We had Shane Claiborne on campus today.

In my time at BU this is the 4th time we’ve had the pleasure of hosting him. And each time he’s packed the house — regardless of where we’ve held it.

While we bring in plenty of great, GREAT folks like Shane, we never get the same kind of turn out from students.

I’m not sure why this is.

And to be truthful, I’m not exactly sure what the draw is for students with Shane…

Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s great… and he represents some of the best that I want our students exposed to when it comes to living as a follower of Jesus and finding real practical ways to live that out…

But I would think that being around someone as authentic, committed and convincing as Shane Claiborne is would be — for those who aren’t willing to dive head-first into full-on discipleship of Jesus — very convicting.

I seem to see a lot of students who love, LOVE what Shane is about — doing justice and serving those in need — but who don’t seem to recognize (or even care) that it comes from a deep-rooted faith and followership of Jesus. They want to go out and serve others — even “love their neighbor… in Jesus name” — but aren’t willing to step into the kind of discipleship relationship with Jesus that forms and informs their love while transforming them in the process.

It’s doing good for the sake of doing good… and wanting Jesus to bless it… and bless them in the process.

But, for the most part, it is void of discipleship.

It looks like the service of good non-Christians who simply want to do good — but it’s done “in Jesus name.”

It also looks very much like the service of Christians who are deeply involved in the discipleship process — but, as I mentioned above, it often lacks a true informing (from the Scriptures and Holy Spirit) and transforming (because we’ve invited Jesus to work both in us and through us) quality that cannot be manufactured or duplicated outside of a life lived in discipleship.

So I’m curious…

Do you see this on your campus?

How do you challenge students you see who seem to be side-stepping discipleship?

How might we come alongside students whose hearts and desire to serve others are in the right place — and introduce them to the kind of discipleship that will radically change their love and service — and them in the process?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Please take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below.