To Pursue the Mission Conclusion and Notes


previous page V. Conclusion The more than fifty years of CRCNA campus ministry display a story of strength and weakness, of faithful service and failed opportunities, of joyful celebration and crushing dismay, of supportive community and nagging loneliness. For many campus ministers the work has not been easy. Many are burdened with a sense of being abandoned by the church that called them into a ministry it no longer adequately supports. As the campus ministry document of another denomination puts it, "It matters not that the church is more unable than unwilling to provide support. The hurt and anger are there and are factors with which governing bodies are constantly dealing as they move into uncertain futures. Those campus pastors who have been able to set aside their pain and disappointment and provide leadership as we look for new ways to express the church's mission in higher education are a treasure and deserve our deepest respect."[43] The existence and work of this task force have been one of our principal means of setting aside pain and disappointment. It has been, for us, an occasion to remember with gratitude the grace of God and our rich heritage in the Reformed tradition. It has given us an opportunity to make transitions to a desired future with Jesus Christ in ministry. We therefore have made a deliberate effort to frame this report with a sense of hopefulness, with anticipation for God's new day, and in the assurance that God and God's people will do what is required to pursue their mission in higher education. We pray that all who receive this report can join us in that spirit. We commend it, and ourselves, to God and one another. To God be the glory! CR‑CMA Task Force Jack Reiffer, chairperson Edward Den Haan Harry Lew Edson "Bill" Lewis, reporter Willis Van Groningen Notes: [1] The fourth paragraph of the Summary of the Vision for Campus Ministry statement of the CR‑CMA and CRHM (adopted in 1990) begins with the phrase “We gratefully and obediently pursue this ministry." [2] The CRCNA has been mainly preoccupied with articulating a vision for Christian institutions of higher learning. Hardly anything can be found from CRCNA authors articulating a vision for campus ministry in the setting of a secular university. [3] Peter B. Vaill, Managing as a Performing Art: New Ideas for a Morld of Chaotic Change. (Jossey‑Bass: 1991), P. 212. [4] These statistics are cited in the Digest of Education Statistics, 1994, published by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, pages 175, 428‑431. More specifically, the Digest reports the following numbers for the USA and Canada respectively: total institutions of higher education—3601 and 168; total students—7,780,429 and 968,710; total cost--$121,567 million and $11,170 million; degrees conferred—1,545 thousand and 152 thousand; expenditures for education as a percentage of GNP—6% and 7.4%. The geographical origin of the 438,620 international students enrolled in USA institutions of higher education, by percentage, are: South and East Asia (59%), Europe (13%), Latin America (10%), Middle East (7%), Canada (5%), Africa (5%), and Oceania (1%). Note: the notations above with asterisks were furnished by Rev. Edward Den Haan, CRCNA campus chaplain at the University of Guelph, Ontario. [5] This claim has been attributed to Dr. Harold Enarson, former president of Ohio State University, on the occasion of his retirement and in his address to graduating students. [6] CRHM brochure, date uncertain. [7] The Vision for Campus Ministry statement with its Summary had its beginning at a CR‑CMA conference. It was given its final form by the CRHM Campus Ministry Task Force, and was recommended to the churches of the CRCNA by the CRHM in 1990. [8] The Mission and Vision Statement of the CRCNA, currently under review in "visioning conferences” across the denomination, highlights the CRCNA's commitment to education. This is entirely consistent with the place that learning has occupied in the Reformed tradition. [9] A more detailed account of the beginnings at Ann Arbor is attempted in History of Campus Ministry In the Christian Reformed Denomination by Dan Bratt in a Calvin Seminary paper written for Dr. J. Kromminga, dated November 1981. The task force also has a copy of the history of the Campus Chapel that was written in 1990 by Robert Westveer for the fiftieth anniversary of the ministry. [10] This is from a 12‑page summary of items pertaining to campus ministry, as those are to be found in CRHM minutes. Furnished by Duane VanderBrug. Dated 9/26/91. [11] The Campus Ministry Study Report, 1977, was commissioned by CRHM. It has been, since 1977, the major study of campus ministry in the CRCNA. [12] The Campus Ministry Study Report, 1977, claims there are four models for campus ministry, but lists only three. Possibly it also had the rather distinctive Canadian model of campus chaplaincy in mind but failed to mention it. [13] The financial records of CRHM did not keep track of disbursements to campus ministries as a separate category. The task force, therefore, has been unable to obtain a year‑by‑year accounting of CRHM's grants to campus ministry related ministries. Thus, the high‑water mark of CRHM support