Transcript Ministry Needs and Opportunities at 'Commuter” Colleges

Ministry Needs and Opportunities at
"Commuter” Colleges and Universities
Noel and Joyce
Caldwell
CLM Faculty Affiliates
Columbia, SC
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Commuter Schools
• Today, many of our institutions of higher
education are essentially commuter
schools
• Typically, these schools are located in
or near a metropolitan area
• Most of their students are employed
• Also, many of their students have
family responsibilities
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Commuter Schools,
(Cont’d)
• As a result, most of their students are
on campus just long enough to
attend classes
• These schools enroll many nontraditional students. Age statistics:
Mean - 30 Median - 25 Mode - 19
• In most cases these schools have no
need for dormitories
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Commuter Schools
(Cont’d)
• Thus, they have essentially no
residential students from which the
nucleus of a student ministry can be
drawn
• Student ministry staff are not attracted
to these institutions (our observation)
• These schools are very likely to be
without student ministries
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Commuter Schools
(Cont’d)
• Among these institutions in the US are over
1130 two-year Junior, Community, and
Technical Colleges plus a number of senior
institutions. Ref: American Association of Community Colleges, 1995 -1996
• These colleges and universities typically have
no full or part-time ministry staff for faculty
or students
• Two-year colleges alone, among commuter
colleges, enroll 44% of all US undergraduates
- 10.4 million(52% credit, 48% non-credit)
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Commuter Schools
(Cont’d)
• Obviously, there is a great lack of
Christian based ministries in a large
segment of American higher
education - our commuter schools,
especially at the two-year college level
• Such ministries are greatly needed
even though not as attractive as at
residential schools
• An opportunity for CLM? YES!
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Ministry Opportunities at
Commuter Schools for
Christian Faculty
• They can sponsor not only a ministry
to faculty and staff but a ministry to
students, also
• In the absence of ministry staff, there is
usually a need for a faculty sponsor
to initiate and maintain a student
organization
• Faculty support with some degree of
involvement is essential
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Ministry Opportunities at
Commuter Schools for
Christian Faculty
(Cont’d)
• Faculty sponsors do not have to do all
the work
• They can initiate a student ministry,
help oversee it, and recruit others to
help with the on-going operations of the
ministry
• On-campus help may be available
from other Christian faculty and
professional staff
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Ministry Opportunities at
Commuter Schools for
Christian Faculty
(Cont’d)
• Off-campus assistance may be
acquired from:
• Crusade or other Christian staff at
nearby schools. They might gladly
provide on-going assistance a few
hours each week
• Bible college/seminary students
seeking field ministry experience
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Ministry Opportunities at
commuter Schools for
Christian Faculty
(Cont’d)
• Off-campus assistance
• Pastors
• Youth ministers
• Other mature, capable Christians
• Wherever there is a will, there is a
way! This is God’s business and will HE
not help us?
(cont’d)
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Advantages of Offering both
Student and Faculty Ministries at
the Same Institution
• Access to various campus resources
(campus mail, facilities, newspapers,
bulletin boards, AV equipment, etc.) is
usually available and free to officially
registered student organizations
(This may not be true for faculty
ministries)
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Advantages of Offering both
Student and Faculty Ministries at
the Same Institution
• Some presentations and events provided
by either ministry can minister to both
faculty and students
• Certain special events can be a combined
effort of both ministries. Christian faculty
and ministry students can work together to
make all arrangements and advertise events
• Personal interactions between members of
the two groups can yield positive spin-offs
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Faculty and Student Ministries at
Midlands Technical College,
Columbia, SC
• Background
• In 1971 Noel left the Lockheed-Georgia
Company as God led him to go to Midlands
Technical College
• Noel, serving as Chairman of Engineering
Technology, employed a local Bible college
student (former engineer) as an adjunct
teacher. Together they started a Bible Club
in 1972. In 1989, the name was changed
to Campus Crusade for Christ
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Faculty and Student Ministries at
Midlands Technical College,
Columbia, SC
• Background
(cont’d)
• While involved in a Christian business
men’s organization Noel started planning a
similar ministry for college faculty and staff
• Noel was introduced to Phil Luther who led
him to attend the 1989 CLM conference at
Colorado State University
• The Association of Christians in Education
(ACE) organized in October 1989
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Combined Goals of the Faculty
and Student Ministries at
Midlands Tech
• Lead students, faculty, and staff to Christ
• Encourage Christian faculty and staff to take
a public stand on campus as a Christian
• Strengthen and encourage students, faculty
and staff in their Christian faith, and teach
them how to effectively minister on campus
• Defend the Christian faith and refute error
• Provide Christian fellowship and help link new
Christians with a good church
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Activities and Events Used in
Support of the Goals of the Two
Ministries at Midlands Tech
• Monthly prayer breakfast for faculty and staff
• Special speakers, presentations, and events on and off campus, CLM helps. Some events
piggy-backed on large educator conferences
• College newspaper ads with names of
Christian faculty and staff, with CLM’s help
• Placement of posters and flyers on bulletin
boards and office doors, with CLM’s help
• Campus Crusade for Christ Club activities Bible and topical studies, videos, etc.
