Cooperative Christian Ministry in Higher Education
Board of Directors Handbook
Convictions, Persuasions, and Opinions Guide: Our Convictions are the essential core beliefs of the Christian faith that are foundational for our campus ministry, found in the doctrinal statements of the Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist & Presbyterian churches. These are the beliefs that we proclaim with joy and excitement for they are "Good News.” Our Persuasions are beliefs about which we have persuasions, though recognizing many Christians have drawn different conclusions. We believe God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. We hope to help people think and act out of a faith perspective, not just respond to all the other "mind-makers-up" that exist in our society. Our Opinions are ideas, thoughts, and viewpoints that are non-essential for Christian living and not worth arguing over. Upon these points we affirm for people to "think and let think." For example, some options might be: One translation of the Bible is better for studying than another; or one political party is more aligned with Christian values than another, etc. When Core Group leaders impose any convictions, persuasions, or opinions upon others they are practicing legalism; concluding their perceived conviction is for everyone. When Core Group leaders are convicted and persuaded by the love of Jesus Christ, they are called to treat all persons with dignity, despite anyone’s opinions. Diakonia: Seven37 (seven37 is derived from Jesus’ words in John 7:37) We feel called to recognize the world for what it is, including it’s pain and suffering. For CCMHE, it’s not just and we know the misery of the poor, abused, neglected, and hungry troubles God. We also believe that God has taught each of us to love those around us, by and through the life of Jesus Christ. The more we love God, the more we reflect His loving image back to those around us. The more we do this, the more we are in God’s presence. UCF operates Habitat for Humanity work group, sends teams on mission and outreach during each break, coordinates the Montana Internship Program, and coordinates a student Disaster Response service with a fully equipped trailer. CCMHE’s travels have gained partnerships in Montana at the Blackfeet Reservation, in Mexico and in Haiti, and has worked in a number of states and countries.
Special Events The final area of CCMHE’s Student Ministry is that of Special Events which incorporates all of the components from the early church. In short, our special event ministry coordinates any aspect of student ministry not already covered above.
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