World Student Christian Federation

RAISING NEW PROPHETS: The World Student Christian Federation will hold its 2009 North America Regional Conference and Consultation Jan. 30-Feb. 1 in San Francisco with the theme, “Raising New Prophets, Arising of a Movement.” The event marks the launch of the WSCF-NA, the North American region of the global federation, reports the General Board of Church and Society’s “Faith in Action” weekly newsletter. The WSCF’s mission is “to empower students to be agents in constructive transformation of the world by providing a space for prayer and celebration, theological reflection, study and analysis of social and cultural processes, and solidarity and action across the boundaries of culture, gender and ethnicity,” the newsletter says. For more information and applications, e-mail, or call (212) 870-2470.

Young Clergy Capitol Hill Leadership Forum

YOUNG CLERGY: Jan. 16 is the deadline to apply to attend the 5th annual Young Clergy Capitol Hill Leadership Forum, sponsored by the GBCS, reports “Faith in Action.” The forum will be held Sunday to Wednesday, Feb. 8-11, at the historic United Methodist Building, next door to the U.S. Supreme Court and across the street from the U.S. Capitol. Annual conferences are encouraged to send two people, age 35 and under, who may be either elders or on an elder track, and serving a local church full-time. The forum will provide “creative and participatory ways” to teach the United Methodist Social Principles in congregations, according to the newsletter.

July 22-26, 2009

Bennett College

Historically Black Women's United Methodist College

Greensboro, N.C.

Full Details and Registration to Come BUT put it on your calendar today!

Job Opening: Protestant Campus Minister, Frostburg State University

THIS POSITION HAS NOW BEEN FILLED

The Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church invites applicants to apply for the position of Campus Minister at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. The person will be appointed by Bishop John R. Schol as one of six campus ministers in the Conference and will work specifically with the Board of Directors of the United Campus Ministry of the University.


The ministry at Frostburg is committed to a progressive and ecumenical outreach to the University student body, faculty and staff as well as to the local and global communities. A major expectation of the position is to provide a balanced discipleship formation program that includes celebration, connections, faith development, service and witnessing. The candidate will seek opportunities to partner with local congregations in achieving the goal of growing Acts 2 Churches.


The ideal candidate shall have experience working with college students and young adults. The chosen candidate should be an ordained clergyperson of a mainline Protestant denomination. Inquiries and applications, including cover sheet, resume, and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references should be sent to The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Frazier at frazier10(at)comcast(dot)net.

NCMA conference

The next National Campus Ministry Conference will be held in Kansas City in mid-July, 2008 KConnections 2008 will be held on the beautiful campus of the University of Saint Mary (www.stmary.edu) in Leavenworth, Kansas, on the edge of metropolitan Kansas City.
Go to http://www.ncmaconference.org for more details as they are posted.

As an experiment with a different kind of annual meeting, our 2008 event at USM will be a workshop-based conference focused on providing practical application learning experiences in one of three ministry tracks: 1) Campus Ministry 101 for persons with fewer than three years of experience, 2) Campus Ministry 202 for veterans, or 3) Congregationally-Based Collegiate Ministry.

The three primary goals of this gathering are to provide pragmatic tools for campus ministry practitioners, foster relationships and encourage a greater exchange of ideas between those persons engaged in campus-based ministries and those working out of a local congregation, and, conduct our annual NCMA business meeting.

Located just twenty-five minutes from the Kansas City International Airport and close to Interstates 29, 35 and 70, the University of Saint Mary is situated among 200 acres of gently rolling hills and will provide easy access for both those who fly and those who drive. In an effort to keep the event affordable and encourage as many folks to attend as possible, we will move to a four-day, Thursday-Sunday format in 2008. Pending confirmation from our hosts at USM, our event will be held on one of the last two weekends next July. Watch future newsletters and e-mails for confirmation of the dates.

All current and prospective NCMA members engaged (or thinking about being engaged!) in campus-based or congregationally-based collegiate ministries are urged to consider attending this meeting. Watch ncmaconference.org for details as they are put on the website. You can always email ncma@suso.org with comments and questions.

Reflection on Student Forum

University of Toledo student reflects on Student Forum

College Students Bike 4,500 Miles to Break Silence on Suicide

The Christian Post reports on college students biking to raise awareness of suicide

UMSM steering committee member plaintiff in mascots lawsuit

Story here.

Campus ministers and chaplains at Student Forum

GBHEM reports on campus ministers who met during Student Forum:

“Campus ministry is the linchpin for sustainable renewal of The United Methodist Church,” Del Pino said. “So many of our annual conferences have blind spots regarding the need to continue financial support of these specialized ministries in difficult economic times.”

read more

Campus Ministry: Joyfully and Passionately Claiming God’s Call

Jen Heald, chair of the United Methodist Student Movement Steering Committee, writes about campus ministers and her experience at the 2008 Student Forum.

Student Forum takes advantage of Washington to wrestle with political system

Some 438 students, campus ministers, and young adult seminarians scattered across the nation’s capitol during Student Forum 2008 to learn how they could use their voices to fight for just public policies. read more

Rebel Virgins on College Campuses

Christianity Today has an interesting editorial based on a article that appeared in the New York Times Magazine.

Four students receive campus ministry scholarships

Story here.

Young People Add Voices to Church Policy

UMNS reports on the impact of young people's voices at General Conference

GC News

The UMNS reports that General Conference shortens the candidacy process for ordination (and includes campus ministry in the process)

Young Adult Ecumenical Forum June 12 to 15

Information here.

Reminder: Trauma on Campus Consultation

This is a reminder about the upcoming session on violence on college campuses:

A planning session for United Methodist campus ministers and chaplains who have experienced tragedies on campus or have training that can assist those dealing with trauma. The purpose is to identify strategies and resources that are needed in anticipation of tragedies or trauma on campus. It is not designed to address issues of preventing tragedies or examining root causes of tragedies.

The consultation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, and adjourn at Noon on Thursday, May 29, 2008. Meetings will be held on the campus of Northern Illinois University and the DeKalb United Methodist Church.

For additional information, contact Michelle Conti at mconti@gbhem.org (615.340.7420).

Website: More info is currently available at http://www.umcma.org (click on "responding to violence" on the left side)

Watching GC in Second Life

How is technology changing the world (and the church)?

A group is meeting in Second Life to pray together and watch the live streaming video of General Conference.

Have you experienced Second Life with your campus ministry? If so, I would like to know about it. Email me at ecucm(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Update of all UMCMA Petitions

Click on image for full size!

2 Petitions still in process

The two petitions still before the General Conference
Pet. #80885
DCA Page 1481
Title Discontinuation
Discipline Para. #633.4d
Legislative Committee Action adopted
Calendar & Page # 843

Add new subparagraph after ¶633.4.d) (10)
The Petition is amended as follows:
(11) Prior to the discontinuation of a Wesley Foundation or campus ministry the board
of higher education and campus ministry shall conduct an assessment of its potential as
outlined in ¶633.4.3) and ¶1413.3.c). A recommendation to the annual conference for
discontinuation shall include proposals for the future use of any property of the Wesley
Foundation or campus ministry and for the disposition of any real, personal, tangible
and intangible property. Any proceeds from the sale of Wesley Foundation or campus
ministry property shall be reserved for other campus ministry needs in the annual
conference.
Replace with:
(11) Prior to the discontinuance of a Wesley Foundation or campus ministry the board
of higher education and campus ministry shall conduct an assessment of its
potential, after notification and consultation with the Division of Higher Education of
GBHEM, a recommendation to the annual conference for discontinuation shall
include future use of any property of the Wesley Foundation or campus ministry,
and a procedure developed for the disposition of the real and personal, tangible
and intangible property in accordance with ¶1413.3c, ¶2501 and ¶2515.a.
Pet. #80892
DCA Page # 600
Title Transition
Discipline Para. # 649.3d
Legislative Committee Action - rejected per 80976 (209)
Calendar & Page #549

Amend ¶649.2 as follows:
2. Membership- The membership of the council shall be young adults ( age nineteen to
thirty as defined by Annual Conference). There shall be It is recommended there
be . . .
d) To cooperate with . . . annual conferences, including Wesley Foundations, United
Methodist related . . . chaplaincies, in assisting graduating college students in the
transition to congregational life, and receiving recommendations . .

