College Priorities

According to collegetimes.us, collegians are easily distracted from priorities through being consumed by a mix of media, internet, competition, and pop culture. But how should college students prioritize? Collegetimes says most collegians see meaningful priorities in this particular order.

1. Health: mind & body-This includes recreational sports, a balanced diet, yoga, and holistic wellness.
2. Relationships: Family, friends, and people you care about.
3. Career and Purpose: this includes long term goals and identity in mind.
4. Fun & Satisfaction: Don’t live for tomorrow, live for today. A recent graduate couple said on TV last night they were in reverse retirement. Put differently, they were gonna wait and work later because they wanted to experience most out of life when they are the most healthy.

There isn’t much room for spirituality or religion in this list except maybe number three. Some collegians would argue that spirituality pervades all 4 meaningful priorities. I see this list playing out here at ASU, however, I would swap #3 with #4.

Should Christians Be Tolerant?

Tolerance is the topic of debate for every religious person and every sect within each religion. Whatever religion you subscribe to, you will fall into the continuum of tolerance.

Here are some questions to consider. What does secular media say about tolerance and should we agree? Where should we fall in the tolerance continuum? Should Christians be tolerant? What is a good tolerance paradigm? Was Jesus tolerant? What does the Bible say about tolerance? Much time could be spent discussing this issue, but I will keep it brief.

My Christian paradigm of tolerance is differentiating between politically correct tolerance from biblically correct tolerance. Politically correct tolerance essentially declares that all beliefs are equally true and right; put differently, what is true and right to one person is not necessarily true and right for another. Are both beliefs true and right? No; this view is fundamentally self defeating and would lead to anarchy. Biblically correct tolerance declares that all beliefs aren’t equally true but each person accepting that belief should be accepted and respected as a person created in the image of God regardless of their belief. Biblically Correct tolerance values the person not the belief because they are made in the image of God. (Gen. 1:26-27)

Romans 12:16-18 “ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

We are commanded as Christians to be peace makers; this was the response of Jesus. He loved people regardless of their belief. Jesus always seemed to be around people with different beliefs; in fact, the people with different beliefs, or ungodly people, seemed to be the people that liked him the most. Ironically, the people that Jesus didn’t get along with were the most religious.

Jesus came to restore the brokenhearted and the lost; If we (the Church) are going to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we have to take Jesus’ version of tolerance seriously.

10 Questions: An Interview with A Campus-Based College Minister

A seminary friend asked me 10 interview questions earlier today about life as a campus based college minister. Here are my responses.


1. What do you see as the most important task and/or role of your job?

There is no 1 task/role that is MOST important. The different hats each collegiate minister wears complement each other; However, the natural ability to cultivate relationships with ALL (international, athletes, geeks, greeks etc.) students for the sake of the gospel is the biblical mandate for every Christian. Leading by example is the most contagious method for other Christian students or leaders in the ministry. Redemptive conversations happen best in the cafeteria and on campus where it feels more natural than a religious building.


2. What are some character trait, abilities, and gifts that all campus ministers need?

Collegiate ministers must be able to balance a variety of responsibilities at the same time. Administration, Counseling, interpersonal relationship skills, and the ability to communicate effectively are all essential traits; however, only focusing on one or the other will stifle other vital components of the ministry. Put differently, the collegiate minister is a jack of all ministerial trades. Fundamentally, leadership and the ability to empower leadership skills to others is the most advantageous skill of the college minister.


3. What were some of the experiences that you feel best prepared you to be a campus minister?

Working for a well seasoned veteran will prove to be the best form of preparation for any newcomer. Such residency will dodge you years of trial and error. No one, even seasoned veterans, have it all figured out; but, they sure do have a lot to offer. Any experience is good and versatility is important.

4. What 3 pieces of advice would you give a first year campus minister?

1. You can’t do it all by yourself so don’t try.
2. Connect to the University, church, and local associational staff in a positive and useful way.
3. Be a strong presence on campus and always be intentional about meeting students on campus and NOT be in your office all day. People Work NOT just paper work.

5. How do you spot potential leaders and invest in them?

I spot prospective leaders in a variety of ways. The most effective way is simply asking students about other students. Without asking students perspective of each other, you may easily be deceived. Seeing how students interact in a large group is an easy way to spot potential leaders. I normally give students who exhibit potential leadership skills different responsibilities to see how well they are able to carry it out. Unfortunately, students with the most ability don’t always have the most availability. So, availability is another characteristic that is essential.

6.. How much of your time during the week is spent on things other than investing directly in students (administration, budgeting, communicating with associations/state convention, etc.)?

This is a difficult question because every week varies. It would be hard to categorize specific amounts of time to this area because the effective collegiate minister balances these responsibilities with others.


7. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is hearing students tell me how God has changed their life; It will always be the most rewarding part!

8. What is the most difficult part of your job?

The most difficult part of this job is prioritizing what is MOST important. Job duties can be endless, but discerning the most important task is vital to the lifeblood of the ministry. Finding the heart of what is most important will continually be a struggle for all ministers.


9. How do you measure success in your ministry?

Ministry success is never objective and easy to assess; It is weighted according to a number of different gauges including: number of students who have been involved, accepted Christ, shared Christ, or involved in missions, church etc. There’s no magic formula for success.

10. How do you stay fresh year after year?

Staying fresh requires honest dialogue with colleagues and always tweaking the status quo to align it with your vision. Reading books, blogs, Twitter, and Facebook always keep you on the cutting edge of culture, generational worldview, and effective ministry. Read everything you can get your hands on that you have time to read...even from those you disagree. Being a collegiate minister, you ought to have the ability to sift the wheat from the chaff. Simply put, always be a learner before a criticizer.

Is Online Church A Biblical Church?

It seems that most major denominational and all major religious traditions have an online church these days.

Flying back from Atlanta a couple months ago, I logged into a church website, listened to a preacher, downloaded the message guide, and chatted with an internet pastor on the message board who told me 20 states were watching with me. What a crazy world we live in to be involved in an internet church 20,000 feet in the air.

Where two or more are logged online, there I am with them...? (my 21st century version of Matthew 18:20.) Can a Biblically faithful church (Ekklesia) gathering take place online? Put differently, was this a picture of what Christ envisioned the New Testament church? Surely, this is an advantageous outlet for those who are home bound and physically unable to attend church; but, does this model translate for all people?

The simple reality is that ekklesia (found 90 times in the NT) refers to an actual physical assembly. The Universal Ekklesia is referred to only 13 times. However, can that definition be placed under the congruency of online church? Some say yes, but must treat the definition rather loosely. Another difficulty for online churches is the administration of the ordinances (Baptism and Lord’s Supper) At the very least, we must agree that online church is not the optimal level of biblical community.

What do you think about this matter?