Campus Church Network--MUST READ

Last night John Lamb (JL) came over frothing with excitement. He had just returned from a meeting in LA with Jason Ma, the founder of Campus Church Networks (CCN). All the talk and discussions of "launching movements everywhere so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus" is being lived out by CCN. You can read the history of how the thing got started in the next posting or you can poke around their site...from which this information was taken... at www.campuschurch.net. This could have been written by Bill Bright. It is the direction of campus ministry ("movements everywhere") So start the conversation and help lead the revolution.

The Gospel Challenge
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

"THE 13/30 WINDOW"
Missiologoists have coined the term "the 10/40 Window," defining the geographical region 10 degrees to 40 degrees north of the Equator, an area of the globe considered by many to be the most unreached and unevangelized region of the world. But what is more crucial for us to consider is not "the 10/40 Window" but "the 13/30 Window." This defines the age group of people between 13 to 30 years old, which is really the greatest harvest field in the world today. First of all, this age group is most open to the gospel. Secondly, it is the most important group because they are the future of the Church and the world. As such, when you reach the youth (who are located on campuses), you affect the future of Christianity and the whole world. Just look at the facts according to the UN Population Division and the Population Reference Bureau (2000):

--60 percent of the whole world are aged 24 and under.
--30 percent (or 1.7 billion) are aged between 10 to 24 years old. This age group is the greatest harvest field because they are the most likely to become followers of Christ.

Surveys say, 90% of all people become Christians before the age of 25. (Barna Research) But who is going to reach them? "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38

The Calling

First you have to seriously pray and ask God if you are called to start Campus Churches. Your calling has nothing to do with your ability, but everything to do with your availability. Starting a church on campus means you are willing to lay down your life for your campus and commit to ministering to the students of that campus long term if this is what God is calling you to. It means taking up your cross and pouring out your life as an offering for your generation. It means after graduating you are willing to do whatever it takes to continue to live near the campus you are called to in order to continue God's work on that campus.

This is the challenge. God is raising up a nameless and faceless generation of wholehearted lovers who are willing to pay the price in order to see their generation saved. It is not about what you can do, but what Jesus Christ can do through you. Prayerfully consider if God is calling you to help start a campus church planting movement on your campus. Two ways to take the call:

1. Become a full-time CCN church planter by raising support
2. Become a student church planter on your campus

The Responsibility

With great calling comes great responsibility. Therefore, all campus church planters or student-leaders must have certain leadership qualities and characteristics to oversee a campus church. In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 the Bible clearly describes what kind of qualities and responsibilities a spiritual leader must have and continue to grow in to lead God's people. These godly attributes include godly character, maturity and faithfulness to God's leadership standards. As we read these two chapters we have a clear picture of what a campus church leader is to be and not to be.

The following list describes different characteristics a campus church planter or student-leader is to have and be developing in? A Campus Church Planter needs to be growing into a person of F.A.I.T.H. ---

Faithful: responsible, reliable, keeps promises and commitments, has a good attitude in serving and exhibits the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:21, Galatians 5).

Available: it isn't about your ability, but your availability, a person who is willing and available to do God's will no matter what the cost. Has a servants heart like Christ this person says, "not my will but God's will be done." (Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 26:39)

Integrity: holiness inside and out, transparent and not living in deceit or hidden sin, trustworthy, held accountable to others and is responsible with his/her finances, relationships and personal holiness. (Psalm 41:12, Titus 1)

Teachable: a disciple, one who is constantly learning, in studying the Word, in prayer, in receiving constructive criticism and is open to new ideas. (Matthew 28:18, Prov 1:7)

Holy Spirit Filled: a spirit-filled believer, full of the Holy Spirit and power. For it is not by strength, not by might, but by His Spirit. (Zechariah 4:6, Acts 1:8, 6)

The Strategy

At Campus Church Networks we desire to coach and help you become a great church planter on the campus the Lord has called you to. If you desire to become a Campus Church Network full-time church planter on a particular campus you can download the following online application to start the process. Once you have filled out the application and sent in your references our Campus Church Networks staff will prayerfully look over your application and contact you with our decision and advice for next steps. If you are a student and desire to simply start a church planting movement on your campus with yourself or with your existing campus ministry and would like advice and coaching we at CCN are more than available to help you in the process & develop a networking relationship. Please email us at coach@campuschurch.net. Continue on to "How to Start a Campus Church Network" to learn about starting a Campus Church for full-time & student church planters who have been approved, coached, and equipped to start a new campus church movement.