struggling students (whether it’s in the area of physical health, emotional and/or mental health, academic stresses, relational and/or social issues, etc.) to other campus resources that “specialize” in areas that we do not.
Regardless of whether we are “employed” be the institutions we serve, or not, we must take the initiative to have open and ongoing relationships with the professionals in student-oriented offices across campus. Connecting specifically with colleagues in the counseling services, health and wellness centers, student activities, res. life, etc. are probably some of the more critical.
When we begin to recognize that what we have to offer students is “not enough” for what they are going through, it is of considerable help to know the people who can better help these students, and to further be able to make that introduction between student and campus professional.
If your anything like me, especially when I first got into ministry with college students, you want to believe that you can provide anything and everything that students might need. I’ve learned over the years that this often a sign of immaturity and tied directly to my own “need to be needed.” It has very little, if anything, to do with what the students needs are.
Knowing our limits and looking out for the best interests of our students, however, will require us to make FULL USE of the Body of Christ — as it is represented on our campus or in the local community.
We must become fully aware of our campus resources and aim to be known for a quick and open communication with partners across the campus community.
What do you think?
How does this look on your campus? In your ministry?
I’d love to hear from you!