Let your GC delegates know!

We were very fortunate to have this legislation entitled Discontinuation pass through the committee with flying colors. It is currently on the consent to adopt calendar 04 for approval.

There may be a movement underfoot to have it removed.

The UMCMA strongly encourages you to let your voting delegates know that this is extremely important legislation for Campus Ministries. Please ask them to continue their support of this petition.

Support Campus

Ministry

Campus Ministry Units seek the same process as a local

church when it faces discontinuation: an opportunity for

due process and to assess opportunities for future ministry.

Our petition on “Discontinuation” might be removed

from consent calendar 04. Please help us retain and

approve this petition.

Pet. #80885

Daily Christian Advocate 1481

Page # Title 1481 Discontinuation

Discipline

Para. #633.4d

Legislative Committee: adopted

Action

Calendar & Page #843 (A04)

(11) Prior to the discontinuance of a Wesley Foundation or campus ministry the board of

higher education and campus ministry shall conduct an assessment of its potential, after

notification and consultation with the Division of Higher Education of GBHEM, a

recommendation to the annual conference for discontinuation shall include future use of

any property of the Wesley Foundation or campus ministry, and a procedure developed

for the disposition of the real and personal, tangible and intangible property in

accordance with ¶1413.3c, ¶2501 and ¶2515.a.

Please consider:

• A sound procedure must be given to determine the long term viability of a campus ministry before

decisions are made to discontinue.

• This proposal is similar to the process for assessment of a local church potential ¶213, to assess the long

term potential and the long term changes of the university campus on which it is located.

• The care that the annual conference has given to the ministry of a congregation is honored and

thoughtful considered before the closure of that local church, ensuring the sale of the property is under

the guidance of the mission of the annual conference. Yet, the same careful, redundant discontinuation

of a local church is not extended to campus ministry.

• Lives changed, ministries extended to a university community and clergy who have served must be

recognized, celebrated and grieved by the annual conference.

• With the growing trend of colleges and universities seeking to purchase land surround the campus,

campus ministry properties are increasing in property values. The values of these properties, and the

investment of the conference and her members, need to be part of the protected assets so that wise

decisions can made about any use, sale or development of said assets.

• This proposal also enables the conference board of higher education and campus ministry to take care

that monies given for the purchase of campus ministry property and construction of Wesley

Foundations benefit future campus ministry efforts on the campus and benefit the overall campus

ministry program of the annual conference.

UNITED METHODIST CAMPUS MINISTRY ASSOCIATION at General Conference 2008, contact

Bill Campbell at 615-995-8105 Paul M. Shultz at 319-321-9833 Lynn Pries at 630-697-1942

If you would like to receive email updates of the work of UMCMA during General Conference and our perspective of how things are going, please send Scott Spencer your email address at rev.ragamuffin@gmail.com

The UMCMA blog will also be updated during GC on a regular basis at http://umcma.blogspot.com

Please keep our United Methodist Church in our prayers as we enter this important time of conferencing. Remember the delegates, the bishops, the staff, the advocates, and all of the hundreds of other persons who will be working behind the scenes.

Rev. Rob Kirby

UMCMA Membership Secretary

www.umcma.org website

Legislation update Tuesday April 29 afternoon

Click to see larger image

Sunday into Monday

First, a big thanks to Scott for that wonderful list of GC bloggers. Many might be more up to date and detail oriented than ours. My goal as I blog the next few days is to give you a view on some of the legislation that came from UMCMA and a few personal stories from someone intensely concerned about Campus Ministry but still very new to the GC procedures. Submitted by Rob Kirby.

Sunday was a good day for UMCMA legislation. I number of our petitions were struggling to get through sub-committees. As an example, one of our top priorities about the dissolution of Wesley Foundations came out of sub-committee with an 11 to 7 defeat (Excuse me we are not using that language), “recommendation to reject.” As the legislation came before the Ministry and Higher Education Legislative Committee, a friend of campus ministry submitted a substitute motion that addressed the concerns that had been raised but still maintained all of our central desires of the legislation. The committee overwhelmingly approved this substitute motion. For those new to the process, this means that it, along with much of legislation will move to the General Conference floor on the consent calendar. A couple of pieces of legislation that appear to be grounded to the reject calendar include,
the removal of equivalent structures language and mandating Annual Conference Boards of Higher Education (petitions 80873 ¶633.1 through 80879 ¶633.4d.)
the encouragement to elect college students as lay delegates to General and Jurisdiction conferences. The rational that swayed the subcommittee was that provision is already made for youth and young adults. (80888 ¶633.4d13)
Legislation that appears to be very promising include:
Clarifying the intent of the current paragraph as to the establishment of campus ministry presence without permission (petition 80871 ¶341.4)
Creating a list of responsibilities of the Board of Directors for a Wesley Foundation or local campus ministry unit (petition 80880 ¶633)
Development of policies for the management and financial oversight of annual conference program of campus ministry in accord with standards developed by GBHEM. Establishing standards and national searches to provide for excellence in university ministries. Establishing policies for the financing and construction of any campus ministry building in accord with standards set by GBHEM. Establishing procedures for campus ministry starts. Procedures to discontinue a Wesley Foundation or campus ministry unit. Encouraging the creation or permanent endowments funds for Wesley Foundations, University chaplaincies and campus ministry units. Collection of names and addresses of college students. (80881-80887 ¶633.4d)
Legislation to allow for full time service in campus ministry stting to meet the requirements of admission to full connection and ordination (with amendments) (81278 ¶335)
Providing a means for college students answering the call to ministry to be recommended but a campus ministry board of directors to enter the ordination process (with amendments) (81548 ¶311.2b)

I will try and update specific pieces of legislation as it is made available.

UP COMING BLOG- A COLLEGE STUDENT SPEAKS WONDERFULLY TO THE NEED FOR CANDIDACY THROUGH A CAMPUS MINISTRY.

Note to bloggers:

A note from Gavin:

The MethoBlog was developed about one and a half years ago to be a portal for the methoblogosphere community (the methodists that blog regularly made up that name). as a blog there is some commentary, but mostly a collection of all the methodist voices out there. there isn't a distinction between categories of clergy or laity, youth minister or senior pastor, reconciling or confessing, news or promotions, etc. if you are a methodist, have a blog that you post even remotely regularly this is a community to plug into.

for general conference we set up some specific feeds for bloggers that are at general conference. some are delegates, some are reserves, employees, observers, new agency, and i think even a translator. this gives a broad, unfiltered, and unique experience into all the things happening at general conference. with more of a crowd more of a picture can be drawn.

so please visit http://www.methoblog.com and submit your blog to us via the contact form and let us know you are at general conference and we'd be honored to plug you in.

Bloggers at General Conference

Several people are blogging about General Conference. It's interesting, I was on the escalator, and the woman in front of me looked at my name tag and asked if I blogged. She recognized me as someone who has left comments on the UM Reporter blog. It was Amy Forbus who is both a delegate to General Conference and a staff person with the Reporter. I was surprised she was able to identify me that quickly!

At one point, I recognized Beth Quick in the hallway outside the legislative committee rooms. She was talking to other people and I was in a hurry to get to my own room to monitor a sub-committee so I didn't stop to identify myself and say hi.

Becca Farnum, who is one of the young people who gave the new Young Persons Address this year, is blogging here.

Luke Wetzel, a 20 year old from the Kansas East Conference, is the vice-chair for the Discipleship legislative committee.

