The Crossroads Lutheran Campus Ministry
Minnesota State University
Mankato, MN

30 Nov - 2 Dec, 2001

Interview Team:
Amy Frauenholtz
Dawn Trautman
Randy Brandt

Table of Contents:

1. Events
2. Context: Mankato, Minnesota; Minnesota State University
3. Congregational Information
4. Life Together - Preliminary Research Summary
5. Campus Personnel Focus Group (2)
6. New Students Focus Group
7. Team Processing 1
8. Interview with Fred Fritz
9. Experienced Students (Old Hands) Focus Group
10. Lutheran Campus Ministry couples, plus a single student
11. Campus Council Members
12. Team Processing 2
13. More First Year Students
14. Alumni and Current Students - Mixed Focus Group
15. Informal Time with Fred Fritz
16. Worship Observations
17. Physical Location and Description
18. Team Processing 3

1. Events

We arrived in Mankato about 3 pm in the afternoon Friday, November 30 and began our interviews almost immediately. We spent that afternoon in the worship/multipurpose room. The next day we interviewed in the board room/kitchenette all day. All interviews were focus groups, except our time with Fred Fritz. Our interviews and schedule of were as follows:

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

2. Context: Mankato, Minnesota; Minnesota State University

Mankato is located in south central Minnesota, a cultural and commerce center surrounded by smaller farming towns and bedroom communities. The Division for Outreach performed a Precepts study on behalf of LCMC in 1994. The study revealed that 44% (22,000 persons) of the Mankato area's population falls in the 15-29 age range - 250% of the national average.

Minnesota State University at Mankato (MSU) is a midsize, public university that sits on a hill overlooking the town. The students and faculty we spoke with described it as a commuter campus, i.e. most students grew up within driving distance and go home to work or see family every weekend, weather permitting. Students are only required to live in the residence halls for their first year, therefore the majority of the student body lives off campus. First year students have the opportunity to be part of a learning community, which is a dorm floor that takes classes together to develop values, friendships, and capacity for thriving in a college environment.

Lutheran Campus Ministry at the Crossroads (LCMC) is located directly across from the performing arts center at MSU. Most of the other campus ministry buildings are within a few blocks radius, including LC/MS, WELS, Newman Center. Parachurch groups (Campus Crusade, Intervarsity, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, etc.) and smaller ministries operate in the school's student center. The varied ministries celebrate an unusually friendly relationship with one another. The ministers support each other, try not to schedule events on top of one another, and in several cases, actively encourage students to attend more than one group. Several students spoke of attending both FCA or CC and Crossroads as a part of their regular week. Together they form a strong web of campus ministries that all strengthen each other, in which LCMC is an integral thread.

3. Congregational Information

Lutheran Campus Ministry at the Crossroads is constituted as a Campus Ministry Extension Congregation. In this model, the campus ministry acts as a preaching point of a local congregation and thus can offer membership and the sacraments in good order. LCMC maintains its own membership roster which is hosted at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN.

Worship is offered Sunday morning and evening throughout the school year, and Sunday evenings during the summer. Average attendance while school was in session was 35-45 at both services combined - the morning service is consistently the larger group. In the summer and over breaks, the attendance average is between 20-24 people. Bible Studies, offered twice a week, are another contact point for students who go home on weekends.

The Campus Council provides oversight for LCM. Council members are selected both upon ministry needs and appropriate congregational representation. The campus council meets once a month during the academic year. Terms are three years with the option to serve two consecutive terms. Council members serve on task oriented committees rather than standing committees with regular meetings.

On paper, LCMC also has a student council that takes responsibility for ministry. Students lead task groups for service, outreach, education and worship. The transitional nature of the community has hit LCMC hard over the last year. A significant number of student leaders graduated and no one else has stepped in to those roles. As a result, the student council is not functioning currently.

4. Life Together - Preliminary Research Summary

Leadership

When we asked about genius factors, the typical first answer was "Fred." His leadership at LCMC over 14 years is a critical factor in the ministry's success. Students follow his example, university faculty and staff members admire his versatility, campus ministers appreciate his collegiality, visitors remember his hospitality, and everyone is amazed by his energy and longevity. Fred has used his jack-of-all-trades aptitude to reach people in a variety of ways, both on campus and off.

The way Fred conducts himself sets the tone for the entire ministry. At our first meeting, he greeted each of us as individuals, not as a group. His intensity, eye contact, and firm handshake conveyed his interest and made each of us feel welcome and important. The people we interviewed expressed similar experiences with him. In addition, he is able to retain what he learns about people for years on end - alumni who call him on the phone find that he remembers them specifically and is still interested in their lives. The atmosphere of welcome, invitation and hospitality that Fred creates by his leadership extends to students who are a part of Crossroads as well. Students who attend worship and other events feel comfortable inviting friends because "Fred invites everyone, so it doesn't seem like a big deal."

Connecting, networking

Over the years, official university policy has become less ministry-friendly. Undeterred, Fred used his entrepreneurial gifts to find ways to connect with students. As adjunct faculty, active committee member, weight room supervisor, and ever present pastor he has broadened his presence on campus. This deep involvement in the university over the years enabled him to make connections in the community to help him accomplish tasks that come with the deeply transitional nature of campus ministry. Thus, Fred is well known and respected around the state, around the campus, around Mankato.

Despite his finger in every pot involvement, people who experience him in those different areas feel like they are getting the best of him. As a result they feel like they share a part of Fred and therefore a part of the ministry. Fred is the center of the connections people make - his impact is system wide. He is a leader among campus ministers. Also, he impacts individuals - people remember meeting him, and he remembers meeting them. Fred doesn't make superficial connections to further his ministry. He genuinely cares for those he encounters. That's why our interviewees reported that asking people if they know about Crossroads might get a puzzled response, but if you ask if they know Fred, the response is often "Oh, Fred!" Innovative, determined, eager, motivated - he's the little engine that could.

Atmosphere/Culture

LCMC exemplifies open community. The people are warm, welcoming, and hospitable. The residents who live in the building year round care for the facility and those who enter it. The building is open at all hours of the day and well into the night for free coffee and cookies, a quiet place to study, computer lab, meeting space. Worship is for all who enter, including open communion every week. Anyone is welcome to participate in Bible study, servant projects, Friday night movies - whether or not you are a part of the worshipping community. Bring your questions and come.

Worship

LCMC's identity and work are centered in worship. Worshippers describe being spiritually fed, supported by the community, and connected to God's word. Our interviewees emphasized the importance of Fred's non-traditional use of traditional worship aspects. There are no pews; comfortable chairs sit in a U-shape creating an informal feeling. There is no pulpit; Fred preaches while wandering around in the middle of the U, making intentional eye contact with worshippers. Passing the peace involves introducing yourself to someone you don't know, so it takes a little longer. Communion is open to all, happens every week, and is served to the people gathered around the altar in a circle. Fred invites the community to join hands as he speaks the post communion blessing. All this "tweaking" serves this small worshipping community well, creating a sense of intimacy and connection between those gathered and God.

Facility

Originally, LCMC did not have its own facility - they worshipped in the campus bar. With the purchase of a house near campus, and then an addition in 1996, Crossroads had its own space and made the most of it. The primary section of the addition is a large multi-purpose space which they use for worship and meetings. It has a clean, modern look - lots of ceramic tile, translucent glass, and no steeple. The location is perfect, close to campus and easily accessible to students or campus groups who want to use it as meeting space.

5. Campus Personnel Focus Group (2 groups, actually)

11/30/01, 3p
Sanctuary/Multipurpose Room
Dawn led, Amy took notes, Randy listened

Tim Berg - united campus ministry chaplain - if you're not Lutheran or Roman Catholic you're mine. 8 mainline denominations. I was ordained UCC, 3rd generation educator, statewide chaplain which means I make coffee and clean up after statewide meetings, adjunct faculty teach cultural diversity, human relations. Fred and I have done joint ministry services here.
Mary Bliesmer - Teacher in nursing school for 23 years. Asked to come because of length of time at MSU, have had students involved at Crossroads. I'm a member of Messiah Lutheran in town and Fred has been involved there. I feel Crossroads is an important part of the community.
Kennes Huntley - MSU grad. Have a casual connection with Lutheran Student Association as a student in the way back. My wife was more connected than I. On the local board

FF: Sounds like you're the people to give us some history…

MB - When I was a student in the 60s I was LCMS at the time, so my husband and I and my daughter went to that chapel. When I came back to teach I was LCA, now ELCA and now I'm aware of all three. I don't have history with Crossroads until the building.

KH- I came when the building was built in 1985. That's when I was involved as the business faculty, and was on the Board of Directors

FF: Tell us about Parish Nurse program?

MB - Parish nurse curriculum is part of our endorsed curriculum and Fred helps teach that with me.

FF: Board of Directors?

KH - I jokingly say the genius factor is Fred, but I think that's true. Smart, charismatic, computer genius, makes it an interesting place to be. Does adjunct teaching on campus so he's connected.

