As a recent study indicates, Southern Baptists face a challenge in reaching
young adults – and keeping them involved.
Baptist Collegiate Ministries serves on the front lines of that battle, working
to share the gospel and minister to college students across the United States.
As a recent study indicates, Southern Baptists face a challenge in reaching
young adults – and keeping them involved.
Baptist Collegiate Ministries serves on the front lines of that battle, working
to share the gospel and minister to college students across the United States.
The challenge is a shifting one, Baptist collegiate ministers report. In todays
marketplace of college ministry, students are shopping to fill their spiritual
needs with little brand loyalty, they say.
Following a pattern that mirrors many young adults church-hopping spirituality,
a student may turn to a non-denominational group for Christian fellowship, a
Methodist ministry for Bible study and a Baptist effort to do missions.
The Baptist name carries little attraction for todays college generation,
explained Allan Thompson, director of the Baptist Student Ministry at East Texas
Baptist University. Most students do not see the value of denominations, he
said.
Instead, student ministries today must rely on relationships to draw students,
said Clif Mouser, director of student ministry at Baylor University. Students
become part of ministries via their network of friends.
“They get involved because they encounter other Christian students who
want them to get involved,” Mouser said.
Although the initial draw is different, students needs largely remain
the same, added Arliss Dickerson, director of Baptist Collegiate Ministry at
Arkansas State University. “I think the number one thing is they want to
belong to a group that loves them and encourages them.”
Last year, 886 Baptist Collegiate Ministries nationwide reached a diverse group
of more than 248,618 students, using tested techniques, including free lunches
and evening worship services.
The students represent a diverse group. More than 10 percent of the 87,000
students actively involved in student ministries last year were African-Americans,
and nearly 8 percent were ethnics. Another 10 percent were international students.
College ministries also connect with students by easing the transition from
high school to college, helping them move in and get situated. They also often
offer concerts and parties as social events.
But the biggest draw is a personal invitation from a friend, and todays
Christian students are rising to that challenge, said Joel Bratcher, director
of the Baptist Student Ministries at Texas A&M University.
“Christian students are more passionate about their faith than when I
started in this work,” Bratcher said.
Michael Ball is director of the Baptist Student Union at Mississippi State
University. He said he finds students are looking for meaning in their lives.
“At the heart of things, the needs are much the same, …” Ball said.
“I think theyre really wanting purposeful commitments in their own
lives.”
In this search for meaning, students are interested in exploring Christianity,
campus ministers said. They are closely examining the faith and asking questions.
“Students, by and large, are trying to find what life is about, and theyre
open to examining God,” said Steve Masters, director of Baptist Collegiate
Ministry at Louisiana State University.
While college ministries have been based on small-group studies in the past,
many are building on the popularity of praise and worship services, which incorporate
musical styles more reflective of popular culture. The intense emotion of the
services intrigues non-believers who want to know this passion, Masters said.
The desire to participate in missions is extremely strong among students, campus
ministers report.
Overseas mission trips once seen as dangerous or exotic are a normal expression
of the students faith.
Masters said he sees more students than ever answering a call to vocational
ministry, with most interested in becoming missionaries rather than serving
local churches.
“Servant evangelism” is a draw as well. Examples include helping
students move into dorms and serving hot chocolate in the winter in an effort
to share the gospel.
“This generation is more about experience than exposure,” Thompson
explained. “They dont just want to know whats going on or see
whats going on.
“They want to do whats going on.”
But such strengths are balanced by weaknesses, Dickerson added. He noted students
seem to have trouble applying faith to their lives. And while large worship
services bring people in, there is a great need for small-group Bible studies,
he
reported.
Also, statistics have shown financial contributions from this generation are
down significantly compared to previous generations, a trend that could have
major implications for the church, Thompson said.
The speed of change in American life has increased so much that college students
and younger generations are absorbing changes without having a chance to examine
them, campus ministers said. Constant change is part of their lives, and it
will only become a larger part with time. Baptist collegiate ministers largely
agree such factors will alter the church. The question is how much.
Thompson said he sees dramatic changes. He envisions churches that are defined
more by practical ministries rather than doctrinal distinctions. Believers regularly
will fellowship with several congregations to meet their spiritual needs. Outreach
will be global as well as local.
“If you think its a wild ride now, just hold on,” he said.
“I think its going to get a whole lot wilder.” (ABP)