Keeping going

With the suspension of UCSF as a ministry under City Presby, the following is proposed toward keeping UCSF operational. Please note that this is not all finalised and we are welcoming suggestions and assistance.

If you are an Alumnus of UCSF, please consider supporting us financially, prayerfully and practically at this critical time. Please add your comments to this post, and please visit the support page for banking details and current structures of transparency.

Phase 1:

• We are finalising a sub-let agreement between Lance/Willard and the owner of the Den such that we may continue to use it for UCSF guy's accommodation and as a base for the ministry.
• The ministry will run a bare-bones operation from the Den with Lennon as the Student's Worker and with assistance from Willard.
• We have lost the use of the Manse as City Presby will be using that for other purposes.
• We have formed a loose partnership with the UCT Student Y who have expressed interest in keeping the ministry going and have offered assistance with financial support raising.
  

Phase 2:

• Recruitment of a person who can give local oversight to the ministry and who can be instrumental in forging a formal partnership with the Student Y.
• Expanding on the ministry operation

Phase 3:

• Formally partnering with the Student Y, with the appropriate local structures in place.
  
• Resuming full operation (and more) as an interdenominational parachurch ministry.

Why do I (Lance) think that this is worthwhile, and the way to go?

• UCSF is a unique ministry at NUST. Our core focus of (1) systematic study of Scripture through Bible studies (and other means), and (2) intentional discipleship, will expose students to the authority of Scripture, and examples of lives lived under that authority. Although we are not likely to reach vast numbers of students, this focus will best serve the perseverance of a student's faith for life. This is reason to continue.
• As Alumni, we have fond memories of our UCSF days and many can testify how much UCSF meant to them. Knowing this benefit, we would gratefully want to offer the same to future generations of students.
• I would rather attempt and fail than not attempt.

Why Inter-denominational Parachurch ministry?

Although there are advantages to church-based ministry, consider the following advantages of an inter-denominational parachurch ministry:

• Having inter-denominational representation amongst students makes discussions/Bible studies/interaction much richer.
• Students learn to live alongside people who hold different views.
• Perceived divisions amoung Christians is a stumbling block to non-Christians.
• God's ultimate plan, the mystery in Ephesians is "to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ".
• Parachurches can reach some communities more effectively than churches can. Consider for example, starting a faculty prayer meeting or Bible study, and how an interdenominational parachurch is better placed to do this.
• Parachurch can effectively serve the local churches.
• Students by nature question their inherited belief system. Inter-denominational parachurch provides an independant environment in which they are encouraged to do so, and can be guided along the lines of what is Biblical as opposed to what is denominational.
• It fosters an outward-looking instinct in the heart of the members.