This sentence is interesting: “ Simply having Christian universities continue to operate as subcultural identity supports will not work with the current generation of students.”
40 years ago I wrote an article in our denominational magazine, the Covenant Companion, arguing that North Park University (then college) needed to think of its mission as serving the church. Today I think it is more accurate to see it as a ministry of the church to students. I think that is more in line with your comment.
Mission outpost doesn’t resonate with our church tradition, I think. But much of what you are describing does.
At north Park since the 1990’s there has been a very strong sense of and widespread understanding if the mission. I have been gone for several years now so can’t speak to the present, but I used to say you could stop any student on the sidewalk and ask them what the mission of the school was and they could tell you. “To prepare students for lives of significance and service.” And once could add as a thoughtful and observant person as the student described at the end of your chapter.
This sentence is interesting: “ Simply having Christian universities continue to operate as subcultural identity supports will not work with the current generation of students.”
40 years ago I wrote an article in our denominational magazine, the Covenant Companion, arguing that North Park University (then college) needed to think of its mission as serving the church. Today I think it is more accurate to see it as a ministry of the church to students. I think that is more in line with your comment.
Here’s how I deal with it in the book: https://open.substack.com/pub/johnhawthorne/p/the-christian-university-as-mission?r=bw74p&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I don’t really know John.
Yes, saw that a while ago.
Mission outpost doesn’t resonate with our church tradition, I think. But much of what you are describing does.
At north Park since the 1990’s there has been a very strong sense of and widespread understanding if the mission. I have been gone for several years now so can’t speak to the present, but I used to say you could stop any student on the sidewalk and ask them what the mission of the school was and they could tell you. “To prepare students for lives of significance and service.” And once could add as a thoughtful and observant person as the student described at the end of your chapter.
Great read!
Especially good newsletter, John.
Dick Etulain
At least one historian in my camp! Thanks, Dick!