Other bloggers include:
http://www.methoblog.com/
http://twoweeksintexas.wordpress.com/
http://generalconference2008.blogspot.com/
http://trinityunitedmethodist.wordpress.com/
http://cognitioetfide.blogspot.com/
http://nitrorev.blogspot.com/
http://mfsablog08.typepad.com/mfsa_at_general_conferenc/
http://conferenceimpressions.blogspot.com/
http://stephandjanatthegc.blogspot.com/
http://all-shall-be-well.blogspot.com/
http://www.genxrising.com/
http://www.umnexus.org/blog/
http://emergingumc.blogspot.com/
http://matthewlkelley.blogspot.com/
http://blog.hackingchristianity.net/
http://steverankin.blogspot.com/
http://www.generalconference2008.org/

If there are other blogs out there about General Conference, let us know. We'll be happy to list them.

Several Young Adults Chosen for Leadership at GC

GBHEM has posted an article about GC: Young delegation leaders model inclusiveness for UMC

Campus Ministry Legislation

Campus Ministers are located at the Park Central hotel right next to the Convention Center (on the corner of 10th & Houston Street). Feel free to stop by our hospitality room (room 211) for more information. You can also email us at umcma2008(at)gmail(dot)com and we will get back to very quickly.

Following is the legislation that UMCMA has submitted to General Conference. Please click on each section in order to read the enlarged graphic.

Higher Education:



Discipleship:



Local Church:



Finance:

Campus Ministries... Making Disciples! Transforming the World!

Across the United Methodist Connection, campus ministries have a positive impact in the lives of college and university students.

The Oklahoma Annual Conference campus ministers have put together a short video highlighting their ministry with students and young adults in Oklahoma.

Young People to Address GC Today

The first ever Young Person's Address will be given at 11:35 am (central time) today. One of the speakers, Becca Farnum, is blogging about her experiences at General Conference.

You should be able to watch the presentation live at the GC08 website.

Come by our Hospitality Room

Campus Ministers are located at the Park Central hotel right next to the Convention Center (on the corner of 10th & Houston Street). Feel free to stop by our hospitality room (room 211) for more information. You can also email us at umcma2008(at)gmail(dot)com and we will get back to very quickly.

General Conference Begins!

Several of us (campus ministers and students) are here in Fort Worth at General Conference. We will be updating this blog throughout General Conference.

Campus ministry impacts young people in significant ways. UMCMA is collecting stories and testimonies from students and former students. Check out that blog here.

Here is a list of UMCMA's legislation.

2008 NCMA Summer Conference

Looking forward to taking time this summer for personal and professional renewal? Looking for opportunities to improve your ministry at an affordable price? Wanting to learn and exchange ideas with leaders serving in campus-based and congregationally-based collegiate ministries?

Then come to suburban Kansas City, July 17-20, for "Convergence: Bridging Ministry," the 2008 edition of the National Campus Ministry Association's annual conference. Situated on the campus of the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, this four-day, workshop-based event will feature three concurrent tracks: one for campus ministers with less than three years of experience, one for campus ministry veterans, and another for congregationally-based campus ministry staffs. Thanks to the generosity of Campus Ministry Advancement and the Synod of Mid-America, scholarships are available on a priority basis to congregationally-based staff and first-time conference attendees.

For more information and to register for the Convergence, go to www.ncmaconference.org.

Trauma on Campus Consultation

Trauma on Campus Consultation


What?

A planning session for United Methodist campus ministers to identify strategies and resources that are needed in anticipation of tragedies or trauma on campus. The meeting will include sharing experiences, identifying what has been learned from these experiences, brainstorming best practices, and identifying strategies for resourcing campus ministers to help them deal with future tragedies.

This consultation is limited to preparation for responding to a traumatic event after the fact. It is not designed to address issues of preventing tragedies or examining root causes of tragedies.


When and where?

We will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, and adjourn at noon on Thursday, May 29, 2008. Meetings will be held on the campus of Northern Illinois University and the DeKalb United Methodist Church.


Who should attend?

This gathering is designed for United Methodist campus ministers who have experienced tragedies on campus or have training that can assist those dealing with trauma. Those who have conducted research or have practical training or experience in specific traumas are encouraged to attend.


What is a trauma?

For the purposes of this consultation, trauma is defined extremely broadly. It includes acts of violence from shootings to rape to domestic violence; natural disasters from hurricanes to floods to fires; unexpected deaths; and any event that traumatizes the community. This consultation will focus on response to tragedies that impact the entire campus community or a number of people.


Expected outcome?

The consultation will produce a report that can be used by GBHEM, UMCMA and other United Methodist organizations to help develop resources and strategies that will support the training of United Methodist campus ministers in preparing a response to tragedies.


How much will it cost?

The registration fee is $10 to be paid upon arrival. All of this fee will go to the Wesley Foundation at Northern Illinois University to cover any expenses they may have and to support their ministry. GBHEM will host a dinner for everyone who registers before May 9.


All other meals, transportation and lodging are the responsibility of the participant.


Can you participate without attending?

There are two ways that you can participate without attending. First, you can go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Nlh6iRdIN5HnqnzQPna1lA_3d_3d and provide information about your experience, your questions, and your suggestions. In this way your experience and suggestions will be part of the consultation.

Second, you can review the report that is produced from the consultation and make comments or suggestions. Your suggestions will then become part of the record that us used by GBHEM, UMCMA, and others to plan resource or program development.


Consultation Leadership

Efrain Avila, Jr., Campus Minister, Northern Illinois University

Ken Bedell, Associate General Secretary, Division of Higher Education, GBHEM

Gail Bowman, Chaplain, Dillard University

Beth Cooper, Campus Minister, San Diego State University

Lynn Jenkins Feinberg, Counselor, San Diego State University

Luther Felder, Assistant General Secretary, Campus Ministry, GBHEM

Tyson Ferguson, Campus Minister, Pennsylvania State University

Malcolm Frazier, Campus Minister, Howard University

Lynn Jenkins Feinberg, Counselor, San Diego State University

Lynn Pries, Chaplain, North Central College

Glen Tyndall, Campus Minister, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Susan Vuyovich, Campus Minister, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Other Information

Hotel suggestions will be listed on the UMCMA website soon.

For additional information, contact Michelle Conti at mconti@gbhem.org (615.340.7420).

Preview of Young People's Address at General Conference

From the UM Reporter:

When six young people take the stage April 24 at the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, it will be the first time in the denomination’s history that young people will address its top legislative body.

“This first-ever Young People’s Address acknowledges the church’s understanding that young people are not just the church of the future but can also be God’s prophetic voice for the church today,” said the Rev. Michael Ratliff, top executive with General Board of Discipleship’s (GBOD) Division on Ministries with Young People.

read more

General Conference is less than a week away

GBHEM has an online General Conference section with information about GBHEM's concerns, including campus ministry.

The official General Conference website is located here and has a very helpful visitor's guide (which includes the schedule of events.)

Check back for updates about General Conference.

More information about the work of UMCMA is available at our website.

Remembering Virginia Tech today

We remember the events that happened last year at Virginia Tech. Our prayers go out to not only that campus, but the other campuses which have experienced tragedy and violence in recent months. I read online of two Catholic schools which received threats just last week.

The Rev. D. Scott Russell is the Episcopal campus minister at Virginia Tech and the associate rector at Christ Church in Blacksburg, Virginia, the scene of tragedy last year at this time. He has commentary in the Episcopal Life online edition at
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_96482_ENG_HTM.htm

A book review that some members may find of interest.

Sex and The Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance, and Religion on America’s College Campuses

Why we are loosing ground with young adults…

Marty Cauley from the General Board of Discipleship reflects on why we are loosing ground with young adults.

USA Today Article about faith on campus

I found this article interesting.

Is God silenced on college campuses?

Or is the conversation simply changing?

By Tom Krattenmaker

The moment had, on the surface, a Nixon-goes-to-China quality.

