11. Campus Council Members

12/1, 3p
Conference Room
Dawn led, Randy helped, Amy took notes

DB - male, FCA adviser/LCM member/LCM council
JP - male, long term council member
CE - male, construction management, chair/ adult member of LCM
DS - male, LCM Council/Econ Prof/LC Prof

DS - at MSU for 20 years - met Fred at the Ohio State. Been on the board for one year, worship here occasionally. Teaches economics.

CE -Professor at MSU used to be a member of a church in N Mankato. I became a member of Crossroads because it made sense to be a part of the community - been a member for a long time. I run the construction management program.

JP - Used to be the admissions director, Fred showed up and asked me to do stuff. Retired 8 years ago and after that I set up Lutheran college nights around the country, for a couple years. Then did LB for 4 years part time in the branch system as a coach/teacher cheerleader for branch volunteers, and now I'm really retired. I've been on the board and will finish next month

DB - MSU baseball coach, have doctorate in bowling. :) Involved in the hiring process when we hired Fred. They kicked me off [the board] last year. I'm the advisor for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) on campus - started at Minot state - I enjoy it more than even coaching. We have about 15 that come every time.

FF: This ministry and FCA - how does that work?

DB - There are different ways to reach people. FCA is a way to talk about how athletics and faith come together.

FF: What does the board do?

DB - Whatever Fred wants us to do.

DS - Longer term planning, budget

JP- Development - like when we built because the national church wouldn't give us any money. That was no problem we just went out and did it.

DS - We're trying to improve visibility on campus. Services, outreach, etc.

JP- Staffing is a critical issue. We want to add another professional, but there's minimal support form the national church. Like adding another ordained person - Fred has more energy than 9 out of 10 people but it's wearing him out. This is the biggest mission field in the country and

FF: Impact on the community?

JP- The pastor is pretty important. Fred has been a yeoman to that - he's built a tremendous following of people. It's taken a toll on him but it's been great for the ministry. There's not enough of him to go around.

CE - The church is the building but it's really the community of believers. But he tries to make it about serving the community, the campus. The building is open for other things, he avails the university of it so they can use it. He works with the Salvation Army for meals, an annual clean up on Warren Street to beautify the community. Fred is really driven to make people see that we're part of the community - it's about community service. You really engage in that as part of your Christian life. That's why it's important for me to be here. It's important that students know me and know that I'm a member here - that the university is not separate from the rest of my life. Fred has done a lot to make that dynamic happen - he finds ways to get students involved in other things in the community.

DB - Plus they do outreach stuff like lock-ins for middle school kids to give back to the churches that support us.

CE - And the music is done by students, too.

DS - When students come they are looking for a place to belong, for a place to contribute to something beyond themselves, plus as faculty we question a lot of their beliefs and that spills over into their faith. So, they have a lot of questions and this is a place where they can bring them - that's a great ministry.

JP- Fred also is important in helping people discern their vocation - so we've sent a lot of kids to seminary. Plus he has a lot of energy - on a U campus you're in a place of energy and if you don't match that you've lost the game already.

DB - Fred is just dynamic. You know he absolutely loves what he's doing. You get the message that your job in this life is to use your abilities to serve others.

JP- He's also one of the most brilliant and intelligent people I know.

CE - I think students are drawn to him because he has a way of putting himself in their shoes. He has that youthful energy and mindset. You don't age as fast working on a college campus maybe… but he's with the times, his sermons are about current times. He brings scripture up to date. I've learned more about the Christian faith and the bible from him than any other place. He'll tell a story about what were they doing at the time - its like a history lesson. He draws you into this whole thing - it's perfect for a university community.

DB - He's got a gift - it's like he's talking to you and sharing, like there's no one else in the room.

FF: Genius?

CE - It's us!

JP- It comes down to charisma, leadership - based on knowing the rest of the campus pastors in the system. Fred is a shining star. If you don't get them in you can't do anything with them. And Fred goes to where they are - like Jesus did. That's the failure of the church nowadays - people are in the heart now and the Lutheran church is in the head. We're missing people because of that.

DB - Like the LCMS church here in town.

JP- The pastor is breaking all the rules - and young people are coming

DB - The reason is because of leadership and energy

JP- It's a heart service at the LCMS church

CE - Fred goes out to where the people are. He was frustrated when they were forced out of the residential areas because of a change of administration

JP- We got a non-sectarian vice president and cooperation was taken away - before that it was welcomed.

CE - So Fred has had to work through that, it didn't stop him. He still finds ways to get out and meet people and be where they're at. That's why he opens this building to so many other groups.

DB - Plus a couple times a week we eat in the dining hall and kids know it. When he first came here he was the weight room supervisor - a great chance to meet kids. He went along with us to a tournament one spring and I asked him to have an Easter service and he created one that was really meaningful.

JP- When the word is "no" then you have to find another way to do it.

DB - And you have to do that because there are a lot of no's around here. Fred does that.

DS - Having this building right here is a huge asset. Students wouldn't walk here if it were two blocks farther away. This is more than just a Sunday place. People cross the street everyday and that breaks down the barriers.

JP- The whole problem is finding students. We can't use campus mail to send out religious preference cards. State universities are the biggest Lutheran colleges in the state in terms of numbers and vocation - but we can't get at them.

DB - Pastors don't send the info about which of their kids are coming to our school - because they don't care about young adults after confirmation. If kids were involved meaningfully after confirmation then they would be looking for a place to belong once they get to college.

JP- I think the national church needs to get on board - this is where the mission field is and congregations aren't.

DS - the pastor has to be seen on campus in non-pastoral situations. Kids see him as a teacher, not as a pastor, so they think of him as a real person first. Fred has been good about breaking down those barriers as a teacher and advisor.

FF: How does he come across to students in a normal clergy relationship?

JP- There's an openness in his personality…

DB - I think Fred is Fred. He's a caring warm person and that's what people are attracted to. He is the same both places.

DS - And since his learning community is about values he can talk about his faith on campus.

JP- Since he teaches he also opens the door for people getting involved here - which might not be good according to the rules of campus ministry.

DB - But it's a great asset for the ministry.

CE - Fred does a lot of things - challenging people to figure out what their real priorities are.

DS - Lots of times people think they can take four years off of church during college. And that's a time when their habits for life are formed and if campus ministry isn't there to shape them then they don't get it.

Observations:

• This group had fun with us and with each other
• They've all had long behind-the-scenes relationships with Fred - not necessarily as a part of up-front worship leadership.
• Each attested to how Fred "got out" to meet students - lunch in the dining hall, as the weight room supervisor, chaperoning the baseball team, etc. He's creative in the midst of a restrictive university environment.
• Fred has sought out connections and relationships with people outside campus ministries
• Building is a huge asset - great location for students to visit everyday

Quotables:

• DS - "When students come [to the university] they are looking for a place to belong, for a place to contribute to something beyond themselves, plus as faculty we question a lot of their beliefs and that spills over into their faith. So, they have a lot of questions and this is a place where they can bring them - that's a great ministry."
• DB - "Fred is dynamic. You know he absolutely loves what he is doing."
• CE - "Fred is driven to make people see that we're part of the community - it's about community service. You really engage in that as part of your Christian life."
• CE - "…students are drawn to him because he has a way of putting himself in their shoes."
• JP - "If you don't get them in, you can't do anything with them. And Fred goes to where they are - like Jesus did."
• JP - "I think the national church needs to get on board - this is where the mission fields are and churches aren't"
• DB - "I think Fred is Fred. He's a caring, warm person and that's what people are attracted to. He is the same both places [classroom and Crossroads]." INTEGRITY, CONGRUENCY.