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Activities and Events Used in
Support of the Goals of the Two
Ministries at Midlands Tech
(Cont’d)
• Special fellowships: BBQ’s and at Christmas
• Place (loan or donate) books and videos in
the college’s libraries
• Special mailings to all faculty and staff.
Example: A Christmas greeting from a list of
Christian faculty and staff. The real meaning
of Christmas was described along with the
message of the gospel. Offer of free book,
More than a Carpenter, included
• Tactful, one-on-one ministry oriented
engagements with individuals - A KEY
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Closing Comments
• It seems that commuter schools, especially
the 1130+ two-year colleges, with their
students, faculty and staff have generally
been slighted by campus oriented
ministries
• These schools offer a somewhat different but
a great field for ministry to faculty, staff, and
students
• Compared to residential campuses, ministries
at commuter colleges can be trying and
discouraging
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Closing Comments
(Cont’d)
• Nevertheless, Paul says in his letter to the Galatians,
Gal.6:9, “…let us not grow weary while doing
good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not
lose heart.”(KJ)
• If we ask and trust Him, perhaps God will give us
keys to more effective Christian ministries at
commuter type colleges and universities
• The Bible indicates that many will be saved during
the Tribulation period. Perhaps much of what we
are now doing is sowing seeds in the lives of
millions who will eventually come to Christ - even
as “Tribulation Saints”
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Closing Comments
(Cont’d)
• It warms our hearts as we look back over the years and
recall various members of the Midlands Tech
community who have received Christ into their hearts
and lives:
• Faculty and staff members have prayed and
received the Lord at home, in offices, in restaurants
and in other locations. (Several of these have since
gone on to be with the Lord)
• Students have committed their lives to Christ in
faculty offices, the student commons area, and at
student ministry meetings,such as Campus Crusade
for Christ.
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Closing Comments
(Cont’d)
• Two former participating students, from
several years ago, have married and are now
applying to go on staff to serve in Campus
Crusade’s high school ministry. They first
met after praying for the campus with others
around the flag pole early one fall morning
• Let’s be faithful in campus ministries and
commit the results to God. He often
surprise us in what HE does!
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Appendix --About Us
• Married 41 years as of 2/14/99
• Have two adopted daughters
• Cared for and reared three nieces through
high school
• Currently have two grandsons
• Active involvement in local churches
throughout our lives
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Appendix -- About Noel
• Son of minister; received Christ very early in life with
help of parents
• Grew up in Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, and South
Carolina
• BS from USC and MS from MIT, both degrees in Civil
Engineering. EdD from USC
• Registered Professional Engineer, SC & GA
• Professional experience -10 years engineering and 28
in higher education, administration & teaching.
• Started student and faculty ministries at Midlands
Technical College, Columbia, SC. Others assisted.
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Appendix -- About Joyce
• Received Christ early in life through influence of
Christian friends
• Attended Emmanuel College and the University of
South Carolina
• Has 23 years of Business Administration and
Research Development experience with five
colleges: Emmanuel College, MIT, Georgia Tech,
Kennesaw College, University of South Carolina
• Has 20 years of Business and Technical experience
with three major corporations: General Electric,
CSX, and Policy Management Systems (PMSC)
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