Student Ministry

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Student Ministry Church Planting

• An Initial Proposal for Starting Collegiate
  Churches

Robert Turner Director of Student
Ministries Baptist Convention of PA/S. Jersey
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Why should students be a priority for me? Im
just trying to start a church!

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What is the mission of your church?
Answer

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Student MinistryMinistry at the Crossroads

• The crossroads of culture
• The crossroads of life
• A strategic focus for world evangelization

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Who are these students, anyway?

• No absolute truth
• They have no brand loyalty
• Seeking meaning in non-traditional ways
• Little sense of connection with organized
  religion
• Need adult role models and contact
• Willing to be radical when they see something
  worth committing to

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Student Ministry Church PlantingTwo points of
focus

• Involving students in church planting efforts

Planting churches that will be student sensitive
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Involving students in church planting efforts
(Traditional approaches)

• One-time, local mission activity
• Extended, but limited local involvement
• Students forming part of the initial core
  group planting the church
• Mission trips to help plant churches

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But its a new day for student ministry and
church planting!
The traditional ways are still valid...
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Planting churches that are student sensitive
What do college students look for in a church?
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People...

• who have a vital relationship with the living God
• who are honest seekers for truth
• who have a faith that is intellectually and
  emotionally sound
• who are warm and open and offer authentic
  Christian fellowship
• who are willing to accept students individually
  with no preconceived ideas about them

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Opportunities...

• to experience a relevant worship service
• to participate in quality Bible study
• for meaningful involvement in the total life of
  the church
• to grow as a Christian and use their talents and
  gifts
• to share their faith in Christ throughout the
  mission field of the church

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Planting churches that are student sensitive
Traditional Models

• Looking at proposed ministries of the church and
  creating structures that include/reach out to
  students
• College Sunday school class, music groups,
  fellowships, etc.

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Church plant and campus ministry beginning
simultaneously

• The church starter/campus minister role, utilized
  by the old HMB
• Example Big Woods Bible Church, Lock Haven, PA
• Problem in most locations was that it was too
  much to do both with same person
• Also, a person's heart was usually more with one
  area than the other

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Church plant initiating out of a campus ministry

• The Journey, State College, PA (Penn State)
• Cornerstone Church, Ames, IA (Iowa State)

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A church plant whose target group is students

• Oakland area, Pittsburgh, PA (Univ. of Pittsburgh
  and others)

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Church Planting Strategy for Oakland Area of
Pittsburgh, PA
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Church Planting Strategy for Oakland Area of
Pittsburgh, PA
1,000
32,000
9,500
52,100
2,300
7,300
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A church plant on a campus

• Students meet on campus
• Based on homogeneous unit principle

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A key point to remember

• The key to reaching students is through
  relationships. They want personal contact.
• Students are highly skeptical but generally
  respond to people who are authentic in their
  relationships with them.

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What frustrations might you experience?

• Your criteria for success will be challenged
• The churchs objectives and the students may not
  match up
• You may have to re-evaluate the value you place
  on informal ministries
• Your capacity for flexibility and tolerance will
  be challenged!

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What joys might you experience?

• The intergenerational contact will be rewarding
• Students who come to Christ can be some of the
  most committed, energetic Christians anywhere
• You can expect students who attend your church to
  add to the richness of your fellowship
• You can experience the deep satisfaction of
  knowing that you are making a profound investment
  in the future of the Kingdom of God

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• For more information, contact

Robert Turner Director of Student
Ministries Baptist Convention of
Pennsylvania/South Jersey rturner941_at_earthlink.n
et