McGann 1 Meaghan McGann Professor Swindell ENGW 104 18 December 2012 A Christian Sorvice Requirement to Enhance Undergraduate Community ‘To enhance the Wheaton College community, as well as to put forward the college’s vision of living for “Christ and His Kingdom,” a Christian service requirement should be met by all students before they graduate, The objective of required Christian service hours would be to promote local and global community awareness, to help students learn more about themselves and how to be effective citizens, and to be a blessing to others by following the example laid out by Jesus in the New Testament. ‘A Christian service requirement would enhance undergraduate awareness of both local and global communities. Once immersed in the college campus it is easy to become desensi or unaware of what is happening in the world, or even in the community outside of campus. This requirement would be intentional about getting students involved and connected to communities off campus by asking them to complete a minimum number of required hours of regular service per semester. The purpose would be to build relationships with people from different backgrounds and experiences in order to better understand and appreciate diversity. In one study performed by the director of research for a Ma’ yan Research Training’ Intemship in New York City, a group of tecnage Jowish students intemed for a service learning organization and found that long term service projects had a positive effect on both the students and the communities they got involved with. By “focusing on one area and trying to fix that” the students could develop relationships with the communities that enabled them to “make a really big impact” (Benjamin 183).This study also put forward that service projects should be intentional, people should become involved with issues they really care about and become informed beforeMcGann 2 jumping in. The students observed that “An appreciation of the context surrounding...service activities can deepen the meaning...[and] ideally, it can also help...identify the root causes underlying the problems addressed by their service” (Benjamin 184). Another study performed by educators from Boston University and the University of Kansas on the “differential outcomes for American college’students engaged in community service-learning involving youth and adults,” found that “students who participate in community service-learning experiences that involve more than 20 hours of service achieve a greater awareness of social issues and a deeper ‘commitment to community involvement than their peers who engaged in fewer than 20 hours of service"( Seider 449), This requitement would then be a long term investment--perhaps year to year--in which students would build relationships and community with a specific group or organization, ‘The intentional nature of the relationships built would thus enable students to become more aware and understanding of the issues and the diversity of life in whatever community they decided to contribute to, whether local or global. ‘A Christian service requirement should be fulfilled by all undergraduates in order to better enable them to become wise stewards of their individual gifts and talents and to become— ___more effective citizens: Most students go to college to get an education so they can get a career and make a living for themselves after they graduate. However, on entering college many students do not know what they want to pursue or even who they really are. In the Journal of Education & Christian Belief Seniifér Feenstra claims that in order “to better understand their ‘vocation, students need to understand themselves and fit that with what the world needs"(Feenstra 65), Without a proper understanding of themselves and their calling, how can students be effective citizens? Community service is essential for this growth in that it helps students “learn about [themselves] as individuals but also to be reminded of [their] place withinMcGann 3 the community and [their] identity as Christ-followers”(Feenstra 67).The broad applications of service learning can, by immersing students in foreign or unfamiliar environments, instill in them broader understanding of how they connect to the world as individuals and how the world works as a global community! In helping undergraduates learn more about themselves, a Christian service requirement could also help students develop an increased sense.of civie responsibility. When students understand and appreciate the world around them, they are more willing and ready to be effective citizens. Grove City College did a study on community service projects and how they help shape individuals into better citizens. They presented the idea that “there exists in America a great need today for caring citizens who understand the connectedness of life and consistently engage in a community service”(Powell 43). American society today is one that values individuality and independence. People fail to understand this “connectedness” of life and the value of being a ‘g004 citizen, how it not only benefits the culture, but sustains individual growth as well. “One of the missing pieces within civic leaming is...an environment in which individuals can experience and practice citizenship” (Powell 46). A Christian service requirement would attempt to remedy this lack. ‘Most importantly, a Christian service requirement should be required in order to bless others by imitating the example demonstrated by Christ in His ministry on earth. Throughout the New Testament there are numerous examples of Jesus ministering to the needy, and even to the not so needy. Jesus advocates his followers to do the same. In Matthew 25:35-37 Jesus illustrates ideal Christian service: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visitMcGann 4 ‘me"(NIV). This is part of our mission as Christians, not only to share Jesus's love in word, but also in deed by demonstrating the love of God through our love for others. What better way to do this than to serve? Required service project hours may appear a burden to some, and some may argue that such service should not have to be required as it is our moral obligation as Christians. However, though many of us realize and even acknowledge this ‘obligation’ how many of us actually put it into practice? I know that I personally fail more often than not to be a good steward in serving others, especially when I have had a particularly rough day or when I am in an especially busy season. It is my hope that the integration of this requirement from students’ freshman year may develop a habit that is sustained throughout the student’s lifetime, not only for the duration of their four years at college. ‘A Christian service requirement could improve the Wheaton College community and further the vision of a campus dedicated to living Christianly by promoting local and global awareness, helping students learn about themselves and how they can practice effective citizenship, and by blessing others through obedience to the principles set out for us in the New ‘Testament. This requirement would not only advance the idea of living a life for “Christ and His Kingdom,” but would also promote the development of lifelong habits of service in undergraduate students,McGann 5 Works Cited Benjamin, Beth Cooper, et al. "Getting Comfortably Uncomfortable." Journal of Jewish Communal Service 87.1 (2011): 182-6. Print. Feenstra, Jennifer S. "Vocational Exploration through Service: The Effect of Service-Learning ‘on Student Understanding of God's Calling." Journal of Education & Christian Belief 15.1 (2011): 65-74, Print, Powell, Brian M. "Community Service from the Perspective of Alumni: Shaping Caring Christian Citizens at Grove City College." Christian Higher Education 7.1 (2008): 44-66. Print, Seider, Scott, Samantha Rabinowiez, and Susan Gillmor. "Differential Outeomes for American College Students Engaged in Community Service-Learning Involving Youth and Adults.” Journal of Experiential Education 35.3 (2012): 447-63. Print,