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Spiritual Struggle On Campus: A Look At The Ways That Students Cope

matthowell — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:00:51 +0000

CCO Staff member Scott Evans has released his recently completed research for work toward his Master’s Degree in Higher Education from Geneva College. This research is the basis for his presentation at the CCO’s 2010 Summer Institute.

Here is his summary of what he wanted to find out:

Research questions: The overarching aim of this research was to evaluate whether students perceive themselves as spiritual beings, how they connect to their spiritual struggles, and what processes may help students in their spiritual development. The hope is to provide information to help higher education find their role in aiding in the spiritual development of students as they progress in their development.
If the aim of higher education is to develop the whole person, a student‟s spiritual development must be considered.

To read his findings, click here:

Oops!

matthowell — Sat, 29 May 2010 11:00:32 +0000

Tough Day for NBC reporter Ann Curry. She opened her commencement speech at Wheaton College lauding the accomplishments of the school’s many fine alumni, chief among them Billy Graham.

Wait … where am I again? http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/05/25/qt#228343

Don’t Waste Your Financial Crisis

matthowell — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:01:07 +0000

Donna Savage writes, “During those ground beef and tuna years, I learned that lean financial times call for more than strict budgets and financial discipline. Tough times call for tough prayers—prayers that move us past frustration and helplessness to seeing God’s power and glory in our daily lives. We can replace panic with confidence when we focus our prayers on these four requests.”

You’ll find those requests, and stories of God’s faithfulness, at http://tinyurl.com/2fkgzyx

Art and Worldview

matthowell — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:28:15 +0000

There’s an interesting blogpost about how two artists connect faith and art in an exhibition “The Sacred Everyday”.

Give it a look at
http://www.cardus.ca/comment/article/1991/

Victorious Secret

matthowell — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:54:29 +0000

Ok, it’s satire from the folks at Wittenberg Door. Don’t take it seriously (I admit, I did at first). It’s off-beat, but does make a statement about “Christian retail” products.

It’s Saturday, have a laugh — http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/victorious-secret%3A-lingerie-overcomers.

God & Guiness

matthowell — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:22:15 +0000

On the majority of college campuses, beer is a big part of campus life. The issue of alcohol is a topic with which many campus ministries must deal.

This article from Relevant Magazine has an interesting take on the subject — not one I expected when I first clicked on the link. http://tinyurl.com/y9djyqm

matthowell — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:06:03 +0000

One of the opportunities of ministry on campus is to be a mentor to developing leaders. Outreach Magazine has a nice article with some hints on both being a mentor and being mentored.

http://tinyurl.com/yewkhr8

matthowell — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:35:15 +0000

Christianity Today’s website has an interesting article about awakening the church from numbness. Here’s part of it:

In Jesus’ incarnation—and here we mean all that Jesus did and said, including his death and resurrection to save us from our sins—the intimacy of human and divine is fully realized. Said plainly, the Incarnation unites what the world divides—always, and in all ways. It says that matter, not just spirit, matters. Ministry that spiritualizes away the problems we face in the world of matter is simply not true to the biblical picture portrayed in the Creation and the Incarnation. Biblical, incarnational ministry is radically holistic. It touches the body and the soul. It calls forth personal transformation and systemic change. It invites righteousness and justice. It connects God and humanity, heaven and earth, and, perhaps hardest of all, “us” and “them.”

You can read the full article at http://tinyurl.com/yemuy6d.

Why Easter?

matthowell — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:15:07 +0000

This weekend would be a good time to engage your students regarding the concept of Easter. Where did it come from? Why is there a bunny? Does it have pagan origins?

You can find some answers and pick up some Easter trivia that could make for a good icebreaker at this site: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2004/why.html

Will You Be Ready to Change With the Changing University?

matthowell — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:47:48 +0000

Author Anya Kamenetz says change is coming to the Academy. Since there is great value for us to truly engage the institution at which we minister, it’s important to understand the administrative issues.

Kamenetz says there are four major changes in the future of higher education:

1) The 80-20 rule — is your school leading edge? Kamenetz says schools will need to get out in front of the greatest growth area of students … the non-traditional student. This means pretty much anyone who is not in the 18-22 year-old age group that goes to college right out of high school. She says that included 85 percent of all college students. Are you equipped, or even interested, in reaching out to them?

2) The Great Unbundling - Schools will be forced to streamline, digitize, and find alternative means of teaching.

3) Techno-hybridization — EduGeek speak for transitioning to blended education with a mix of classroom and online learning.

4) Personal Learning Networks and Paths - How will the increasing trend of education as personal commodity affect the way you do ministry, especially if you are engaging students around the notions of academic faithfulness and a theology of vocation?

Some good thoughts - check out the article at http://tinyurl.com/yac9tq4