by Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester
June is orientation season at Iowa State University. Throughout the month, new students and their parents arrive on campus for a day-and-a-half introduction to life as a Cyclone.
The first day is packed with information: welcome sessions, student IDs, email accounts, safety information, academic expectations, and introductions to faculty and staff. On the second day, students meet with advisors, register for classes, receive their computers, and attend a resource fair filled with organizations eager to help them succeed.
The resource fair is an interesting place. Banks, military representatives, music and theater programs, entrepreneurial services, CyRide, the City of Ames, and many others gather to introduce themselves. Everyone is hoping to make a connection.
During orientation, representatives from various campus ministries take turns staffing the Religious Leaders Association (RLA) table. The goal is simple: help students find a campus ministry where they can thrive.
Recently, I found myself serving alongside a young campus minister from another church tradition. As we talked with students and parents, I realized something important. We were approaching the same task from two very different perspectives.
Many organizations approach recruitment as a collection project. Think about stamp collections, coin collections, or Pokémon cards. Collectors are passionate about their collections. They can tell you all about them. But no matter how enthusiastic they are, if the person they’re talking to is interested in sports, politics, or music, the conversation may never connect.
Connection requires something different.
Connection begins with listening. It starts by asking questions. What are you looking for? What is important to you? What kind of community helps you grow? What are your beliefs, questions, hopes, or concerns?
As campus ministers, we do not all believe the same things. We do not worship the same way. We do not share identical theological perspectives. Those differences matter. Helping students understand those differences is not a weakness; it is a service.
I want students to find the right fit from the very beginning. If a student is searching for an affirming faith community, they deserve to know which ministries are affirming. If a student is looking for a more conservative theological approach, they deserve to know that as well. The goal is not to convince everyone to attend my ministry. I make that very clear. The goal is to help students connect with a community where they can grow in faith and be supported.
In fact, one day, I took information down for a Jewish student, two Hindu students, one Buddhist, and one Muslim student. I will find a contact person and get them connected.
That realization has challenged me in two different ways. First, was to help other campus ministers understand what each ministry is about. Second, it affirmed that our calling is not simply to gather people. It is to know them, listen to them (meet them as is), and help them find places where authentic relationships can flourish. It is to connect.
The same is true in the church.
Are we trying to collect people, or are we trying to connect with them? Do we spend more time talking about who we are than learning who they are? Do we assume that what matters to us automatically matters to everyone else?
I don’t think we are called to be everything to everyone. But I do believe we are called to listen well, love generously, and help people find places where they can encounter God and grow in faith.
I’d love to hear what you think. Are we called to collect, or to connect?
(See what I did there?)
Blessings,
Jena