has not been determined. The statistics cited do come from CRHM documents, except for fiscal year 1995, which is from the Agenda of Synod 1995 (p. 138). [14] Classis Lake Erie successfully overtured the Synod of 1963 to add IVCF to the list of non‑denominational causes recommended for support. The overture contains 7 grounds for its recommendation, many of which could still be cited as valid in 1995: IVCF 1) is a conservative evangelical movement – not fundamentalist, 2) sponsors speakers for meetings and discussion groups at universities, 3)has a well‑established publication program, 4)its emphasis is on State‑supported universities, 5)no other group is doing this work, 6) many CRC people are associated with its work, and 7) the Standing Budget Committee approved the recommendation. Providing a valuable review of IVCF ministry at the time, the report contains sections on 1) general information, 2) governing body, 3) doctrinal basis, 4) financial policies, and 5) IVCF and the CRC. Cf. Acts of Synod, 1963, Overture #30, pp. 460‑463. [15] The Campus Ministry Study Report, 1977, by CRHM, Appendix III, pp. 18‑19, provided a detailed outline for a contractual agreement (covenant) between IVCF and the CRCNA. The report recommended review of the proposed contractual agreement by both parties every two years. As far as we have been able to determine, that stipulation was never carried out! [16] Envisioning the Future: 1995‑1998. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 7895,Madison, WI 53707‑7895, February 1995. Section 5.341, p. 26. [17] The CR‑CMA constitution allows for two categories of members: "Full" ‑ persons engaged in CRCNA CM, or CRCNA members who are engaged in CM; "Associate" ‑ persons previously engaged in or presently interested in CM. Thus, all seven of the current IVCF members of the CR‑CMA (2/95) could qualify as "Full" members if they so chose. Since June 20, 1994, the total membership of the CR‑CMA has grown by 203 percent, from 26 to 53 (as of June 5, 1995). [18] This is from the 1991 CRHM report titled, "Gathering God's Growing Family," p. 23. [19] From a 4‑page account written for the CR‑CMA Task Force, titled Campus Ministry in the CRC—1987 to 1994, by Bill Lewis, dated 22 August 1994. [20] Relationships and Working Arrangements of the CR‑CMA and CRHM was formalized in June of 1992 and led to the part‑time employment of Bill Lewis as Advocate for Campus Ministry beginning Jan. 1, 1993. [21] Gathering Update, Feb. 1995, published by CRHM, refers to a September 1994 survey made of Home Mission Partners in which they were asked to list the three most important ministries in the CRCNA today. Forty three percent placed "University Campus Ministries" on the list. Another indication of the willingness of CRCNA members to contribute sacrificially to campus ministries is furnished by the fact that Classes of Hamilton and Niagara contribute more than $40.00 per family to campus ministry. [22] This data, the most complete account of Campus ministry efforts inthe CRCNA that exists, was gathered by the task force from the Stated Clerks of the 46 classes ofthe denomination. [23] The metaphor of"tectonic plates" is on page 9 from On Being Faithful, a major report on campus ministry presented to the 206th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), 1994, and published in pamphlet form with accompanying Study Guide in February 1995. It can be obtained from the Distribution Management Services of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 1‑800-524‑2612. [24] A definition from the Strategic Plan for the Mission and Ministry of the Texas District, Lutheran Church. p. 3. 11‑16‑94. [25] Cf. The Good Society (Knopf, 1991), a sequel to Habits of the Heart (Univ. of California, 1985), Robert Bellah, et. al. The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, Mark Noll (Eerdmans, 1994). No Place for Truth, David Wells (Eerdmans, 1993). God in the Wasteland, David Wells (Eerdmans, 1994). The Struggle for America's Soul, Roberty Wuthnow (Eerdmans 1989). Fat Bodies, Fat Minds, OsGuinness (Baker, 1994). The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, Lesslie Newbigin (Eerdmans, 1989). Foolishness to the Greeks, Lesslie Newbigin (Eerdmans, 1986). Truth to Tell, Lesslie Newbigin (Eerdmans, 1991). [26] Reality Isn't What It Used To Be, Walter Turett Anderson (HarperCollins, 1992). 21 Bridges to the 21st Century: The Future of Pastoral Ministry, Lyle Schaller. Are You Ready for the 21st Century?, Craig Van Gelder (Fall 1994 issue of Calvin Seminary Forum). [27] Managing as a Performing Art: New Ideas for a World of Chaotic Change, PeterB. Vaill (Jossey‑Bass Publishers, 1991). Chapters 1 and 13. [28] Cf. The Closing of the American Mind, Alan Bloom (Simon and Schuster, 1987), The Secularization of the Academy, George Marsden (Oxford, 1992); The Soul of the University, George Marsden (Oxford, 1994); Schooling Christians, Stanley Hauerwas (Eerdmans, 1992). All refer to the deconstructive currents of post modern relativism. The words of W. B. Yeats (1865‑1939) from his The Second Coming (1920) have been often cited as descriptive of trends in the post‑modern world. Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Here anarchy is loosed upon the world, previous page

