Frequently Asked Questions
What about the two names: Christian Student Foundation and Christian Campus House?
The Christian Student Foundation is the formal name of the ministry. Christian Campus House refers to our building. Many students simply refer to the building and the ministry as the Campus House. For brevity and to reflect student usage, Campus House will be used throughout this list of questions.
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What denomination is the Campus House?
The Campus House was founded by Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in Indiana in 1966 and continues to be funded and governed by representatives from those churches. The Christian Churches and Churches of Christ understand themselves to be non-denominational because they are not formally organized as church beyond the congregational level. Congregations network with each other focused on particular tasks such as publishing, camps, campus ministries, missions, benevolence, church planting, colleges, etc. as each congregation is led to participate in those ministries. These churches usually share the following characteristics:
Confession of Jesus Christ as God's Son and our Savior as the basic requirement for becoming a Christian and for church membership, with no other creed required. The name Christian is the preferred term for believers and churches to reflect the Christian creed and as an appeal for unity.
Recognition of the Bible as God's Word as God inspired or moved men through His Spirit to speak and/or write His Word. Therefore, the Bible is confessed to be the authoritative witness to Jesus; the foundational document for church order, faith and practice; and the primary source of spiritual food for Christian life.
The doctrine and teaching of these churches is orthodox and catholic with special concern for teaching the truth of the Bible (orthodoxy) and recognizing the unity of all followers of Christ based in the teaching of the Bible (catholicity).
Understanding and practicing baptism as the immersion of believers in water which reflects the original practice of Jesus' disciples and the church.
The Lord's Table, or Communion, is celebrated weekly (and in some occasions more often) and all who confess Jesus as Christ and Lord are welcome to celebrate.
Congregations are organized independent of each other, yet often work together on common causes, mission efforts, or ministries. Congregations are governed by boards containing multiple leaders (usually called elders). Congregations usually, but not always, hire one or more ministers who preach, teach and train other leaders. Senior levels of leadership, elders and preachers, are usually men.
All members are viewed as ministers and can baptize, teach, serve the Lord's Table.
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What kind of worship services does the Campus House offer?
The campus house offers a Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 which features both hymns and contemporary praise songs led by a band, communion each week, prayer, Bible reading, and a message presented by one of the campus ministers.
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What kind of service/mission/outreach work do you do?
Each year we plan both local one day events and longer trips during various breaks in the Ball State calendar. These events and trips are local ministry opportunities (volunteering with the Salvation Army at Christmas) and various cross-cultural trips (building houses in Mexico).
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Do I need to be of any certain religion to receive communion here?
We offer the Lord's Table to anyone who confesses Jesus as Christ. That is a matter of the heart and between God and the worshipper.
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Are there social activities that I could get involved with outside of Sunday worship services?
We plan various events throughout each semester such as hayrides, dinners, participation in campus events, etc. These events are open to any Ball State student.
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Is the campus house a church?
Yes and no. The campus house functions like a church because the following are present: preaching the Word of God, availability of the sacraments, and ordering of Christian life and practice. The campus house is a mission because it is dependent on churches for funds and leadership. The campus house is not self-supported or governed. We are both a Christian non-profit organization and a Ball State religious student organization.
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How far is it from the residence halls to the Christian Campus House?
The campus house is a short walk from most of the Ball State campus, the longest walk is about 15 minutes.
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Are there any small group opportunities?
We offer prayer groups as part of our Wednesday evening Bible studies, which begin at 8:30 p.m. These groups are opportunities for students deepen relationships and pray together. Other groups spontaneously form each semester, such as an informal gathering of students on Sunday evening for singing and fellowship.
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Do I have to live there to be involved? Who lives in the campus house?
A student does not have to live at the campus house to be involved. In fact the vast majority of students who are involved do not live in CSF housing. In the campus house itself there are two apartments and there is another house available for rent. Students who are involved in the ministry apply to live in an apartment or house and then selections are made by the campus ministers.
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Why is it called a house?
It is called a house, rather than a church or a center, because of our purpose to develop Christian community among Ball State students. We want to be a family of faith who support and stretch each other in our walk with Christ.
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What is your affiliation with Ball State University?
We are registered with Ball State as a religious student organization called The Christian Student Foundation of Ball State University.
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How do I become a member?
Basically there are three criteria: (1) Any Ball State University student, (2) who supports the purpose of the organization (see the constitution on the documents page) and (3) is an active participant in worship and Bible study. The students who choose to be members have the responsibility to elect officers for the ministry and can vote on changes to the CSF constitution. Students do not have to be members to be involved in any of our activities or programs.
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How many students are involved?
Approximately 150 students are involved on a regular basis. Average attendance in Sunday morning worship service is 100 and average worship attendance in Wednesday evening Bible studies is 50. Between 400 - 500 students will be served by the ministry or attend one of our events.
In addition to traditional undergraduate students there are a number of international students connected to the campus house through special dinners, a bike loan program, English tutoring and Bible studies. During the year we will have contact with nearly 150 international students through those ministries.
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Do I have to be a Christian to attend worship services or Bible studies?
No. The worship services and Bible studies are open to any Ball State student whether they are a believer or not.
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How is CSF funded and governed?
The Campus House was founded by Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in Indiana in 1966 and continues to be funded and governed by representatives from those churches. A board of Directors, representing the supporting churches, sets policy, oversees finances and supervises the staff.
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How can I get more involved in addition to Sunday morning worship?
The best way to get more involved is to participate in Wednesday evening Bible studies. You can also contact the campus house and request information.
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Are there pastors there?
The Christian Student Foundation has three campus ministers: Mark Pike, Matt Stafford and Joe Lieway. Lesley Baim is our administrative assistant. You can find more information on the staff page.
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Why do you have weekly communion?
We celebrate communion weekly for the following reasons: (1) it was the practice of the church in the time of the Apostles, (2) a weekly celebration of communion helps us focus our service on the death and resurrection of Jesus, who is the reason for our coming together for worship.
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What should I wear?
Students tend to wear casual to dressy casual clothes on Sundays, more casual on Wednesdays.
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Do you have an affiliation with a national organization?
We are a member of the National Association of Christian Campus Ministries. NACCM is not a governing body, but is a support organization featuring retreats, conferences, web-hosting and other resources.
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Are there other Christian or religious groups at Ball State University?
Yes, there are many religious groups on campus. You can find a list on the Ball State website: www.bsu.edu.
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How can I support the Christian Student Foundation financially?
- You can send gifts directly to:
Christian Student Foundation, 1411 West Riverside Avenue, Muncie IN 47303
- You can also donate directly through our online form.
- Additionally, you can give through the Ball State University Foundation. Make your check out to the Ball State University Foundation and indicate account 7506 on the memo line. Send your check to the CSF office and we will take it to the Ball State Foundation. Giving through the Ball State Foundation is attractive to those who work for a company who matches gifts and for those seeking a deduction on Indiana state tax.
The Christian Student Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and all gifts are tax-deductible.
Financial information is available upon request.
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