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Put It in Neutral [Language]
phrases that may help you get funding

Yvonne Vinkemulder

The content of a university student organization’s purpose may be intrinsically and patently religious if the “magic words” that characterize the group and its activities are neutral and consistent with the university’s educational mission.

Examine the kinds of student groups that receive recognition. Could your chapter be characterized in a similar way? If not, try generic terms like “a student association” or “a student organization.” Then plug in any “religious” language that may be appropriate.

How do you characterize your group’s activities? Can you repackage them in neutral secular terms with clear spiritual highlights? Here are some ideas (with secular terms in underlined italic):

Exploring truth through the teachings of Jesus.

Facilitating discussion and tolerance of Christian viewpoints.

Pursuing spiritual intellectual, physical and emotional goals.

Purchasing books to help students explore Christian truth.

Producing a videotape exploring students’ views toward . . .

Developing Christian student leadership through chapter camps.

Printing and distributing literature on . . .

Conferences, leadership training, new student outreach, social events, debates and lectures, subscribing to Student Leadership journal, and community service

These are examples of the wide variety of neutral activities that InterVarsity groups can fill to the brim with spiritual content.