March 24, 2006
What Is This Thing?
This forum is intended to be a resource for InterVarsity staff working at urban commuter schools. As we contextualize our ministry for the urban commuter enviroment, the questions we ask are often different and require us to think about college ministry in new ways.
The students that we work with are typically from poor families, live at home, work, and commute to school. Often students have responsibilities to help take care of their families. This lack of time, focus, and money in our students' lives contributes to the complexity of building campus fellowships.
At least once per quarter, we'll post two topics for discussion: a "Best Practices" topic to invite ideas on how to approach an aspect of urban commuter ministry and a "Talkback" to stir up discussion on a potentially controversial subject. We want to invite you to share your experience, good and bad, and work with us to help resource each other to serve our students more effectively.
The students that we work with are typically from poor families, live at home, work, and commute to school. Often students have responsibilities to help take care of their families. This lack of time, focus, and money in our students' lives contributes to the complexity of building campus fellowships.
At least once per quarter, we'll post two topics for discussion: a "Best Practices" topic to invite ideas on how to approach an aspect of urban commuter ministry and a "Talkback" to stir up discussion on a potentially controversial subject. We want to invite you to share your experience, good and bad, and work with us to help resource each other to serve our students more effectively.
Brainstorm: Fundraising Strategies for Chapter Camp
Post ideas that you have tried to raise money to send urban commuter students to Chapter Camp. What has worked and what hasn't worked?
- Work-Study Scholarships. At Hunter College (NY) they have worked out a program to give camp scholarships to students for working on fellowship tasks, like stuffing envelopes or putting up flyers.
- Work Days. In Los Angeles, staff work out with churches and donors to have groups of students work at their houses during a Saturday. The work is typically cleaning, painting, yardwork, or organizing and the person gives money to the scholarship account. Students who are going to camp and receiving scholarships are required to work on Work Days.
Talkback: Should Urban Commuter Students Go to Chapter Camp?
This may be fighting words for many InterVarsity staff. Chapter camps are a key part of many InterVarsity students' experiences, including mine. I remember the sense of awe and wonder that came over me when I spent a whole week studying the Bible with my fellowship as a freshman, and how that changed my life. But the costs that our students have to pay to go ($200 is a lot for inner city students, missing a week of work, and taking part in fundraising activities) are really high - maybe too high to be worth the effort.
What do you think?
What do you think?