TB - If I may jump in - so many campus ministries are under funded and understaffed the main person hired is so critical. You need someone with diverse gifts and skills. Fred has that. He's enthusiastic, he's not afraid to be a fundraiser. That's why we get along so well. You have to couple with parishes and let them know what good things are going on here - a two way street to enliven your ministry and the community ministries as well. Having a statewide position I've seen a lot of people who were really nice but didn't get things going because they were timid about reaching out to the community. I'm thankful for Crossroads ministry as I'm the poor cousin on campus. It's been a wonderful ecumenical partnership. Hospitality is at the root - Fred is very welcoming

FF: Impact?

MB- One that comes to mind is the service held on Sept 11 that both Tim and Fred were involved in. The visibility they had at that time was great for Crossroads

TB - We had a service in a place that holds 350 people and people were standing out in the halls trying to hear. I talked about being an academy and respecting diversity, not retaliating against Muslim people. Fred and I and the RCC priest organized it and invited others to participate.

MB- The president participated and a lot of others - all who were not white Minnesotans. That was a very special moment

TB- This is still a pretty conservative place. Used to be low on people of color - there were 9 on campus when I was here getting my education degree. Now that number is significantly higher.

KH - Fred is known around the state, not just in Mankato. We get money from churches and I don't even know where they are. He works at a camp in Blue Earth every summer. Fred and I and some other volunteers worked at the fair in Owatonna and helped in a church's lunch kitchen and the church gave money to our ministry. There are youth groups that come in for overnight retreats, visit the Hutterite community, kids help clean up the grounds as a trade off. Fred was talking to the kids about visiting the Hutterites and being respectful of them. He's got a lot of good connections.

TB- And the amount of seminarians. It's hard to find kids who are hearing the call to ministry at a public university, so I work hard at that. Fred has had 18 or 22 - a large number of people go off to seminary.

KH- 11 was the last number I heard

TB - That might be how many he has in the pipeline now… I'm always over here encouraging…

KH - That's part of what we're hearing, that more and more seminarians are coming out of state universities.

FF: Connection with Messiah Lutheran?

MB- Last year we had a consecration Sunday for stewardship - Fred did the preaching at the service, and they are a part of our budget.

KH - Messiah is a fairly new contributor - other churches in town had been contributing for a long time.

FF: How is this place perceived among your colleagues?

MB- It's a nice place to see if you can use it - nice facility. A few falls in a row Fred contacted faculty who were Lutherans and invited faculty over here for an appreciation lunch and Fred talked about the campus ministry. I came for a couple years.

KH - Gave the students from the consumer education a place to practice by serving the meal, too.

FF: Other colleagues on campus?

TB - yes, RCC - WELS, LCMS, campus crusade, intervarsity, FCA, in fact the associate campus ministry group that meets 2x a month involves all the ministry people including WELS and LCMS which is unusual. We don't always see eye to eye, but we talk about stuff and compare schedules to make sure we aren't scheduling on top of each other.

MB - Do students indicate what their religious affiliation when they come here?

TB - Here, no. It's like pulling teeth - it's a strictly protected privacy kind of thing.

KH - I think it changed about 3 years ago - used to send out cards and let students send them back if they were interested. I think that's part of the reason Fred decided to become adjunct faculty so he could make those connections.

TB - WELS and LCMS make sure every local parish sends in the names of the kids who are going to college to the synod office, and then that office disperses them. That's really nice. I get maybe three names a year. It would be so helpful.

KH - Clergy are asked but they just don't follow through.

TB- I know from my parish experience it's hard to get done. But it's so crucial. If we know who they are and can get them involved - I can tell you story after story about kids whose lives were changed through that involvement in campus ministry.

FF: So, evangelism or support?

MB - I see campus ministry as a support a place for people who were involved at home and are looking for a place to be involved here. Then maybe a friend brings a friend and they get involved. So evangelism happens, but it isn't a focus.

TB - Definitely growth comes from a friend bringing a friend in all the ministries. I don't have a chapel on campus, so I'm in different congregations every weekend and churches are saying we need a pastor. So I'm leading a group on campus for theological discussion with graduate students who might be feeling a call to ministry. Parachurch groups seem to be oriented to those who were new to the faith. The RCC, and other Lutheran ones seem to be oriented to a deeper level - people often move on from the parachurch groups to us because we get into the deeper theological questions. I think that's vital, because it's really not offered anywhere else on campus.

KH- We have 3 students who live in the building who have responsibility for maintaining the building but also lead the outreach teams who do lock-ins in local congregations. So that connections are happening and growth is happening, we just don't necessarily see it. It's hard to measure the rewards and the successes because they take such a long time to show result.

TB - I've had 2 students come in and say to me that knowing me kept them from taking their own life. Fred probably has an even greater impact since he deals with more kids. He's been very involved in the yellow ribbon campaign (preventing suicide). We're both involved in summer orientation.

MB- He's on an advisory group in the nursing school. He's also come over for crisis management.

FF: What's the genius factor?

KH - Fred.

MB- How many years has Fred been here?... it was the early 90s when he was first here because there was an ad in the paper - with his Marty Party for reformation. Hot tub… and I thought, "That's the kind of minister I'd like to have."

TB - They just had it (the Marty Party). Fred will share the saltier of Martin Luther's writings from when he was older. I come out in my white robe and play the Zwingli part - all in the parking lot around the hot tub. Then we came into the church and we ended up having a whole discussion about the difference between Zwingli and Martin Luther historical… It was great. Very fun. He's a hard worker - a generalist and has so much energy. He runs 24 hours a day. It will be hard to keep things going with a new person in this position, it would be hard to maintain during transition because …

FF: Fred's longevity is a huge factor?

KH - In many respects he's a big kid - acts like youth, can play with them and relate to them, but also still be a mature adult. Also the computer lab is a great way to bring in students.

TB - Longevity is becoming more of an asset in all areas of ministries - particularly when it's a good match. Fred has so many contacts - just from being around here for a long time. I'm at the point now of having to say no all the time. I love Fred but I worry about him because he does have such a high revving motor and is eager.

FF: Impact on the community?

MB - Where I've seen it is the parish nursing curriculum. He's involved and led the session related to worship and prayer and then participated in the consecration service. So he was involved with them. Also,

KH- Various groups do come in and use the facility - NA and AA, university groups use it for retreats or one type of meeting or another. It's a hard question to answer unless you follow Fred around in the community. There has to be some kind of separation between Crossroads and the city parishes - they have different flocks.

TB - I'd like to chime in here - this building used to be ours, but they decided to save the personal ministry rather than building. I'm saying that because if you mention Crossroads around town people guess about different buildings and they aren't sure where the building is, but if you mention Fred, people say "OH Fred!" And then they know who he is and what he's up to. Around town, parishes often don't do much with students because it's money going out but not much coming in. But Fred reminds people that there's ministry going on with young adults here and it's a good thing. Plus he's there to welcome knew people, he's a person on campus who offers a conscience (like about where products in the bookstore come from - child labor, etc.), he's well respected and he has an entry into the community and can get things done. Between the two of us we can get a meeting with anyone we need to get things done.

KH - There's a local group called Common Ground Fred doesn't attend because they deal with their established flocks - it doesn't apply to his world.

FF: Tell us about how students can be connected with Crossroads?

TB - Ecumenical Lenten services here with service and soup and bread lunch - mostly free. A wonderful thing so our students mingle - they're always amazed because it's open communion. That's a new thing for many of them. Sets the tone or example that this ministry is open, caring, hospitable, we want all folks to come and share in that love of Christ.

MB- I specialize with school of nursing, I don't know that any of my students are involved with Crossroads -

FF: So, Fred is the connecting point?

KH - I don't worship here that often, but we do have a couple students who worship here. You can see the good relationship between Fred and the students.

TB - A lot of it has do with where Fred is connected - classes he teaches, international students, other places… plus the denominationally committed people.

MB- He has a lot of weddings - I don't know if they're all people who met here or not, but he does a lot of weddings.

TB - Fred averages 18-20 weddings a year. So he won't go off campus to marry folks anymore - it just takes too much time and energy.

LA (just arrived) - you have to book him pretty far in advance. We wanted him to do the service, but he was doing another. So he did premarital counseling for us and hooked us up with another pastor in the cities, which worked out really well.

TB - He does a lot of pre-marital counseling for all kinds of people who are getting married off campus.

TB- FCA, intervarsity, CC are all a social alternative to the bar scene. Then they come to us for deeper spiritual questions.

(Tim, Mary, Ken all left)

Lynn Akey - been here at MSU since 7-1-00. I work predominantly with first year students - learning communities - students can enroll in classes and live on the same floor with each other. Fred and Tim both teach the first year classes with me. Prior to coming here I was at Univ at Ames, finished my Masters at U of M. Raised LCMS, Fred was my first connection outside of that, but married an RCC person so this has been a good meeting ground.

(We introduced ourselves. Lynn brought us paper information. Wahoo!)

LA - When students come to us through orientation we do some baseline evaluation to figure out who our students are - background info, parents, income, attending religious services - and another that tells about what they expect to be involved in as a part of their university experiences.

