One big ministry challenge in university contexts is the sense of competition between the local church and campus-ministry organizations. Rather than duplicating efforts, however, you can choose to join forces. Here are eight ways to bridge that chasm: 1. Search your own heart. Work through any bitterness or competition you've been feeling. You don't have to agree with everything a particular ministry does, but at the very least you must be the person who seeks unity with campus ministries. If you can't get past personal competitiveness, bitterness, or judgment, you don't need to read any further or try to bridge the gap. 2. Meet regularly with the campus-ministry leader. Have coffee or lunch together so that you can build a genuine relationship. Ask her how you can pray for the ministry. Offer your support and ask nothing in return. Most of all, mean it. 3. Offer your church facilities. Let them know they're welcome to use your church spaces—free of charge—for anything they need or want to do. Providing services to them will help break down any walls between you. Yes, this suggestion also exposes college-age people to what's going on in your church, but that exposure can't be your motivation. This invitation is about serving the campus ministry, not building yours. 4. If possible, offer to help a ministry financially. You may even want to designate a portion of your own budget (if you have one!) toward a campus ministry. Personal fundraising alone supports most of these ministries, so a little help sponsoring an event is always appreciated. If they're holding a car wash or other fundraiser, go help. These small gestures go a long way toward building trust and unity. 5. Seek the leader's advice for your ministry. Chances are, they have great insights into life on campus and the struggles college students are facing. They've likely developed a great ministry philosophy that meets these needs. 6. Join forces on outreach events. Come alongside another ministry in their outreach efforts, serving them in any way you can. Whether it's putting up posters, handing out flyers, being a part of planning meetings, loaning them a portable sound system, or simply letting them use your church copy machine, extra hands and minds are always welcome. 7. Connect older people in your church with the campus ministry. Showing students the benefits of having older believers in their lives can help them connect to a local church. Even if they don't connect to your church, it's likely that you'll have provided an experience that will make them feel more comfortable wherever they do connect. Your role can be exposing them to the church body, to life beyond their campus. 8. Consider mentoring a campus-ministry leader. Many of these ministries have staff who are right out of college themselves and might appreciate learning from your experience. Once you've established a trusting relationship with the ministry leader, ask if a mentoring relationship would be helpful. —Chuck Bomar; adapted from College Ministry 101, © 2009 by the author. Used by permission of Zondervan. Discuss
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