Video on Intentional Communities

Mar 30, 2011 by Ryan Hayes

I came across this video through the Heart of Campus site and thought it was interesting.  I feel as though it lacks emphasis on intentionality with the gospel in these communities but it is good to remind us that with every event, gathering, bible study, cup of coffee, that we should be intentional with the vision and mission of our ministry. 

Hopefully it has something to do with impacting college students...and the world at that...with the good news of Jesus Christ and transforming lives into the new creations that the gospel brings.

Intentional Communities from Campus House on Vimeo.


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Desperate for Prayer in Egypt (Tuesday Morning Missions)

Mar 29, 2011 by Ryan Hayes

The Southern Baptist Texan Newsletter put out monthly by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention recently reported on the political turmoil among the continent of Africa.  One of the excerpts from the article focused on the nation of Egypt.  It reads:

Article original featured in March 17th publication of the Texan written by Riley Reynolds of the Baptist Press

An Egyptian Christian monitoring the situation said it is difficult to know what's really going on in his country.

"The protest started as [a] real people's revolution - it was the farmers, the poor workers, the true Egyptians asking for change, because they cannot take it any longer," he said.

Now it is as if  "evil was unleashed on Egypt," he continued, with freed prisoners and thugs - believed by some to be from the secret police - taking to the streets to kill, steal and destroy.

"The church is confused in Egypt - not sure how to pray," he said. "...We don't know if change is going to be good or worse.  [We] need wisdom and revelation to move at this opportune time in strategic prayers led by the Holy Spirit."

The Egyptian man asked for prayer for peace and security to return to the streets of Egypt and for wisdom for Christians to speak truth to churches and to the nation.

Please remember the nation of Egypt in your prayers specifically asking God to move in a mighty way across the nation and for boldness and courage for the Christians living there to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Where Do You Want Your Students When They Finish Your Ministry?

Mar 28, 2011 by Ryan Hayes

Any time I go and meet a new college minister with Lance, one question that he is sure to ask the minister is "What is your vision for an incoming freshman?  Where do you want him/her to be when they finish your ministry in four or so years?"  I believe this question is crucial to college ministers because it gives them a vision for each student that steps foot in their ministry. 

I just finished reading Aubrey Malphurs Being Leaders and he addresses why it is important for leaders to give visions to their followers.  He labels this as a personal ministry vision and gives 6 characteristics of a healthy vision:

1.  As one's vision takes shape, it should be clear.  One's vision will not always start off clear but over time it will become clearer to the leader.

2.  A personal vision is challenging. College students love being challenged and Malphurs would argue, need challenge "to come out of the stands and off the sidelines to get involved in God's ministry."  So should your personal ministry mission be.

3.  A personal vision paints a picture of a person's future life and ministry.  This let's you see what you want your future to be as far as spiritual growth and improvement.  In essence, it gives you a measuring stick to gauge your ministry's growth over a period of time.

4.  Your follower's vision has to do with his or her future life and ministry.  It also gives your followers an idea of what you expect from them in the ministry and hopefully brings them to a place where the cast personal visions of their own that extend past college.

5.  A vision by nature is all about what one's life and ministry can be.  It helps people realize their potential in the ministry.  I know when I was in college I felt as though I just existed in my ministry but didn't really think I needed to do anything else but exist.  A personal vision gives the student an idea of their own potential and hopefully helps them realize who God has made them to be.

6.  Vision is about what must be.  As Malphurs points out "personal vision has a way of fueling passion in people's hearts. And not only does an impassioned follower accomplish much for the ministry, he or she attracts others to service for the Savior."  Vision gives the leader something to evaluate his ministry with and in turn evaluate himself and how well he is casting his personal ministry vision.

I would encourage you to read Being Leaders if you haven't already as this book is very helpful to college ministers who are wondering how to biblically lead a ministry and needs practical assessments to help them put the concepts they learn into practice.  And if you can't read the book, work on establishing a vision for your college students that has these characteristics.

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Preparing for the End of the Semester

Mar 25, 2011 by Ryan Hayes

Benson Hines has a great thought for finishing the semester strongly that he shares in his blog Exploring College Ministry. 

The idea is presented in his statement below:

"What if instead of winding down over the next six weeks, you went for broke? What if you worked extra hard and did something BIG during these excellent, beautiful spring weeks, when everybody else – all those campus organizations, all those other ministries, all those students – are somewhat coasting or distracted? What if you worked like your hair was on fire, until at last, bleeding and breathless, you collapsed into the glorious Summer Break? What if?"

 The hair on fire analogy is inspired/borrowed from Seth Godin, as referenced in Benson's post, and just means doing something with extreme focus and intentionality.  To read Benson's article CLICK HERE.

These closing weeks of the school year present college students with alot of stress and studying as they wind down the semester.  Some ministries may not want to do anything during this time because college students (and ministries) are preparing for the end of the semester.  I would encourage you to not neglect this time of the school year in reaching out to students and really finishing off the school year strong.

Benson closes the article with a very poignant question, "What’s stopping you from doing something rather creative, rather impactful between now and Graduation?"

I would guess his answer to this question would be, Nothing.

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Desiring God Roundtable Discussions online

Mar 24, 2011 by Ryan Hayes

As I was perusing the blog nation I came across Desiring God's blog site and saw that they were holding a roundtable discussion on the book Desiring God by John Piper with Mr. Piper leading the discussion. 

They are also offering their book for $5 through the following link:
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/read-through-desiring-god-with-john-piper

If you haven't read his book yet I would encourage you to do so.  Below is a video from Piper talking about what exactly will be discussed at this roundtable discussion with people from Bethlehem College and Seminary.


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