‘Tis the Season
The Rev. Bridgette Young
In the 1960’s, a song entitled “Turn! Turn! Turn!” was very popular. While the writing credit is attributed to Pete Seeger, most of the lyrics are taken directly from Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.
Expanding Ministries Today, Developing Leaders for Tomorrow
The Rev. Michael McCord
One of my favorite Biblical stories is Luke’s version of the call of Simon Peter. You may remember the story, Jesus is by Lake Genneseret and he sees some men cleaning their nets. They had caught nothing and were packing up the day when Jesus convinces Simon to drop the nets and at that moment fish begin to fill the nets and boats.
Young Adults Reaching Young Adults through New Church Starts
Gary Shockley
I am just coming down from an incredible high. Last week our Path 1 New Church Starts staff hosted a national event for church planters and annual conference leaders in Nashville, Tenn.
Collegiate Ministry is Global — and Local
The Rev. Michael McCord
I hope this newsletter finds each of you in a place in which you feel God’s movement in your life, the lives of your students, and the life of your ministry. Sometimes, in the midst of the busyness of the fall semester we forget to be still and know that we are God’s and that God is moving in our midst. I hope you take time this season to rest in this truth.
Starting Again
The Rev. Bridgette Young
The “logos,” we learned, simply meant “word” and yet it was so much more. In Christology, it’s represents both God’s speaking and Jesus’ being.
Not All Great Things are Planned
The Rev. Michael McCord
My family recently traveled with me to a conference in Santa Fe, N.M. The conference was focused on how to help make our United Methodist-related higher education institutions more environmentally sustainable through student leadership and involvement. It was quite invigorating.
Ministry in the Midst of Questions
The Rev. Bridgette Young
After the tsunami of December 2004, a student asked me, “How can you explain why this loving, all powerful God you have faith in would allow so much destruction and death?” My response was, “I can’t.”
New Life
The Rev. Bridgette Young
While my worship tradition is not highly liturgical, I've come to love the high church pomp and ceremony in celebration of Resurrection Sunday.
Remembering to Remember
The Rev. Michael McCord
I just finished today’s Lenten devotional while sitting in a coffee shop near Vanderbilt. I love coming here to work while experiencing the buzz of the college campus. It stimulates me – especially on those days when I really question leaving the front lines of ministry on campus!
The Art of Connection
The Rev. Bridgette Young
I recently received an announcement from the Rev. Lyn Pace, chaplain at Oxford College of Emory University.
When Cooperation Works
The Rev. Michael McCord
I love it when cooperation actually works. Too many times “partnerships” exist only on paper or in theory – especially when it comes to ministries. I am thankful to report that our membership with the Ecumenical Campus Ministry Team (ECMT), which is a partnership among mainline denominations, is bearing fruit in the form of fundraising and board development resources.
The Gift of Sharing
The Rev. Michael McCord
November brings a mix of thoughts and emotions as you engage in ministry on campus. Midterms are over and it’s the last big push toward Christmas Break. Your students are all over the place: feeling confident that they are acing every class, or heartbroken that a relationship is ending, or a senior suddenly discovering that he needs to figure out what they are going to do in May.
The Blessing of Community
The Rev. Bridgette Young
November brings a mix of thoughts and emotions as you engage in ministry on campus. Midterms are over and it’s the last big push toward Christmas Break. Your students are all over the place: feeling confident that they are acing every class, or heartbroken that a relationship is ending, or a senior suddenly discovering that he needs to figure out what they are going to do in May.
New Practices for Lent
The Rev. Bridgette Young
Even though it is the shortest month of the year, February often feels like the longest—especially when you are on a college campus.
Working and Waiting
The Rev. Bridgette Young
Even though the season of Advent is about awaiting the arrival of the incarnation of God among us, it seems completely contrary to our day-to-day existence. Being on a college campus means you may be able to squeeze in one Advent service before final exams, and really—who has time to reflect and wait then?
Got rest?
The Rev. Bridgette Young
Most of you are now four to six weeks into the fall term. I’m guessing most of you went the first three weeks or so without taking a full day off. Even now, you may be grabbing a few hours here or there to piece together enough time for breathing space. But is that Sabbath?
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Raising Funds and Friends for Campus Ministry
Letters from the Heart