By Hillary C. Wright, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—Campbellsville University will host the event, “Think Again,” on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Ransdell Chapel. The event is a gathering of ministers to discuss various aspects of Christian ministry.
“The event titled ‘Think Again’ is a unique opportunity for youth ministers,” said the Rev. Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries at CU. “It is designed to provide insight and help on the challenges of youth ministry. At the same time it gives youth ministers a chance to connect with CU students who have come from their respective churches.”
According to Shane Garrison, instructor in educational ministries at CU, who will be speaking at the event, the program was recommended by several ministers serving on the Campbellsville University Church Relations Council and then developed by CU’s Office of Church and External Relations, School of Theology and Baptist Campus Ministry along with the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
According to Dr. John Hurtgen, dean of the School of Theology, and professor of theology, “We hope ‘Think Again’ will be the first in a series of annual fall meetings that bring ministers on our campus for a brief Saturday seminar on a number of Christian ministry related topics.”
“The exciting thing we want to happen is for many youth ministers who have students at CU to attend the event and then attend the tailgate and football game with their students after ‘Think Again’ is over,” he said.
Garrison said the seminar “Think Again” has several key purposes.
“One is to invite youth ministers to our campus so that they can reconnect with the students from their churches and youth groups,” he said. He also said this is an opportunity for youth ministers to connect with other youth ministers who can encourage their high school students to consider CU.
Garrison also said the program will offer an opportunity for youth ministers to be better equipped for youth ministry. “Youth ministry is tough these days, and we hope to encourage and equip them to reach more students with the Gospel,” Garrison said.
“We [also] hope this event can meet one of the principle core values of the School of Theology, which is to be ‘part in enduring fellowship,’” Garrison said. “We want to connect with CU alumni who are youth ministers out in the field working hard. We want to lift them up and praise their diligence in ministry.”
Garrison said he will be speaking at the event on the shifts in our American post-culture and the impact these shifts are having on students, the various youth ministry paradigms that are falling in their efforts to students, while also discussing several paradigms that appear to be working.
Joe Ball, youth ministry department director for the Kentucky Baptist Convention, who is a 1985 graduate of Campbellsville University, will be leading the second session of “Think Again” with a discussion of the book, ReThink by Steven Wright. All participants will get a free copy of the ReThink book.
The event will also include time for discussion among all attendees.
Cost for the seminar is $15 by Nov. 6, and $20 after Nov. 6. You can register at www.kybaptist.org/thinkagain or call (270) 789-5227.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S. News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.