Filmmaker Dan Merchant stood before an auditorium of students assembled for the first campus screening of his forthcoming movie, Lord Save Us From Your Followers. Merchant, a Christian, was at Lewis & Clark College, a school in Portland, Ore., deemed by the Princeton Review college guide to be one of the least religious in the USA. Yet one conspicuous reality defied a key premise of the event from the moment the college chaplain brought Merchant to the stage: Students packed the good-sized hall, overflowing into the aisles and entry ways, for a chance to see what most knew was a Christian-themed movie with a Gospel message.

And by the time they had finished watching the film — a humorous and heartfelt examination of the culture wars featuring a Michael Moore-meets-Monty Python style — those students could not wait to talk to Merchant about his movie and his faith.

"What struck me," Merchant said later, "was their openness to this conversation."

Students open to a conversation about Christianity, even on a campus with an ultrasecular reputation? Such is the state of affairs at the nation's colleges and universities, where religion is experiencing something of a renaissance, although not necessarily in the shapes and forms older generations are used to seeing.

Apart from the relatively small number of officially Christian colleges, America's campuses are viewed by many as bastions of liberal secularism, the places where religious faith goes to die.

"Young people entering college often encounter overwhelming temptations while being force-fed with godless philosophies — and the results can be spiritually catastrophic," warns pastor and radio show host John MacArthur. Former attorney general Edwin Meese III, now a Heritage Foundation fellow, says, "For years, our colleges and universities have shown themselves to be hostile to the rights and dignities of religious students."

A string of incidents do lend some credence to these exaggerated critiques. One of the more recent: action by the since-departed president of William & Mary to remove from permanent display a cross adorning the Virginia college's 274-year-old chapel (done, according to then-president Gene Nichol, to make the space more hospitable to religious minorities).

Also contributing to higher education's ultrasecular image are rules at many colleges that prohibit student organizations from excluding other students — a sure source of conflict when it comes to conservative religious groups that do not abide homosexuality. And then there is the academic habit of mind that encourages the questioning of, well, everything.

From the Ivy League to the brainiac liberal arts colleges to the major public universities, God has been silenced — or so conventional wisdom tells us.

The conventional wisdom, as it turns out, is not quite right.

From the pollsters come recent data showing that religion and spirituality are alive and well at colleges and universities. A recent study by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA finds that more than half of college juniors say "integrating spirituality" into their lives is very important. Today's juniors also tend to pray (67%, according to the UCLA study) and 41% believe it's important, even essential, to "follow religious teachings" in everyday life....

full story

UM reflections on the Pew Study

United Methodists reflect on the Pew Study:

"A landmark study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life shows that members of The United Methodist Church and other mainline Protestant denominations are increasingly moving to other faith traditions or choosing not to affiliate with any religious group"

We Need Your Help at General Conference April 22nd - May 2nd

UMCMA will be present at General Conference to promote the legislation that the Association passed in July 2007 and to be an obvious campus ministry presence. UMCMA members are urged to attend General Conference for all or a portion of the time to help monitor legislation and promote campus ministry. UMCMA has 10 rooms reserved for those who will be helping with the legislative process – and this can be YOU!

If you are willing to come and give 8 hours a day for UMCMA legislation, you can stay in one of the rooms for $60 a night (per person/double occupancy). If you work for 4 days, you pay for 3 nights and get the 4th night free. {The $60 rate is available for UMCMA members whose dues are current.} The rooms are available from April 22 through May 2. The hotel is the closest one to the convention center, literally across the street. Students can also attend if they are will to help with UMCMA needs. Limited scholarships for both campus ministers/chaplains and students are available for workers. Scholarship Application

Worried you don’t know what to do? There will be orientation and briefings each day in the UMCMA Hospitality room at the hotel for those who are helping. You will be provided with tasks and assignments that will help you be an effective voice for campus ministry. We will also need persons to hand out campus ministry promotional materials, so there are jobs of all nature. The Hospitality Room will also be open regularly for campus ministers, chaplains and friends to gather.

The primary need is to monitor the legislative committees which occur primarily during the early sessions of the gathering. The legislation you voted on last summer is crucial to the future of campus ministry. It is critical that campus ministry be present and visible at General Conference. UMCMA members (and your friends), please consider attending and helping even if it is only for a few days – it will make a difference!

If you can’t attend General Conference, you can still help by contacting your delegation and urging them to support UMCMA legislation and helping them to understand why it is important to the future of student ministry. Actually, ALL UMCMA members need to contact their delegates and urge support of your legislation.

To reserve rooms, contact Leslie Long at: lalongokc@sbcglobal.net

Special Membership Drive (now until April 15, 2008)

Since General Conference is quickly approaching, the Coordinating Committee for UMCMA has authorized a special one-time membership drive with special discounts.

If you are a full-time campus minister, and you are signing up for UMCMA membership for the first time, the cost is $60 and your membership will be effective until July 2009. This means that you will receive the remainder of this year (through July 2008) free.

If you are a part-time campus minister (or a board member, a student, an intern, or a retired campus minister), and you are signing up for UMCMA membership for the first time, the cost is $30 and your membership will be effective until July 2009.

This special membership drive ends April 15, 2008.

You can download a membership form from the UMCMA website

You can also contact the UMCMA membership secretary directly at

Rob Kirby (rkirby@wesleyui.org)

UMCMA Membership Secretary

Wesley Foundation at UIUC

1203 W. Green Street

Urbana IL 61874

Opposition to outside petition

To: Public Letter to members of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry

From: Malcolm Frazier and Beth Cooper, Co-Chairs of the United Methodist Campus Ministers Association (UMCMA)

February 11, 2008

We want the members of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry to know that the Coordinating Committee of the UMCMA has voted to oppose the GC petition entitled, “Petition to 2008 General Conference to Study the Effectiveness of the GBHEM Campus Ministry Section and the possibility of the Campus Ministry Section being moved to the General Board of Discipleship.”

At the December, 2007, meeting of the Coordinating Committee (Co-Com), a motion to oppose this petition was adopted. The Co-Com, furthermore, requested that no one using the funds, equipment, or housing provided by UMCMA can work to support this petition. This petition is not on our website (www.UMCMA.org).

While many members of UMCMA have felt the loss of support as a result of staff changes at the GBHEM and at their July, 2007, biennial conference, voted to share their concerns with the members of the GBHEM, this petition to General Conference was developed in October, 2007, long after the July biennial gathering. The December, 2007, meeting of Co-Com focused on many of our concerns and our common work together as we met with many staff members of the GBHEM including General Secretary, Jerome Del Pino.

We would be happy to answer any questions you might have. We look forward to working with you on our common concern for campus ministry with young adults in campus settings.

Sincerely,

Malcolm Frazier and Beth Cooper

Prayer for NIU community

Please be in prayer for the NIU community. Here's information from the Wesley Foundation (United Methodist) campus ministry.

Press Release from UMCMA Executive Committee

The Coordinating Committee of UMCMA wants to let you know what we have been doing since we met in Fort Worth last summer.

Below is an article that the executive committee of UMCMA wrote for "Campus Ministry Matters" (a publication of GBHEM.)


We will also be posting this info on the umcma.org website.

++++++++++++

The United Methodist Campus Ministers Association is beginning a visioning process to coordinate with the new strategic timeline that GBHEM has developed. At the Nashville meeting in December, the coordinating committee of UMCMA met with the Executive Staff of the board and representatives of the GBHEM Board of Directors, to engage campus ministry issues. A fruitful question and answer period was followed by time spent with Dr. Jerome King Del Pino, General Secretary of GBHEM. A total of twelve GBHEM staff met with UMCMA leaders and campus ministers over a four-day period, exploring together vision, leadership, funding, development, program issues, changes on campuses, and changing dynamics in United Methodism.