FF: So you got involved…

LA - I know Fred collaboratively. My husband works on campus in Residential Life. He met Fred before I came here - they were on some committees, plus with residential life meeting with chaplains to see how students were doing. So he was like "you have to meet Fred" and then maybe Fred could do our wedding. Fred also teaches for us - a couple of courses. One that talks about exploring social values - it has a social service components. And he's been teaching that for three years - and does a lot of service projects with those students. He also teaches a course that focuses on transitional issues and getting connected with the university community. He teaches that as an adjunct faculty. He did our pre-marital counseling as well.

FF: Impact on campus?

LA- I would say it's not the building. I spent the first month trying to figure out which one was Fred's - I went to the LCMS place and they said, "Oh you are talking about Fred." I would definitely say it's much more Fred, and the social connections - someone who knows Fred or comes here and then they bring a friend.

(Diane arrived - quick time for introducing ourselves)

Di - I'm the director of residential life- Fred contacted me about outreach to students who live on campus, and staff training. I was the liaison reaching out to campus ministry and asking them to participate in that. My second year here he baptized my son, so I got to know him on a personal level. One of the reasons Crossroads is so successful is Fred. He's a magnet. He's very accepting, non-judgmental. When I met with him about baptizing our son - I asked if Fred could make it non-religious and he was wonderful about it. He's a Lutheran minister and one of my best friends who is a RCC feminist did the service with him and he was just wonderful. He also teaches the first year seminar and through that got involved in the learning communities, and now leads be example in serving community. He lives his values - students see him as living congruently.

FF: So when people think of this place do they think of Fred?

Di - I came when this building was just being built, so this has always been Crossroads to me. The space is warm, it's welcoming, there's a computer lab. He's here - it's a place for students to come and be… however they need to be.

LA - What is it that makes students connect with Crossroads? A lot of it is Fred - and the characteristics that make that possible is that he is extremely open - they feel they can be open with him, he's non-judgemental, he goes on service projects with them, he gets on their level. He'll talk with them about whatever they want to talk about and it's not I'm talking about it with Pastor Fred - it's Fred. Talking with another faculty person about sensitive issues might mean judging…

FF: Talk about your connection with Fred - asking

LA - My husband was drawn here because of Fred's openness. Growing up RCC - he didn't feel like he identifies with all of their teachings. He has a brother that's gay and so there's a lot of conflict for him about that. And Fred is someone who he could talk with about that struggle, and a person who could offer a religious perspective in a helpful way. Before we did pre-marital counseling we couldn't talk about religion at all. Fred was the only person to help him work through that conflict and enable him to take steps to do that and find a community that he can connect to and point us to a direction to help us find a place where we could find a faith community that we can be a part of as a couple. Fred made us a list about possibilities in Mankato - on a spectrum as far as what would be familiar to us and what would be unfamiliar. That has been a huge impact for us. As we look ahead to starting a family it's really important

FF: Do you think you're experience with Fred is mirrored by ones that students have?

LA - Yes. They come to him to talk about roommate conflicts, depression, etc. He's not pushing an agenda of trying to develop his congregation here. There's no pressure, no underlying agenda.

FF: And I hear a common theme - he would do a non-religious baptism.

Di - Yes. He has at times called me, and I think of him as a closet student affairs professional, I tell him who to call when he calls me and asks me about who to talk to on behalf of the students. He's concerned, he cares enough to take initiative. He cares about a student's entire experience, so he helps in whatever way he can.

FF: So he has systemic impact and individual impact.

Di- That's what drew him into the learning communities - it's a holistic learning experience which is totally in line with his values.

LA - He's also really helpful as a consultation person - to ask for perspective or insight in interactions with students. Like I had a student I wanted as a staff member who was unsure if he could commit because he was worried it would take time away from his religious practices. So I asked Fred for guidance to help him through that discerning/decision making process. It was a personal formative kind of transformation time and Fred helped me help him through it.

FF: Genius. What makes this ministry amazing?

Di - Leadership provided by Fred.

LA - Social connection. When I think about who students are and what attracts them - it's an alternative to the bar scene. A place to gather with people who have similar values. This ministry has been able to gather a large enough group of students with similar values, who then invite others. This isn't the group that can't function in other groups. These are students who are very socially skilled and attractive to other students. Most of my students are involved with ministries on campus.

Di - When I think of students connecting here I think of Fred, and I think of fun. Fred is fun to be around. When you want to be a part of something religious you want something fun.

LA - Lots of kids come from places where religion was very structured, and there needs to be some draw here to attract students after their parents drop them off. It's fun here, it's exciting, you connect with lots of other people.

FF: What do you wish we'd asked?

Di - I know all the campus ministries here, and this is the most vibrant one here…and I think it's for a reason

Observations:

• Tim hugged us when he left. That was weird.
• All of these people probably had somewhere else to be on Friday at 3 and 4 but they came to talk to us because Fred asked them
• These are people who are connected to Fred but work on campus in different areas - nursing, student life, ministry,
• They all knew each other

Quotables/comments:

• Hospitality is at the root, Fred is very welcoming
• Genius factor - Fred, Fred, Fred
• Facility is a nice location for meetings, available for campus organizations to use.
• Crossroads is a place to connect socially with young adults who have similar values
• Computers available for students to use is a definite draw
• Di - "[Fred] lives his values - students see him as living congruently."
• Di - "The [building] space is warm, it's welcoming, there's a computer lab. He's here - it's a place for students to come and be… however they need to be."

6. New Students Focus Group

11/30, 5p
Sanctuary/Multi-purpose room
Dawn led, Randy helped, Amy took notes

M - female, freshman from Aberdeen, SD
A - male, sophomore from Oakdale, MN
Li - female, freshman Minneapolis, MN
S - female, freshman Elk River, MN
La - female, freshman Chisago Lakes, MN
J - female, attends Normandale Community College in the Twin Cities, visiting with M

FF: So you're almost all first year students, and Fred invited you here for a reason. What drew you into Crossroads?

S - I have him for a teacher, and we were looking for a place to go to church and we came here and liked it.

M - We tried the other one first and liked this one better.

S - Fred really listens to you. He wants to get to know you.

Li - Involved in an ELCA church at home and it was a necessity for me to get involved, I came here and I've stayed. I needed more than what I was getting back home - Bible studies and spiritual development. I'm getting it here.

A - Came and visited here as a prospective student and talked to Fred. I like the guy. I attend Bible study like every other week. I play drums here - but not in services, and I usually go to night church.

(Random tangent…)

A - My first year I just attended, and then Fred invited me to do stuff - to study here, then I play drums and stuff. I'm here quite a bit. It's a great place to study.

M - Bible studies are good because we talk about things that are happening in our life. You get to know people pretty well. It's fun.

FF: Worship?

Li - Really different from what I new growing up. But now I'm getting used to it.

La - I attended Methodist church, so that was different. But now I like it. I like that it's small and it's people from campus. Fred relates the message to my life.

FF: So do other people attend?

La- There are people from the community that come too.

FF: How many people?

Li - Usually about 20.

M- I'm also Methodist, but I was looking for something close and there's only Lutheran ones on campus. It took me awhile to get used to it. I've grown up with the same church.

FF: Was the worship service a main draw?

La- I wouldn't be here if I didn't like the worship.

A - I wouldn't be a Lutheran if Fred wasn't so cool to me. I do want to learn more about being a Lutheran. I don't care much for the worship. I've been a bad Lutheran

FF: What's the impact on campus?

La- People know the church because Fred is a teacher. He invites us to come and do activities that his church is doing - like the Marty Party. After the first weekend we came he invited us to invite other people from our floor to come along.

(group nods)

FF: Did anyone come from your class?

La- We've had a few more people join than just the three of us from our class.

M - Our class is service learning, and a lot of the projects are tied in with the church and vice versa.

FF: How has Fred impacted you personally?

M - He's a good listener. I like listening to him talk because he explains everything. He seems to know everything. He's helped me grow my faith, too.

S - If you have something you really really need to talk to somebody about, he would be the one. It's nice to know that there is an adult who I could talk to about things that I can't talk to my parents or other adults. I feel like he really wants to help me. He looks at me when I talk.

A - I've learned a lot from him - he's explained a lot of things that I really didn't get before. He'll tell me what he thinks and what the Bible says, and if I disagree that's ok. Like I don't attend church very regularly and we talked about it and he was so nice about it he made me want to come more.

FF: How has your faith grown through your involvement here or with Fred?

M - My church was so big I didn't have anyone to ask my questions to. Fred has time to talk to me one on one. He answers my questions.

FF: Tell me about bible studies.

Li - Now we're going through the book of Luke - backtracking now for Jesus' birth.

FF: So it's bible but open to other things.

Li - Like a couple weeks ago we ended up talking about movies and how they are so violent - like Shrek is a kids' movie and it has all this swearing in it and stuff. We had a whole discussion.

A - That was right after movie night (up in the residents' area here - Fred shows a movie first Friday of every month)

Li - It's a great place to hang out. Computers, 3 cent copies…

FF: Genius?

A - Cool building. That's the first thing I liked about it.

