LCMS Campus Ministry

Graduating soon? Consider spending a year making a difference in the community that's been your home for the past several years. Become a Campus Missionary Volunteer for your campus ministry.

Why Campus Missionary Volunteers?

Many campus ministries are served by one church worker—most often a local congregation's pastor, a director of Christian education, a part-time coordinator, or a volunteer. In general, student group sizes run from fewer than 10 to around 50 or 60, and, depending on other responsibilities, the one ministry worker typically has the capacity for effective ministry to groups in that range.

The potential for ministry on a college or university campus is often higher (sometimes dramatically higher). A campus ministry should be able to extend beyond its current numbers and beyond the current ministry services it provides, but to do that and still maintain effective ministry to its participating students, there must often be a way to extend the campus worker's capacity.

To accomplish this, LCMS Campus Campus Ministry has established the role of Campus Missionary Volunteer.

Position

A Campus Missionary Volunteer (CMV) accepts an assignment for an academic year to assist a ministry worker and/or ministry staff in reaching out to students, faculty and others in a campus community; coaching student leaders; operating the local campus ministry; and recruiting students for various sharing and service opportunities. The CMV will typically be a recent graduate of the college/university where the CMV has had a strong association with a campus ministry. The CMV will have a desire to serve in this volunteer role following graduation.

Campus Missionary Volunteer Selection and Service Process*

A Campus Missionary Volunteer (CMV) candidate will be interviewed first by a committee from LCMS Campus Ministry, then by the local campus ministry. Reasonable background checks, references, etc. will be included in this process.
The CMV will be expected to raise the funds and/or work part-time to provide for his or her living expenses. A reasonable estimate the amount necessary to raise for a year's CMV service might be six to seven thousand dollars. A portion of the funds raised is to be placed with LCMS Campus Ministry and allotted monthly during the academic year.
It is anticipated that the CMV will have a part-time job while engaged on a local campus; ideally, this will serve a twofold purpose—providing income and placing the CMV in an environment in which he or she can be in regular contact with students.
Housing will be worked out with the local campus ministry providing direction/advice. Housing may be provided on some campuses.
The CMV will be required to take a specified number of LCMS Campus Ministry's online courses before the academic year begins.
On July 1, prior to the academic year, the CMV will begin a mentoring program with the participating campus ministry.
A certification program would be available following the academic year served.

LCMS Campus Ministry Involvement

LCMS Campus Ministry will provide online training content, as well as the follow-up program leading to certification.
LCMS Campus Ministry will provide public relations, communications and fund raising support.
LCMS Campus Ministry will provide access to short-term health insurance possibilities if needed.

* Subject to revision

Status

LCMS Campus Ministry is accepting applications as of April 1, 2011.

For more information about LCMS Campus Ministry's CMV program, please complete and submit the form below.

For a printable PDF of this page, click here.