UMCMA also learned about the work GBHEM has done to reinvigorate Campus Ministry, including the approval of two new staff positions related to the Campus Ministry Section and the overall mandate given to the Division of Higher Education by the Board’s strategic plan. They plan to get further updates and to work with GBHEM on future events and the overall mandate given the DHE by the Board’s strategic plan.

The coordinating committee of UMCMA voted to oppose the Paul Schultz petition that calls for a study of campus ministry with GBHEM and the possibility of moving campus ministry to GBOD. The coordinating committee also voted to send this information to all General Conference delegates, notify GBHEM, include its rationale on the UMCMA website, and request that the petition website remove the UMCMA link and add a statement indicating that UMCMA does not support the petition. UMCMA voted that persons lobbying for the Paul Schultz petition cannot lobby for UMCMA legislation.

In other business, UMCMA made decisions about its General Conference presence, updating the UMCMA website, preparing for the Bi-Annual Gathering in the summer of 2009, and providing resources and support to United Methodist campus ministers.

New Website

The United Methodist Campus Ministers Association is currently creating a new website and we are excited about announcing it soon. An emerging version can be found at www.umcma.org

General Conference Resolutions from UMCMA

This is an UNOFFICIAL listing of resolutions submitted by the UMCMA to Genreal Conference.

Petitions Submitted by UMCMA

to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference

Protection of Academic Freedoms

Discipline Paragraph No. 164.E)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶164.E) by addition

Education – We believe that every person has the right to education. We also believe that the responsibility for education of the young rests with the family, faith communities, and the government. In society, this function can best be fulfilled through public policies that ensure access for all persons to free public elementary and secondary schools and to post-secondary schools of their choice. Persons should not be precluded by financial barriers from access to church-related and other independent institutions of higher education. We affirm the right of public and independent colleges and universities to exist, and we endorse public policies that ensure access and choice and that do not create unconstitutional entanglements between church and state. We believe that colleges and universities are to ensure that academic freedom is protected for all members of the academic community, and a learning environment is fostered which allows for a free exchange of ideas. We affirm the joining of reason and faith, therefore, we urge colleges and universities to guard the expression of religious life on campus.

Rationale: This addition to the Social Principles provides for dialogue about the purpose of the church’s educational mission on college and university campuses. By focusing both on academic freedom and on the right to religious expression it gives voice to the long-standing Methodist belief that knowledge and vital piety belong together.

Submitted: October 22, 2007

Charge Conference Report on College Students

Discipline Paragraph No. 247

Financial Implications: None

Add new sub-paragraph after ¶247.15.

16. The charge conference shall receive a report on the names and addresses of college students and the schools which they are attending (or will attend) to send to the appropriate United Methodist campus ministers and chaplains.

Rationale: This proposal strengthens the United Methodist Church’s connection to young people by reinforcing the ongoing relationships between local congregations and young people who matriculate out of area. It provides an effective tool for campus ministry units to identify and make contact with United Methodist students attending the institutions they serve.

Submitted: October 22, 2007

Youth Council Promotion of Campus Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 256.3.c) (3)

Financial Implications: None

Add new sub-paragraph after ¶256.3.c) (3) (i)

(j) To promote, introduce and encourage youth to become active in United Methodist campus ministry when they attend a college or university.

Rationale: This proposal addresses the reality that the transition from high school to college is when many young people leave the church. It seeks to narrow the gap that currently exists between youth and campus ministries and to provide for a smoother transition for young people who are entering college.

Submitted: October 22, 2007

Young Adult Council and Coordinator on Young Adult Ministries Report on College Students

Discipline Paragraph No. 256.3.d)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶256.3.d) by addition

d) The coordinator of young adult ministries and the young-adult council, when organized, shall be responsible for recommending to the church council the activities, program emphases, and settings for young adults, gather the names and addresses of all college students to send to the campus minister or chaplain of the college or university the students are attending, provide a report of this list of college students to the charge conference for collection by the district superintendent, encourage college students to participate in United Methodist campus ministry, and recommend opportunities for the congregation to support and participate with annual conference campus ministries and annual conference related colleges and universities.

Rationale: This proposal strengthens the United Methodist Church’s connection to young people by reinforcing the ongoing relationships between local congregations and young people who matriculate out of area. It provides an effective tool for campus ministry units to identify and make contact with United Methodist students attending the institutions they serve.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Lay Leadership Requirements for Candidacy for Licensed and Ordained Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 311.1.a)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶311.1.a)

a) shall have been a professing member in good standing of The United Methodist Church for at least two years immediately preceding the application for candidacy; including a year of service in some form of congregational lay leadership, either in that local church, or one in a campus ministry agreed to by the district committee on ordained ministry, provided that in the case of an affiliate member, there has been a consultation with and approval by the charge conference of the home church;

Rationale: This change to ¶311.1.a) clarifies that leadership in a campus ministry unit qualifies as an appropriate form of service for those seeking candidacy for ordained and licensed ministry. This is a crucial clarification for those who respond to their call in the context of participation in a campus ministry.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Campus Ministry Consultation Process for Candidacy to Ordained or Licensed Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 311.2.a)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶311.2.a)

a) consult with their pastor and committee on pastor or staff relations, or with their campus minister or chaplain and the committee on staff relations of the Board of Directors of the campus ministry unit, after formulating a written statement reflecting their call to ministry and requesting recommendation for certification. The candidate shall be interviewed by the committee on his or her statement of call and Wesley’s historic questions in ¶305;

Rationale: While some students experience a call to ministry in the context of local congregations, others experience it through campus ministries. This proposal builds on provisions in The Discipline that allow students to become at-large members through campus ministry, by making provision for them to enter ordained ministry through campus ministry.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Responsibility of Campus Ministry Boards in Recommending Candidates for Ordained or Licensed Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 311.2.b)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶311.2.b)

b) be recommended by the charge conference, or be recommended by the Board of Directors of a campus ministry unit. To be valid, such a recommendation shall be: i) approved by written ballot by two-thirds of the charge conference, or the Board of Directors of a campus ministry unit, present at this meeting, provided that in the case of an affiliate member there has been consultation with the pastor of the home church, and ii) the candidate shall have been graduated from an accredited high school or received a certificate of equivalency;

Rationale: While some students experience a call to ministry in the context of local congregations, others experience it through campus ministries. This proposal builds on provisions in The Discipline that allow students to become at-large members through campus ministry, by making provision for them to enter ordained ministry through campus ministry.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Ministry Settings Fulfilling Service Requirements for Full Connection as Elder

Discipline Paragraph No. 335

Financial Implications: None

Amend First Paragraph of ¶335

¶ 335. Requirements for Admission to Full Connection and Ordination as Elder--Probationary members who are candidates for full connection and ordination as elders and have been probationary members for at least three years may be admitted into membership in full connection in an annual conference and approved for elder’s ordination by two-thirds vote of the clergy members in full connection of the annual conference, upon recommendation by two-thirds vote of the board of ordained ministry, after they have qualified as follows. They shall have: (1) served full-time under episcopal appointment for at least three full annual conference years following the completion of the educational requirements specified in 3(b) below. Years of service in any ministry setting requiring the regular proclamation of the word, the administration of the sacraments, and the short or long-term ordering of the life of the community of faith shall count toward the fulfillment of this requirement. Such ministry settings shall include campus ministry, college and university chaplaincy, hospital and prison chaplaincy, military chaplaincy, overseas/mission work and other ministries so recognized by Ordained Ministry Section of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Upon recommendation of the board of ordained ministry, an annual conference may equate less than full-time to the requirement of full-time service. Such equivalence is to be determined in light of the years of service involved, the quality of that service, the maturity of the applicant, and other relevant factors. Supervision is to be (a) personally assumed or delegated by the district superintendent, and (b) assumed by a mentor assigned by the board of ordained ministry. Their service shall be evaluated by the board of ordained ministry as effective according to written guidelines developed by the board and adopted by the clergy members in full connection.8 16 In rare cases, the board of ordained ministry may, by a two thirds vote, approve years of service in an autonomous Methodist church as meeting this requirement if adequate supervision has been provided; (2) been previously elected as probationary members; (3) met the following educational requirements: (a) graduation with a Bachelor of Arts or equivalent degree from a college or university listed by the University Senate, or demonstrated competency equivalence through a process designed in consultation with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; (b) graduation with a Master of Divinity degree from a school of theology listed by the University Senate, or its equivalent as determined by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; or (c) met the education requirements of ¶ 324.6 for local pastors; (d) educational requirements in every case shall include a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in each of the fields of United Methodist history, doctrine, and polity; provided that a candidate may meet the requirements by undertaking an independent study program provided and administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (see ¶1421.3.d); (4) satisfied the board regarding physical, mental, and emotional health; (5) prepared and preached at least one written sermon on a biblical passage specified by the board of ordained ministry; (6) presented a plan and outline for teaching a book or books of the Bible; (7) responded to a written or oral doctrinal examination administered by the board of ordained ministry. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly in both oral and written form. The candidate’s reflections and the board’s response should be informed by the insights and guidelines of Part II of the Discipline.

