Task force to explore plan for growth, funding
By Jessica Connor
A new task force has begun work this fall exploring the unique and critical needs of campus ministries in South Carolina.
Headed by the Rev. Josh McClendon, associate pastor at Shandon United Methodist Church, Columbia, the task force will examine leadership, oversight, growth, sustainability and financial need, ultimately fleshing out a strategic plan for campus ministries that helps it shift strongly into the future.
“The idea is what does campus ministry look like going forward?” McClendon said, calling the program “terribly important” for the UMC as a whole.
“For all the talk in the church, with all the woe about our denomination’s survival, about how we need to reach more young people and more diverse people – all of that happens particularly in campus ministries,” McClendon added. “Where else do you have a better chance to reach young people? All the stuff we claim to need to focus on is primed to happen in campus ministries.”
Conference Director of Connectional Ministries the Rev. Kathy James said campus ministries are vitally important to the faith.
