Service Projects:CSF

Throughout the year CSF LHU does a few different service projects that are off-campus. Our most current service project was for Valentines day. Last Sunday, on the 12th of February we went to our campus ministers house and made 250+ Valentines cards to be sent to two different assistant living homes in the area.

                                    This picture was just a small amount of us writing the Valentines.

Another service project LHU CSF does is our annual missions trip. The missions trip is usually scheduled over our spring break vacation for school. The trip usually doesn't cost much to attend. Last year our group when to Cosby, TN. In Tennessee we did four different things which included: remodeled a dorm bathroom, remodeled a thrift store, build a wheel chair ramp for an elderly lady who was now confined to a wheel chair at her house, and built onto an existing structure on an SPCA. This year, however, we are heading to Cleveland, OH to do a number of different things.

This is a picture of our group in Cosby, TN after a day of work.

The last service project we normally do is one weekend each semester spend at Arrowhead Bible Camp. ABC is a camp for individuals who are either mentally and/or physically handicapped. During this weekend we have a team of councilors and then we have a team serve as James project. James Project is designed to do the work to make the jobs of the councilors and other staff much more easy. Regardless of the job your doing, you go out of Arrowhead a different more humble/thankful person.

  

This is music during worship time, with the help of the campers.

This picture was taken during an all famous "ABC Dance Party"

No matter where our group goes we all strive to do one thing: Serve GOD.

What Do You Believe 1.3?

Message from CSF 02-08-12
Attendance: 37

Songs for worship:

• Marvelous Light by Charlie Hall
• How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin
• Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath
• The Stand by Hillsong United
• Mighty to Save by Hillsong United

The main idea of this message was: Why do we need Jesus?
The main scripture used was: Romans 5.12-14, 20

"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died- from the time of Adam to the time of Moses- even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did."

Then a little later says, in verse 20:

"God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were."

The main part of this message was focused on why people don't think the Bible is trustworthy. One thing out campus minister said during the message was:

"You cannot look at the Bible and say that it's your new science textbook, even thought there are some interesting lessons that you can pull out of the Bible that are proven in the fields of science. That's not what the Bible was given for."

The focus of why people don't really believe in the Bible usually comes down to one of two popular disbeliefs: the big-bang theory and creation.

When you think about the topic of the big-bang theory our campus minister brought up a point that I have never thought of, he said:

"Can you tell me the reference in the Gospels, where Jesus taught about the earth being a specific age?"

The point our campus minister (who goes by the name Patrick) was trying to get across was that it didn't really matter how it was created, God created it!

Then we went on  to discuss the big-bang theory (...not the television show) and what the way of thinking is about that. The big bang theory all stems around particles being formed until...BANG! The big-bang happened and earth formed from that. What the question next to the big-bang theorists is "where did those particles come from?" The whole chicken or the egg debate has that subject covered.

Another topic covered is that the Bible has too many translations that contain many contradictions. For example, in the gospels they'll raise a point about how many names and the actual names of the people listed, saying that can be a means of measuring accuracy. But in actuality say you were at a party with a friend, the party happened, and the next day one of your friends who wasn't there asked both of you who was all at the party. Chances are that both of you aren't going to go down the same exact list saying the same people.

With all the rules given in the old testament totaled 613 laws in all. If you think anyway like I personally do you'll notice that is a lot. Every time someone broke one of the laws, they became infected. But in actuality Jesus came into the world followed each single law proposed in the old testament, followed perfectly, and sacrificed himself, becoming the cure for us all!

Our campus minister then told us to think of it like this. He said the law had been given to diagnose our infection of sin. People were dying because of sin and didn't realize why, which is just like modern medicine research. The disease starts to infect, make them really sick, you must be diagnosed, then a symptom needs to be found. God gave us law, our symptom diagnosis list, to reveal the problem. None of the  sacrifices of animals were strong enough to take away that sickness. However, then God sent Jesus, Jesus is our vaccine. Jesus gets rid of the infection and we live.

So when we went to wrap everything up we were asked Why do we need Jesus? Answer: We need Jesus to live!

 

 

Survey Confirms the Spiritual Struggle of College Students

By: Dean Hardy, Agape Press

After the examination of three recent surveys of hundreds of teenagers and over 100,000 college students, it seems as though college students' beliefs concerning the existence of God, eternal punishment, the religious beliefs of their parents, and a general security in their own faith have been swayed since their teenage years. While many teenagers seem to have a strong foundation for their faith, college students are slipping into doubt and insecurity. This conclusion brings new insight and motivation for ministers and teachers of teenagers and college students.

