The Rev. Tim Kennedy (left) of McMurry University and Jason de Sousa of Huston-Tillotson University discuss ways to improve relationships between United Methodist churches and affiliated schools. UMNS photos by Bill Fentum, United Methodist Reporter.

A UMNS Report
By Bill Fentum*
Feb. 10, 2009 |  ARLINGTON, Texas (UMNS)

United Methodists have always been known for their commitment to higher education, having launched dozens of U.S. colleges and universities in the 19th century. These schools often gave women, ethnic minorities and the poor their only chance at higher education.

And for generations, most of the students were from Methodist families.

That’s no longer the case; the relationship between United Methodist churches and affiliated institutions of higher education has faltered over the years.

While 122 colleges and universities are still affiliated with the church and receive apportionment dollars, some critics say they became too secularized in the 20th century and now resemble non-church institutions. Many local churches fail to welcome college students in their area or even encourage their young people to enroll at the schools.

To help nurture that relationship, university staff and clergy will be invited to participate in jurisdictional events held by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry through March. A small group from the South Central Jurisdiction gathered Jan. 23 for the first of these events, called "Bridging the Gap: Connecting Church and Academy."

Ingrid McIntyre, the agency’s director of connectional relations, said that restoring the relationship between United Methodist churches and its affiliated institutions is key to producing future leaders.

"[It] could attract church youth to our schools," she said during a workshop. "It also helps keep the church alive, by nurturing the faith of college students."

Churches urged to help

McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, has already begun such efforts, the Rev. Tim Kennedy, the school’s chaplain, told event participants. Since 2006, the institution has invited clergy and laity in the Northwest Texas Annual (regional) Conference to a two-day summer workshop, the Academy for Faithful Ministry.

The university also partners with neighboring Aldersgate United Methodist Church to sponsor yearly mission trips to Costa Rica, with students joining the church’s Volunteers in Mission team on the week-long trip. Other activities at McMurry include spiritual formation retreats and a bus tour of United Methodist-related seminaries for students who feel a call to ordained ministry.

But recruiting new students from United Methodist churches remains a challenge for the university. About 20 percent of McMurry’s 1,500 students are United Methodist. In contrast, at Abilene’s Baptist-affiliated Hardin-Simmons University, more than half the students are Baptist.

The Rev. Gladys Childs, the United Methodist chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, said she was raised in a Baptist church in Arkansas. After her pastor took her on a tour of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, she decided to attend there.

"I had thought about another school, but I went there instead because of his efforts," Childs said. "I’ve known one or two Methodist pastors who introduced students to Texas Wesleyan, but I’m not sure a lot of clergy in our conference even know we’re here."

The university has strong ties, she said, to Polytechnic United Methodist Church, a church built on the campus in 1892. Texas Wesleyan’s chapel and humanities department are housed there, and each fall the church and school celebrate their common history with a Wesleyan Sunday service.

But off-campus churches also need to reach out to students, workshop participants agreed.

Financial aid available

Church members in a college town can invite students to worship, send "care packages" of cookies and other treats during finals week, or even "adopt" students — staying in touch with them throughout a semester.

"I’m a mother of two young people myself," said the Rev. Brenda Beaver, an associate pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Arlington, Texas. "And by golly, I want someone from a Methodist church to take notice of my child on campus."

When youth at her congregation leave for college, Beaver puts them in touch with the school’s Wesley Foundation and the nearest United Methodist church. She plans to do the same next year for her daughter, who is now a junior in high school.

"She doesn’t want to go to a big school," Beaver said. "So we’re looking for a small Methodist college or university that will meet her academic needs but also has a strong campus ministry to keep her connected to her Wesleyan heritage."

That should be a priority at any United Methodist-related institution, said McIntyre. She advised schools to consider hosting meetings for their conference boards of higher education and campus ministry. "It may not always be convenient," she said, "but the boards can be huge advocates for a school."

She also urged attendees at Bridging the Gap to promote financial-aid opportunities for students who enroll at United Methodist-related institutions. Besides loans and scholarships from the board of higher education and ministry, the denomination’s Higher Education Foundation matches funds each year for 350 students through its United Methodist Dollars for Scholars program at www.umhef.org

"Every year, the foundation has money left over that doesn’t go to anyone, simply because people don’t know the funds are available," McIntyre said. "That’s terrible. It should never happen."

*Fentum is a staff writer for the United Methodist Reporter.

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Related Articles

Bridging the Gap

Academy prepares Hispanic youth for leadership

Leadership academy nurtures African-American youth

Seminary president: At its best, job is perfect blend of church and academy

Resources

Five Events Strengthen Academy, Church Ties

United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry

University Senate

United Methodist Reporter