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19 Feb

February 19, 2009 |

Huntington University‘s current spring semester enrollment is the largest in its history, with a total student body of 1,114. That compares to 1,080 in 2008. They include:

  • 893 traditional undergraduate students.
  • 125 EXCEL Adult Degree Programs students.
  • 96 graduate students.

The Huntington University Board of Trustees approved a 4.9 percent increase for fulltime traditional undergraduate tuition and fees in 2009-2010.

“In light of the current economy, Huntington has worked diligently to moderate tuition and fees increases for 2009-2010 to make college more affordable for students and their families,” said Tom Ayers, vice president for business and finance. “We believe this effort, combined with Huntington’s continued commitment to providing scholarships and grants to students, will enable more students to pursue their college goals at HU.”

For the 2008-2009 academic year, the cost for a Huntington University education is $20,300 in tuition and fees, $4,843 less than the national average. According to College Board’s 2008-2009 Annual Survey of Colleges, four-year private institutions charge an average of $25,143 in tuition and fees, a 5.9 percent increase of $1,483 over 2007-2008.

In the fall of 2008, Huntington University was recognized by three institution-ranking organizations. U.S.News & World Report ranked Huntington No. 5 among the 2009 “Best Values in Baccalaureate Colleges” in the Midwest and No. 7 among the Midwest’s “Best Baccalaureate Colleges.” Huntington ranked in the same positions in both categories on the 2008 lists.

Approximately 90 percent of Huntington University students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or work-study assistance.

Huntington was also pleased to be included in a new U.S.News category called “Economic Diversity.” Essentially, it features schools that have students on campus from a variety of economic profiles who are, in the words of U.S.News, not colleges just for “rich kids.” At Huntington, 40 percent of the student come from households with total incomes of less that $50,000 per year.

In addition to institution-ranking organizations, Huntington University also receives high marks from its students. Each year, the university participates in the Student Satisfaction Inventory – a national survey of college students.

“According to survey data, Huntington students believe the tuition they pay is a better investment than students who participated in the Student Satisfaction Inventory at other public and private schools,” says Jeff Berggren, vice president for enrollment management and marketing.

19 Feb

February 19, 2009 |

firstlady.jpgThe Patriotic Vanguard, a Sierra Leone news portal, tells about the nation’s First Lady, Sia Koroma (right), and her interest in upgrading the Mattru Hospital.

“Mrs. Koroma said while there is a medical infrastructure in Mattru Jong, the need to address issues related to the lack of essential equipment, drugs, and trained personnel cannot be overemphasized. [She described her initiative] towards upgrading health care delivery for women and children across the country.

“She made a special commitment to the Mattru Jong Hospital, indicating she would ensure it was upgraded to a modern hospital with the view to enhance its capacity and hence meet the medical needs of the people.”

19 Feb

February 19, 2009 |

Roger Vezeau, College Park UB Church (Huntington, Ind.)

Roger Vezeau is Director of Student Ministries at College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.) and a member of the denominational Youth Ministry Team.

Today’s youth want community–meaningful, authentic relationships with peers and adults who are not judgmental. They are motivated first by what draws their attention, but they stay when challenged to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Youth are drawn to a community that cares about people and the concerns of the world. They long for a place/community that makes them laugh, brings joy to their lives, and challenges them to think and respond. They want to find the meaning of life and their role in it.

Adults may think that youth are not interested in spiritual things, but nothing could be further from the truth. Teens have a very high interest in God and their spiritual life. They need the freedom to question, doubt, and explore spiritual truth without the judgment from others. On the other hand, they are turned off by judgmental people who care more about protecting what they believe rather than showing people the love of Jesus.

Today’s teens may challenge orthodoxy, but that doesn’t mean they won’t embrace it. They just need to wrestle for their own answers and not be expected to blindly receive their elders’ views. Let’s trust the work of the Holy Spirit to guide as they question.

In my experience, the best way to help youth grow spiritually is through a healthy family surrounding the youth. On the other side is the youth who comes from a broken family or deep hurt, looks for answers, and finds that the world does not deliver the answers it promises.

If they have an authentic, caring, mature adult in their life, they will be more apt to talk about these things. That is how you connect with today’s youth–through authentic, non-judgmental relationships from caring adults. Show them that they matter and that you value them.

18 Feb

February 18, 2009 |

I’ve been slow to post about the book “Prayer Coach” that we began a month or so ago.  Well, I have been wondering if any of you have used the prayer patterns, i.e. praying through the armor, or the fruit of the Spirit, or even you body. It certainly provides a new, fresh approach to prayer.

I like that it’s so teachable. You could teach a new believer to pray like that. And after all, that is one of purpose of the book–that we leaders begin coaching prayer. Anyone have any neat stories about trying it?

In reading the book, God has given me many flashbacks to events in my life that center on prayer. I think he just wants me to remember the power of prayer.

