1982-93 : Arriving At a Crossroads

Lutheran Campus Ministry once again found itself in transition.  In 1982, in response to the breaking of alter pulpit fellowship between the American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, the South Minnesota District LCMS voted to curtail the joint ministry at the Chapel.  Sadly and with much regret locally, the decision was made to terminate the relationship.  It was time to move on.  On June 12, 1982, the Southern Minnesota District voted against a new contract with the Lutheran Student Foundation.

By 1986, Lutheran Campus Ministry – Mankato State University, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran Church and Messiah Lutheran Church decided to use a covenant to join in mission for the benefit of the students, faculty, staff and administrative personnel at Mankato State University and the Mankato Technical Institute.  The covenant opened new doors for Lutheran Campus Ministry and it became effective on June 1, 1986.

After the merge of the LCA and ALC, Pastor Fred Fritz arrived to Mankato in August 1988.  Pastor Fritz connected with people in the Mankato churches and community and he began to receive support from faculty and staff to get Lutheran Campus Ministry back on track.  Maverick Baseball Coach Dean Bowyer played an essential role in keeping the ministry above water.

Important groundwork was laid for the future of Lutheran Campus Ministry.  The first goal of the ministry was to re-establish a worshipping community, which began in September of 1988 in the Student Union.  The council adopted a mission statement and Lutheran Campus Ministry – ELCA currently exists to:

• Proclaim the Gospel of the Christ.
• Invite young adults into a community in which the Word is encountered and the Sacraments are celebrated.
• Support young adults in transition.
• Educate leaders for the Church.
• Challenge young adults to integrate faith and life.
• Encourage young adults to participate in congregational life.

A new constitution was accepted in the fall of 1988.  At a council planning meeting in January 1989, the Campus Council established the goal of attaining a student center for LCM.  By May of 1989, the council decided to buy the Crossroads House from the Wesley Foundation. LCM received a grant of $60,000 from NLCM in December 1989.  Bethlehem Lutheran Church also gave LCM a gift of $65,000 for the purchase and renovation of the Crossroads house.  By May of 1990 renovation began and was completed two month later in July.

Currently, the Crossroads house provides a home base for meetings, fellowship and business tasks.  It is also the home of five peer residents; they are students who facilitate the work of the ministry under the guidance of Pastor Fred Fritz.  These components provide a hospitable community in which to share the Gospel while enriching the lives of all those participating in Lutheran Campus Ministry.

The worshipping community of Lutheran Campus Ministry – ELCA had reached a “Crossroads.”

On an average Sunday, 50-60 people participate in a worship service held in the Centennial Student Union “Shades.”  This room doubles as a university night club and restaurant as well.

The vision of Lutheran Campus Ministry at Mankato State includes extension of the existing Crossroads facility by adding on a $325,000 worship center.  There are several reasons why LCM believes as a community that this campaign is necessary to expand out ministry while providing a hospitable Christian community at Mankato State.  As this project is a substantial economic undertaking, Lutheran Campus Ministry seeks support from the Mankato community, ELCA congregations in South Central Minnesota, and alumni to complete this campaign.

CHIEF REASONS FOR ADDING ON

1. Exponential growth of the Lutheran Campus Ministry – ELCA community over the past five years.
2. The MSU ministry site is geographically separate from the existing ELCA congregations in Mankato.
3. There is a genuine interest in the University community to expand the ministry.  This interest provides a positive and challenging mission opportunity.
4. A worship space supports a more visible and cohesive community.“

"Gathered in Grace – Moving in Mission” was written by Michelle Simonson.  A special “thanks” to Pastor Fred Fritz and Joseph Smith for providing information and making the history of LCM – ELCA in Mankato complete.