BRANCHES May 2013

SOUTHWOOD
respond
ASK A
PASTOR
Chad
Townsley
Answering questions
about college kids’
involvement with
ministry while at school.
What are some ministry resources that
you would recommend for a college
student today?
The number one recommendation I always give is Reformed
University Fellowship (RUF). This ministry, being the official
college ministry of our denomination, is dedicated to
teaching reformed biblical doctrine. Another strength of
RUF is the way in which it models a biblical world and life view as
its campus ministers and interns shepherd college students in their
everyday lives to equip them in grace. In addition to RUF, both Campus
Crusade and Campus Outreach have a positive presence on hundreds
of campuses across the country. All three of these ministries succeed
in prioritizing the great commission by moving towards unbelievers on
their respective campuses.
What are some of the most important theological concepts a high school student
needs to understand as they transition to college?
First, God is in control of everything. Most high school
seniors have yet to face the type of life challenges and
questions of faith that the age and stage of college brings.
Our students must wrestle with this pivotal piece of doctrine
as they choose career paths, take leaps of faith in new friendships and
geographical locations and as they potentially seek a spouse. Daniel
4:34-36 tells us of a God who is orchestrating his work through his
kingdom for all eternity. College students need to understand they
are a part of a much larger story, with a loving, caring, powerful God
executing a plan for their lives.
Second, it’s okay that they are not okay. One of the biggest lessons
that a college student will ever learn is just how much they don’t know
about life and just how much help they are going to need along the
way as they transition to adulthood. The hardest part of learning this
concept is realizing that this posture of daily need is precisely where
God wants us. Jesus explains in Mark 2:17 that he has come for the
sick, not the well. It is so easy for college aged individuals (and the rest
of us for that matter) to believe that we have/had the world by the tail
in our early twenties. At some point, whether it is through a broken
relationship, the failure of a college class, a major life mistake or just
Should a college student transfer
their membership to a church in their
college town?
Generally speaking, yes, I encourage students to get
invested in this way at a church in their college town.
Our Book of Church Order (BCO) specifically addresses
situations like that of a college student who resides in a location
other than their hometown. BCO 46-4 explains that those who wish to
retain their original communing membership may become associate
members in their town of temporary residence. This membership
status gives the individual all of the rights and privileges of a member,
with the exception of voting in meetings and holding office (these
rights are retained where they are full communing members). To join
a church as a full-communing or associate member is very valuable
as it establishes a formal relationship between the student and the
church. This is particularly important as the student engages in the
worship and work of the church (i.e. partakes of the Lord’s Supper)
and as they require shepherding and care.
the constant reproof of a roommate, our students will realize their need of
a Savior. If not affirmed with the gospel of grace amidst the pressure to be
okay, this life phase will drive students toward dark spiritual lies about how
their performance shapes their identity.
Third, sanctification grows best in community. God intends for us to grow
through communities of his covenant people. Finding a Bible-believing
church and Christian community of peers is vitally important as students
navigate their questions of faith and the problem of their sin. These
communities of sanctification need to be a place where students are not
only affirmed in the gospel, but also challenged to grow because of it.
Last, God’s going to fix it all. Although God’s work may be very clear during
portions of our lives, we still need the hope of final redemption. As students
learn the implications and tensions of the previous three theological
concepts, they will need the promise that Jesus is going to fix it all upon
his return. Revelation 21 details the final judgement and eradication of all
the evil and wrong in our world. This passage is our hope and longing as
we wrestle with God’s plan, realize our sin and work out our sanctification. In
addition, it contains the promise that there is nothing we or anyone else can
do to foil the work of redemption that God is doing and will do in the future.
16 MAY 2013 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG