What Can I Give?

In my visits to my field sites I have learned some valuable information about my sub-culture (Cru) that could give them a better reputation with non-believers or other religious groups. Christians as a whole have received a bad reputation due to their own lunatic evangelists and their, at times, highly conservative ways. The lunatic evangelists talk down to people about how they are going to go to hell unless they take up being a Christian. 

For Cru, that is a problem. They are at times unable to have effective outreach to the community because of this bad reputation that Christians as a whole have received. When Cru does outreach, or Evangelism, which is spreading the word of Jesus Christ, they don't talk down to people. They ask certain questions that bring up the issue of religion and have a discussion with people, and answer any questions that people may have about Christianity, namely Jesus Christ. They don't force their beliefs on anybody, they just tell others what their beliefs are. By getting this information out, I hope to better the reputation that Cru has because of the reputation Christians as a whole have received over the years.

Survey

If you can take the time to answer three quick questions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Click here to take our Online Survey

Groundwork Activity

Step 1:

I was impressed by their praise band, and the staff member that spoke that night about the Gospel. There was a ton of students there and they all seemed to know each other even some of the students who looked like they were new had some friends with them. I wondered how I could get closer to some of the members, and learn more in my pursuit of Christ. I remember thinking that the staff member looked kind of goofy and nerdy at the same time, and I asked myself, "this guy is gonna speak tonight?". 

Step 2:

I remember the first time I went to Campus Crusade for Christ for their weekly meeting. I had to admit I was slightly nervous. I only knew a few people who I went to high school with, but they were upperclassmen so they were off with their friends having a good time. I was pretty much alone there for the first meeting. As I attended more I started to get to know some members, and felt more comfortable in my surroundings.

Step 3:

I know I was an outsider when I first started attending. I didn't hangout with people before the meeting started and afterwards as well. Some members will go to each other's houses after the meeting and watch a taped recording of The Office since the meeting is at the same time as the show. After a whole semester of attending Cru I still haven't received an invitation to go. 

Founder and History

"William R. Bright, 81, Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ." The New York Times. 22 July 2003. 19 Feb 2009. <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html? res=9806E2DB163FF931A15754C0A9659C8B63>. 

This Article reveals the news that the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ died most likely the 21st of July 2003 or the 22nd of July 2003. The author gives good background information on how William R. Bright founded the organization and how it has grown over the years, and recognized the many achievements of Bright. 

Most likely I will use this source for some good background information and a little history of Campus Crusade for Christ. For example, how it was started, how it grew, who else besides William R. Bright was involved, and how many people it took to get Cru to where it is today, and of course where Cru is today in terms of growth and progress in their mission of spreading the Gospel.

"Campus Crusade History." 2008. 19 Feb 2009. <http://www.campuscrusadeforchrist.com/aboutus/>.

This is from Campus Crusade for Christ's webpage, and it is their history. It just explains the origin of Cru, what they have done as an organization, and how they did accomplished those achievements. I thought it important to find the organization's version of their history instead of the New York Times, although very credible, it is just so much better to get the history from the organization itself. 

I will use this source to explain Cru's history, when they were founded, how they grew, what their mission was and still is. Basically I will be using this source for the same reasons listed above. I also wanted to get the organization's version of their history one main reason. They know their history a little better than anyone else. 

Focal Point

Every week, Campus Crusade for Christ meets up in Pruis Hall for their weekly meeting where they do several activities. The members come together for fellowship, which is a time for them to share their spiritual "status". Basically where they are in their relationship with God. After this short period of fellowship, everybody will sit down, and then some staff members or prominent members of Cru will make some announcements about the going-ons in Cru. Then they will either introduce the Praise Band, and start worship, or they will introduce the speaker for the night, and then do worship. Sometimes the Praise Band goes first and sometimes the speaker gives his sermon first. Either way, they both happen. After both of these activities occur, the night is almost over, and another round of announcements are all that is left before the meeting ends ,and then members say goodbye to one another and go home. I know more about what goes on and why it goes on because of my perspective and prior knowledge and experience with Christian organizations.  For example, before I went to the weekly meeting at Pruis Hall, I was expecting at least a time of worship with a Praise Band and also a message from a speaker. 

Week 5 Post

My plan to finish this mini-ethnography on Cru is much easier said than done. I need to spend more time in my field sites, and make many more observations, and also line up a couple of interviews. I need more research on pretty much everything in my subculture since I haven't started my research yet, and to do that I will conduct interviews, participate in activities, and make observations at the weekly Cru meetings, along with bible studies as well.  

How much time will we be in the library researching information on our specific subcultures? 

Weekly Blog #4

I can make one general conclusion about my subculture, which is Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). That is the members are mostly friendly, loving people. They actually care about you. When they ask you, "how are you?", they really want to know how you're doing. They want to hear more than just the usual response of, "Good, you?". I would say that most Campus Crusade for Christ organizations are like this, but of course there are probably a few exceptions. Not every Christian organization is loving and caring. Some will fall into the trap of legalism and forget about what is most important in Christianity, which is the Gospel, Jesus Christ, who made a relationship with God possible by taking away our sin. Without that commitment to Christ, Campus Crusade is absolutely worthless. It is called Campus Crusade for Christ for a reason.