Back To School 'Blog-A-Thon'

With the new school year just around the corner I thought it might be a good time to come together for some collective thinking and sharing about the work we do in the form of a 'blog-a-thon' (sorry, I'm no good with coming up with creative names...). 

Over the course of 3 days [Aug. 3-5] we'll have the chance to hear from a number of professionals in the college and campus ministry world - and others who have particular interest and/or insight into our work with college students - in the form blog posts and the dialog that ensues.

More information about specific 'back to school' themes and contributors to come... but wanted to get this in front of you so you could begin to make plans to 'attend' and engage in what will hopefully be the first, of many, 'blog-a-thons' to come (and if you have any ideas for a more creative name... please feel free to pass that along!).


Please help to spread the word about this event... I'm a firm believer in the fact that we've all got something to learn AND contribute... which is what I really like about a 'blog-a-thon' format.


I'm also working on a new website that should be set in time to host this event... so stay tuned for more details regarding that as well!


Grace and peace to you as you head into the holiday weekend!

Not Just Adding to the Noise

In my post yesterday I talked about some of the hurdles I've seen in forging partnerships in college ministry.  It's no easy task... but with such a clear common end-goal in mind it sure seems that we should make every attempt to work [better] with one another.

With that in mind, I've got a few ideas (or upcoming events) that I want to make you aware of (if you're not already), with the hopes that it might encourage you to participate in these great conversations/events and/or spark some creative thinking in you that will result in some new, creative initiatives that will help to:

1. further equip campus and college ministers,
2. challenge us all to think outside of our contextual or denominational box/es, and ultimately
3. help to reach our students for Christ 

So here are some things coming up that I think are worth mentioning:

Leaders Are [Lifetime] Learners

I've been thinking a lot about my ongoing professional development the past few weeks.  It's also important for me to mention that a part of this post was inspired by the simple question posed last Friday on the Heart of Campus Ministry blog: Leaders are Readers - What's the best book you've read that applies to campus ministry?  There have been some good books recommended there.


I'm the kind of guy who's always looking for ways to better myself, to sharpen my mind and better prepare my heart for the life and work that God has called me to... I love to learn and believe that ALL leaders should be life-long learners.


It's been almost 4.5 years since I graduated from George Fox Evangelical Seminary with a DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation - an incredible program for what we do in college ministry!  While the years I was pursuing this degree - and working on my dissertation - were incredibly full - challenging - years, they were also very rich and fruitful years.

creating space

although i've only been blogging since mid-march of this year... i've really taken to it.

it's almost become a spiritual discipline of sorts.

i find it a great space for me to reflect on what's happening in my life and what i think i see God doing in my midst...

although i have a personal blog i was challenged yesterday to consider a new venue...

one that would explore (hopefully with others) campus ministry and the lives of those who are called into this unique field.

the catalyst?

a great coffee conversation with Benson Hines - a HUGE advocate for campus ministry - and i was convinced that i needed to join with him in seeing the field that we are both so committed to, and passionate about, continue to further in its development.

neither one of us are quite sure what we have to offer... but we're both willing to do whatever we can...

in 12 years i've served on 4 different campuses, representing 3 different denominations, and have had the pleasure of working with a host of great people while seeing ministry done in a number of different ways.

i hope this blog will be more than just a space for me to reflect on what i've learned and am learning...

i hope it will become a space that campus ministers around the globe will choose to visit, find encouragement from, share their wisdom through, and grow in our interconnectedness to one another as we serve the mission of Christ in the unique environment that is the university campus.

may this space be a place where God speaks to and through all who might choose to visit!

thanks in advance to all who will add to this space and the work of God all around the world.