29 March, 2024

Proper Care and Feeding of Campus Ministry Graduates

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by | 31 August, 2011 | 0 comments

By Gretchen Magruder

Dear local church,

Let me introduce you to some new members headed your way!

My friends have just graduated from college and are looking for a new community to join. They are excited about finding a place to jump in and serve, and will be checking you out over the next few months as they transition from college life to (hopefully) gainful employment.

Everyone wants to be known. I know they look young, but please don”t assume they”re with their parents or that they”re just going to be around for a short time. Ask them to tell you their story. Don”t be intimidated by their age and trendy clothes, piercings, or tattoos. They really do want to talk with you.

These students are not just casual attendees. Many of them have spent three to four years involved in a ministry where they gave significant time each week not only to worship and Bible study, but also volunteering in the community. They”ve come on a quest, seeking a place to grow and give and use their gifts, and so simply attending on Sunday morning isn”t going to be enough for them.

They are trained as leaders. Several of these young men and women have been serving 15-20 hours a week as, essentially, unpaid interns””leading small groups, mentoring other students, and overseeing creative arts or publicity or the service areas of our ministry. Plugging one in as a Sunday school substitute might be OK for a little while, but many of these men and women would be better used to lead small groups, head up your church”s service projects, redesign your logo or website, teach a children”s Sunday school class, or help update your greeting and follow-up procedures. They would be great members of your search teams or missions teams. They will be your future elders, deacons, and maybe even pastors.

My friends dream big. They rescue children in Kenya, build houses for families in Mexico, and find creative ways to bring Jesus to very dark places. “We”ve never done it that way before” isn”t really an idea they”ve ever encountered in ministry. Give them a place where they can share those dreams and be given the freedom to think outside of the box.

They are looking for mentors. They need someone to take an interest in them, to advise them and walk alongside them. They want to learn what you know about God and about life. They still have growing to do.

Please take good care of my friends . . . God has big plans for their lives!

 

Gretchen Magruder works with Christian Student Fellowship and just completed her 17th year as campus minister with her husband, Todd, at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

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