Here is an interesting thought. I've been attempting to create a good model for local church/para-church org relationships over the past few years, and it's tricky! I just read an article given to me by a pastor in Stevens Point about just that, written by a man named Byron Straughn. He suggests local church membership as a vital part of that partnership. So far my ideas have relied heavily on local church involvement for students, but not membership. I would hope membership in a local church would provide a sense of belonging in that congregation for a student. They may be more apt to see the primacy of the church, which is what we want for them as an organization, and they might feel like their main source of spiritual growth and help would be the local church. This would help organizations place importance on ordinary means of grace and the sacraments, and would in turn help the para-church realize its mission of evangelism and winning souls on the campus. Instead of "recreating church," as Straughn puts it, the para-church would be able to use up less of the students time attempting to do things like preaching and corporate worship and could focus more effort on evangelistic relationships and activity. I know i would rather have a student be part of an intramural volleyball team for the purpose of evangelism than be part of our large group planning team.
My question is, is this practical? Do churches want students to be members for a few years and then leave? Can this kind of relationship be realized with mere local church involvement rather than membership?
The statistics show that over 70% of students claiming to be Christian entering college leave college unsure or sure that they are not, but if those students are involved in a para-church org they are 95% certain to "retain the faith." Also, 98% of students who come to a saving faith in Christ during their college years give some credit to para-church org activity, and 90% of college-age converts coming to the local church are brought there by para-church members. I do not mean to belittle the purpose or work of the para-church in any way, i just want to fulfill our true mission to the best of our ability for the glory of God, and i believe doing so centers around an emphasis on the local church during the college life. I want students and pastors and IV staff and ex para-churchers alike to comment on this so we get ideas from all perspectives!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Interesting post. Byron seems pretty good, he does some stuff with 9Marks ministries and Mark Dever, so I'm guessing when it comes to the importance of local churches he is right on.
"He suggests local church membership as a vital part of that partnership." I think this is right on. Even more than providing a student with belonging it would provide them with an authority structure, they would actually be answerable to a spiritual authority in their lives and this is a must for true and proper discipleship.
"My question is, is this practical? Do churches want students to be members for a few years and then leave?" Even more than practical, I think we see it as biblical. Regardless of the duration of time, Church membership is not an option in Scripture, like joining the Boy Scouts Club. It is an assumed responsibility of every Christian.
Regardless of what the stats show, Christ is very clear when he leaves his church on earth to carry out his work (it's interesting that he didn't leave Christian camps, College ministries, or other para-church organizations) he left the Church. Emphasis MUST be placed on this first and foremost.
Take em or leave em they are my thoughts.
Thanks Kyle. Sub-question:
What about churches that don't allow dual membership? Students are often only in the cities where their campuses are for half of the year, and only for a few half years at that. It seems awkward to transfer membership back and forth twice a year during a college career.
Glad to hear you appreciate 9Marks, even if Dever is a "sloppy reformed baptist."
Good question. I guess, from my point of view, that shows forth the weakness of independent congregations.
For instance, I am a member of the PCA Church. For me to transfer membership to a different PCA Church it is quite simple, because the PCA doesn't operate on an independent status (I think the same would go for RCA; well for any Church that is or very closely is Presbyterian in polity).
Interesting post and interesting conversation, guys.
I have a question: How do the differences between official church membership and regular, active involvement actually manifest in the lives of college students?
Lickel,
You may be interested in this post:
http://dannyhyde.squarespace.com/the-heidelblog/2007/8/29/idea-lets-try-every-way-but-christs-way.html
"I have a question: How do the differences between official church membership and regular, active involvement actually manifest in the lives of college students?"
Good thought Dana!
The easiest answer is that simple "involvement" in a Church does not place someone under the authority of a Church. One may think it does, but then only in word and not in practice. By truly placing oneself inside the authority of Church officers *true* discipleship can occur. The Church's function is to not only evangelize but to disciple and this entails a certain amount of authority. In today's Church culture we minimize the need for membership and in so doing we minimize discipleship.
Post a Comment