Rationale: Boards of Ordained Ministry have struggled over what constitutes appropriate full-time service for Probationary Elders seeking Ordination and Full Connection. This proposal clarifies that years of service in positions requiring the proclamation of the word, the administration of the sacraments, and the ordering of church life qualifies toward this requirement.

Submitted: October 26, 2007

Clarifying Language about the Unauthorized Conduct of Religious Services on Campus

Discipline Paragraph No. 341.4

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶341.4)

4) No pastor shall hold a religious service within the bounds of a pastoral charge other than the one to which appointed without the consent of the pastor in charge of the charge, or the district superintendent. No pastor shall hold a religious service within the bounds of a pastoral charge, or establish a ministry to a college or university campus served by the United Methodist Church without the consent of the pastor of the charge, or campus minister or chaplain serving the campus, or the district superintendent. If that pastor does not refrain from such conduct, he or she shall then be liable to the provisions of ¶ 362.1 and ¶ 2702.

Rationale: Some superintendents and pastors interpret ¶341.4 to mean that the pastor in charge of a congregation may grant that congregation permission to establish a ministry on campus without consulting the appointed campus minister or chaplain. This proposal clarifies the paragraph’s intent and makes its language consistent with language used elsewhere.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

District Superintendent Responsibility to Collect and Share Information about College Students

Discipline Paragraph No. 423

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶423.10

11. To collect the names and addresses of college students in the district to send to campus ministers of Wesley Foundations, United Methodist campus ministries and United Methodist chaplains of the schools where the students are attending.

Rationale: This proposal charges the District Superintendent with collecting information about college students from charge conference reports and ensuring that this information is supplied to appropriate campus ministers or chaplains. Per ¶232, the Superintendent may fulfill this responsibility in cooperation with the Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Annual Conferences Shall Have Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.1

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.1

1. There shall be in each annual conference a board of higher education and campus ministry or other structure to provide for these functions and maintain the connectional relationships. The number of members shall be determined by the annual conference, including representation from appropriate constituencies.

Rationale: This proposal eliminates the option to replace Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry with alternate structures. Experience has shown that alternate structures have not successfully fulfilled required board responsibilities over personnel, budget and policy matters. Furthermore, Conference Boards can relate directly to CCF&A and the annual conference.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Eliminating Option for Equivalent Structure to Conference Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.2

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.2

2. The annual conference board of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure shall provide for the connectional relationship between the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the conference, district, and local church and shall provide for a ministry in higher education related to the objectives and scope of work of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the Division of Higher Education. A person serving as a member of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry from that annual conference shall, by virtue of his or her office, be a member of the conference board of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure (see ¶¶ 609.6 and 710.5).

Rationale: This proposal eliminates the option to replace Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry with alternate structures. Experience has shown that alternate structures have not successfully fulfilled required board responsibilities over personnel, budget and policy matters. Furthermore, Conference Boards can relate directly to CCF&A and the annual conference.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Eliminating Option for Equivalent Structure to Conference Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.3

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.3

3. The annual conference chairperson of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure shall be a member of the annual conference council on ministries.

Rationale: This proposal eliminates the option to replace Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry with alternate structures. Experience has shown that alternate structures have not successfully fulfilled

required board responsibilities over personnel, budget and policy matters. Furthermore, Conference Boards can relate directly to CCF&A and the annual conference.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Eliminating Option for Equivalent Structure to Conference Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.4

4. The responsibilities of an annual conference board of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure include:

Rationale: This proposal eliminates the option to replace Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry with alternate structures. Experience has shown that alternate structures have not successfully fulfilled required board responsibilities over personnel, budget and policy matters. Furthermore, Conference Boards can relate directly to CCF&A and the annual conference.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Eliminating Option for Equivalent Structure to Conference Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.a) (10)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.4.a) (10)

(10) To provide that two or more annual conferences may, on recommendation of their boards of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structures, join in constituting an area or regional committee or commission on higher education and campus ministry, the membership, scope, and functions of which shall be determined by the cooperating conferences in consultation with their bishop or bishops. The area committee or commission shall include a majority of its members from the participating annual conference boards of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure with appropriate representation of college presidents, campus ministers, students and ethnic persons.

Rationale: This proposal eliminates the option to replace Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry with alternate structures. Experience has shown that alternate structures have not successfully fulfilled required board responsibilities over personnel, budget and policy matters. Furthermore, Conference Boards can relate directly to CCF&A and the annual conference.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Eliminating Option for Equivalent Structure to Conference Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.c)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.4.c)

c) Responsibilities with Schools, Colleges, and Universities – In addition to its general responsibilities, the annual conference board of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure shall carry out the following duties with regard to United Methodist schools, colleges, and universities:

Rationale: This proposal eliminates the option to replace Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry with alternate structures. Experience has shown that alternate structures have not successfully fulfilled

required board responsibilities over personnel, budget and policy matters. Furthermore, Conference Boards can relate directly to CCF&A and the annual conference.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Eliminating Option for Equivalent Structure to Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.4.d)

d) Responsibilities with Campus Ministries – In addition to the general responsibilities listed above, the annual conference board of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure shall have the following responsibilities with regard to campus ministry:

(1) To have available the names and addresses of all campus ministries supported by The United Methodist Church and to supply the names and addresses of campus ministries supported by the annual conference to all districts and churches.

(2) To ensure representation of the annual conference board or equivalent structure on the boards of directors of all campus ministries supported by the annual conference.

(3) To interpret systematically to the districts, subdistricts, and local churches the conference program of campus ministry as a ministry to the whole campus (students, faculty, staff, and administration), encouraging their support and urging United Methodist students of all ages to participate.

(4) To support the development of the United Methodist Student Movement (UMSM) within the annual conference, including the organization of a UMSM student council and the appointment of a UMSM adviser, and to encourage student participation in the UMSM and other related student Christian organizations, both nationally and globally.

(5) To hold the Wesley Foundation board of directors responsible for the direction and administration of the foundation in accordance with the policies and objectives of the annual conference board of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure and the standards of the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

(6) To ensure that the Wesley Foundation board of directors is related functionally and cooperatively to the United Methodist local church or churches in the immediate vicinity of the college or university and to the council on ministries or other organization of the district in which it is located.

(7) To determine whether or not Wesley Foundation boards of directors, when incorporated, may hold property and to ensure such property is held and administered according to the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church and the laws of the state in which the foundation is located.

(8) To determine the policies for nomination and election by the annual conference of Wesley Foundation boards of directors.

(9) To determine, in consultation with local boards of directors, the personnel needs of Wesley Foundations: to establish procedures for selection and termination of professional staff; and to consult with the bishop and cabinet when securing the appointment of ministerial staff members.

(10) To establish and review covenants and agreements for ecumenical campus ministry and to ensure that they are in harmony with the policies, standards, and goals of the Division of Higher Education and the annual conference board of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure.

