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Ecclesiolgical Bling and the Academy
Posted by Bowden McElroy in Church & Missions
There was a lively discussion at SBC Impact! last week about the best ways to minister to children and youth (What in God’s Name Are We Doing to Our Children?) . I thought Dave Miller raised a good question when he wrote (in comment #51), “But my fundamental question is whether the ecclesiological bling we use to attract the children and youth makes it harder, even impossible to then develope (sic) them into serious disciples.”
Dave’s question raised more questions for me: what exactly is “ecclesiological bling”, what legacy or baggage do bling-laden students bring with them into collegiate ministries, and do we accept students as they are – repeating the fun activities they were accustomed to in youth ministry – or do we attempt to de-blingify them?
I have chosen to challenge college students intellectually – and not provide the bling – for a number of reasons. First, it’s just not me; I’m not a fun guy. Put me in charge of entertainment and you’re in for a long and boring evening. I haven’t grown crotchety in my old(er) age; I was pretty serious when I was a college student. I’m not opposed to fun, I just need someone else to organize activities. So if I’m in charge of ministry to college students, I’m going to play to my strengths and not try to be someone I’m not.
Second, this is a group that tends to create their own fun. Junior high kids whine about being bored (“There’s nothing to do…”), college students always seem to be up to something.
Third, I’ve found most college students to be inquisitive and passionate. I’m leading a bible study this summer and have been impressed with the commitment the students have shown: we have 13 students from three different schools meeting at Tulsa Community College on Thursday evenings (my church and the BCM are co-sponsoring it). It’s not an easy study. The topic is developing a biblical world view and we really dig into theology and doctrine (with a little philosophy and neuro-psychology thrown in). They want to know what the bible has to say about them, the world, and their place in it.
It’s a little disquieting that some of these kids have been in church all their lives and haven’t, apparently, been exposed to this before. Their passion, however, is contagious. A few of them are already talking about my teaching them some basic apologetics this fall. Did you catch that: just a few weeks into a summer bible study and they’re already talking about wanting more.
Finally, I’ve become convinced that discipleship and mentoring is what is missing in the life of the average college student. I’ve spent the last three years trying to build a college Sunday school class at my church and have failed. I’m not trying any more. I surrendered my Sunday morning class to another man at our church. (After six months, he too is giving up on the 9:00am Sunday morning hour and is moving the class to a noon/lunch format.) He will work with students on the church campus and I’ll work with them on the college campuses. Our plan is to each pick a few students we can mentor; spending time with each of them until they graduate or transfer to another school. Our prayer is that we will quickly need to recruit more adults to be a part of the college ministry and serve as mentors.
I don’t think college students need an old guy in a suit to organize their fun; they do need someone who will challenge them intellectually the same way their professors challenge them. Count me out on providing the bling. I will, however, help supply the one thing all college students are lacking: funds. We’ll buy the meals, help with scholarships for mission trips, and aid them in supporting the local Starbucks if they will continue to be passionate about wanting to learn what God has to say about living their lives.
Let me close with one of my favorite quotes from a favorite author:
Here, then, is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.
– R. C. Sproul
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Excellent comments on college ministry, Bowden. My SS class is the college age and I wouldn’t say that I have “no problem” getting them to class at 9:30, although most of them do show up. I do agree though that they need mentoring. For that matter, mentoring is what they crave. In the absence of opportunity to spend time with them (which is the method Jesus used for creating disciples, i.e. Coleman’s “The Master Plan of Evangelism”), i give them what is the next best thing – I tell them stories about how I applied, or failed to apply, the principles I’m teaching in class and what the consequences were. I think sometimes we miss the power of a carefully crafted story and feel like we have to emphasize the systematic and analytical stuff we are teaching.
The true believer is a difficult one to pick out of the crowd. We are a visual people and have grown accustom to numbers. When Jesus began to bring the message home to those who were simply following for the entertainment, it is said that they turned and followed Him no more. Our churches are filled when there is trouble without (9/11), however, when it comes to persecution, well, that’s a horse of a different color. True believers have certain traits. Bible reading and Bible study is one of them. There is something inside a born again believer that has the constant gravitational draw to this new kingdom they are made for. The word of God is the only source for growth and maturity and if we who have grown and matured do not see this in others there is good reason to suspect that there is no life inside. Finding and mentoring the right person, like Jesus did, is crucial.
I’m glad my quote spurred discussion. I just wish I would “develope” my spelling technique a little better so that your quote wouldn’t make me a little (sic).