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Overture 98:63

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We hope you will discover in Renewing the Commitment some of the enthusiasm, energy and hope the writers of the document found as we developed this pathway. We spent nearly two years talking to all parts of the church about what is needed in our denomination's ministry to, with, by and for college students.

The final product of those conversations is here. The writers' strategy was to reflect on a mission primarily with traditional aged students. The overture we were responding to expressed concern about the church's mission and ministry with the traditionally Black academic communities and with recent immigrant populations. It wanted some guidance about how PC(USA)-related ministries are distinctive from para-church or other non-denominational campus ministries.

Whereas, campus ministry is of vital importance to the spiritual well-being of students, and indeed all who live and work in college and university communities; and

Whereas, campus ministry is of vital importance to the Presbyterian church as a whole in that the failure to nurture students during their college years and the failure to support Presbyterians and ecumenical colleagues who live out their vocation at colleges and universities often results in a less effective witness and, in the case of young adults living on campus, sometimes results in their not returning to the church once they have completed their education; and

Whereas, synods and presbyteries that traditionally have been responsible for campus ministry are experiencing difficulties in coordinating and financing ministries in institutions of higher education; and

Whereas, historically, Black institutions are often less well-served by the Presbyterian church in campus ministry programs; and

Whereas, our ecumenical partners in many instances have had difficulty sustaining campus ministry programs due to budgetary constraints or shifts of mission priorities and strategy; and

Whereas, nationally coordinated campus ministry programs, such as InterVarsity and Campus Crusade for Christ, have achieved notable success in their efforts; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Presbytery of National Capital overture the 210th General Assembly (1998) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to direct the Higher Education program area to prepare a church wide mission strategy for ministry to higher education in concert with middle governing bodies, congregations, and, where possible, ecumenical partners, to be presented to the 212th General Assembly (2000).

(From the Presbytery of National Capital)

Note 1: The overture was approved as presented to the 210th General Assembly without changes.
Note 2: A request was granted by the General Assembly Council to approve an extension of one year for the reporting back of this overture to the 213th General Assembly.