5006 - Campus Ministry 101
Congregational, District, & Extension Services, UUA

Jesse Jaeger Joseph Lyons

In a participatory workshop titled "Campus Ministry 101," Jesse Jaeger and Joseph Lyons of the Young Adult/Campus Ministry Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) helped participants understand how congregations can better reach out to college students. Lyons is the Networker and Field Organizer for the office, and Jaeger is the Young Adult and Campus Ministry Associate. Michael Tino, Director of the office, was also present, along with more than 50 participants.

A campus ministry program, or a congregation with an outreach program to students, can be an important experience for college students. "A church is one of the few places for students where you do have intergenerational community," said Lyons. "It's pretty amazing."

Tino pointed out that even congregations that are not near a college campus have an important role to play. "Our congregations should educate our children that all our congregations are different," said Tino, so that when moving to a new congregation, young adults will expect differences from their home congregation. In addition, home congregations need to continue their ministries to young adults, even for college students who are away from home.

Lyons and Jaeger asked participants to think of programs already in place in their congregations that might serve the needs of college students. One participant noted that the study action plan on economic justice approved at last year's General Assembly has already attracted college students to her congregation. Another participant said "an active Interweave group" in her congregation, a group serving gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, was also serving students from a nearby college. One participant was from a California congregation with a Spanish-language worship service, and she said, "It may give Spanish-speaking students who are homesick a place to feel at home."

"I think our congregations have a lot [of programming] already that is useful," Lyons said. "We encourage you to think in terms of not creating new programs right away," but instead using what's already in place.

Lyons and Jaeger listed some basic steps for establishing a successful campus ministry. Setting a time for weekly meetings is also important. "Most successful campus groups meet once a week, and they have between five and fifteen average attendance," said Lyons, though attendance may fluctuate. "Set a date that is consistent and in a public place." Meetings with various stakeholders, including Board and minister, are also crucial to success. Additional information about setting up a campus ministry is available from Lyons at the UUA's Young Adult Ministries Office, www.uua.org/ya-cm.

Jaeger described the responsibilities of the college students' home congregation. "Find out students' college addresses and make sure they stay on the congregation's mailing list," he said. Home congregations can also host "youth group reunions" during college vacation times. Jaeger mentioned the Church of the Larger Fellowship's (CLF) "Student Service," where for $35 a year, students can receive subscriptions to the UU World magazine and CLF's monthly publication, Quest.

The benefits of campus ministries are not easy to quantify but remain important. "Campus ministry may not grow your church but it's important for our faith," said Lyons.

Reporter Dan Harper

General Assembly 2002 · Program Grid 2002 · General Assembly Home