(11) To oversee the management of the annual conference program of campus ministry in Wesley Foundations, local churches, and ecumenical campus ministries; to determine where new campus ministries are needed, and to plan for their establishment and financial support.

(12) To provide resources for local churches and districts with programs of ministry or to campuses and, where these programs receive financial support from or are designated as ministries on behalf of the annual conference, to ensure that the policies, standards, and goals of the conference board of higher education and campus ministry or equivalent structure are observed.

(13) To establish the procedures for the nomination and election of United Methodist college students as lay members to annual conference.

Rationale: This proposal eliminates the option to replace Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry with alternate structures. Experience has shown that alternate structures have not successfully fulfilled required board responsibilities over personnel, budget and policy matters. Furthermore, Conference Boards can relate directly to CCF&A and the annual conference.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

Personnel Needs of Wesley Foundations

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d) (9)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.4.d) (9) by addition and by division into two subparagraphs

(9) To determine, in consultation with local boards, the personnel needs of Wesley Foundations; to institute standards for professional staff in accordance with the policies, standards and goals of the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

(10) To to establish procedures for selection and termination of professional staff in Wesley Foundations; to determine a procedure for a national search; and to consult with the bishop and cabinet when securing the appointment of ministerial staff members.

Rationale: GBHEM has been working on establishing standards for professional campus ministry personnel. This proposal places the responsibility for implementing these standards with Conference BHECMs. It charges BHECMs to engage in national searches for campus ministry professional staff to ensure that those placed in these positions are truly qualified.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Encourage Election of College Students to General and Jurisdictional Conference

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d) (13)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶633.4.d) (13)

(13) To establish the procedures for the nomination and election of United Methodist college students as lay members to annual conference, and to encourage the election of United Methodist college students as lay delegates to the general and jurisdictional conferences.

Rationale: While there is concern about young adults being present at all levels of the church’s life, few systemic ways exist to identify and encourage college students to move into larger leadership roles. This proposal encourages BHECMs to be proactive in helping college students assume leadership at a denominational level.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry Responsibilities with Campus Ministry Boards

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d)

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶633.4.d) (1)

(2) To ensure that each Wesley Foundation or campus ministry shall have a Board of Directors or a local church committee which provides for planning and implementing a program of mission and ministry to the campus. It will also be the responsibility of the Board of Directors or local church committee:

(a) to establish a budget to present to the board of higher education and campus ministry, and to be responsible for the fund raising needs of the Wesley Foundation or campus ministry;

(b) to have a personnel committee to confer with and counsel the campus minister and staff, to evaluate for effective ministry, to develop and approve written job descriptions for all staff, to interview campus minister candidates and to recommend candidates for appointment or hiring to the board of higher education and campus ministry, the district superintendent and the bishop, to establish all personnel policies, to examine and recommend candidates for ordained or licensed ministry to the district committee on ordained ministry, faithfully adhering to the provisions of ¶ 311.2.b);

(c) when determined that a Wesley Foundation board may hold property, to review the adequacy of the property, liability, and crime insurance coverage, to establish policies on the use of property by outside organizations, to receive and administer all bequests made to the Wesley Foundation or campus ministry according to standards established by the board of higher education and campus ministry and the annual conference, and to provide for the upkeep of all properties;

(d) to be encouraged to establish a Wesley Foundation, or campus ministry, permanent endowment fund in accord with the policies established by the board of higher education and campus ministry and the annual conference;

(e) to have fiscal oversight of all income and expenditures of the campus ministry, to develop sound accounting practices, and to ensure proper record keeping and reporting according to the policies set by the board of higher education and campus ministry;

(f) to review and recommend covenants and agreements with ecumenical campus ministries and university organizational policies;

Rationale: The Discipline does not outline policies for Campus Ministry Boards of Directors. Few conference boards have developed policies. Local Boards are, therefore, vulnerable to problems of financial malfeasance, legal liabilities, and the authority to act. This proposal ensures that local boards will be provided minimal outlines of their responsibilities.

Submitted: October 23, 2007

BHECM Oversight of Wesley Foundation Management and Finances

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d)

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶633.4.d) (10)

(11) To oversee the management and financial support of the annual conference program of campus ministry in Wesley Foundations, local churches, and ecumenical campus ministries, in accordance with the policies, standards and goals of the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Rationale: The complex nature of the administration of campus ministry units, requires more oversight than ever, especially in areas of financial accountability. Annual conferences need to have policies in place that are consistent with standards used across the church. The implementation of such standards may help avoid serious management problems from occurring.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Planting New Campus Ministries after Extensive Study by BHECM

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d)

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶633.4.d) (10)

(11) To determine where new campus ministries are needed after the completion of extensive study by an appointed task force to assess the potential of campus ministry on a university or college campuses in accordance with the policies, standards and goals of the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Such study shall include but not be limited to: the unique missional opportunities and needs of the campus, student demographics of the university or college, number and size of other denominational campus ministries, student life plan of the university or college, long-range development plan of the campus, fiscal and facilities needs, support and cooperation of nearby United Methodist churches and district, and other items that may impact the campus ministry’s ability to fulfill the mission of the church on campus.

Rationale: Procedures for starting campus ministries have varied widely across the denomination, especially in relation to ministries based in local churches. This proposal will require Conference BHECMs to consider issues of need and long-term viability in making decisions about whether to establish new campus ministry units.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Policies and Procedures for Constructing New Campus Ministry Buildings

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d)

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶633.4.d) (10)

(11) To develop policies and procedures for the planning, financing and construction of any Wesley Foundation or campus ministry building, in consultation with the appropriate boards and agencies of the annual conference and in accordance with the policies, and standards of the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Rationale: In the absence of clear procedures for the construction and renovation of campus ministry buildings, campus ministries typically experience long delays and skyrocketing costs. This proposal seeks to alleviate this problem by requiring conference BHECMs to establish procedures with guidance from GBHEM and other appropriate agencies.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Discontinuation of Wesley Foundation or Campus Ministry

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d)

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶633.4.d) (10)

(11) Prior to the discontinuation of a Wesley Foundation or campus ministry the board of higher education and campus ministry shall conduct an assessment of its potential as outlined in ¶633.4.d) and ¶ 1413.3.c). Any recommendation to the annual conference for discontinuation shall include proposals for the future use of any property of the Wesley Foundation or campus ministry and for the disposition of any real, personal, tangible and intangible property. Proceeds from the sale of any Wesley Foundation or campus ministry property shall be reserved for other campus ministries needs in the annual conference.

Rationale: This proposal requires Conference BHECMs to conduct an assessment of a campus ministry’s viability before making a decision to discontinue. It directs Conference Boards to ensure that monies given for the purchase of campus ministry property continue to benefit the overall campus ministry program of the annual conference.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Permanent Endowment Fund for Campus Ministries

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d)

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶633.4.d) (10)

(11) To encourage the development of a permanent endowment fund for Wesley
Foundations and campus ministries; and to set polices and investment standards, in consultation with the conference foundation, for permanent endowment funds for Wesley Foundations and campus ministries.

Rationale: Unpredictable financial support means that campus ministry’s long-term health depends on the establishment of viable development plans. Endowment funds provide stability during unpredictable giving cycles. A part of any development plan is the creation of a permanent endowment fund. Policies for these funds should be set by the conference BHECM.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Collecting and Sharing Contact Information about College Students with Campus Ministries

Discipline Paragraph No. 633.4.d)

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶633.4.d) (3)

(11) To cooperate with the district superintendents in the gathering of names and addresses of college students from charge conferences in the districts to send to Wesley Foundations, United Methodist-related campus ministries, and United Methodist chaplaincies at the schools where the students are attending.