Li - Hospitality here. Even before I walked in the door - at the orientation fair I saw him and he was just beaming and I wanted to meet him. The building is open all the time, he's always here, he's ready to help.

S - It's so quiet and peaceful here, it will be a great place to study especially with finals coming up. I haven't studied here, but I expect that's what it will be like when I come.

La - I think it's about Fred. He's a really nice person - the people on my floor think so - he's approachable and likeable. Like a parent figure, a person you can look up to - a role model or a teacher without the overbearing qualities teachers can have. He's easy to be around, easy going.

M - I agree

A - I think it's Fred. It's really cool - at my old church the pastor would shake hands but he didn't want to talk to anybody. Fred talks to you for like a minute - so there's a big line waiting to get out of church. And while I'm waiting I talk to other people in the line, too.

La - He remembers things about you. He knows I'm an elementary education major and he tells me about service opportunities that go along with the things I'm interested in.

FF: Do you feel like this is a community - that you identify with a solid group, or it's more in and out?

Li - I think it's a little bit of both. Like I get to know people at Bible study - I go on Tuesday, they go on Wed. So Fred does the same thing on different nights, but we don't have to be here every night of the week. The commitment is not as heavy - you can come when you can.

M- There are a lot of different faces here - the people from the community stay the same, like the older people.

FF: God at work?

Li - When I came here I had so much I wanted to accomplish in college - study abroad, etc. I had a really long talk with Fred, and I'm a little more laid back. I'm trusting in God that opportunities will come along and then I can think about them then. I think I'm trusting in God more now than before.

FF: Do any of you go to FCA?

A - I do intervarsity and crusade. I came to know God as being more living there. I didn't always know that I could pray to God and he would listen. Now that I do, I want to come to church more. There it's more about fellowship - hanging out with good Christian friends who will support my values.

FF: Does it tend to be separate groups?

A - It's kind of hard to be a Lutheran and be over there - even though it's supposed to be interdenominational. They base a lot more out of the Bible because they don't have doctrines.

Observations:

• The room was set up as a conference space with tables and chairs in a large square. A doctoral seminar group was scheduled to use the space the next day.
• All students knew each other even though they weren't in the same Bible Study - so some relationships are formed elsewhere in ministry.
• Kids come from a variety of religious backgrounds
• They are getting something from their involvement - deepening their faith walk, learning theology, studying the bible, this is for kids who are interested in more than the youth groupy stuff at FCA, they differentiate between the two kinds of campus ministry
• Fred invites people in, invites discussion, is accepting of and open to different points of view, makes time to talk with students one-on-one, caring approachable, non-judgmental
• Hospitality - it's the atmosphere created by Fred and the facility
• Cool building, great place to hang out, computers, coffee and cookies, always open, quiet and peaceful.
  
  

Quotables:

FF: How has Fred impacted you personally?

M - He's a good listener. I like listening to him talk because he explains everything. He seems to know everything. He's helped me grow my faith, too.

S - If you have something you really really need to talk to somebody about, he would be the one. It's nice to know that there is an adult who I could talk to about things that I can't talk to my parents or other adults. I feel like he really wants to help me. He looks at me when I talk.

A - I've learned a lot from him - he's explained a lot of things that I really didn't get before. He'll tell me what he thinks and what the Bible says, and if I disagree that's ok.

7. Team Processing 1

11/30, 8:15p
Hotel
Randy, Dawn, Amy

Impressions:
D - Fred right there to welcome us - so we experienced what people were talking about.
R - first impressions - building looks clean and well cared for, a professional ambience - upscale feeling that I wasn't expecting at Minnesota State.

Like somebody cared about the building. Location wise it's kind of in an area where all the campus ministries are located - all in the same block.

Building has a cold feeling because of all the stone and tile, but Fred's greeting was warm, and gave an impression of what the ministry is. If the person in ministry there was slightly aloof, or even if he had been wearing a collar that would have given a different impression. Fred was dressed like he had been working on some construction thing - Henley shirt - blue jeans… very casual.

Not much hang out space - just that one area inside. Fred's office was inviting - Amy walked right in. Wood paneling gives a different impression - warmer feeling than all that tile.

Was looking for flyers posters about activities that were going on - but the downstairs bulletin board was totally empty, and the one across from the unisex bathroom had a few things on it - but neither was in a high traffic area.

When they buy things they buy quality and plan well - good acoustics, sound system, lighting, furniture. They have a sense of pride in their physical space.

Themes:
Everyone's comments focused on the impact Fred Fritz has - on program, relationships, he seems to have his fingers in everything. Seems married to his work - lots of time and energy devoted to his work. He has students locking the building and opening the building - so he's not tied that way. Might be harder to empower people to do things because the congregation is so transient - you're developing leaders and when they get really good, they're gone. So we could ask questions about that tomorrow - like how does he do it? And he leads both Bible Studies…

Fred is connected on campus - look at who he got to show up for a random late Friday afternoon meeting - the head of student housing, and a couple other important people. He deals with things systemically and individually.

Building is nice but not what people talked about.

First year students came for worship and though they didn't like it initially, they kept coming and now they like it. Hmm - what kept them coming? Fred, would be our guess. They seem to genuinely like him, think his sermons are interesting -

Fred > Crossroads ministry
Through his involvement on campus teaching, etc.

We could ask - if Fred left, what would sustain the ministry? Or ask Fred what he's not involved in? Sometimes we think that ministries that center around a charismatic leader aren't healthy, but I don't know if that's true. There's a lot to be said for people who are enthusiastic and have vital ministries over many years.

Fred works at Good Earth during the summer - does he ever stop?

Seemed like the faculty that attended [our focus group] were connected with Fred not the programs/ministry of Crossroads

All the students/faculty seemed to be in agreement about Fred's personality - eager to listen, non-judgmental, open, comfortable to be with, can talk about any issue, can approach about topics of religious beliefs without being judged, doesn't push his own agenda. Takes an active role in inviting students personally, including in his class. This must be Ok because the people who hire him to teach told us about it. Seemed like a bridge between his course and the ministry was acceptable.

Stats from the info:

34% of incoming students claimed to be Lutheran - self-selected. Higher than catholic percentage
83.2% have attended a worship service in the past year (before coming to college)

8. Interview with Fred Fritz

12/1, 9a
Conference Room
Dawn led, Randy helped, Amy took notes

Our questions for Fred, which we brainstormed during our processing the night before:
His passions:
History
5 statistics
worship attendance
describe activities
how many seminarians - why is that in your brochure.
What's the next big thing - your vision for ministry, future goals?
What's the pattern of ministry here for you?

We introduced ourselves to Fred.

FF: You're from Ohio - how did you get here?

Attended Ohio State majored in agricultural economics. Did some discernment while managing an elevator one summer, and decided I wanted to go into ministry. Transferred to Capitol for my senior year and graduated, went to Trinity, thought I would be a rural pastor. However, I got interested in youth ministry as a part of my contextual education site in suburbia. I volunteered at that church for a second year after my required year, took kids on retreats, national youth gathering… the pastor there said he thought I had a gift for suburban ministry. My internship was unique - two congregations had gotten funding to share an intern - 2 cong, 20 miles apart, 2 supervising pastors, I was responsible for 7th grade confirmation and evangelism calling. I did 500 home visits, but got chastised for not doing enough calling! I preached 2 times a month, was at the regional trauma center one night a month, at a county mental health center one day a month. I survived and went back to seminary and Jim Berquist asked me to be his assistant. I loaded up on missiology classes. The national church approached my wife and I and asked if we would go to Senegal. We got ready, went up to do the interview at NW Career Counseling and we're eating dinner and they were talking about a 25 year commitment. 2 years of language study - 1 year of French, another year of 2 local dialects. Kay was shocked - she's an only child, older parents. They said, "Why don't you think about it for a couple hours?" So we did. Came back and said, "hmmm…." And they said how about Middle East? So I went back to school and studied Islamics, they wanted me to go to Egypt and do doctoral studies and then work in the Middle East for the rest of my career. It's 1979-80 the big glut year - more candidates than positions. The division of missions decided to put the ME on hold, so they told me to get an assignment - and it was already ½ way through the draft. I ended up assigned to Canada and then world missions as a back up. Then Brazil… we finally wanted to be assigned to a district and got Eastern ND. Got into a congregation outside an airbase that started 16 years before as a mission start, and in that 16 years they'd had 3000 baptized members go through. Town was founded by Presbyterians - before the town was founded there was a Masonic Lodge. When they built the Lutheran church it was for the airbase. Church had decreased from 620 members to 220. When we arrived I did visitation 3 nights a week. When I left four years later we were at 350, I had done 160 affirmations of baptisms, 100 infant baptisms, 5 or 6 adult baptisms. Only 2 funerals. When I left we were at 60% worship attendance - highest in the synod. I learned how to make due with not a lot - got creative - paid off the mortgage, took care of the building… Then I was at a crossroads - our son was born with special needs and we were looking at a 45 minute bus ride for him to go to preschool. I got a call to campus ministry in Spokane - worked out of 4 congregations, served 6 campuses - Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA, 2 community colleges, Gonzaga, Whitworth, and UW-Spokane. I had 2000 kids on a mailing list, a part time secretary and responsibility for raising 60% of my budget. We worshipped 60-70 on a weekend and were second in attendance on the west coast after PLU. I served ALC, LCA and the LCMS. After 5 years, I had confirmed or baptized ½ of the core group of students.

