resolution

Collegiate Ministry as a Priority of the Church

2016 Book of Resolutions, #2004

Whereas, collegiate ministry is a term that fully includes cam- pus ministries (Wesley Foundations and the like), college/university chaplains, ecumenical ministries, and church-based ministry with college students; and

Whereas, collegiate ministry is the missional expression of The UMC on the college and university campuses of the world; and Whereas, these campuses, many of them cities unto them- selves, require their own unique faith communities; and

Whereas, those communities require called, gifted, trained, equipped, and supported collegiate ministers, who order the life of these unique ministries; and

Whereas, collegiate ministries actively offer the good news of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to belong to an authentic Christian community on every university and college campus; and

Whereas, collegiate ministries provide substantive opportunities for students to become growing, serving, learning, and leading disciples of Jesus Christ in the United Methodist tradition; and

Whereas, collegiate ministries are communities that are intentionally and radically open, welcoming, and inclusive to all people, seeking to be communities that authentically reflect the diversity and unity of the kingdom of God; and

Whereas, collegiate ministries help all students hear God’s call to serve and lead in the church and world, including both lay vocations and ordained ministry in the Church; and

Whereas, collegiate ministries are incubators for new and effective ways for doing ministry as United Methodists, particularly with young adults; and

Whereas, collegiate ministries embody hope for the future of The United Methodist Church, as we raise up a new generation of disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world;

Therefore, be it resolved, that every annual conference shall make collegiate ministry a priority; the bishops and appointive cabinets take seriously the recruitment, appointment, and certification of missionally minded, called, gifted, trained, equipped, and sup- ported collegiate ministers; and conferences develop necessary funding to ensure the effectiveness of these ministries;

And be it further resolved, that every annual conference have a fully functioning Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry (¶ 634) that shall fulfill its role in supporting, funding, and evaluating the effectiveness of each collegiate ministry.

ADOPTED 2016

See Social Principles, ¶¶ 161 and 162.

To purchase the Book of Resolutions, click here.