Evangelism to a postmodern mind-set beckons the question, “What does that look like today?” “I Once Was Lost” by Don Everts and Doug Schaupp provides five thresholds that they have discovered that postmodern embrace through their journey to becoming a Christian. These thresholds are important for us, as collegiate leaders, to recognize so that we can begin to understand where an individual is on their faith journey and hopefully better help guide that individual. However, I do not believe that we can categorize each student into one of these thresholds because most of them are probably somewhere in between and we have to recognize the individuality of each student’s faith journey.
What are some practical ways to apply these thresholds to collegiate ministry?
The book has helped me, personally, to wrestle with how is our ministry reaching the various students at the different thresholds. The one aspect that stood out most was the seeker friendly threshold. I know I have not encountered many ministries that offer something of this nature. I would like to try and learn more on such events. I would like to try the event, “Coffee & Conversation” (this idea was brought up and discuss in class) with any ministry for the whole campus. This event would invite students to come and have a conversation about their own faith and beliefs as well as to ask questions. This could be done in dorm areas, in an on-campus room, etc.
Another event that might be seeker-friendly is having informational times that discusses some basic theology, historical background of the Bible, and addresses the tough questions that collegians are engage in today.
I find it interesting that Everts and Schaupp bring us, collegiate ministers, back to the foundational block of building trust. So, how are we going to build trust specifically in our ministry for laying a solid foundation for students? I know the answer to this question depends on the campus and its own culture, but I think we could begin to build trust by going to where the students are first. For example, attending sporting events or student organization meetings consistently learning and engaging with the students in their current lifestyle by getting to know them personally. Also, we could find ways to serve those students in their current interest to display that we love them as a whole person. Being consistent in their lives through the good and bad will make a mark in their view of us and hopefully Christianity. Another way to build trust is being available. In this hurried life, few students encounter individuals willing to take time and truly in invest in them and care for them.