But we were isolated from family - they were in Ohio, so we said let's try to get back to the Midwest. This position was open - the Lutheran ministry rented a room in this house at the time. It was appealing because it was one place, a solo call, and a development job. I accepted the call and came in 1988.

FF: So you thrive in non-traditional ministries?

That's one reason I've never filled out mobility papers. I'm so used to being entrepreneurial. Getting into a parish where 90% of your schedule is prescribed by the calendar - that's scares me.

I get to do a lot of different things here, which is fun. I got to contractor for the building, one-on-one counseling, worship planning, and now I've made connections and teach on campus. I took my one and only sabbatical and went to Good Earth as the camp pastor/maintenance guy - I really enjoyed myself, until a hornets nest fell on my head and after I got out of the hospital my wife wouldn't let me go back. I was at home doing some work when the head of the education dept approached me and asked me to teach some education classes. Then I took a .75 appointment and taught classes. My first year the student senate voted me teacher of the year. The next year my faculty colleagues elected me chair of the educational foundations dept. Last year the College of Education filled the position for full time, and I was a finalist but I withdrew my name because it would have been hard for me to leave ordained ministry and hard for whoever followed me here, as well. I continue to be adjunct, and teach exploring and applying values, plus 2 freshman orientation courses. Now I'm teaching Ethics in Society up at the technical college - and the instructional dean wants help developing their humanities program. I'm also on staff at St Mary's recruiting doctoral students - and getting my EdD in leadership.

FF: How has your teaching changed the ministry here?

When I first came I volunteer coached so my connection was through athletics. I ran the weight room, coached different teams (baseball), worked with the women's swim team. So that was my way of meeting people. My good friend who is the baseball coach leads FCA - I've done Bible study for them and for Campus Crusade. Here we've tried to avoid tension between the programs because kids are searching. Some of the things they do at Campus Crusade and Intervarsity I can't do. But we are sacramental. We do Sunday morning worship, we do vocational discernment, we do Bible Study, we do one-on-one counseling. So they go to these other places for the rah-rah stuff, and come here for worship and one-on-one time. That's our niche and I'm comfortable with that. This is a pretty active ministry campus - Chi Alpha has a core group of 30 , FCA 100 kids, CC (leader comes here for worship on Sunday mornings- because CC is fun, but this is church. I need them both.) Jen Kruger was one of my interns who went up to Luther. She did FCA and said that's where my friends are, but LCM (Crossroads) is where I learned to do ministry.

FF: What does it mean to be in leadership here?

Right now we have a deficit of student leadership here, that's been a tough nut for me to crack. Many students want to be a part of but not lead. Also, I can do a lot of things and so students know I'll pick up and do things if they let the ball drop. Over my tenure in campus ministry I have had great leadership where the students come up with things, plan it and do it. In 1994 I had 5 students who went from here up to Luther - that was an amazing group. I just got out of their way. I had some pretty good leadership until about 2 yeas ago. I graduated 20 core seniors two years ago and things haven't picked up since. I have this group of core first year students that seem pretty engaged, and so I'm hoping they'll become leaders. We get 2000 new students a year and they all live on campus. But we lost 1/5 of freshman after the first year. Those who are left move off campus. 80% of the students here come from somewhere within 100 miles of here, so they go home for weekends - jobs, boyfriends, etc. Some of those kids come for Bible study during the week and then are teaching Sunday school at home on the weekends. Our strength is that we are a Sunday morning worshipping community, and that's our weakness. 35-45 Sunday morning, 5-10 on Sunday eve. It will start picking up now that the weather is getting bad - students stick around for weekends.

FF: What are your dreams for the future?

I wrote a grant and got $2700 to get us started in the Alpha program. So we'll give it a shot. We have enough money to buy materials for 100 people, I'm going to ask the students to commit $10 to get them to commit. I'm going to try it for a couple years and see what happens - hoping to spin off small groups and study leaders from it.

FF: You have community people that worship here?

Some faculty, some parents whose kids I've married. Which is a big thing - I'm on the road doing weddings all summer. That's an interesting way to build relationships through pre-marital counseling. You'll meet a couple alumni couples who still live in the area and are active in churches in the area - they come back for alumni events, meet for coffee, keep up the relationships. That's the biggest payback I have when I know people who have been involved here are providing leadership for the church somewhere else. I've had 18 students go to seminary in my last 12 years of ministry - which I think is pretty good. Now I'm on the Luther Seminary Board of Directors because I've drawn so many people in. I was also on synod candidacy for 10 years, so that's been a really good connection.

FF: Impact?

A lot of administrators and faculty call me with questions. I played a real leadership role after Sept 11. Got on the web and set up a prayer service for 3pm (45 students) and another 45 for and evening service. Called the president about putting together a campus wide observance for Friday - 500 attended, 300 in the hallway who didn't fit in the room - and we pulled that together in a day. That shows I have some connections. Just started Kiwanis here - I'm the president and we have over 30 members already. These are faculty who want to do service in the community. A music professor here pushed to start it - he's a faithful Jew - but he recruited me because he said I could work with everybody. : For 10 years I was on the International Student Advisory, drafted in-state tuition scholarship stuff, cultural diversity Martin Luther King Committee chair for 4 years.

FF: So you layer?

Yes. There's a group called Leadership Mankato that I've been a part of. I took the training, and led workshops. I do pulpit supply, partner with rural congregations who bring their kids here on Sunday morning…
Recently we had and Lutheran Youth Organization event in Rochester and our kids provided security.

FF: Impact?

Referral is the good thing about longevity. I had a woman who called me, she's a black, graduate student from New Orleans, Baptist, married a year and having marital problems and we are going to start meeting next week. She was referred to me by the her faculty advisor in the Career Counseling Department. I advised the TKE fraternity, invited to do so because they were on suspension for grades (1.8 cum) and alcohol. Now they're at 2.8 and their membership doubled. This week at 2:45 in the morning one of the fraternity members called and said I need to talk - so we met at 5 that morning and talked. He had a bad week - parents divorcing, friend died at the Pentagon, dog died, girlfriend dumped him….so we're meeting once a week until he gets his feet back under him. And I've become a fraternity member - which is something I vowed never to be in college. Crazy! Paul says I can be all things…

FF: What's the impact for students?

Worship - when I ask kids why they come for worship I hear 3 answers. 1. people are friendly - I push hospitality. People like the passing of the peace here - its' chaos. I tell people to go meet someone and get to know them, then pass the peace some more. It takes 5 minutes, but that's how new people get connected. We commune every Sunday - I think if it's done right it fills the sense of being part of the community. We have open communion, and people love to come because they know they are welcome to the table. When you have 40% non-Lutherans that's just great. You're making them Lutheran the back way. For instance a young woman who wasn't Lutheran started dating one of my residents - and she said the creed is her favorite part. We are liturgical, people like expository preaching and they like it - it's conversational. I speak to them directly, try to make one connection to what people experience in their life. So it starts with worship - that sets the tone for who we are and what we do the rest of the week.

FF: Like Bible studies, Marty Party…?

Yeah the Marty Party is back this year - we didn't do it for 5 years because we couldn't get a hot tub - it's about the gimmick. We give them mugs that have a picture of Martin Luther on it.

FF: How has the building impacted?

One negative - worshipping in the bar we had to have a team of people to set up and take down so more people felt ownership. Positive - it's been a great connection with the university. All student teachers come here once a month, nursing students preparing for boards do it here, parish nurses meet here, inner city youth come for the Linking Learners program and the kids eat lunch here, 3 sororities use it for initiations, TKE for frat stuff, weekend retreats for other staffs. The building has provided a place, a focal point, identified us visually on campus, which we didn't have when I was working out of a table in the student union. Also there's an NA group that has been meeting here for many years. I participate when I can, do court ordered 5th steps, etc. They come here and enjoy it. Here's a whole population who would never see the inside of a church and they are comfortable here. The GLBT group met here and had their phone here for several years. We had one director of that program who was a member here for several years. Those are all ways we connect with people, people see us. Music students use it for practice space.

(Talked some about Adam who we met yesterday.) Started here at age 17 - he's a religious junkie. Just yesterday he asked, "what do I need to do if I want to become a pastor?"

FF: Genius factor?

Authenticity - I really struggle with that - I want my walk to match my talk. Generally people have indicated that that is here. I think that helps. The students know that I care for them. I think about them when I'm not here - it could be pathological... : I have a family, but most of my interests involve teaching, and working with students in campus ministry. That's what feeds my passion. That's why I stay. I'm not sure I would get fed this way anywhere else. For many of these people to know that there's someone you can talk to who is grounded in the faith. There are people who want to follow Jesus and are happy that I can help them do that. There are people who do a lot of things better than I do, but I'm a good generalist and I do a lot of things well. I don't play guitar - I wish I did. I try, but I can't get into Christian alternative rock. The kids laugh about it when I'm listening to classical music in my office… but if you want to talk to me about your boyfriend/girlfriend, what you want to do with your life, how you want to make a difference in the world….It's about building relationships, talking about things that are important… that doesn't translate to numbers for bishops but it's real, it's there.

