MISSION OF CSU
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"From within the biblical theology of 'Radical Discipleship' Christian Students Uniting (the Uniting Church in Australia Tertiary Student Association's) purpose is to grow vibrant groups of Christians committed to the building up of the Christian community within the University or TAFE of which they are a part for the sake of Christ and the community of the Church in the transformation of the world."
Christian Students Uniting/UCATSA seeks the animation that comes from biblical radicalism through solid scholarship, collective response and creative, disciplined action/reflection.
We believe that through a discipleship understanding of the Bible and the world we are offered our best hope for the creative enspirited changing of our lives, and pressing societal issues. This undertaking is given integrity when we are ready to acknowledge and question our own vantage point and inherent assumptions about life and the Bible. We know that we don't have all the answers, but we reckon that we are on the way to some meaningful questions and transforming non-violent actions.
By providing an alternative Christian group on campus through Christian Students Uniting, we aim to overcome the prevailing stereotypes of Christians on campus, as well as provide a more broadly based mainline and biblical theology to that which some conservative and liberal student groups currently preach and teach.
Importantly, Christian Students Uniting (or UCATSA as we are sometimes called) is not just for Uniting Church people.
We are interdenominational in outlook and therefore are open to anyone of any denomination (or lack of one), who are willing to think and develop a more biblical and mainline theology that will enable our members to not only develop themselves spiritually, but fulfil the Gospel's message of salvation and justice to all people.
Currently we have groups meeting at the University of New South Wales, The University of Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University, the University of Newcastle, Charles Sturt University and the University of New England, as well as groups starting up at other campuses.
We conduct weekly Bible studies and discussions at each of these locations, as well as social events, conferences and social justice meetings. We also provide links to local vibrant congregations and to University student houses and accommodation. As a Christian community and as individuals we are committed to personal conversion and political engagement. This leads us to a critical political awareness, issuing in human rights activism, ecological concerns, non-violence, solidarity with the marginalized, and a questioning of our own commitments to the status quo.
Our conviction is that as Christians we cannot escape the personal and political implications of Jesus' gospel - not if we take the Bible and God?s reign seriously.
In our current society, Christian Students Uniting/UCATSA is not looking to create a safe spiritual ghetto where we dream of heaven and pat ourselves on the back for being personally enlightened. The call of Jesus as Lord is a strong, undeniable challenge to every part of our lives. It is a summons that pushes us out into engagement with those around us - be it in acts of human solidarity, non-violent action or in inter-faith dialogue.
As an open "inclusive" community our concern is to create as safe place for all students and to work with other Christian groups and justice activists on and off campus in ways that indicate a continuing following of Jesus in episodes of witness and discipleship.
"Serve God - Serve the People"