YA L E | On Campus
Reaching New Haven and Its Students
CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OFFERS SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY , HERMENEUTICS By Eileen Scott , Senior Writer
Campus ministry has been part of the DNA of Christ Presbyterian
Church from the start .
The church was launched in 1992 by three young families who had a heart for the city of New Haven and students at nearby colleges , including Yale University . The founding pastor , Preston Graham , led a year-long Bible study as a graduate student that preceded the plant .
In the last 25 years , the church has grown steadily . A second service was added in 2011 and the organization ’ s church planting movement , Mission Anabaino , seeks to start “ total Christ churches ,” borrowing a phrase from Saint Augustine .
Christ Presbyterian Church engages students through a variety of programs , including a Bible study held at Yale called “ Going Deep .” The Bible study alternates between systematic theology and hermeneutics courses . The latter is being studied this year . Students walk through key hermeneutical principles , such as redemptive-historical understanding , genre study , covenants , and Christocentric readings ; then they make their way through each major genre or book .
Sean Bland , Yale ’ 18 , has enjoyed the deep theological study and also the fellowship offered by a multigenerational Christian community .
“ Sometimes you just need to step back and remember that you are not just part of your college , or even just the Christian body on your campus , but the larger church universal ,” said Bland . “ My local church has helped
me to remember that Christ is truly unchanging and His body is one unified community .”
The junior from Jackson , Mississippi has attended Christ Presbyterian Church since his freshman year . He initially attended because it was the same denomination as his church back home , but soon grew attached to the community for deeper reasons .
“ Being a part of the church has absolutely strengthened my faith ,” he said .
Bland serves on several volunteer teams , but his favorite is the nursery .
“ It may sound silly , but college students can become so isolated here on our campus . We practically forget what it is like to be around families and people of all ages and stages of life ,” he said .
Craig Luekens , YDS ’ 06 , is the undergraduate campus minister for Christ
Presbyterian Church and a coordinator with Athletes in Action at Yale . He agrees with Bland regarding the value of being with believers of all ages .
Luekens said the local church can
Students from Yale and other local colleges are finding a fellowship home at Christ Presbyterian Church in New Haven .
“ uniquely foster multi-generational interactions and , most importantly , set the stage for the students ’ Christian discipleship for the rest of their lives .”
And for Bland , a Yale junior , attending a local church has been a great experience .
“ Being a part of a church during college is very important for post-graduation faith ,” Bland said . “ I feel prepared to seek out another Christ-loving church [ after college ] and feel that doing so is critically important . I don ’ t think I would feel the same had I not been committed to His church while in college .” | cu w i n t e r 2 0 1 7 : : c h r i s t i a n u n i o n . o r g
53