FF: Anything you wish we'd asked?

Some things I keep thinking about…. When I went to the St. Louis Youth Ministers Event last year - in the 4 days there was no liturgical worship there. So what does it mean for the life of the ELCA as a liturgical church when so many of our youth programs are entirely non-liturgical. I think we need to do is a better job of doing both. It's great to have kids involved, but we're grooming kids to be great e covenant, or e free members. When they come here I don't even get a crack at them because they head to FCA, CC - and we're losing kids to churches that don't have a confessional background. We need to do a better job prior to college - we're losing an awful lot of young people.

One thing I'm trying to do here - I think we reach a group of students who would not be comfortable at intervarsity or campus crusade - kids who grow up in a rural church with the LBW and want that rhythm in their life. Somebody has to be doing ministry to the churched kids. The other group I've had good success with are those who are really leery of the church, who are distrustful. They meet you - it's an authenticity question, I don't get uptight if they swear, though I don't care for it - and so they don't swear around me. So they come to me and say, I've really screwed up. And I tell them that God loves them regardless, and that I still care about them… these are the ones not comfortable going to large group settings, people on the margins. They fit in here. For instance there's a woman I met at the library - she and her husband came to me for pre-marital counseling, and she started attending worship, now she wants to know what she needs to be Lutheran - so I've given her some reading and we'll talk. She failed confirmation in the Episcopal Church 3 times! I watch her in church and she gets it - she gets grace, she's hungry for it. When I first met her I would have never thought she would become a part of our community - but she has. You just never know.

FF: Sounds like you feel this is a good place to be?

I've struggled with that - how long is too long. I've been here 14 years. This has been a good place - I get to do so many things around this place. It's really fun.

Observations/Quotables:
Fred has gotten to spend his career doing all the things he's passionate about - listening to young adults, helping them with their problems, developing the ministry - "entrepreneuring"
Lutheran identity is important to Fred, and worship is at the core of that.
When we asked about genius, Fred listed qualities he demonstrates - authenticity, good listener, non-judgemental, accepting, invites questions.
He misses the higher involvement of students that was more natural when they worshipped in the bar, but is very proud of the new facility and his role in getting it.

9. Experienced Students (Old Hands) Focus Group

12/1, 11a
Conference Room
Dawn Led, Randy helped, Amy took notes

AK - female, 5th year, full time grad student sports administration, works at MSU, Carlson Craft and Y (over holidays),
AD - female, 5th year, marriage and family counseling grad student (almost done), did undergrad in spanish and psychology, Plymouth MN
RH - female, 3rd year, junior eled major, minor in dance from Harmony, MN
SW - female, 1st year freshman, dietetics and dance major. Aberdeen, MN
JB - male, 3rd year, 4th year student major in computer science, minor in business. Database, programming, HTML. Small business. Leroy, MN
BI - male, 1st year as a resident, sophomore. Social studies, secondary ed. Mankato
M@ - male, arrived late…

FF: How are you involved here?

RH - I met Fred at Good Earth Village summer of 97 or 98 - I was volunteering there and looking at colleges. Fred offered to give me a tour here and so I came. I was the faith building team leader two years ago - helped organize the Friday Night Live event, last year I was something that appeared on the back sheet of the bulletin, now I do volunteer work here.

BI - Since I'm secondary education and Fred teaches education stuff one of his colleagues recommended him to me as a resource for a project I was doing. So I met him, we talked, I got involved here and moved in here. We're ministers of hospitality - we have to work so many hours to live here, plus we attend Bible Study.

AK - I quit school and moved to Mankato, and was referred to Fred by the minister at my last college - Augustana in Sioux Falls. It took me 9 months to come in and see Fred, I came in and he gave me his business card and I got involved in Bible Study - been here for 5 years. I'm on the board here - we make decisions about $, the directions we're going. Now I have a time crunch with full time work and school so I mostly worship. I was the service learning team leader - we set up food for friends, highway cleanup, other service opportunities.

AD - I was a postsecondary option student in fall of 96 - maybe didn't do much while I got acquainted with things. In the fall a friend and I decided to look around for churches, visited here and kinda ended up staying here - liked the services, people were friendly. Participated in some service projects and continued - got involved in Bible Study, they had parish nurses and counselors here that were doing stuff during the week and we took part in that. Ally and I were team leaders and did some promotional things to get people involved with service stuff. I like the atmosphere here - I'm comfortable here, have a good relationship with Fred. Was a resident here, got married here,

JB - When I was a freshman I came up to MSU with a high school friend who knew Fred. I met Fred when we were visiting here, and decided to come here. Dan played guitar and got me to pick up bass guitar so we could have a band. Now we do services on Sunday mornings. 2nd year Dan moved over here and lived as a resident, I moved over here the next year and have been here for 2 years. Kinda lost the band after Dan graduated...

SW - I'm in a learning community - the one that Fred's the head of. So we have to do a lot of community service projects that are a part of things here at the church and I've been here ever since.

M@- I like to get involved in everything. I came over here because it looked interesting. I like the set up. I like the fellowship. I'm doing a lot of stuff at school but there seems like lots of things to do here.

FF: Impact?

M@ - Provides fellowship and interactions with other Christians in a church environment. I'm a part of Campus Crusade too, but the church part is important. It's provides a place to come and worship and fellowship and someone who's been trained in the word to talk about the lesson. It's good that the opportunity is here to do both.

JB- Change in aspect from bigger churches - it's definitely more youth oriented than my church back home. About 80% of my home church is 60 years old or older - they're hard core Lutheran - if a lightbulb goes out no one is going to change it. : I had 30 kids in my class and 8 were confirmed with me. Coming from that every single service is set, set, set. When I go back home I don't even need a book, I still have the whole thing memorized. Here it's totally different - from pews to semi-circle, more conversational, oriented to you - the sermon pertains to college students. It was quite a big change

SW - I went to a huge RCC church - coming here is so much more fun, I can get involved in things, people know who I am. It's really different from RCC but I like it a lot. It's smaller, you can understand what Fred's saying.

BI - I grew up Methodist, by the time I was at MSU I needed a change. All my high school life I've been involved with youth ministry, but I felt like a needed a change, things were getting to be too routine. This is actually more routine than what I'm used to as far as worship. But I've come to really like it, so I worship here one week and at my home church the next, which is really cool. I like both pastors. I like the small community atmosphere here. I like that the pastor can walk around and really talk to you, rather than being in a pulpit.

AD - Offered continuity for me - after confirmation I was involved in a high school youth group and to come to college offered my that kind of continuity and support that I needed.

M@ - There's so much stuff going on so there's always an option for stuff to participate in. If I wasn't already so busy I would be taking advantage of all the opportunities to hang out with people during the week. We're looking for some people to do a worship band for Sunday mornings. I attend worship on Sundays and that's the starter for my whole week. Worship has been on my mind.

FF: Why do you come to worship?

M@ - It's part of a relationship with Christ. If you don't have worship it's like an empty relationship. I think that music plays such a big part. This grandma who lives across the street from me - she says music is the prayer of the angels. It's a whole other level of praising God. And Fred's really interested in having the Campus Crusade band (which I'm in) come in and lead worship here.

AK - We had a band a couple years ago, but it kind of depends on students to make it happen.

FF: Does the music make a difference?

AK - yes. I think it's nice to have a change of pace. We had a choir one year and that was nice to have a switch.

BI - Fred always talks about this being a transitional year. There used to be a lot of involvement - but then last year we had 15-20 in worship - now it's more like 45.

AK - a couple years ago we graduated like 50 seniors and that was really hard.

JB- It went down to just me, Dan and Ally. So we had to build up from the bottom again.

AK - We had to rebuild. Now we're 30-40 people Sunday morning, 5-10 people Sunday night.

RH - I like how it's a smaller community - like you're coming here to see friends. Lutherans gotta talk, you know. So I like the semi-circle atmosphere and how Fred talks to us, not at us.

AK - I always feel when Fred is preaching like he is taking my hand and we're walking together somewhere. He came to my graduation this spring, and he's so funny.

BI - Fred's brain is full of so much useless knowledge and he loves to share it with you. And if he doesn't know the answer he'll find it.

FF: How is Crossroads perceived on campus?

RH - Most people know Crossroads (Lutheran Campus Ministry) but get it confused with the campus Lutheran chapel (LCMS).

AK - But if you say you go to church and Fred is your pastor they know Fred.

JB - People get us confused with the Campus Lutheran Chapel pretty often.

FF: So it's mostly Fred?

BI - Yes, he's really friendly and involved on campus.

AK - he would talk to a post, and the post would probably talk back.

JB- Last year he had 3 classes of FYE and some education classes - he put in like 2000 hours just teaching. It's just another way to bring younger kids in. People think he's just a professor, but when he says he's a pastor people are curious.

BI - Everyone I talk to who's had him for class think he's just great.

