A great ministry resource that has helped me keep on top of the cultural trends in ministering to students is the Ivy Jungle Network. The following are two reports in their latest newslettter that stood out to me.
“Borrowing More: In 1993, less than a third of undergraduate students borrowed to pay for college. Last year that figure topped 50% and is expected to keep climbing. The amount has also increased with the annual debt for borrowers at private universities increasing by 70%. Not only are more students taking out loans, a report called “Drowning in Debt: The Emerging Student Loan Crisis” reports that the kinds of loans students are procuring are riskier and carry higher interest rates, especially among minority students. (Wichita Business Journal July 9, 2009)”
In Luke 10:2, Jesus asked His disciples to pray for laborers. In the years that I’ve worked with ethnic minority students, the need for laborers is very apparent. These laborers will either come from the community or from students being raised up. But as we’ve seen in with our current economic crisis, debt is extremely crippling. And that is no different when it comes to people being able to minister, free of the shackles of debt. I pray that as we work with students, we are able to not only help them see their need for Christ in their spiritual lives, but that we are able to help students make wise spiritual decisions in their finances.
“Atheists De-baptize: Atheists in four states and a number of college campuses have begun practicing a “de-baptizing” ceremony in which a blow dryer labeled “Reason” is used to blow away the folly of religious belief and previous baptism. The Secular Student Alliance sponsors atheists groups on a number college campuses across the country that offer the ceremony. While some question the use of such a mock ceremony, others say they find the process cathartic and have certificates made to commemorate the event. (USA Today July 21, 2009)”
This report just saddens me to no end. The “mock ceremony” definitely saddens me, but not as much as how students feel the need to “blow away the folly of religious belief and previous baptism”. God, please forgive us, the Church, for the ways we have misrepresented Your love and Your gospel.
Truman and Amber. You probably figured that out based on the address of the blog. But, hey, thanks for stopping by and reading up on what's been going on with our life, our ministry, and other random things.