The Battle Defined

The transition from high school to college is one of the most pivotal times in a young person's life. After departing from under the protective wings of parental figures, young adults often have problems that manifest themselves in various ways. Whether mental/intellectual, spiritual, physical addictions or health difficulties, college seems to be the time when the most serious problems arise. Katie, a strong Christian and a college freshman writes, "I went to [the University of North Carolina at Charlotte] feeling totally ready, excited to just get away and do something new and exciting, not realizing that I was entering into the most intense battle I've experienced yet in life. Spiritually, mentally, relationally ... in every aspect ... my freshman year of college was a battle."

Three recent surveys -- one regarding American teens, one focusing on college freshman, and one pertaining to college juniors -- shed considerable light on the subject. Dr. Christian Smith's Soul Searching includes the results of 267 face-to-face interviews with teenagers age 13-17. Smith's goal was to understand the spiritual and religious identities and beliefs of teenagers across America. Alternatively, the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA conducted a study entitled, "The Spiritual Life of College Students" [PDF]. The study included the results of 112,232 surveys of freshmen from 236 different colleges and universities. The intention of the study was to report on many spiritual issues and how these issues affect other areas of life such as politics and health. It should be observed that the subject of this study is college freshmen. Their professors, new friends, and advisors have not yet heavily influenced these college students. With this in mind, occasionally included are statistics from a less extensive UCLA survey of 3,680 college juniors entitled, "Spirituality In Higher Education: A National Study of College Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose."

While the survey results do not exclusively consider the theistic God of Christianity, the amount of students who were once "theistic" and now claim no belief in God can be calculated. While 84 percent of teenagers state that they believe in a god, 79 percent of college freshmen claim that there is some supernatural element to the universe. While the difference may seem to be a mere 5 percent, take into account that the United States Census Bureau reported that there were over 13 million college students in the fall of 2003. This means that each year over 150,000 new freshmen change their mind about their belief in God. Also, it can be suggested that this slippage into a naturalistic worldview will only be increased over the next three years of a liberal college education.

Doubt Creeps In

A college student recently wrote in an e-mail to me, this "brings up an issue of maybe hell doesn't exist. I am completely unsure and I was wondering what your thoughts were." This student's dilemma is not unique. While 71 percent of teenagers agree that there will be a judgment day when God punishes evildoers, only 63 percent of college students agree that God will punish those who reject Him. But if there is no hell to be saved from, the meaning of "salvation" has been devalued and the concept is deemed superfluous.

Are teenagers and college students secure and confident in their religious beliefs? This topic is where the biggest differentiation is observed. Only 19 percent of teenagers have "some" or "many" doubts, while 80 percent say they have very few to no doubts at all! Contrast this with the mere 42 percent of college freshmen who state they are secure in their religious beliefs. As far as the juniors are concerned, "Two-thirds (65%) report that they question their religious/spiritual beliefs at least occasionally (18% frequently), and a similar number (68%) say that they are 'feeling unsettled about spiritual and religious matters' at least 'to some extent.'"

There is no denying that college is a place where doubt creeps into the faith of young adults. Unfortunately, the statistics show that over time the doubts do not fade away; rather, they multiply. It may begin with a comment from a friend, a lecture by a professor, even a monologue from a movie, but when the doubts get ignored this could eventually result in skepticism. When one's worldview begins to crumble, that person's outlook on reality and identity becomes smeared -- and unless some external force steps in to help, they will be trapped in this tangled web of doubt.

Parents and Professors

An interesting feature of the surveys is the spiritual similarity of parents to their children. Most would speculate that during the rebellious teen years is when a teen disconnects himself from his parents on religious matters. But Dr. Smith concludes that nothing could be further from the truth: "About three in four teens in the United States consider their own religious beliefs somewhat or very similar to their parents." Alternatively, 52 percent of college freshmen openly admit that they disagree with their parents on matters of religion. Even more disconcerting is the outlook of third-year students: "One-third (38%) of the students report feeling 'disillusioned with my religious upbringing' at least 'to some extent.'" There seems to be no doubt that college students have realized that one's faith should not be based solely on the authority of a parental figure. But unfortunately it does not seem that they know what to base their faith on, nor do they have the tools to differentiate between truth and fiction.

While it is purported that college freshman are hoping that their college experience helps them to develop spiritually, it is ironic that third-year students are quite obviously upset that this spiritual development is not occurring in the classroom:

Despite the fact that considerable numbers of students are "searching for meaning and purpose in life" (75%) and discussing spirituality with friends (78%), more than half (56%) say that their professors never provide opportunities to discuss the meaning and purpose of life. Similarly, nearly two-thirds of the students say professors never encourage discussions of spiritual or religious matters (62%). While 39% say their religious or spiritual beliefs have been strengthened by "new ideas encountered in classes," 53% report the classroom has had no impact. ["Spirituality In Higher Education: A National Study of College Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose"]

It's unfortunate that half of college juniors have not felt that their attendance in a classroom has not had an impact on them spiritually. While the college administration might claim that it is not the goal of the university to foster spiritual development in the classroom, it would seem that discussion of spiritual topics in class might contribute to the education of the student, while also encouraging tolerance among the classmates.