M@ - People think of this is the cool looking building - they don't necessarily know what it is, or what goes on here. So there might be people who are interested in coming and getting involved but we're still working on getting them here.

AK - 50% leave on the weekend, so that makes a huge difference.

BI - We do a lot of stuff during the week to have activities when people are around.

FF: Genius?

AK- Fred. I told my boyfriend when we get married Fred's going to do and that's it. He's what keeps me here. He's been there for me when things were really yucky and when I'm really excited. Like when my boyfriend's dad died of a brain tumor, or now when my sister is expecting a baby.

M@ - I agree that Fred is a strong part, but location and opportunity for people to get here makes a big difference. And that the building is always open, you can always come in and check out the sanctuary for stuff. There's nothing holding people away - you're perfectly invited to come and do activities here or just have a group meeting here. Plus the building itself is a nice facility - it has a different look than a church with a steeple. Nowadays people are all about look and glamour.

FF: Do people think of it as a church?

JB- No. More of a community. The church has a certain image - a steeple. If this was a place with a huge steeple, it would have a different impression. This doesn't have the image for that - which works against it and for it. Might not be recognized right away, but once people get to know about it they realize it's a community.

BI - Other ministries on campus are like a youth group - back to high school thing. One of the first things Fred told me about this ministry is to know God and understand about Jesus and his story. This is the ministry for the more mature college student. I love doing all the high school stuff and its cool, but I wasn't getting anything extra out of it. Fred prides himself on communion every week, he wants people to leave here knowing God. There's ton of alumni who leave here and go to seminary. Fred really has the goal for strong pure heart ministry.

AK - We have a lot of traditional pieces in the midst of the non-traditional stuff we do. Like communion every week.

BI - We take communion in a circle and we all hold hands and say the blessing right there. That's really cool. It's not like you have to get ushered anywhere.

FF: You like the tradition of the communion and the non-traditional practice of it?

AK - Yes.

BI - We were talking about affirmation of faith and I thought that would be really cool. Methodists do it all together, but Fred called me up by myself and I thought, this is really different and really serious.

AD - Openness to diversity, people coming in at different stages of their faith walk and still being accepted. If you're a regular and you miss you're welcomed back - there's a lot of volunteer opportunities but no pressure.

SW - I think it's Fred. He's inviting, and it's different for me from the Newman Center, which I like.

FF: So it's been comfortable for you to invite other people, too?

SW - Yeah, Fred invites everyone. So it didn't seem like a big deal

AK - We get a lot of foot traffic during the week, people do stuff with us during the week and worship other places on the weekend.

FF: So all the ministries seem pretty cooperative?

BI - Yes.

M@ - Fred also emphasizes open table, which models the actual body of Christ the way it's supposed to be. It has confession and the reading and hymns at the beginning, but communion doesn't set anybody apart because it says, this is how we do it and you're invited to do it with us.

AK - My boyfriend can take communion here, but I can't take it in his church. I like that you can come here from other faiths and if you feel comfortable then you can take it, and if you don't it's ok not to take it.

FF: What else should we know?

BI - If you want to know about ministry you should come and talk to Fred.

AK - If Fred ever leaves… wow, I can't imagine it.

FF: Where do you see God at work?

M@ - using this place as a place to see the spirit working - once the holy spirit fills somebody its contagious. It creates an excitement for his word, people want to keep learning. It's mysterious, but there's a lot here.

FF: Can you describe what you're talking about?

M@ - People have curiosity about what's in this building. People are searching, especially since 9-11 there's an unusual number of depression and suicide - and in the middle of it God is starting to call people. If you show them, people are curious about God, they want to learn more, try and seek him.

AD - When you learn faces and meet new people here, and you start to recognize them on campus. Just like all the people I've run into by being a CA (like an RA or PA) - you start to notice the presence of having someone to say hello to - a friendly atmosphere. You meet someone and you think about Jesus being in their life, and have kind of a warm feeling.

JB- It's forever building - last year was a trying time, and I've been seeing it a lot with trying to get things going last year, and now we can see people starting to come and want to learn more. More people coming for Bible study and worship. It's forever building for people on campus too, like during passing the peace here we walk around and try to say hi to everybody and learn everybody's name, learn a little more about someone you've never seen before in the service and meet them. It gives people a learning community and building community. It gives you a totally different relationship with people that you see here and on campus.

AK - We have young moms that had tried other churches but came back here because they felt so comfortable.

BI - Like one time a baby started to cry and Fred stopped his sermon and said, "I love that sound - it's a great sound to hear in church. Get used to it."

JB- When the alumni come back they bring their kids, it's fun.

RH - I really agree with everyone

BI - I see it in the way everything gets pulled off. No matter how busy we are or what's going on in our lives - everything gets pulled off - finances, activities. That's amazing to me. It always works out good, even if it's not the way we planned it. Everything just works. That's where I see God, the mysteriousness of that.

AK - We can never get together and be done in 45 minutes - everything always takes longer here. Like doing Fred's review last year took us over an hour. That's God at work there for me - it wouldn't take that long if it wasn't a minister we weren't crazy about. And now the finances are coming together, people are coming…

JB - Everything takes off, it has its place and it happens. Like the 9-11 thing, in 2 hours we planned 2 services for that day and packed the sanctuary that day.

AK - Then he planned the service for that Friday and packed that.

JB- Just to watch things happen

FF: Fred makes things happen?

JB- Yeah.

Observations:

• People are "in the community," not part of the church
• Fred meets people all over - Good Earth Village, by reference (campus faculty, other campus ministers, friends), through learning communities on campus, classes he teaches.
• To new people Crossroads has a confusing identity (who knew there were multiple Lutherans?) But once they make a connection with Fred, Crossroads becomes the place where Fred is.
• This group talked quite a bit about service opportunities.
• Openness to diversity, acceptance, lots of opportunities to get involved but no pressure to do it.
• Location and opportunity for people to spend time in the building, get involved with activities, make friends, connections.
• Building is always open, convenient to campus, looks interesting but not too church like because there's no steeple.
• Lots of worship stuff - mentioned open communion every week, sharing the peace, communion in a circle, blessing in the circle. Tradition done non-traditionally.
• Students spoke clearly about how God is at work at Crossroads - impressive!

Quotables

• AK - "He [Fred] would talk to a post, and the post would probably talk back."
• AK -"I always feel when Fred is preaching like he is taking my hand and we're walking together somewhere."
• BI - "One of the first things Fred told me about this ministry is to know God and understand about Jesus and his story. This is the ministry for the more mature college student…Fred prides himself on communion every week, he wants people to leave here knowing God."

• FF:"So it's been comfortable for you to invite other people, too?" SW - "Yeah, Fred invites everyone. So it didn't seem like a big deal."

10. Lutheran Campus Ministry couples, plus a single student

12/1, 2p
Conference Room
Randy led, Dawn helped, Amy took notes

KH - female, married to PH, graduated spring 2000, technical writer for MN elevator
PH - male, married to KH, 3rd year, grad with flight aviation, works here as a flight instructor
TF - female, 2nd year from ND, major social work, graduating in 13 days
TH - male, married to EH, graduated from MSU in 2000, degree in mechanical engineering, at law school at U of M
EH - female, married to TH, 2nd year, will graduate in May in Chemistry, start Chiropractic school in
RH - female, married to DH, haven't attended MSU, been a loan officer for co-bank, married 5 years, attending here since they got married.
DH - male, married to RH, 5th year graduate, civil engineer in Faribault

FF: Tell us your history of coming, being involved here?

TF- I started going to FCA like 3 years ago - and Fred would talk once in awhile. I liked him. In the last year I started coming here for Bible Study because I got done with track.

TH - I was introduced to Fred through FCA started coming to church here because of that. He did our premarital counseling, and I consider him a good friend over the past 4 years. Got to know him through fellowship times before and after church, bible studies - he's the guy I go to if I have spiritual questions, and he's always answered them.

EH - I went to church because someone invited me when I lived in the dorms. I was raised RCC and was going to the RCC - but Tom and I started dating and I would come here - but I really liked Pastor Fred. Now I go to weekly Bible studies too.

FF: Were you looking for something different from RCC?

EH - Yeah, and I came here

DH - I was introduced to Fred through the yellow pages. I'm RCC - my wife is Dutch Reformed. I was raised catholic - went to catholic school.

RH - I went with him a couple times and I didn't get it, up down up down.

DH - They don't stop the services for anything, even a heart attack - I was an EMT - I know! But we attended a lot of churches and usually I was making a top 10 list of why I wouldn't come back again. Finally we looked in the yellow pages and ended up here. I really like Fred - I remember just about every sermon he's ever given - he's the Paul Harvey of the church. A little different, always interesting, always up to date he incorporates current events - like Diana on p1 and Mother Teresa on p13 - he applies the message of the Bible to today's times.

FF: So you were attending classes?

DH - I was attending classes at night. People were here who were our age. He made a point of making us feel welcome.

RH - He even visited us in our home, which really seemed like going the extra mile.

DH - Fred really welcomed us to the community because we were new to the community. The service was so good I didn't even draw on the bulletin.