Rationale: This proposal takes a responsibility already given to the BHECM in ¶232 and puts it into its proper position in The Discipline. It provides a process by which the Conference BHECM can cooperate with District Superintendents in collecting and sharing information about college students with Campus Ministries.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Assisting Youth in Transition to College Life

Discipline Paragraph No. 648.3

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶648.3.f)

g) To cooperate with Wesley Foundations, United Methodist campus ministries and United Methodist related colleges and universities to assist annual conference youth in the transition to college life.

Rationale: Conference councils on youth ministry need to be engaged in helping college-bound youth transition to college life. Campus ministries provide a logical resource for CCYMs in accomplishing this task. This proposal also creates natural ties between youth ministry and campus ministry.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Promoting United Methodist Campus Ministries, Colleges and Universities to Youth

Discipline Paragraph No. 648.3

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶648.3.f)

g) To promote, introduce and encourage youth in the annual conference to become active in Wesley Foundations or United Methodist campus ministries when they attend a college or university and to become aware of opportunities to attend United Methodist related colleges and universities.

Rationale: Conference councils on youth ministry are poised to be influential in helping college-bound youth find information about campus ministries at the colleges they plan to attend. CCYMs can also help youth see United Methodist colleges and universities as viable options for their college careers.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Helping Graduating College Students Transition into Congregational Life

Discipline Paragraph No. 649.3.d)

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶649.3.d)

d) To cooperate with the boards and agencies of the annual conference, including Wesley Foundations, United Methodist related campus ministries and chaplaincies, in assisting graduating college students in the transition to congregational life, and receiving recommendations from and making recommendations to the same to provide for the needs of young adults in the United Methodist Church.

Rationale: This proposal enlists Wesley Foundations and other United Methodist related campus ministries in helping Conference Councils on Young Adult Ministry provide assistance to graduating college students as they transition from Campus Ministry into local church congregations.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Assisting Youth in Transition to College Life

Discipline Paragraph No. 669.3

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶669.3.g)

h) To cooperate with Wesley Foundations, United Methodist campus ministries and United Methodist related colleges and universities to assist district youth in the transition to college life.

Rationale: District councils on youth ministry need to be engaged in helping college-bound youth transition to college life. Campus ministries provide a logical resource for DCYMs in accomplishing this task. This proposal also creates natural ties between youth ministry and campus ministry.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Promoting United Methodist Campus Ministries, Colleges and Universities to Youth

Discipline Paragraph No. 669.3

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶669.3.g)

h) To promote, introduce and encourage youth in the district to become active in Wesley Foundations or United Methodist campus ministries when they attend a college or university and to become aware of opportunities to attend United Methodist related colleges and universities.

Rationale: District councils on youth ministry need to be engaged in helping college-bound youth transition to college life. Campus ministries provide a logical resource for DCYMs in accomplishing this task. This proposal also creates natural ties between youth ministry and campus ministry.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Young Adult Member from General Board of Higher Education and Ministry on Connectional Table

Discipline Paragraph No. 906.1

Financial Implications: None

Add new subparagraph after ¶906.1.(d)

(e) One young adult from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry shall serve on the Connectional Table.

Rationale: While The Discipline specifies that a young adult from the Division on Ministries With Young People shall be a member of the Connectional Table, it does not list a young adult from GBHEM. This proposal aids in achieving the 10% goal of youth and young adults listed in section (g).

Submitted: October 25, 2007

Oversight of Campus Ministries and Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry by the Division on Higher Education

Discipline Paragraph No. 1412.2

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶1412.2

2. The division shall, in regard to campus ministry, Wesley Foundations, and ecumenical campus ministry groups, provide a structure within the division in order to:

(a) Assist in the development of plans for the systematic evaluation of these units in cooperation with their regularly constituted boards of directors or trustees and with conference boards of higher education and campus ministry, and with area, or regional committees or commissions on Christian higher education and campus ministry or appropriate ecumenical agencies.

(b) Study the trends in programming and funding in campus ministry, review reports from the United Methodist Campus Ministers Association (UMCMA), conference agencies and local units, and interpret these findings to the constituency as appropriate and to The United Methodist Church.

(c) Affirm its commitment to an ecumenical approach to campus ministry; encourage local, campus, state, and regional, and global units of that ministry to work toward ecumenical programming and structures where appropriate to provide counsel and support to conference boards and agencies in reviewing, evaluating, and strengthening existing and proposed local and regional ecumenical covenants for campus ministry; and ensure that ecumenical covenants and procedures for these units are on file with annual conference boards of higher education and campus ministry.

(d) Develop standards and policies for the professional staff of Wesley Foundations, campus ministries and chaplaincies and provide educational and training opportunities for campus ministers and chaplains.

(e) Establish policies and guidelines for the work and responsibilities of oversight of the annual conference board of higher education and ministry programs of campus ministry in Wesley Foundations, local churches, and ecumenical campus ministries, and the work and responsibilities of local Wesley Foundations and campus ministry boards of directors.

(f) Establish procedures and guidelines for the establishment of a new Wesley Foundation or campus ministry unit and the planning and construction of Wesley Foundation or campus ministry buildings.

(g) Recognize and cooperate with agencies with whom relationships may serve to further the objectives of the division.

(h) Provide for representation and participation, as deemed necessary, with other national and international ecumenical campus ministry agencies and associations.

(i) Provide services to meet specific denominational needs.

(j) Relate college and university students of The United Methodist Church to the United Methodist Student Movement and such Methodist and ecumenical student organizations around the world as may be appropriate.

Rationale: These proposals are additions to responsibilities of the Division of Higher Education in order to meet the needs created by other proposals coming from the United Methodist Campus Ministers Association to clarify the responsibilities of the conference board of higher education and campus ministry.

Submitted: October 25, 2007

United Methodist Foundations Promote Planned Giving for Campus Ministries

Discipline Paragraph No. 2513.2

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶2513.2

2. The promotion of planned-giving programs on behalf of local churches, conference campus ministry units, conferences, and general Church boards and agencies;

Rationale: This proposal engages United Methodist Foundations in assisting Campus Ministry units to develop planned giving programs adequate to providing ongoing and stable financial support for their work.

Submitted: October 26, 2007

United Methodist Support Campus Ministries with Management of Permanent Funds

Discipline Paragraph No. 2513.3

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶2513.3

3. Furnishing counsel and guidance to local churches and conference campus ministry units with regard to promotion and management of permanent funds, and

Rationale: This proposal engages United Methodist Foundations in assisting Campus Ministry units to design, promote and manage permanent endowment funds adequate to providing ongoing and stable financial support for their work.

Submitted: October 26, 2007

Sale, Transfer, Lease, Mortgage or Purchase of Campus Ministry Property

Discipline Paragraph No. 2515

Financial Implications: None

Amend ¶2515

¶2515. Sale, Transfer, Lease, Mortgage, or Purchase of Annual Conference Property—No annual conference property shall be sold, transferred, or leased for a term that exceeds twenty years, or mortgaged or purchased without the consent of the annual conference or, ad interim, (a) the consent of the presiding bishop and of a majority of the district superintendents, and, in case of discontinued or abandoned local church property or property to be purchased, the consent of a majority of the district board of church location and building (see ¶ 2548), and, in case of a discontinued Wesley Foundation or campus ministry property, the consent of the majority of the conference board of higher education and campus ministry, and the consent of the annual conference (see ¶ 633.4.d)); and (b) the bishop’s determination that such transfer or encumbrance conforms to the Discipline. The bishop’s written statement evidencing the satisfaction of this condition shall be affixed to or included in any instrument of transfer or encumbrance. Any required written instrument necessary to carry out the action so authorized shall be executed in the name of the conference corporation by any two of its officers, or, where the conference is unincorporated, by any two officers of its board of trustees, and any written instrument so executed shall be binding and effective as the action of the conference.

Rationale: This proposal will guide the annual conference in understanding and accommodating new responsibilities being assigned to the conference board of higher education and campus ministry in the proposals for changes to ¶ 633 being submitted separately by the United Methodist Campus Ministry Association.

Submitted: October 26, 2007