Focus on Christian Higher Education Churches


Faith Continued from page 23


and families wanting to instill deep


faith in youth should help them build a web of relationships with committed and caring adults. 2) Churches and families


overestimate youth group graduates’ readiness for the struggles ahead with dire consequences for the faith. Only one in seven high school


seniors reports feeling prepared to face the challenges of college life with few ready for the intensity of the college experience: loneliness, the search for new friends, being completely on their own for the first time and the sudden availability of partying. One pervasive struggle for


college students is finding a new church, as evident by the 40 per cent of freshman who report difficulty doing so. Young people retrospectively report that the first two weeks of their college freshman year set the trajectory for their remaining years in school. Parents and leaders should


talk earlier and more frequently about college, including helping entering students develop a plan for the first two weeks complete with church attendance, as well as an investigation of ministries and churches nearby that offer a transitional lifeline. 3) While teaching young


people the “dos” and “don’ts” of Christian living is important, an


Development Officer


Tyndale University College & Seminary is a trans-denominational, evangelical university college and seminary that prepares leaders for the ministry, market- place and global mission of the church. Tyndale invites fully qualified candidates to apply for the following position(s), however, Canadian citizens and perma- nent residents will be given priority. The successful candidates will subscribe to and sign Tyndale's Statement of Faith and Community Standards Statement.


Tyndale is seeking two Development Officers who will be responsible for managing donor relationships within an assigned geographic region.


As a Development Officer reporting to the Senior Director, Development & Community Relations, you will cultivate relationships with existing donors, identify and cultivate new donors, and play a major role in the achievement of Tyndale’s fundraising goals. Your primary work will be within the Christian business community, but you would also work with others who wish to contribute to post-secondary education in a Christian setting. Your responsibilities will include meeting Tyndale’s annual fund, capital campaign, and planned giving objectives.


While prior fundraising experience would be an asset, if you have an undergraduate degree with three to five years experience, a strong track record in managing and building relationships, and are excited by the prospect of trying something new within our fast-paced entrepreneurial environment, we would love to hear from you! It is important that you be a self-starter who is comfortable working with aggressive fundraising targets and metrics. You would, ideally, be well-connected within the Christian community and have the ability to be a persuasive advocate for Tyndale and Christian post-secondary education.


If you feel you are the person we are looking for, please submit your resume together with a cover letter to employment@tyndale.ca. 24 • November 01, 2011 •


overemphasis on behaviours can sabotage faith long-term. When asked what it means to


be Christian, one-third of subjects as college juniors (all of whom were youth group graduates) failed to mention “Jesus” or “Christ” but rather emphasized behaviours. Tis and a few related findings suggest that students tend to view the gospel as a “do” and “don’t” list of behaviours instead of a faith that also transforms interior lives and beliefs. One of the dangers of


reducing Christianity to this sort of external behaviour is that when students fail to live up to the activities they think define Christianity, their feelings of guilt can make them quickly abandon their faith altogether. Parents and leaders eager to


build sticky faith in youth need to exemplify and explain that while particular behaviours and practices are part of the faith, the focus is on trusting (not just obeying) Christ along with explaining how He leads, guides and changes us from the inside. Young people better navigate


their faith journey when adults share the challenges of their own spiritual paths—including ups, downs and turning points.


The Fuller Youth Institute (fulleryouthinstitute. org), part of Fuller Theological Seminary, aims


“to leverage research into resources that elevate leaders, youth, and families.” For practical resources on how to nurture long-term faith in teenagers, visit stickyfaith.org.


Away Continued from page 22


Prospective students will be


looking, of course, at how the college’s curriculum advances their own educational goals. A local community college obviously won’t be the best place to pursue training for church ministry. Meanwhile, the local Bible college might not offer the high level of counselling instruction as its counterpart a couple of provinces away. Where is your true interest? Where is that interest best nurtured? If a particular program isn’t


the deciding factor, it could well be a particular person. Perhaps the student has read a book or been inspired by a message from a professor or spokesperson from a college far away. Te allure of studying in the presence of people one already admires may well be all it takes to prompt a decision. Life is full of such


serendipities; sometimes the briefest touch of relationship results in a life-transforming choice. Don’t be afraid of it.


Home away from home


At other times, it’s the particular perspective of the school that matters. For example, a


person who attends a Christian and Missionary Alliance congregation is a ready recruit for the institutions of higher learning associated with that denomination, even if they have to travel to get there. Te same is true of any fellowship of churches that operates schools. Tey function as extended families, following familiar patterns while providing additional perspective—homes away from home. Sometimes it’s the place


itself that is the attraction. A rural person might crave a taste of urban life. A city- dweller may well thrive in the relative isolation of a more secluded environment. Some students actually need higher levels of engagement with society; others will benefit from a time of greater isolation. What is most needed at this stage of your life? Te bottom line, of course,


concerns what is best for each particular student. What school is most suitable for you? Very oſten it will be the one in your own neighbourhood. But mere practicality shouldn’t make that the default selection. Te right choice oſten means moving away, even if the risk and expense it seems to involve stretches the comfort zone. Sometimes it takes distance to sort those things out.


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