So, this blog covers a fair bit of ground. Some history is in order, here. And then ( good) reasons why Campus Mission Canada exists to distill and advance what God is doing on the campuses of our nation. I encourage you to hang in there. It will be worth the read..
- We didn't
start from the top down. Nor do we operate that way. Consider the following highlights ( which
only begin to tell the story).
We have been planting and innovating campus ministries across the country for over thirty years ( this is a one sentence summary of two pages of text :) ). .
Over the past decade, efforts were made
to network these ministries and develop an emerging consensus of who and what
we are and how we do what God is calling us collectively to do. This began in
the formation of Campus Guiding Groups where some of the key players in
campus ministry met to share their insight and experience in developing
something on a national scale. It is this cooperation and partnership that
gives Campus Mission Canada (CMC) its multi-dimensional approach to
campus ministry.
This led to an “AHA!!” moment. The
various ministries each promoted their own views and methods. But then they saw
that they could celebrate and embrace
what the other regional ministries were doing, and even use them to augment and
enhance their own ministries. As a
result, there was a recognition at the time that there were three viable models that not only could
“work” but which could profoundly impact the campus.
Namely: Clubs. Campus Churches and Chaplaincies.
In 2009, Robb Powell took on the
national role of Coordinator of campus ministries for Mission Canada. One of
the first things he did was to attempt to inventory what was going on in our
campuses and to distill models and best practices. He added two
more models to the mix: Church- based outreach on a campus), such as Red Frogs, and Creative
ventures ( such as the Greenbean Café in Windsor or The House in Kelowna ).
So, putting it
together..
|
C5 expresses both the diversity and unity of our approach to
campus ministry. We recognize there is simply no one size fits all model. Our
ministries employ different models and many of them employ more than one. C5 enables us to distill and
communicate what we do on the campuses of our nation in a way that utilizes our
history and strength as a Fellowship.
What is the Role of Campus Mission
Canada?
For the sake of simplicity, let’s narrow it down to four
points.
1. Support. Getting the
right resources to the right people. Being there for them. Understanding them.
2. Envision. Keep our vision
to reach the campus clear. Distill and communicate our values and our best
practices. Ensure that the Fellowship knows what we are about and that our aims
are understood.
3. Extend. . Either we come
alongside of ministries, churches and districts to help them fulfill their
vision for the particular campus or we act as catalysts to bring together the
right people and resources to bring about the right result. Either way, God is served.
4. Network. We work to
create forums for campus ministers to connect. Further, we desire to connect
campus ministers with local churches, and regional and district ministries. The
hope is to bring people together and to ensure that communication lines are
open.
Let's make a distinction, here.
Mission Canada is a missions agency. It recognizes gaps in Canadian culture that needs missionaries and it deploys them. However, Campus Mission Canada, while part of Mission Canada, is a Network. It is " a coalition of the willing". We connect dots and create synergies.
A Plea for
National Synergy
CMC does not replace what happens at the District level. It looks to be a
catalyst to support and augment the District efforts and look for genuine
synergies. While they ought to be self-apparent, consider the following points ( each of which
are really subtitles
o The loss of the
emerging ( goodbye) generation is a
national (international) issue. It
transcends regions, districts, provinces and nations.
o Collectively,
it will take more than our best efforts to address it.
o We are better
together. When campus practitioners
gather they inspire and challenge each other to create and adapt.
o In spite of
their diversity, campus ministers “get” each other and derive enormous benefit
from networking – both online and in person.
o We can
celebrate the strengths of the various models from the various regions without
being limited to them.
o We can leverage
the strengths of the various ministries. It is an opportunity to both give and
receive.
o We do not have
to keep reinventing the wheel. We can provide information and resources that
will enable the new ministries to springboard off of our shoulders.
o In many ways,
if one were to look at the quality and diversity of PAOC campus ministries across
the country, it becomes apparent that we are the “Research and Development” arm
for the Fellowship.
o Uniquely, as a
Fellowship, we have a multifaceted approach to the campus and the formation of
campus ministries.
o The university
is a powerful and multi-layered institution. We can reach it at many levels.
o We have made ( or adapted :) ) in
Canada solutions to Canadian realities.
o Across the
country, we have some of the finest young leaders in the nation. They “get” the
campus and the opportunities and challenges of operating in what can be similar
to a foreign field right on our own doorstep.
o Given the size
of our country and the mobility of the emerging generation, we need to be
connected in order to serve our constituency well.
o We know where
the political boundaries are ( Yonge Street, Lloydminster…) . The weather
ignores them. So does the flow of students and information.
o We are able to
leverage the experience of our American counterparts – who have also been well
served by integrating at a national level.
o We are finding
that reaching the campus is a key international missional strategy for reaching a city, a
region and a country. We can offer and
receive value by sharing our knowledge and resources internationally.
o By having a
consistent voice speaking for our campus ministries, it increases recognition
and partnership with the local churches and the districts.
o It also offers
support, resources and quality control for the ministers.
o Our campuses
need Spirit-filled communities that embody the gospel with Power, Love and
Wisdom
Actually, the
list goes on. We have every reason to
work together in collaboration. We have every
reason to share resources and experience.
We collectively
need each other. No district, church or individual is an island.
We do not
operate in silos.
And let us make this clear. This is true at a larger level, as well. As we learn how to integrate as a movement, we can both contribute to and learn from a larger conversation as we co-labor with other groups who serve the same Master - and who also seek to see Him known and glorified.
And let us make this clear. This is true at a larger level, as well. As we learn how to integrate as a movement, we can both contribute to and learn from a larger conversation as we co-labor with other groups who serve the same Master - and who also seek to see Him known and glorified.
Can we learn
from each other? Can we grow together?
We have to...
We have to...
We can if we
choose to.
The world
awaits.
