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Campus ministry seeks to create and nurture a Christian
campus community, ecumenical in nature, while embracing the university’s
relationship with the United Methodist Church.
Campus ministry at
Dakota Wesleyan University serves in partnership with all aspects
of the campus community in fulfilling the overall
mission of the college. As such, the office of campus ministry is
committed to:
- liberal arts education;
- the university's relationship with the United Methodist
Church;
- diversity in an inclusive atmosphere;
- the dialogue between mind and soul;
- building relationships;
- developing whole persons;
- promoting service to God and humanity.
Campus ministry is open to all
persons who desire to grow in their understanding and love of God, in relationship
with one another and
in service to the world. Campus ministry seeks to offer an ecumenical
ministry by affirming the diversity of faith experiences, understandings
and backgrounds while maintaining grounding in the biblical witness
and heritage of the Christian faith. Diversity is affirmed and
unity sought in the body of Christ through this ecumenical ministry.
Dakota
Wesleyan University is affiliated with the Dakotas Conference of
the United Methodist Church.
CAMPUS PASTOR
The campus pastor serves as the pastor to the university community
and is charged with oversight of the university’s ministry
and religious life. Thus the campus pastor is the primary institutional
liaison for all religious or ministry activity on campus. Individuals
and groups seeking to engage in ongoing or new ministries, fellowships,
small groups or worship services (including all weddings, funerals
and memorial services) at DWU must consult with the campus pastor
concerning procedure, policies and standards.
STUDENT MINISTRY
COUNCIL
Student Ministry Council is a standing committee of the Student
Association Senate which is student led and assists the campus
ministry office
in fulfilling its mission by offering ministries of community,
compassion, justice, worship and devotion for the student body
and entire campus
community.
CAMPUS MINISTRY COUNCIL
The campus ministry council is made up of leaders and representatives
from all ministry areas and fellowships on campus and exists for
leadership to share information/communication and for the campus
pastor to disseminate information for the benefit of campus ministry
with unified purpose. CMC is chaired by the campus pastor and includes
student, staff and faculty ministry leadership, advisers and representatives.
CMC is not a policy making body, but may forward suggestions regarding
policies and standards to appropriate DWU administration.
Campus
Ministry Council works jointly with the Faith Steering Committee to
provide direction and support to the campus pastor and the over
all campus ministry at DWU.
FELLOWSHIPS
Diversity of thought and tradition is vital in building unity
in the body of Christ, however diversity to encourage division among
the body is firmly rejected. Therefore, formation of individual
religious organizations or clubs is discouraged. However, denominational
sponsored
ministry partnerships with campus ministry to provide student support
and growth in particular traditions is encouraged to supplement
DWU’s
campus ministry. This does not include par-church organizations
or independent religious sects.
Fellowships may gather for the abovementioned
purpose under the
following guidelines. Fellowships must:
- be recognized by the DWU Office of Campus Ministry
- have sponsoring church(es) or faith community(ies)
- have appointed staff/faculty adviser(s)
- participate in the campus ministry council
- note campus ministry and
partnership church on publicity
SMALL GROUPS
Gathering in small groups for the purpose of growth in faith
and discipleship are encouraged among students, faculty and staff.
Groups may be formed around spiritual formation, topical study or common
interest. Persons interested in forming small groups or joining
a small group need to contact the campus pastor or student ministries
council devotion coordinator.
LEADERSHIP OF FELLOWSHIPS, SMALL GROUPS
AND STUDY GROUPS
To insure integrity of DWU’s campus ministry and to create
safe, hospitable and quality programming, all persons in leadership
of fellowships, small groups and study groups must receive appropriate
orientation/training before assuming leadership. Standards and
methods of appropriate orientation/training are set by the campus pastor.
STANDARDS
- Leadership, advisers and participants of campus
ministry events shall recognize that DWU seeks to promote a campus
atmosphere in
which a diversity of Christian traditions and other religious
faiths and expressions of spiritual life are respected and productively
engaged.
- While it is recognized that appropriate expressions
of evangelism may be integral to some faith convictions and activities,
out of
respect of individual’s privacy, the following are examples
of unacceptable behaviors and actions (but is not exhaustive):
organized door to door or other campaigns in the residence halls;
individual
visits that are unwanted; respect to those who refuse unsolicited
phone calls or e-mails; visual displays or publicity in classroom
space; literature or survey campaigns where individuals cannot
easily or comfortably avoid being approached by those distributing
the literature
or surveys and respect of those who refuse; persistence in personal
invitations of any kind to events after the invited has clearly
indicated a desire not to participate. Off campus churches, groups
or organizations
must abide by the university’s no solicitation policy and
receive permission from the vice president of campus life before
publicizing
or soliciting on campus and abide by the above expectations.
- Campus ministry publicity shall be clearly marked as such
and purpose of events clearly stated.
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