an outsider's approach

Just last week, I had the privilege of spending an afternoon on the Cal State Long Beach campus during a week of new staff on-the-field training.  Every intern and new staff member with Campus Crusade continues to be developed as we take part in a 2-year training program.  This is what brought me and about 30 other new staff and interns to our on-the-field training last week.  On Thursday, we were split in half.  Half of us went to Cal State Fullerton and the other half to Cal State Long Beach.  The purpose of the day was to try two tools to share our faith that we had never used before.  Eager to see the atmosphere on a different campus, my excitement grew even more when the regional directors and staff on Cal State Long Beach told me that I would be able to go into the Greek office there and talk to some of the Greek leaders on the campus.  I couldn't wait to get in and talk to them! 

A group of us were pointed in the direction of the Greek office and we walked in.  We did not hide why we were there or try to disguise it.  We told them that we were with Campus Crusade for Christ and were interested in seeing if there was a need for a Greek ministry on the campus.  We then asked if anyone would be willing to tell us a bit about their Greek system and possibly go through a leadership interview with us.  One of the members of IFC (Interfraternity Council) began talking to me and telling me all about their Greek system.  If I was asking these same questions to someone at USC, they would look at me like I was crazy - being in the Greek system there, I should already know all of that, right?  That's when I realized how incredibly advantageous it is to come in as an outsider.  I knew all of the Greek language and general information about the Greek system, but I didn't know how they functioned specifically at CSULB.  I just asked questions.  And let me tell you, Greeks LOVE talking about the Greek system.  Part of me thinks this is because they are always being questioned about their purpose, their reason for event existing, that they are almost trained to explain what exactly they are and why they exist.  So many people come at Greek students attacking them for their way of life, their exclusivity, their "silly" traditions, that we (Greeks) have had to develop a defense.  So I asked questions - not with any other motivation than to simply learn.  In Doug Pollock's book, God Space, he states that his "whole ministry changed for the better when [he] began to seek to understand before [he] sought to be understood."  Seek to understand them!  They want to be understood!

After nearly 20 minutes of just asking him about the Greek system there at CSULB and his experience in it, I asked permission to go through a leadership interview with him.  This is an amazing tool that just asks about their experience and opinions about leadership and then transitions into their thoughts about Jesus and how he led.  I couldn't believe I had never used this tool before!  It is the perfect thing to use with Greek leaders and it is such a great way to get to know them.  One of the questions even asks, "If you were in our shoes trying to expose students to Christ in a positive way, what would you do?"  What was his answer?  He said, "Exactly what you're doing.  Ask me questions.  Be genuine.  Get to know me before you share this with me." 

By the time we both had to leave, he had given me contact information for everyone I would need to get ahold of, told me when IFC, PHC and all of the other Greek Councils met and even offered the option of coming to speak at their meetings to publicize this new Greek ministry.  This student was not even a Christian!  Yet, he was willing to do anything to help us out, all because we had taken the time to get to know him, to come from an outside approach and become an insider.

Currently there is not a Greek movement with Campus Crusade at CSULB.  I was filled with joy and yet also sadness when he began offering all of the opportunities for connections in the Greek system - joy because of the doors God seemed to be opening and sadness because the need is there but there are not enough laborers for the harvest. 

As Greek movements begin to pop up on campuses all over our region, I'm reminded of Paul's words to the Corinthians: "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like on under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings" (1 Cor. 9:20-23).  Don't let fear hold you back from reaching out to a group of people where you feel like an "outsider."  Ask questions, develop friendships, be genuine, love them and let the Spirit use you.