A New Generation of Christian Leaders

The legacy of Christian student leadership in The United Methodist Church spans many generations. Through the United Methodist Student Movement(UMSM) and the annual Student Forum, young adults continue to have an important place and a voice within the church. Students are joining hands, strengthening connections, and working together to create a new generation of Christian leaders.

What is the United Methodist Student Movement?

On May 26, 1996, a new student network was created during Student Forum. The United Methodist Student Movement links college and university students throughout the United States and around the world. The UMSM trains and develops young adult leaders, bridges ethnic and cultural differences, and reaches out to students across the globe.

The UMSM is open to college and university students who are active in campus ministries and in local church college student ministries. The UMSM especially encourages emerging leaders and those seeking ways to strengthen their role and develop a better understanding of The United Methodist Church’s ministry. Students are encouraged nationally through Student Forum and are organized intercollegiately through jurisdictional conference, statewide, annual conference, and regional gatherings. UMSM is supported by the Campus Ministry Section of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The Annual Conference UMSM

Every annual conference is encouraged to have an organized UMSM that brings students together from area campuses for retreats, service projects, and other conference-wide gatherings. Each annual conference UMSM has an adviser who is usually a campus minister or college or university chaplain. The adviser and student leaders are responsible for coordinating conference participation in Student Forum.

The UMSM Steering Committee

The UMSM Steering Committee, assisted by Campus Ministry Section staff, gives direction for the UMSM between annual meetings, plans the Student Forum, represents the UMSM in ecumenical and global connections, and assumes other tasks related to the movement.

Each jurisdiction is represented on the steering committee by two students who are elected in alternating years to serve two-year terms. Five at-large members are appointed as well to ensure balance on the committee. Elections are held and appointments are made each year at Student Forum.

What is Student Forum?

Student Forum, established in 1989 as a representative organization for United Methodist college and university students, is the annual leadership development and student-led conference of the UMSM. Since 1989, Student Forum has developed into an event that is open to all college and university students, regardless of whether they participate as voting delegates for their annual conferences. At Student Forum, students involved in United Methodist-related campus ministries worship together, learn leadership skills, participate in workshops, and have a forum to express their concerns and hopes for The United Methodist Church. Voting delegates make decisions for the UMSM, while non-voting delegates participate in all conversations and events at Student Forum, except voting. The national Student Forum is held at the end of May.

Who Represents the Annual Conference UMSM at Student Forum?

Each annual conference selects voting and alternate delegates to the annual Student Forum. Voting delegates are normally selected from among the leadership of the annual conference UMSM while alternate delegates are often younger emerging student leaders. Each annual conference is encouraged to send a balanced delegation that includes women, men, and members of the church's racial/ethnic constituencies. Annual conferences are encouraged to send as many students as possible to Student Forum. As the only annual national event for college and university students in the UMC, Student Forum is open to any college or university student – voting delegate or not.

How Can I Help Students Participate in Student Forum?

If you are a campus minister, college chaplain or local pastor, you play an important role in helping students take part in the Student Forum by:
  • making sure your annual conference has a process for selecting delegates
  • keeping your students informed about the Student Forum
  • assisting in the development of the UMSM in your annual conference
  • encouraging your annual conference to provide financial assistance for as many students as possible to attend.

How Can I Attend Student Forum?

If you are a student, and are interested in attending Student Forum, contact your campus minister or chaplain or a United Methodist pastor. He or she can help put you in touch with the annual conference’s UMSM adviser who can provide you with more information about Student Forum. Additionally, check out the UMSM’s Web site at www.umsm.org for current event information. We encourage you to play an active role in the development of the UMSM on your campus and in your annual conference.

Celebrate!

Once every four years there is an opportunity for any student to participate in the national Celebrate! gathering. Celebrate! is a national ecumenical gathering of students and campus ministers. It is held every four years over New Year’s. Celebrate! is sponsored by the Council for Ecumenical Student Christian Ministry(CESCM), which is a national ecumenical campus ministry organization in which the UMSM participates.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Through the UMSM, students reach out to each other, create a place and voice within The United Methodist Church, and make a difference in the world. At Student Forum, participants have the chance to strengthen ties with other students and are invited to support each other in various ways. During Student Forum, participants are involved in the local community through service projects and hands-on learning experiences. Funds are collected during Student Forum for the UMSM Mission Fund that assists developing student organizations in other countries. The UMSM also encourages students to find ways to support each other between Student Forum gatherings at their local campuses and within their annual conferences. Get involved! Make a difference! The time is now for a new generation of Christian leaders for the church and for the world.

For additional information: To find out more about the UMSM, contact your campus minister, chaplain, or local pastor. You can also contact the Campus Ministry Section in Nashville.

Campus Ministry Section
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
PO Box 340007
Nashville, TN 37203-0007
www.umsm.org
Phone: 615.340.7415
Fax: 615.340.7379
E-mail: umsm@gbhem.org

Preparing a new generation of Christian leaders

For More Information Contact:

Campus Ministry Section
Phone: 615-340-7415
Email: umsm@gbhem.org  (UMSM)
Email: studentforum@gbhem.org  (Student Forum)



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