The work of University Christian Unions

Along with a few others I had a brilliant email this last weekend from an old college friend. It went like this

 

.... It was around this time 35 years ago that I first heard the gospel preached at Fresher's Tea in Alex Basement with the text 'You must be born again'.
By God's grace He saved me and has kept me since.
And you were all there too (maybe not all right at the beginning) and God has kept you too.

Though I have not seen some of you for quite a while now, your friendship is still special to me and you, your wives and families are all still in my thoughts and prayers regularly. I say that to encourage you in your lives and ministries. 35 years is a long time praying but hearing how God has worked and is continuing to work in your lives shows that God has been faithful in answering those prayers.

To God be the glory.

'being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus' ...

 

It's a reminder I guess to pray for the work in colleges today and to be thankful for all that has happened in the past.

Can't make it up (again)

Exeter University 2008 - top: The Welsh society;

middle: the cheerleading society;

bottom: CU meeting (under Mr Shaw's radical new proposals)

Some of you will remember or still be following the case of Exeter Uni CU. Apparently Mark Shaw QC, the independent adjudicator appointed by Exeter University, to look into the case has now presented his adjudication. He strongly criticises the constitution of Exeter CU because it restricts membership to Christians, despite the fact its meetings were open to everyone – of all faiths and none. He holds it discriminatory that the CU should be run by Christians and held that the guild policies in forcing the CU to be led by members open to other faiths was "laudable". Most bizarrely, in paragraph 92 (4) of his adjudication, he even goes on to suggest that on the Exeter University campus, the
'Welsh Society should be open to Scottish members; the wine society open to teetotal members, the choral society should be open to non-singing members, and the cheerleading society should be open to male members ...' Yeah, right.

Pressure on Uni CUs

I hear that the situation at Exeter University made the front page of the Times on Saturday.
I also understand that Edinburgh University has banned the CU there from running a course called PURE, which presents the biblical basis for personal relationships. The University believes PURE is in breach of its equality and diversity policy because it claims that any sexual activity outside heterosexual marriage is wrong. it is, of course, an attack on free speech.
UCCF want people to write to the Principal/Vice-Chancellor (Timothy O'Shea) to protest (Old College, South Bridge EH8 9YL).

Visit to City Uni CU

It was my privilege last night to speak at the CU at City University. I do very little of this sort of thing but one CU member grew up in the church here and so I've spoken once before and was given this return invite. They meet in an anonymous classroom located in a warren of such faceless rooms. Someone kindly met me at the door and guided me there. Someone had thoughtfully put up directions on a series of A4 sheets knocked up on a PC.
Some 20 or so gathered which was very encouraging. When I spoke last year there were only 6 present. A wonderful influx of first years has been the main thing – the power of prayer! They were, understandably, all in the same age bracket but there was great ethnic variety and a good male/female balance. It was a joy just to be in the room.
After light refreshments and chat we sat and Dan from Malaysia enthusiastically led us, with his guitar, in singing a sandwich of two chorusses and (of course) Before the throne of God above, projected on to the wall. I was introduced and applauded (!) and launched into a talk on the suggested subject 'holiness and purity'.
I'm not used to this scene so I simply try to be myself. Wearing a jacket and tie I read 1 Thess 4:1-11 then ploughed through some fairly undiluted J C Ryle – talking about the difference between justification and sanctification, definitive and progressive sanctification, etc. I had seven points and knew I couldn't cover them all but got through most of it without losing them (I think). At least I got another round of applause (when prompted – not by me!).
By the nature of things most present were young Christians and have a variety of backgrounds. We could easily differ on a myriad of things. My hope was that if I just did what I do someone might wake up to what's out there and go for it.
In the nature of things I couldn't talk much with people but walking to the station I had good fellowship with a newly converted young man from a non-Christian background who is getting baptised soon. While speaking frankly of his difficulties and failures, he was full of enthusiasm for the Lord. It's the enthusiasm that is most encouraging. One wishes there was more theology but at least there is zeal. Last time I was there the six were planning some outreach and I remember pondering how such a small handful could be so positive. This time the twenty have hired a 200 seater hall for a carol service! It's partly the nature of youth to be optimistic but it's chiefly God given. I feel rebuked that I can be such a play-it-safe no-hoper sometimes. Where's the enthusiasm I had when a student?

I was alerted again this morning to the situation in Exeter University where the CU has been excluded from the Students Union. They are going to fight this in the courts. Do pray for Christian students seeking to maintian a witness.