FAQs for the MacLaurin-CSF Union

What were the major factors that led to this union?

Two factors, mainly:

1.     Higher education in the U.S. is rapidly changing, as is the relation of churches to campuses. For these reasons, campus ministries are also undergoing significant structural change. Recognizing these developments, the trustees and staff of Christian Student Fellowship began to think creatively about using their resources to meet campus needs. These prayerful reflections commended to them the work of the MacLaurin Institute.

2.     MacLaurin and CSF are ideally positioned to help each other advance Christian thinking on campus. As both our staff and boards began to think and pray together about the needs of the University of Minnesota, we recognized that CSF would bring new strategic resources to MacLaurin’s work—namely, a permanent residence, a long history of working with undergraduates, and several thriving programs for international students.

Does this union with CSF mean that MacLaurin’s mission (strengthening Christian thinking by bridging church and university) will change?

Not at all. When Christian Student Fellowship trustees first approached the MacLaurin Institute with this proposal, it was MacLaurin’s mission that most attracted them. They believed that our mission would energize their ministry and student base. Many current CSF programs, in fact, are deeply compatible with MacLaurin. Thus while our two ministries are uniting under MacLaurin’s mission, there will still be substantial continuity with CSF’s history and ethos.

Will the MacLaurin Institute acquire a new student group, thus becoming more like Campus Crusade, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, or the Newman Center?

No. The MacLaurin Institute works closely with undergraduates, of course, but we are different than most other campus ministries in that our ministry occurs primarily through strategic partnerships with traditional campus groups. Students will remain a vital part of our work on campus, but we do not have a “MacLaurin Student Group” that students join.

Will MacLaurin lose its distinctive focus on intellectual life and leadership?

No. MacLaurin will continue to work closely with faculty, graduate students, pastors, and other Christian leaders, focusing on the integration of Christian faith and learning, particularly in the areas of vocation and scholarship.

What, if anything, will change in your fall 2011 programming?

Much will remain in place and several new strategic programs will be added. For example, CSF has an international student ministry called Dinner and Dialogue where over a meal a local Christian scholar talks about faith and learning in his or her own field of study. MacLaurin looks forward to continuing and strengthening this important ministry.

Will you add any new staff members? And who will lead the new organization?

Brad Dewing, CSF’s director, will join the combined organization (MacLaurinCSF) as the Campus Life Coordinator. Brad earned his M.Div. from Emmanuel School of Religion in Tennessee and worked in several congregations before coming on staff at CSF in 2003. At MacLaurin, Brad will facilitate our important relationships with other campus ministries as well as the churches of the Twin Cities. Bryan Bademan will continue to serve the Institute as Executive Director.

Will your location change?

Since April of 2010 the Institute has been housed temporarily in the office building owned by and adjacent to Stadium Village Church. We are extremely grateful to SVC for their warm hospitality this past year. On August 1 we will be moving our administrative offices to the CSF house located on the St. Paul Campus off of Cleveland Avenue. We will continue to be present on both campuses and also see the additional space as an asset as we continue to host reading groups and visiting and local scholars.

Where and to whom should I now send my donations?

We are deeply thankful for your ongoing support, especially at this critical time when we integrate ministries and incur some unexpected expenses. Contributions should continue to be sent to the MacLaurin Institute, P.O. Box 141007, Minneapolis, MN 55414.