Sacred Calling on the State’s Turf

• Jun 6, 2010
• Beau J. Johnson

       I maintain some contact with colleagues at my Christian alma mater. Every year former mentors connect me to graduate students who are curious about the world of higher education beyond the Christian campus. I would not trade my four years in Christian higher education for anything, but I am always thrilled at the opportunity to talk with students about making the transition to working on the state’s turf.

       For the last several years, I have been employed by large, public (land-grant) institutions. I wish I could fully articulate the sense of energy I have felt since working at a state school and being surrounded by not-yet-Christians. I believe it’s the kind of energy we all engage when we’re doing what we were created to do. Students at state schools are raw, they are longing to engage with deep spiritual things, their “God shaped hole” is sharp and obvious, and their contact with Christian men and women may be the first time they are ever intentionally loved. I wish more mission-oriented Christians would take the plunge into this incredible world. Moreover, I wish that we did a better job helping graduate students (and young professionals) transition from the world of Christian colleges and universities to the world of state colleges and universities.

       I know I am not alone in believing there are women and men called to a wide diversity of college campuses. However, as part of the minority who moved away from a campus centered on Christ, I do not believe we do enough to prepare our graduating students to enter this new territory. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to work on a state campus, but I didn’t know how to do that effectively as a Christian. How do I talk about my faith? Will I be persecuted for what I say? Will they make me compromise what I believe? Luckily, I got some help along the way, but I’m not sure I would have survived without it.

       I do what I do because I believe God longs to engage with lost young adults. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful, and where I work that harvest is 25,000 strong. I have the privilege of introducing people to God, connecting them to real community, and being a palpable voice of hope. It’s all exciting – but the transition does not happen naturally. Let me say that again – the transition from Christian campus to a non-faith-based institution is not natural. Furthermore, the learning curve is steep, the stakes are high, it’s easy to make mistakes, and even easier to get labeled. Your Facebook account can hurt you before your first day – you can be typecast before you even arrive.

       On paper, most practitioners on state campuses identify themselves as Christian. However, many don’t believe Jesus should be brought to work, or they don’t know how to bring Him effectively. Many well-meaning Christians in higher education tend to fall into one of three camps.

       Those in the first camp are devoted followers who see their spiritual life and work life as separate. Their faith is personal; to them weaving religious identity into a pluralistic campus is complicated and potentially dangerous. They survive because, in general, they keep quiet.

       Those in the second camp are equally devoted, but much more vocal. They feel a sincere need to share the truth even when it’s unpopular.  They are constantly (whether internally or externally) battling the institutional support of ideologies counter to their own. Their good hearts lead them to attempt converting others and  they can often become more isolated because of their beliefs. If they survive, they grow exhausted from feeling like they are losing a battle.

       The third camp is made up of those who desire to share Christ while being relevant and relatable; they want to be true to their faith while being open and intriguing. They have learned that accepting someone doesn’t mean you condone their behavior. They have learned to be insiders and they know how to authentically engage others. They are interesting and inquisitive. They may feel alone, but they are fueled by a mission and by watching lives change.

       On the state campus we absolutely have the opportunity to see lives change and people to connect to God, but it is often slow and never formulaic. I wish more Christians worked in this realm because we have the opportunity to open doors like nobody else. We get to build students’ and staffs’ trust, connect students to campus ministries, and be part of the process of students connecting to God. Is there anything more exciting? The call to connect students to Christ is not an obligation, it’s an opportunity. We talk all the time about helping students find their identity and purpose – can you think of a better source than our Creator?

       So, if you are interested or intrigued by the idea of transitioning into this world, or if you are already there and unsure how you fit in or what your faith means on campus, stay tuned. In next issue of Koinonia I hope to tackle the interview process, how to start your job at a state school, and, once you’re there, how to share Christ while being relevant and relatable. Furthermore, as the title of this publication (Koinonia) suggests, let’s connect to each other. As I addressed above, it’s so common to begin to feel isolated, whatever your stage in life or articulation of your faith. Wherever you are called to make disciples, I hope we can learn how to support and commune with each other.

Beau works in housing at a large public institution in the Rocky Mountain region. You can read his blog at deartony.wordpress.com.