Christian Fellowship Forced to Compromise College Christian Ministry

I referenced it in my previous blog posting.  The California State University (CSU) system issued a new nondiscrimination policy that required InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) to allow non-Christians to be chapter leaders … forcing this nation-wide organization to develop a new style of campus ministry.

 

“InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is now developing a new style of campus ministry on CSU campuses where we have been banned from participating in campus life as a recognized student organization,” IVCF stated.  “In order to maintain a ministry presence with 23-chapters on 19-CSU campuses, InterVarsity is introducing creative new ways to connect with students and share the gospel message — though doing so as an ‘unrecognized’ student group will prove considerably more costly.”

 

IVCF officials added that because it is no longer allowed to participate in campus organization fairs, InterVarsity will make contact with students by deploying new tools such as mobile banner stands, interactive displays, social media, and other techniques that don’t rely on established campus structures.  “Our campus access challenges give this generation of students an opportunity to reinvent campus ministry,” said Greg Jao, InterVarsity’s National Field Director.  “Even as we use new tools and techniques, we remind students that effective ministry is ultimately relational.  It’s about students inviting other students to follow Jesus.”

 

InterVarsity explained that it has always required chapter leaders to agree to its doctrinal basis – a summary of basic, historic Christian beliefs.  “While InterVarsity invites and welcomes all students as participants, we believe a Christian group should have the right to expect and even require their leaders to be Christian — just as any student group, club or Greek organization should be able to require their leaders to be like-minded,” IVCF said.

 

The implementation of the new CSU policy began in 2012, with a 1-year exemption for religious groups for the 2013-14 school year.  The policy means all 23-InterVarsity chapters on CSU campuses now operate without the benefits of official recognition.  IVCF said that on most of the 616-college campuses across the U.S. where InterVarsity has 949-chapters, its student ministry work continues as it has for more than 7-decades.

 

The policy is essentially asking InterVarsity chapters to change the core of their identity, and to change the way they operate in order to be an officially recognized student group.  “While we applaud inclusivity, we believe that faith-based communities like ours can only be led by people who clearly affirm historic Christian doctrine,” InterVarsity stated.  “The policy exempts sororities and fraternities from gender discrimination; we believe there should be a similar provision for creedal communities.”

 

Approximately 50% of students active in InterVarsity chapters are members of ethnic minority groups; in California the number is closer to 70%, officials said.  “Students from every conceivable background still come to college seeking answers to life’s larger questions in order to find meaning and significance.  And InterVarsity is committed to sharing with them the message of the Gospel, a message that has been revolutionizing lives for 2,000 years,” IVCF stated.

 

Should secular non-discrimination policies require Christian ministries to compromise their long-standing creedal positions?  What do you think?

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel