Baptist College Ministries in the south have long utilized campus Centers located on or adjacent to the campus as the headquarters for their ministries. The recent news that the Georgia Baptist Convention is selling five of their Centers has raised questions about the future.
Is the time of Baptist Student Centers past?
The short answer would be NO.
Both the Louisiana and Tennessee Conventions have continued to build and update Campus Centers. The Tennessee Baptist Convention is currently doing an entire renovation of the Center on the Vanderbilt campus. It is being paid for from the sale of a small portion of the property to Vanderbilt with the rest of the funding being provided by the Cooperative Program, state missions offerings, and gifts by local churches, association, and alumni, according to Bill Choate who leads the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. In addition, the Tennessee Baptist Convention has recently purchased and renovated an another building at Tennessee Tech University that they have attached to the existing Baptist Student Center to enlarge it.
The Louisiana Baptist Convention has built or renovated 9 buildings in the past 15 years. Mark Robinson, State Director for Louisiana, said, "I feel like I will lead us to some sort of renovation or building work at least every (3) three years."
Funding for these Centers offers a clue.
Did you notice those words, "churches, association, and alumni" used in describing the funding for the Vanderbilt project? When we built the new Baptist Center at Arkansas State about 15 years ago, the Arkansas Baptist Convention gave $66.000 to the project and the remainder was given by individuals and churches on approximately a 50/50 basis. There is strong evidence that Baptists as a whole believe in these projects and voice their approval with their financial gifts.
What is the value of these Campus Centers?
1. They say to the campus and everyone that our commitment to ministry there is long term. Many ministries that operate without Centers often tend to come and go. A building takes and makes a commitment to that campus!
2. Facilities used wisely open doors of ministry and opportunity. In our Center at Arkansas State, we were able to host some faculty and staff events and would have the President and other top administrators in our building frequently, which deepened our connections and cooperation. Many of these Centers partner with different International Student groups to host special holiday gatherings unique to their country which opens the door for witness to many non-believing International students.
3. Campus Centers provide consistency of ministry. When we outgrew our older Baptist Center at Arkansas State, we asked if we could rent the ballroom in the ASU Student Center each week for our large group worship.. They indicated we could use it some, but not weekly. Many campus ministry groups use campus owned meeting rooms, but often are not able to be in the same space each week. Each week requires extensive communication as to where the weekly worship events will be held that particular week. Meeting same time, same place is a huge plus. In addition the setup, lighting and sound can be configured to the ministry needs when ministries are in their own space.
4. The Christian Center provides a hub that strengthens the ministry that functions day and night throughout the week. I recently was on the Murray State University campus and walked thru the Baptist Student Center there with the BCM President and another student leader as my tour guides. They have a large Center with a ground level and a basement level. As we went into the different rooms, they would tell me about the different share and Bible study groups that met there throughout the week. At the same time, in another part of the building interviews were going on for their new ministry team leaders. That Center increases on-going ministries.
5. Food is not restricted in Christian Campus Centers. Food is a factor in connection and relationships. Many Christian Campus Centers operate Outreach Lunch programs that are not possible in campus owned and regulated space. Groups that meet in campus facilities often cannot have food or they are required to buy it from the campus catering service at "catering prices".
6. A permanent facility increases church and community awareness. A Campus Center helps announce our presence and commitment to all those who see it. There is also the reminder that the care and upkeep of our facilities says something to everyone..
The need for and the value of these Christian Campus Centers has not changed. The issue is continuing to make our churches and individual supporters aware of the value and need. Plus, we must be strategic in our planning and use of these buildings.
Has the time come to consider raising the money to endow the every day operation and maintenance of these buildings so that a decrease in the funding will not affect the continued use of these valuable ministry tools?
Could your college ministry be reaching more students? Check out Reaching MORE College Students: Next Level College Ministry at amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.
No comments:
Post a Comment