Research

Survey of Campus Ministers

In the fall of 2005 an online survey was distributed to all United Methodist campus ministers by the Division of Ordained Ministry. The purpose was to gather information to inform a leadership course in the Campus Ministry Track of Wesley's Doctor of Ministry Program. Questions were open-ended with no response options offered. The results below come from sixty-six respondents. Results that represent five percent or more of the responses to individual questions are reported.

1. What do you see as the greatest strengths of campus ministry on your campus and other campuses today?
   
   
   • Meeting the spiritual needs of students - 25% of responses to this question
   • Students - 12%
   • Ministry of presence - 8%
   • Ecumenical and interfaith relations -6%
   • Leadership development - 6%
   • Diversity - 5%
   • Service - 5%


2. If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about your campus ministry, what would it be?
   
   
   • Better funding - 24% of responses to this question 
   • Larger ministries reaching more students - 10%
   • Better understand and cooperation by the church - 8%
   • Less fund raising and other administrative work - 6%


3. What do see as the most critical issues and needs facing campus ministry in the next few years?
   
   
   • Funding - 25% of responses to this question;
   • Ministering across the liberal/conservative divide - 7%
   • Campus Ministry becomes a priority of the church - 6%
   • Spiritual and theological resource for students - 6%
   • Relevant programs for students - 5%


4. What topics or other suggestions do you recommend for an upcoming course for campus ministers on 'leadership and administration for campus ministers'?
   
   
   • Funding - 17% of responses to this question
   • Developing student leadership - 9%
   • Board development - 8%
   • Campus minister's role and needs - 8%
   • Communications/marketing/church relations - 6%
   • Relations within the school - 5%

Findings Compared to a Similar Survey Ten Years Ago

The three key needs that emerged from a similar survey conducted ten years ago continue to be challenges for campus ministers: funding, regard within the church, and ministering across divisions. Funding, while the number one concern ten years ago, is even more pronounced as a challenge today.

Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr ., at that time president of Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, made a speech about campus ministry based on the earlier survey results. Dr. Weems is currently distinguished professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary. The speech, "The Power You Have", was published by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church in the January 1998 issue of Presidential Papers.

Read "The Power You Have" speech.

Download a Printable Version of the Latest Campus Ministry Survey Results.

 

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