IVCF Urban Programs typically fall into one of four formats: weekend-long "dips", one-week “plunges” (most often during spring break), two-week “immersions” (early summer), and 5-8 week summer programs. Here's more information about each type:
Dip (a weekend):
Advantages
- Accessible, even to non-Christians
- Easy to fit into your yearly training schedule
- Cost effective, easy to administer
- Opens categories which can be developed more fully later
- Creates beginning point for relationships between students
Limitations
- Can’t go very deeply into issues or scripture
- May falsely give the impression to students that they’ve “done” an Urban Project
- Limited exposure to ministries active in the city
Plunge (one week)
Advantages
- Still accessible, over spring or fall breaks
- Can still be treated as a conference for accounting
- Allows for deeper exploration of the scriptures, and greater exposure to urban churches and agencies
- Allows for some community issues to arise
- Acts as a great springboard for recruitment to summer mission opportunities or camps
- Not really enough time for real conflicts to develop between students
- Can only tackle on book of scripture in manuscript form
- Exposure to agencies still limited
- Still has that “we’re at a conference” feel
Limitations
- Not really enough time for real conflicts to develop between students
- Can only tackle on book of scripture in manuscript form
- Exposure to agencies still limited
- Still has that “we’re at a conference” feel
Short Program/Immersion (ten days to two weeks)
Advantages
- Has all the advantages of a plunge only greater and deeper
- Allows for more diversity in the schedule, Biblical study, and the kinds of ministries students can be involved with.
- Enough time for students to develop conflicts and practice conflict resolution
- Can be hard to recruit for given that students have to delay their summer jobs slightly
- Can go deep on certain subjects but still limited
- Feels like a camp
- Can compete with other summer mission or camp opportunities
Limitations
- Can be hard to recruit for given that students have to delay their summer jobs slightly
- Can go deep on certain subjects but still limited
- Feels like a camp
- Can compete with other summer mission or camp opportunities
Summer Program (four to eight weeks)
Advantages
- Allows staff to retain the majority of their summer
- Allows for slow and sure acquisition of ministry values
- Gives students a realistic view and experience of the city
- Presents a great context for developing student relationships
- Provides an environment conducive to conflict resolution
- Exposes students to a wide spectrum of urban leaders, agencies and churches.
Limitations
- Appeals mostly to students of means who can afford to lose a summer’s income
- More difficult to maintain over the years – requires a Regional “champion”
- Longer planning cycle and recovery time for staff
