Campus Ministry Rocks!

+Darin Johnson, Campus Pastor and Executive Director

Hopefully you have at least one close friend who ‘gets you’. Last week in St. Louis I was fortunate to share spaces with hundreds of people who ‘get me’ at the ecumenical gathering of campus ministers who are Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and a salad of others. Why would I/we need this? My short answer is that hanging out with other campus ministers powerfully renews my vocation–my lifelong call to reach out, connect, listen, support and mentor young adults and others who live, work and study on college campuses. 

Campus ministry is a fascinating variety of joys and challenges because it is about people who are wondering, exploring, trying, stumbling and growing on the brink of launching into who knows what’s next. I have never had a dull moment among students because so much is going on at this turning point.

“As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.’And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” [Mk 1.16-18]

Did it ever occur to you that the call and ministry of Jesus and all his disciples happened during their young adulthood?

Who better to be on a bold new adventure of transforming yourself and the world than young adults? Historically, young adults are always on the front lines and the cusp of any sociocultural evolution, especially as they lean into hope, faith and love. Jesus started his movement with them because their energy, creativity and courage are essential to God’s reign on earth. So if we want a better world, then there is no better place to look for it than campus ministry (and other places that center young adults). I serve them because the worldviews that got us into this present chaos is not the one that will lead us into a better world. I’m counting on and joining them where they are.

Young adults may be young but they do have the inner wisdom that we all access when we respect the body-mind-heart that God gave us and pay close attention to who and what is important to us. Students' willingness to be self-defined and true to their unfolding identities continues to teach me, because that is not how I was raised. I was taught to be good at something that pays–identity is something I’m still exploring.

If you are critical of emerging generations, please realize that they are doing what makes sense for them. If you don’t understand a young adult, you might respectfully and with genuine curiosity and humility, ask one (not a book or article on generations) who and what they care about, what gives them life, and what their joys and challenges are. And then accompany them on their way. That’s what Jesus did, and that’s what campus ministry is. 

For example, Jesus started ‘dinner church’. It’s not something new or trendy but basic and essential to being human. Church often so stylized the community meal as to disconnect it from its elemental purpose: sharing meals and relationships. Reconnecting with those basics is what we practice whenever we gather to feast on the Word and the Meal, style only reflects context, it’s not etched in stone. Living friendship was good enough for Jesus…how about us?

I returned from St. Louis with new and renewed friendships in mission, including a couple new ministers who asked me to mentor them as they find their ‘sea legs’ on campus and other young adult challenges like a new marriage, a new child, or a new health challenge. Everywhere I go I meet young adults who need understanding, support and encouragement…just like you and me. When church re-centers relationships of depth, grace and faithfulness, that is how Christ is at the center of our life together. Having just received that in generous abundance, I urge you to ask, seek and knock until you find time with folx who see, hear and know you. God is doing wondrous new things with us.

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” [Isa. 43.19]

Peace and every good to you,

+Darin