Providing the Tools

In conclusion, it appears as though many teenagers are confused about Christianity and often go to college unprepared to defend the gospel. Those who teach young people -- parents, Bible teachers, and youth group leaders -- should realize that many Christians who become college students have the tools needed to distinguish between worldviews, as well as determine which worldview is true.

For instance, 75 percent of the entire group of teenagers surveyed claim that they are Christian, yet only 65 percent believe in the theistic God of Christianity. Therefore one out of ten young Christians mistakenly states that God is deistic or even pantheistic. Even more confusing is the fact that 22 percent of teens who call themselves deists claimed that they have felt "very or extremely close to God." But of course, by definition, how could a deistic god relate to his creation?

Teenagers simply need the tools to help them intellectually understand the differences between the worldview of Christianity and other religions. But where are they to get these tools? The public schools do not discuss worldviews or philosophies of life. It is up to the Christian community to do its duty and teach our youth how to think about reality, death and the afterlife, the status of man, truth, ethics, and the existence of God. It seems that without some sort of theological training as well as some form of pre-emptive apologetics, these teens will eventually become confused college students who may end up submitting to the naturalistic presuppositions purported by a majority of their professors.

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/surveys-confirm-the-spiritual-struggle-of-college-students-1349248.html?ps=0

Christian Student Foundation of Pennsylvania

Christian Student Fellowship at Lock Haven (CSF-LHU) is a part of a larger state wide group called Christian Student Foundation of Pennsylvania (CSFPA).

Visit Christian Student Foundation of Pennsylvania

The mission of CSFPA is to serve the spiritual needs of the college students. CSF works with students in all disciplines of the Christian faith that include; worship, prayer, study, fasting, meditation, submission, simplicity, solitude, and service.

The goals for CSFPA is to:

•  read/ study the Bible regularly and spend time with God (Ephesians 4:25-5:20)
• offers oneself only to God and willing to meet with other believers (Romans 12:1-2, John 4:23-24)
• declare our hope through Christ (Matthew 28:18-20)
• minister to others using spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:7-11)
• experience community through small groups (Acts 2:46-47)
• touch others through time, talents, and treasures (1 Corinthians 8-9)

The Beginning To Now

It all started in 1983 when William "Buzz" Roberts (LHU's old campus minister) went to a group of elders at the State College Christian Church wanted to start a campus ministry located on the Penn State University main campus. CSFPA  since then has been serving through missions trips, out reach, service projects, ect. CSFPA has opened up many different groups on campus' throughout Pennsylvania. 

Some F.A.Q.'s asked about CSFPA

http://www.csfpa.com/faq.html

William "Buzz" Roberts - Director of Ministry

director@csfpa.ccom

What Do You Believe?

Last Wednesday night (2-1-12) was our weekly meeting for Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) .  The theme for that night was one of the more popular controversies within the Christian church to believe; Predestination vs. Free-will. I will stick to the main points from the message that was delivered.

Songs for worship:

• Alive Again - Matt Maher
• From the Inside Out - Hillsong United
• Better is One Day - Matt Redman
• Your Grace is Enough - Chris Tomlin
• Hallelujah - Tenth Avenue North

Attendance: 41

The key text we used for this message was Romans 8:28-30, which says:

• "And we know that for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed by the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many. And those whom he predestined he also called, those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." 

The two categories of belief with our faith: non-negotiable (closed-handed) and negotiable (open- handed). The non-negotiable category includes beliefs that are the foundations of our belief.  Whereas with negotiable beliefs, are beliefs that don't change our status as Christians whether which way we believe.  

If you look at this scripture without any background of what is going on before this you would probably believe that predestination exists. The facts is that if you were to read the book of Romans altogether you would figure out the thing that God had 'predestined' wasn't who is going to become a follower of Christ, but rather, the actions of what His Son actually did. So therefore, God didn't predestine people, He predestined THE WAY!

The same author of the Romans text wrote Ephesians, Paul. In Ephesians 1 Paul writes about how God had made a plan which He was quite pleased with. God hadn't predestined people in general, but it was the plan for Christ! 

The place for predestination may not be what you think it is. God predetermined that way for us to be saved through His Son Jesus Christ. In 2 Peter 3, Peter says:

• "The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise, as some people may think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."

No matter which way you look at it, in the end God is the one in charge and the one who saves. When Jesus' last words before He left this earth was:

• "I have been given the authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given to you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

This text doesn't single out any people or person in general. Jesus told us believers to go out into all nations to make disciples. It doesn't really matter where anyone falls on the issue of Predestination vs. Free-will because we were told (by Jesus) to go make disciples, not argue. 

