about
Christian Campus House - Ball State U students
The Association of College Ministries (ACM) is a worldwide organization committed to reaching the millions of college students of the world with the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our member ministries are affiliated with the Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, but involvement is open to students of any religious background or lack thereof. The ACM exists as a fellowship and support organization offering a variety of services for ministries on university campuses. The ACM functions through such means as providing retreats, leadership training conferences and ministry resource tools.
In an age of competing worldviews, the ACM strives to encourage communities of faith where students can both begin and develop their relationships with God and learn to put the love of Christ into action right where they are. We are intentionally Bible-centered and action-oriented. The majority of our member ministries are established and governed locally and individually. Each of our ministries develops its own uniqueness as it seeks to serve in a specific setting. The most common names by which our member ministries are known are “Christian Student Fellowship” and “Christian Campus House.” If you are looking for a campus ministry with which to be involved or resources relating to campus ministry, feel free to contact our member ministry nearest you. You may locate any ACM ministry by consulting this directory.
CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS
First of all, it is important for you to thoroughly understand that our heritage is staunchly “non-creedal.” The statements that follow are descriptive of what our member organizations most likely believe, but these statements do not in any way constitute an “official creed.” We are people who strongly believe that the Bible is our sole source of empirical knowledge of God, and that no humanly contrived creed can possibly codify every nuance of what scripture teaches through the Holy Spirit to the individual, genuine, faithful disciple of Jesus.
These brief statements are designed to help you understand the positions generally held by members of the Association of College Ministries, and their constituent churches known as the “Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.” If you are a student at a university seeking out a campus ministry these statements will help you gain a grasp of who we are and what we are prone to believe. If you serve as a campus minister and either you or your campus ministry is seeking fellowship (i.e., membership) with the ACM, these statements will help you determine if you would feel comfortable in partnership and fellowship with the ACM.
Jesus of Nazareth is the incarnation of God the Son. He is the Word become flesh (John 1:14), and He now holds all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). He is both Savior and Lord. He made human salvation possible through His sinless life, His innocent and brutal death on the cross, and His literal, physical resurrection. He ascended into heaven where He is now our high priest and advocate. He and he alone is the head of the Church.
The Holy Spirit is a “person” and not a “thing,” “power,” or “force.” Although co-equal with God as Father and Son, Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit works interpersonally and actively in the world, seeking to glorify Jesus and the Father. The Holy Spirit actively works to convict people of their own sin, of God’s righteousness, and judgment to come (John 16:5-11). The Holy Spirit indwells (lives inside) believers individually, and corporately in the Church—the body and bride of Christ. The Holy Spirit produces fruit within the life of each Christian and also works to produce in each believer a pure heart which results in Christ-like character expressed in private and public conduct and action. The Holy Spirit also endows each believer with gifts for service or ministry in the kingdom.
The Bible is not just “A” book—it actually exists as a collection of 66 separate and distinct literary works known as the Old and New Testament Scriptures. It is the uniquely inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21). We firmly hold that the Bible stands as the only rule or standard of faith and practice for Christians. We affirm that Scripture is the only authoritative revelation from God by which we know God’s will and Christ’s authority. We seek to assert what the Scriptures clearly assert and allow freedom in other cases. We believe that to grasp the meaning of Scripture it is our solemn responsibility to seek to understand divine intent, through authorial intent, and we seek to apply its teaching to the individual Christian’s life, as well as to the contemporary church and to any culture in which Christians live.
Human beings were created by God to walk in fellowship with Him. We were created to glorify God. However, all (except Jesus) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Because of this, we must rely solely on God’s generous offer of mercy, compassion, grace and forgiveness. Each human, from the moment life begins, is made in the image of God (imago dei), and as such, is a person valued and loved by God. As the human objects of His love we are to be nurtured, protected, and developed. The primary purpose of every human’s existence is to glorify God.
Salvation is by God alone through Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). This salvation is obtained through a conversion process that includes hearing the truth, embracing genuine faith (trust in Christ), repenting, confessing (both personal sin and Jesus as Lord and Savior), and being baptized (Acts 2:38, 8:12, 10:47-48, Rom.10:9, etc.).
In baptism (immersion in water) a believer is immersed, crucified and buried with Christ (Rom. 6:3-4), receives forgiveness of sin and the Holy Spirit as a gift (Acts 2:38), is resurrected (Col. 2:12) and clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27), and has ones’ sins washed away (Acts 22:16)—all because of God’s merciful, compassionate, and free gift of grace received by faith. Baptism represents the believer’s proper response in obedience to Christ—“…the pledge of a good conscience toward God” (1 Pet. 3:21). As an act of faithful obedience, baptism in no way represents a “work” through which salvation is earned by any meritorious act or effort on the part of the believer (Eph. 2:8-10).
The Christian life does not end at conversion—it begins. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings new life and new joy. Every person who comes to the Father through Jesus (as just described) becomes a dynamic disciple– personally dedicated to spiritual growth, Christian community, and Kingdom priorities. Once saved by grace, by grace we live.
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NSC 2012
The National Student Conference is an annual gathering of college students of ACM campus ministries.
This years conference will be held August 4-8 2012 at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana.
We will be updating this page with more details and registration options soon.
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The waterfall at McCormick's Creek
CAMPUS MINISTERS RETREAT – JUNE 5-8
Every year many of our ACM Campus Ministers gather at McCormick’s Creek State Park near Spencer, Indiana for a few days of rest, relaxation, and renewal. A retreat speaker is there to facilitate the time as well as a worship leader. One of the great aspects of the retreat is simply the time with fellow campus ministers. This year’s retreat is on June 5-8. We’ll post more details in the coming months.
Many bring their entire family and enjoy the long walks on the trails, or enjoy playing hippo in the pool. There are enjoyable moments like taking a walk with a seasoned minister to learn from them or be encouraged by them. We hope you will come this year!