I stepped away from college ministry in March 2015. It was a terribly difficult decision for me since I have adored working with college students since I graduated college in 2000. When you do college or campus ministry, you agree to step into people’s lives from all backgrounds – with young men and women who have a vague preconceived notion of “God” or no notion at all. Sometimes you get to work with amazingly talented, brilliant, and spiritual students. Sometimes you see their faith flame up into a roar. Sometimes you get to nurture the embers.
So why did I leave?
In my first few years I rode the wave of appointment after appointment; men and women who wanted a pastor. I listened. I counseled. I taught. It was thrilling. It was fun. In those days, I remember laughing and co-creating a ministry that developed a true Christ-centered community. There were days I would go home smiling and be so grateful to do the work I got to do.
But something changed. I began to resent students’ busy schedules. I grew weary of the cliquey Greek culture that competed with (my idea of) Kingdom-culture. I grew jealous of other ministries or other churches. I grew to distrust my leaders for their lack of followthrough. And finally I developed a wound of insecurity in my own ministry position at my church.
I felt misplaced in a sea of church-based programs and I grew disconnected from my own calling. This doubt surged in my final year as I sought mentors, counselors, spiritual advisors and, yes, even mood-managing medicine. The end result was a reaffirmation of my calling and a decision to step aside from my ministry with a sense of peace.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Days like today I miss college college ministry. I miss being able to sit in a dining hall or quad and bump into a myriad of faces. I miss dreaming with student leaders. I miss the evangelism. I miss taking them on mission trips and watching their faces as they take off in a plane for the first time…or share the Gospel for the first time. I miss the mild “politics” of roommate disagreements or relationship advice. Days like today I think about how simple it all really was.
For those years, I got to bring people to the feet of Jesus. I got to introduce them to the earth shattering Truth that he alone is worthy of our lives. That every heartbeat is a chance to carry his Name to the nations.
So for those of you with a passion for this generation for college students, please give them your best. Please show up and invite them into the most exhilarating journey of real life in Jesus Christ.
Chances are…someone did that for you… and that’s probably why you would even read this blog. 🙂
Not Just a Corner 