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V. Conclusion

The more than fifty years of CRCNA campus ministry display a story of strength and weakness, of faithful service and failed opportunities, of joyful celebration and crushing dismay, of supportive community and nagging loneliness. For many campus ministers the work has not been easy. Many are burdened with a sense of being abandoned by the church that called them into a ministry it no longer adequately supports.
As the campus ministry document of another denomination puts it,
"It matters not that the church is more unable than unwilling to provide support.   The hurt and anger are there and are factors with which governing bodies are constantly dealing as they move into uncertain futures. Those campus pastors who have been able to set aside their pain and disappointment and provide leadership as we look for new ways to express the church's mission in higher education are a treasure and deserve our deepest respect."[43]
The existence and work of this task force have been one of our principal means of setting aside pain and disappointment. It has been, for us, an occasion to remember with gratitude the grace of God and our rich heritage in the Reformed tradition. It has given us an opportunity to make transitions to a desired future with Jesus Christ in ministry. We therefore have made a deliberate effort to frame this report with a sense of hopefulness, with anticipation for God's new day, and in the assurance that God and God's people will do what is required to pursue their mission in higher education. We pray that all who receive this report can join us in that spirit. We commend it, and ourselves, to God and one another. To God be the glory!

CR‑CMA Task Force

Jack Reiffer, chairperson
Edward Den Haan
Harry Lew
Edson "Bill" Lewis, reporter
Willis Van Groningen

Notes:

[1]         The fourth paragraph of the Summary of the Vision for Campus Ministry statement of the CR‑CMA and CRHM (adopted in 1990) begins with the phrase “We gratefully and obediently pursue this ministry."

[2]       The CRCNA has been mainly preoccupied with articulating a vision for Christian institutions of higher learning. Hardly anything can be found from CRCNA authors articulating a vision for campus ministry in the setting of a secular university.

[3]         Peter B. Vaill, Managing as a Performing Art: New Ideas for a Morld of Chaotic Change. (Jossey‑Bass: 1991), P. 212.

[4]         These statistics are cited in the Digest of Education Statistics, 1994, published by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, pages 175, 428‑431. More specifically, the Digest reports the following numbers for the USA and Canada respectively: total institutions of higher education—3601 and 168*; total students—7,780,429 and 968,710; total cost--$121,567 million and $11,170 million*; degrees conferred—1,545 thousand and 152 thousand; expenditures for education as a percentage of GNP—6% and 7.4%. The geographical origin of the 438,620 international students enrolled in USA institutions of higher education, by percentage, are: South and East Asia (59%), Europe (13%), Latin America (10%), Middle East (7%), Canada (5%), Africa (5%), and Oceania (1%). Note: the notations above with asterisks were furnished by Rev. Edward Den Haan, CRCNA campus chaplain at the University of Guelph, Ontario.

[5]         This claim has been attributed to Dr. Harold Enarson, former president of Ohio State University, on the occasion of his retirement and in his address to graduating students.

[6]         CRHM brochure, date uncertain.

[7]         The Vision for Campus Ministry statement with its Summary had its beginning at a CR‑CMA conference. It was given its final form by the CRHM Campus Ministry Task Force, and was recommended to the churches of the CRCNA by the CRHM in 1990.

[8]         The Mission and Vision Statement of the CRCNA, currently under review in "visioning conferences” across the denomination, highlights the CRCNA's commitment to education. This is entirely consistent with the place that learning has occupied in the Reformed tradition.

[9]         A more detailed account of the beginnings at Ann Arbor is attempted in History of Campus Ministry In the Christian Reformed Denomination by Dan Bratt in a Calvin Seminary paper written for Dr. J. Kromminga, dated November 1981. The task force also has a copy of the history of the Campus Chapel that was written in 1990 by Robert Westveer for the fiftieth anniversary of the ministry.

[10]       This is from a 12‑page summary of items pertaining to campus ministry, as those are to be found in CRHM minutes. Furnished by Duane VanderBrug. Dated 9/26/91.

[11]     The Campus Ministry Study Report, 1977, was commissioned by CRHM. It has been, since 1977, the major study of campus ministry in the CRCNA.

[12]       The Campus Ministry Study Report, 1977, claims there are four models for campus ministry, but lists only three. Possibly it also had the rather distinctive Canadian model of campus chaplaincy in mind but failed to mention it.

[13]       The financial records of CRHM did not keep track of disbursements to campus ministries as a separate category. The task force, therefore, has been unable to obtain a year‑by‑year accounting of CRHM's grants to campus ministry related ministries. Thus, the high‑water mark of CRHM support has not been determined. The statistics cited do come from CRHM documents, except for fiscal year 1995, which is from the Agenda of Synod 1995 (p. 138).