RH - The other churches we went to there weren't any people our age - either teenagers or older people. We didn't have kids, so we didn't feel like we fit. Here there's a lot of people our age.

PH - I was raised Baptist until the age of 12 or 13 - then they started asking questions I really wasn't comfortable with. So I went to confirmation with a Lutheran friend, and ended up getting baptized into the Lutheran church and have been ever since. Went through high school and college, transferred to MSU my sophomore year. When I came here I was a little disconnected and could have slipped away from the church - got involved with intervarsity and then wandered in here on Sunday morning because I thought I could either do that or party and I wanted to stick on to the right one - because I had fallen into the right crowd. Fred found out that I was a computer geek, so I did a lot of work with computers around here, then lived here for two summers and the year in between.

KH - I was going to church occasionally around town, intervarsity was my regular activity on campus. Then I came here and there was a lot to get used to since I grew up Baptist. The first time I came in here I thought wow it's so clean in here - it smells fresh, they really take care of it. And Fred makes eye contact with you in the sermon, and it's really great the way he cares about everyone. I've seen how hard he works to keep the ministry running and caring for people, he's very accepting, he puts his whole heart into the ministry here.

FF: So how'd you get here from FCA?

KH - Phill told me what all Fred had done for him and they really made a difference. I wanted to come here.

PH - Intervarsity would really charge me up, lots of energy, fun fellowship, it kind of cracked my shell - I'm kind of an introvert. So I'd have all that energy and never use it for anything. Once I came here then I had a place to use that energy - serving others through food for friends, etc.

FF: How about FCA?

TH - Also a fellowship thing, more social. Coming here on Sundays would feed me a little bit more. I was a leader in FCA so I was helping out others, then when I came over here I could be helped.

FF: What impact do you think this ministry has on you personally?

KH- Makes me more interested in serving for others. When we do food for friends it's not just serving them food it's about fellowship, but also serving communion in services. It has encouraged my overall interest in helping people. Like I offered to help a co-worker plan our company party the other day and she had a lot of stuff for me to do which I wouldn't have known about if I hadn't asked.

PH - If it wasn't for the residency program I wouldn't have been able to finish the last couple ratings I had to do. It was cheap - pay utilities and work 50 hours a month. I could afford the rest of my flight training. Also I think Fred is really good at developing people's critical thinking skills. Like I come in and ask about current events and Fred would offer some other point of view that I didn't know about or think of before. Could be political, biblical.

TH - His sermons put a different spin on it - makes you think

RH - This has become a second home for me. Growing up church was always the center of our social life. I would feel like something big was missing if we didn't go to church. And since we're not graduating and moving on I feel like we can contribute some stability to the community by being around, and being friendly.

DH - We've also talked about how it might evolve into something different, something bigger like when we have kids the possibility of Sunday school. When we first attended there weren't babies in the crowd, but now there are. It could evolve into something with a variety of different ages.

FF: How has this ministry had an impact?

DH - Fred has had a huge impact. I was at a café in a little town in Kasson, MN and these two ladies were looking for directions for Elmore, so I gave them directions. We got to chatting and they new Fred. Somebody I met in Chicago knew Fred…

RH - The door to door salesman who came to our house knew Fred.

DH - He really gets his name out on behalf of the ministry. People know who he is and he uses that to get resources and other things for the ministry here. Seems like all the little churches know Fred.

RH - Seems like he goes to visit, gets support from them financially, lets them know that if their kids are coming to MSU this is a good place to be.

KH - Fred meets people. He doesn't stick to his own group of friends

RH - The residents too are very kind, accommodating and hospitable. That's unique.

DH - Like after worship in the summers we have a cookout and it's like the second half of church. It's fun to sit around and talk with fellow Christians and share views - not that you always agree, but the conversations are interesting.

FF: How do you think this ministry is perceived by the community?

PH - At the university it's pretty good. Fred has worked more full time (teaching at MSU), but now he's back to adjunct, which I like better. During Lent we have noon services with bread and soup lunches and faculty come over for lunch and they always say really good things about Fred. I think it crosses denominational lines, it's a nice service, and a nice way to reset your clock in the middle of the week. It's a good time to talk to faculty outside of class.

KH - They have a big party to bake bread for the Lenten services. That's really fun.

TH - I don't think it's the most popular one on campus - other churches and weekly fellowships have bigger numbers.

PH - One of the biggest problems we have is getting people to attend worship and be excited about worship on Sun. We have 75 chairs and usually 2-25 people. But we usually have more than enough people to do service projects. Intervarsity is the exact opposite.

DH - I used to do Youth for Christ in IA. And the size just keeps growing, what attracts people is people. Girls attract guys and guys attract girls. It's about checking people out - that's how it works.

RH - we went to Bible study one night and we were all sitting around the table, and this guy was kind of checking Eve out, and I said, "How are the wedding plans coming?" and his head just dropped. He never came back.

DH - It's about single people wanting to meet single people. But now for Fred, he doesn't pressure people into coming here. He's professional - people heard about him because he was teacher of the year.

KH - We had people from his class who helped at the last food for friends - so it was fun for us to meet people who know him as a teacher, and we know him as our pastor. That was cool.

FF: What's the genius?

DH - We attribute a lot to Fred. He puts things together - the community does things as a whole, but Fred is the brains behind it.

PH - Our community attitude is to welcome the stranger - so when somebody new comes we are intentional about making them feel welcome. That's our calling. Fred has pushed that but the community has adopted it.

KH - Fred can do everything, but he doesn't. He's really excited about having other people involved. He gives the opportunity for us to be involved of the ministry - one time I worked with him on putting together food for friends. That was good to have the opportunity to be a leader in a new way

RH - The structure and form also contributes. It's not so big you could get lost. But it is geared to young people - everyone is welcome.

PH - He tries lots of different things in worship. It's varied and eclectic, which is good. He tries different things. Kelly and I went to another church one week and I could have recited the whole service by heart - which isn't bad, but we were the only people our age there.

TF - I don't come to Sunday mornings that often. He says things that makes me say, "Yeah - that totally makes sense in my life." Bible study - I like it a lot - because you can always come here and ask questions. It's not structured, you can ask anything and he'll talk about it for 20 minutes

KH - he makes sacrifices for the ministry here - time, effort, it doesn't bother him - he's very willing to put himself into his work - and he wouldn't call it work - it's just his life.

FF: So most of you have done pre-marital?

DH- we didn't do that but we have done Bible Study. I'm a bible idiot - I grew up catholic and asking questions just got me sent to the principal's office. So questions that weren't ok there are ok for Fred. Now I met the right people and got hooked up with good friends - normal people just like myself.

FF: How is God at work here?

DH - I know God is present because he's gotten me here. Being in the military now I encourage a lot of my guys to attend, too. God has worked through me and others to encourage people to come back to church. It's kind of like you've died and brought you back.

KH- God provides for this ministry - especially finances. He provides the means to provide those resources. He touches a lot of people individually. He has really active in Fred's life.

TH - God is at work in that we've been able to come here and learn from Fred and then take that out to where we are and spread it around.

FF: Anything else?

DH - I fear Fred leaving. I'd hate to see him leave. He always encourages me even in stuff outside the church. He's like a friend you're talking to and you're always sad to see a friend go. I can't say that about any priests.

KH - It certainly wouldn't be the same without him. I can't imagine how someone else would do things.

RH - One thing that Fred feels a concern about is a lack of people in our generation wanting to get involved. Besides the people sitting here we don't have a lot of friends or relationships in this community. People aren't as interested in getting involved in organizations - not just here but on other campuses as well. Things are going well, but there are larger trends that affect it.

DH- But we can see growth.

KH - But there may tend to be too much reliance on Fred. We should probably also be inviting people to come to church.

TH - There's really no substitute for the hard work done by our leader - Fred does a lot.

DH - But we also really need to step up as leaders, too.

KH - Fred tells a story about when he used to be a pastor and he was mowing the lawn and the mother of the bride came out and frantically asked for a bowl and he helped her. Then he came back later to do the wedding and she was surprised. It just goes to show Fred will do anything.

Observations:

• They graduated and they still attend at Crossroads - why? Didn't fit in at other churches, no people their age, plus connection with Fred, service orientation/opportunities, possible evolution into a congregation with Sunday school, etc.
• LCM offers a meeting ground for couples of different faith backgrounds.
• Atmosphere makes room for questioning, Fred helps them develop critical thinking skills.
• Residents create a feeling of hospitality, keep the place clean.
• Always a bigger turn out for servant work
• Fred will do anything to make the ministry work. He knows all kinds of people (see quotables)

Quotables:

• DH - "I was at a café in a little town in Kasson, MN and these two ladies were looking for directions for Elmore, so I gave them directions. We got to chatting and they knew Fred. Somebody I met in Chicago knew Fred…" RH - "The door to door salesman who came to our house knew Fred."
• PH - "Our community attitude is to welcome the stranger - so when somebody new comes we are intentional about making them feel welcome."
• DH - "I know God is present because he's gotten me here."
• KH- "[God] is really active in Fred's life."
  
  

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/te