Message by Patrick Willis (LHU-CSF Campus Minister)

 

Getting Ready for College

By Dr. James Emery White

According to recent studies, almost half of all American college students will abandon their Christian faith during their undergraduate years.

Half.

The reason why?

It would seem to be far more than simple rebellion against an upbringing, or honest intellectual exploration.

It would seem the school environment itself is the culprit.

The Fuller Youth Institute found that almost a third of college students say their institute of higher learning is not helpful in keeping or growing their faith.  Most universities would say that examining one’s faith in an intellectually stimulating environment such as a college or university should lead to a deeper understanding of the theological moorings of a childhood faith.

But that’s not what is happening.

According to the research of political scientists Robert P. Putnam and David E. Campbell, “Young Americans are dropping out of religion at an alarming rate of five to six times the historical rate (30 to 40 percent have no religion today, verses 5 to 10 percent a generation ago).”

Another study found with each year of education, there is a 15% increase that the student will believe that there’s “truth in more than one religion” and believe in a “higher power” rather than a personal God.

In A Mind for God, I wrote about my oldest daughter’s experience as a freshman at one of the leading universities in the United States.  In her first history course, her professor took it upon himself to announce that the entire historical record upon which Christianity is based is untrue:  Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah; none of his followers saw him as divine until centuries after his death; none of the gospels were first-hand accounts; Jesus was not a religious figure as much as he was a political one; there was never an intent to form any kind of “church”; there were dozens of “gospels,” all of which were thought to be sacred by followers of the Jesus movement; and the four gospels in the Bible today are riddled with discrepancies and errors.

In order to pass her first exam, she had to write that Jesus was born in Nazareth, not Bethlehem; deny Pauline authorship of I Timothy; and maintain that the four canonical gospels are in complete disagreement on the major facts surrounding the death of Jesus – including when he was crucified, whether it was after the Passover or before, and whether Judas committed suicide.

In many ways, this was tame.  A study of faculty members at U.S. colleges and universities found that 67 percent of faculty members either “strongly” or “somewhat” agree that homosexuality is as acceptable as heterosexuality.  Eighty-four percent support abortion rights, and 75 percent support extramarital cohabitation.  Fewer than a third described themselves as regular churchgoers.  When the Kansas Board of Education approved new science standards for teachers in public schools that questioned Charles Darwin’s teachings on evolution (merely allowing theidea of “intelligent design” to be discussed), the director of the National Center for Science Education responded, “Those kids are in for a big shock when they go to college, because they’re going to learn that what they had been taught by their teachers in high schools is a lot of rubbish.” 

Little wonder that cultural observers from Christian perspectives, such as Charles Colson, offer the following concern:  “With the ever-increasing number of college professors who use their classrooms to indoctrinate students, rather than educate them, the views expressed and the lack of viewpoint diversity is deeply disturbing.”

I will never forget my daughter calling me, immediately after emerging from her first class, almost in tears over the statements made by the professor about her faith.  Even with a firm worldview, coupled with years of reading and instruction which enabled her to know how spurious the professor’s claims were, she was emotionally shaken that her most deeply held values and convictions had been defamed and assaulted so vigorously.  Even more, her heart was breaking over the 300 other students in the class who sat passively, taking notes, accepting the professor’s statements uncritically as fact. 

So this August, as you pack up your minivan or SUV to take your son or daughter off to college, give them one last word of advice.  Not about binge drinking or safe sex, money management or proper nutrition.  All well and good, to be sure.

Give them a word about their souls, and the importance of a grounded faith.

And then pray for them.

By Dr. James Emery White

http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/dr-james-emery-white/getting-ready-for-college.html

LHU-CSF

Many would ask what does  LHU-CSF mean?

-Lock Haven University-Christian Student Fellowship is a campus ministry group designed to serve the spiritual needs of the students.
-CSF is ran by a state-wide organization called CSFPA (Christian Student Foundation of Pennsylvania). The idea of CSF is to ultimately serve the college students while the students are on campus.
-For LHU-CSF we have seven student-run leadership positions which are as follows; President, Vice President, Treasury, Secretary,  Public Relations, Worship Leader, and Technical/Media Coordinator.
-CSFPA also employs campus ministers to lead these meetings.

When/Where do you meet?

-LHU-CSF IS OPEN TO EVERYONE!
-LHU-CSF meets in the MPR room of the P.U.B. at 8pm-9pm every wednesday night during the regular semester schedule.
-LHU-CSF also has different events throughout the semester. LHU-CSF does service projects, missions trip over spring break, holiday meals for group, Bible studies, devotional groups, a discipleship group, fellowship time, game night at campus ministers house every sunday, and hosts a movie during one of the meetings.

LHU-CSF after our '11 Thanksgiving meal