[14]     Classis Lake Erie successfully overtured the Synod of 1963 to add IVCF to the list of non‑denominational causes recommended for support. The overture contains 7 grounds for its recommendation, many of which could still be cited as valid in 1995: IVCF 1) is a conservative evangelical movement – not fundamentalist, 2) sponsors speakers for meetings and discussion
            groups at universities, 3)has a well‑established publication program, 4)its emphasis is on State‑supported universities, 5)no other group is doing this work, 6) many CRC people are associated with its work, and 7) the Standing Budget Committee approved the recommendation. Providing a valuable review of IVCF ministry at the time, the report contains sections on 1) general information, 2) governing body, 3) doctrinal basis, 4) financial policies, and 5) IVCF and the CRC. Cf. Acts of Synod, 1963, Overture #30, pp. 460‑463.

[15]    The Campus Ministry Study Report, 1977, by CRHM, Appendix III, pp. 18‑19, provided a detailed outline for a contractual agreement (covenant) between IVCF and the CRCNA. The report recommended review of the proposed contractual agreement by both parties every two years. As far as we have been able to determine, that stipulation was never carried out!

[16]     Envisioning the Future: 1995‑1998. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 7895,Madison, WI 53707‑7895, February 1995. Section 5.341, p. 26.

[17]       The CR‑CMA constitution allows for two categories of members: "Full" ‑ persons engaged in CRCNA CM, or CRCNA members who are engaged in CM; "Associate" ‑ persons previously engaged in or presently interested in CM. Thus, all seven of the current IVCF members of the CR‑CMA (2/95) could qualify as "Full" members if they so chose. Since June 20, 1994, the total membership of the CR‑CMA has grown by 203 percent, from 26 to 53 (as of June 5, 1995).

[18]       This is from the 1991 CRHM report titled, "Gathering God's Growing Family," p. 23.

[19]       From a 4‑page account written for the CR‑CMA Task Force, titled Campus Ministry in the CRC—1987 to 1994, by Bill Lewis, dated 22 August 1994.

[20]       Relationships and Working Arrangements of the CR‑CMA and CRHM was formalized in June of 1992 and led to the part‑time employment of Bill Lewis as Advocate for Campus Ministry beginning Jan. 1, 1993.

[21]     Gathering Update, Feb. 1995, published by CRHM, refers to a September 1994 survey made of Home Mission Partners in which they were asked to list the three most important ministries in the CRCNA today. Forty three percent placed "University Campus Ministries" on the list. Another indication of the willingness of CRCNA members to contribute sacrificially to campus ministries is furnished by the fact that Classes of Hamilton and Niagara contribute more than $40.00 per family to campus ministry.

[22]       This data, the most complete account of Campus ministry efforts inthe CRCNA that exists, was gathered by the task force from the Stated Clerks of the 46 classes ofthe denomination.

[23]       The metaphor of"tectonic plates" is on page 9 from On Being Faithful, a major report on campus ministry presented to the 206th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), 1994, and published in pamphlet form with accompanying Study Guide in February 1995. It can be obtained from the Distribution Management Services of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 1‑800-524‑2612.

[24]       A definition from the Strategic Plan for the Mission and Ministry of the Texas District, Lutheran Church. p. 3. 11‑16‑94.

[25]       Cf. The Good Society (Knopf, 1991), a sequel to Habits of the Heart (Univ. of California, 1985), Robert Bellah, et. al. The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, Mark Noll (Eerdmans, 1994). No Place for Truth, David Wells (Eerdmans, 1993). God in the Wasteland, David Wells (Eerdmans, 1994). The Struggle for America's Soul, Roberty Wuthnow (Eerdmans 1989). Fat Bodies, Fat Minds, OsGuinness (Baker, 1994). The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, Lesslie Newbigin (Eerdmans, 1989). Foolishness to the Greeks, Lesslie Newbigin (Eerdmans, 1986). Truth to Tell, Lesslie Newbigin (Eerdmans, 1991).

[26]       Reality Isn't What It Used To Be, Walter Turett Anderson (HarperCollins, 1992). 21 Bridges to the 21st Century: The Future of Pastoral Ministry, Lyle Schaller. Are You Ready for the 21st Century?, Craig Van Gelder (Fall 1994 issue of Calvin Seminary Forum).

[27]     Managing as a Performing Art: New Ideas for a World of Chaotic Change, PeterB. Vaill (Jossey‑Bass Publishers, 1991). Chapters 1 and 13.

[28]     Cf. The Closing of the American Mind, Alan Bloom (Simon and Schuster, 1987), The Secularization of the Academy, George Marsden (Oxford, 1992); The Soul of the University, George Marsden (Oxford, 1994); Schooling Christians, Stanley Hauerwas (Eerdmans, 1992). All refer to the deconstructive currents of post modern relativism.

The words of W. B. Yeats (1865‑1939) from his The Second Coming (1920) have been often cited as descriptive of trends in the post‑modern world.

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Here anarchy is loosed upon the world,

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