I lead a campus fellowship in the southern province of Jiangsu. Since new students come and old ones graduate, most students are only there for three to four years.
I contact many campus fellowships. A few years ago, the fellowship leaders talked about their nurturing experiences, fellowship structure, and ministry plans. However, things are different now. They discuss how to shepherd students born after 1995 and break current predicaments.
Let me share the difficulties in campus fellowships with my fellowship as an example.
Objective problems:
1. Busy with classes and studying, students have little time for attending fellowship meetings.
In the past, college students didn't take many classes and the course examinations were easier. So they didn't need to study at night and could enjoy weekends. There was much time for them to join in Bible studies and prayer meetings.
But the situation is different. Apart from junior and senior students, a large percentage of freshmen and sophomores have to study in the evening and take classes on weekends. Junior college students and undergraduates are occupied with preparing to take undergraduate and postgraduate entrance examinations. As a result, they hurry to attend meetings and leave the fellowship in haste. There is little time for them to talk with other members.
2. It's hard to arrange the meeting time.
Owing to their busy schedules, it is hard to arrange a good meeting time. The best time is Sunday, but my fellowship registered under a three-self church has to attend the church's Sunday service. Because most of the congregation are older, the church preaches the message centered around the elderly. Moreover, some pastors speak in the local dialect, so students from other provinces can't understand their sermons.
Subjective problems:
1. Too much freedom
Young people are almost free from religious restrictions. Shepherds refuse to bind with the Christian faith because they think it is against the Bible.
We want to create an air of freedom, but the result is that there is no discipline in the fellowship. The members come and go whenever they want, so it is impossible to start ministries. Freedom becomes an excuse for not attending meetings.
2. Pastors lack professional training.
There is too little effective training for campus fellowship leaders.
My fellowship cooperated with a large student ministry team. The team claimed to have a twenty-year experience of serving student fellowships. When I asked if there was a good fellowship model, the team didn't know what to say.
The big joint fellowship was actually a "trick". It created an illusion that they achieved much by launching more than ten fellowships across China. However, each fellowship was mediocre and accomplished nothing.
In addition, campus fellowship pastors receive unprofessional training. Most of the trainers have no experience in nurturing students or it is from decades ago. Their ideas are outdated. For example, they often say that students feel lonely and lack love although they look gorgeous and happy all the time. In fact, the vague statement doesn't make sense; the university life is more abunadant and happier than we think.
3. Pastors' low salaries drench their spirits.
In the beginning, most fellowship leaders are in high spirits and plan to make a difference for the kingdom of God with clear visions. However, their ministries seem to return to the starting point as the day moves forward and old students leave and new students come.The cost of housing and prices are raised multiple times, but fellowship pastors are paid almost the same as before.
My monthly salary has been 2,000 yuan for three years without insurance. It can only afford my basic living. I wish never to get sick because my wage is not enough to cover medical fees, let alone support my family.
So the majority of young pastors working in campus fellowships leave their ministries as soon as they get married and have children. Of course, there are exceptions who are rich or are willing to endure hardships along with their families.
- Translated by Karen Luo