As I was reading recently, I remembered a time when I called for a special period of prayer at 10 PM on Saturday night to begin the first of September. The purpose: to pray for revival in our church. As you can well imagine, not many showed up. Actually, most of the time just one man showed up to join me in praying.

Harold I would would gather at the altar. Sometimes we would go through the sanctuary, stopping at each pew praying for those who would be sitting there the next morning. Sometimes we went to every classroom and prayed for the teachers and students who would be in those rooms the next day.

EJ and I lived about 3-4 miles from the church, and some Saturday nights I groaned when it was time to leave. But I went because I knew Harold would be there.

Harold lived just about half a block from the church. The man could pray. We prayed together at the altar until summer.  When Harold passed away some time later, I began to reflect on his life, his friendship, and his love for the Lord. Looking back over church stats, I realized that the church had one of its greatest growth spurts during the time we were praying at the altar at 10 PM on Saturday night.

Well, don’t know why I told all that, but I do believe that God is interested in his children coming to him with their needs, burdens, and praises.

17 Feb

February 17, 2009 |

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Francisco Raudales, center, with the plaque I presented on behalf of Global Ministries.

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Francisco Raudales and I pray over Juanita Chavez, as she begins her new role as superintendent of Honduras Conference.

In January, I was privileged to attend the Honduras National Conference. This was the going-away conference for Francisco Raudales, who had served as superintendent since January 1997.

There were many expressions of appreciation for his ministry over the years. I presented a plaque on behalf of Global Ministries.

Juanita Chavez was elected as the new superintendent. They didn’t announce the vote tally, but her selection definitely pleased the crowd, and people were supportive even if they personally didn’t vote for her.

I wasn’t able to stay for the closing service on Saturday night, but Francisco told her 2000 people attended. My last official act was to pray for Juanita Chavez.

Prior to the election, Juanita had been working on a strategic plan for the coming years. It wasn’t a plan with specific outcomes in terms of numbers, but outcomes in relation to healthy church development and healthy conference development. That was exciting to see. They were looking down the road–how do we get there? how do we know when we’ve developed healthy ministries?

It was something their governing council, the junta, put together, and they gave her the lead. It’ll be neat seeing her work through that in the coming years.

16 Feb

February 16, 2009 |

Barry Skinner, pastor of Kilburne Avenue UB church (Rockford, Ill.), reports:

  • They installed a new projector screen.
  • The Carpenter family, missionaries from Napervile, Ill., made a presentation this past Sunday.
  • Several new people have begun attending.
  • He is beginning more outreach this week at the local fast food restaurants.

16 Feb

February 16, 2009 |

A domain name is a very cheap piece of cyber real estate. Your church can register a domain for $20 or less per year. This domain can then become the hub for all of your church’s internet communications–your website, your email, a blog, etc. If people know your domain name, they can find you.

However, every year, one or two United Brethren churches lose their domain name.

  • Maybe nobody in the church office understood what the renewal notices were about.
  • Maybe renewal notices were going to somebody who no longer attends, but who originally registered the account.
  • Maybe they just procrastinated too long.
  • Or maybe they just forgot.

Many companies eagerly pounce on lapsed domain names. They like snapping up something with established traffic flow. As a result, the church loses their domain name, which has a variety of ramifications:

  • The church website address no longer works.
  • Email addresses which used that domain no longer work.
  • Business cards, letterhead, and any other printed materials which mentioned those email addresses or the website URL must be reprinted.
  • The church must find a new domain name, which will probably be less satisfactory than the previous one.
  • People who type in the name of the previous domain name will be taken to something totally unrelated to the church–perhaps a porn site.

So, some suggestions:

  1. Make sure you know where the domain is registered.
  2. Try to get the domain directly under the church’s control, rather than in the account of a parishioner.
  3. Make sure your contact information with the registrar is current, so you receive notices when it’s about to expire.

13 Feb

February 13, 2009 |

epicenter.gif
Joel C. Rosenberg wrote a series of five books of fiction dealing with his theory of how the world will end. He also wrote a nonfiction book detailing the facts and interpretation of Scripture that planted the idea for his fiction books.

The non-fiction book is called Epicenter and is published by Tyndale House. I personally believe it is worth the read, even if you don’t read the fiction series. You might vigorously disagree with his views, but they are challenging and will make you think

12 Feb

February 12, 2009 |

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Technology has its frustrations, but also its amazing sides.

This morning, the Global Ministries staff held a meeting with David Kline in Macau. Four of them gathered around Darlene Burkett’s iMac, and using iChat’s video features, they discussed some financial issues. It was smooth, and free. Here in Huntington, it was 9:30 Thursday morning, but for David, it was 10:30 Thursday night.

David, seeing me enter the scene with my camera, apologized for not combing his hair.

Pictured (l-r): Mabel Mundy (accounting clerk), Darlene Burkett, Jeff Bleijerveld, Donna Hollopeter is out of the photo, on the left. (Sorry, Donna.)