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United Campus Ministry papers, 1970-1972

The Prophetic Function

THE PROPHETIC FUNCTION The rich and Biblical prophetic tradition views all persons and structures as being the loving scrutiny and critical judgment of God. Concern for the quality of human life is an imperative for any valid ministry. Thus, the problems and needs Of persons and the survival crises of the human race lay powerful claim to our attention and our energies. We seek to I ift up and articulate a high level Of concern for the issues upon which the meaningfulness of human existence depend. The Church and the University, among major institutions shaping the culture, must be clearly called to creative growth and renewal. Each brings essential skills and insights to the processes of social change Without which our survival is impossible. 

In campus ministry, the prophetic function is the one which perhaps Weighs most heavily upon us and is potentially most controversial. Its agenda of concerns is as broad as life: war and peace, poverty, ecology, race, the draft, health care, population, the arms race, technology, drug use and abuse, alcohol, SeX, the exploitation Of women and youth, de-humanization, national priorities, etc. 

SOME RESULTANT GOALS Direct the ministry and its programmatic offerings in such a way as to lift up those issues and areas of concern Which ought properly to engage the attention and resources Of the academic community and the community Of faith. 

Recognize that the voice Of concern and prophetic criticism is also raised outside of and alongside of the Chu rch. Seek to achieve coalition of concern with such groups and to alert the Church to opportunities for such I inkage. 

Afford channels and opportunities for action/involvement in the implementation of university reform and of social change within the culture at large. Remember that the prophetic Word must become the prophetic Act and that at tines the prophetic Act is the only appropriate or effective prophetic Word. 

Articulate thin the life of the University those Biblical and theological insights and value probings Which otherwise may readily be overlooked or omitted in the secular context Of much of the academic enterprise.

Saving...

THE PROPHETIC FUNCTION The rich and Biblical prophetic tradition views all persons and structures as being the loving scrutiny and critical judgment of God. Concern for the quality of human life is an imperative for any valid ministry. Thus, the problems and needs Of persons and the survival crises of the human race lay powerful claim to our attention and our energies. We seek to I ift up and articulate a high level Of concern for the issues upon which the meaningfulness of human existence depend. The Church and the University, among major institutions shaping the culture, must be clearly called to creative growth and renewal. Each brings essential skills and insights to the processes of social change Without which our survival is impossible. In campus ministry, the prophetic function is the one which perhaps Weighs most heavily upon us and is potentially most controversial. Its agenda of concerns is as broad as life: war and peace, poverty, ecology, race, the draft, health care, population, the arms race, technology, drug use and abuse, alcohol, SeX, the exploitation Of women and youth, de-humanization, national priorities, etc. SOME RESULTANT GOALS Direct the ministry and its programmatic offerings in such a way as to lift up those issues and areas of concern Which ought properly to engage the attention and resources Of the academic community and the community Of faith. Recognize that the voice Of concern and prophetic criticism is also raised outside of and alongside of the Chu rch. Seek to achieve coalition of concern with such groups and to alert the Church to opportunities for such I inkage. Afford channels and opportunities for action/involvement in the implementation of university reform and of social change within the culture at large. Remember that the prophetic Word must become the prophetic Act and that at tines the prophetic Act is the only appropriate or effective prophetic Word. Articulate thin the life of the University those Biblical and theological insights and value probings Which otherwise may readily be overlooked or omitted in the secular context Of much of the academic enterprise.