It can be a rough time for evangelism on campus. Books such as unChristian tell us most young people view Christians–especially those who evangelize–as intolerant folks who cram religion down others’ throats. According to a recent Ivy Jungle Survey, one aspect of college ministries that has declined in the last decade is evangelism.
Dorms have become looser about who sleeps where, but tighter about where campus ministers can go. The rules keep changing about who can share what, where and how on campus. Many would say this is also an exciting time for watching God work on campuses.
Here are four ways evangelism is changing on campus.
1) A Journey, Not a Sale
Too often the gospel seems more like a sales pitch than good news. In his book, Reimagining Evangelism, Rick Richardson shifts the image of evangelism from trying to “close the deal” to becoming a guide, helping others along their own spiritual journeys. We aren’t in the fire insurance business, but we are about helping people find the intersections between their journey and God’s Kingdom.
2) Lived and Believed
One campus minister says the biggest shift in campus ministry has been moving from evangelism as something people “ought” to do, to something they truly “want” to do. To make the shift, students need to experience the gospel daily. It’s not about a decision made overnight, but love and grace lived every day. When that happens, students begin to view sharing Christ differently.
The same is true in the lives of campus ministers. I was recently with a campus worker who came to faith in college. When I asked her what made the difference so she could accept Christ, she said the campus minster shared about Christ in his life; he lived out what it meant to know Jesus.
3) Connecting with the Big Story
Recent evangelistic tools reflect a move toward connecting people with the big themes of Scripture. These themes fit a more relational approach, inviting a greater sense of dialogue and questioning, something previous tools intentionally avoided.
James Choueng, author of True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In, uses four circles to tell the “big story” of creation, fall, redemption and mission. Rather than starting with personal sin, he begins with the idea of the fall’s impact on all of creation. This resonates with students who agree things are not the way they should be.
Campus Crusade, one famous for “The Four Spiritual Laws,” is using a new tool called Solarium. It encourages seekers to tell their own stories, which they then can connect to the bigger story of God’s work.
4) Tap into the Heart of the Generation
The vast majority of students arrive on campus saying they want to grow spiritually, but few take active steps. Theirs is a broken generation, longing for acceptance and healing. A great opportunity exists to tap into the heart of the “justice generation.”
InterVarsity has seen the best four years ever in student conversions, partly because of the interest in social justice. They have seen great success in large evangelistic events that partner with other groups that engage students in matters already on their hearts.
