As a College Ministry Consultant, one of my jobs is to answer questions. Not surprisingly, as someone who has done college ministry for an almost actual count of 112 years, I often get asked how to do it long term. Previously, I have written, "How to Stay in College Ministry for 40 Years" (which you can find at www.arlissdickerson.blogspot.com). But, since this question keeps coming up, I would like to address it with some new thoughts and likely a few not so new. One reason I love that staying the long term has been a topic of discussion in recent days is that we need old pros. We need them to mentor younger ones so we don't keep reinventing the wheel. We need their knowledge. Also, we know that generally our larger campus based college ministries are led by older, more experienced college ministers. That's not a coincidence.
So, here are 12 thoughts on staying the long term....both things that help you stay and be effective....and things to do as you stay the long term.
1. The older you get the more important it is to empower and train others.
-Your knowledge can benefit others, so share it. They don't have to learn the hard way. Plus, these younger staff or student leaders you train and empower/trust to serve can cover some areas that may no longer be your strength.
2. Utilize your strength.
-Clearly identify, affirm and maximize the personal strength you bring to the ministry at whatever age you are. And, there is at least one to EVERY age.
3. Quit pretending you are cool.
-Maybe it is more correct to say, "Quit thinking you are cool.". The students quit thinking it long ago.
4. Raise money.
-People trust older proven vets. Your peers have some money to give. Alums know and believe in you. So, do it. It will strengthen your ministry and can enlarge your staff.
5. Share your knowledge.
-Intentionally choose to mentor younger college minister's who serve other places. You can be a blessing to college ministry past your own location.
6. Get new knowledge.
-There are new ideas all the time that are pluses. Keep going to meetings and learning. Stay fresh. It is not old that makes us ineffective...it is staleness.
7. Visit other ministries.
-One way to keep growing and getting new ideas is to visit other ministries. Go to them and just watch and learn. You will see things it would never occur to you to ask.
8. Have talk back sessions with students.
-Bring in a small group of freshmen or upperclassmen for cokes, coffee, or pizza and ask questions about your ministry, about your campus, their needs, etc and listen...listen a lot!
9. Listen when people offer you a job.
-What that does is it makes sure you are there because God is calling you there now....there is great power in getting to choose again where you are.
10. Eat in the cafeteria and or food court areas with students every week.
-It keeps you in touch with the campus as a whole. Plus, you will usually meet new students.
11. Walk through the Student Center very day.-Don't become an "office prisoner".
12. Never quit liking or being with students...enjoy their freshness and their questions.
-Today's young adult wants to learn from and be mentored by older adults. They don't have to think you are cool...remember; you aren't and they know it.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Monday, December 26, 2016
"Older Christians are hypocrites."
This was a statement made to me by a young professional. She made a profession of faith as a child, grew up in church and was active in a college ministry. She no longer attends church. She said, "I pray every night and read the Bible.". Her statement comes out of our recent election process where stories indicate that 89% of Christians voted for Donald Trump. She believes that Mr. Trump represents all we say Christianity stands opposed to....immorality, marital infiidelity, lack of care for the downtrodden, etc. Simply put, she feels that when it came to the election, Christians voted for power over godly values.
Around that same time I visited with a mother of school aged children. This woman is very active in and takes a lead role in school related activities. She said, "We just elected a man president who says and does things things we expel children from school for doing. How do we explain that?".
What does this have to do with college ministry? I believe those conversations reflect the feelings and concerns of many students with which we will be dealing in the next few years. I do not have a ready answer to how we do that. But, we better begin to work on our response.
Around that same time I visited with a mother of school aged children. This woman is very active in and takes a lead role in school related activities. She said, "We just elected a man president who says and does things things we expel children from school for doing. How do we explain that?".
What does this have to do with college ministry? I believe those conversations reflect the feelings and concerns of many students with which we will be dealing in the next few years. I do not have a ready answer to how we do that. But, we better begin to work on our response.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
5 Most Common Complaints About College Ministers
They don't dress professionally. College Ministers function in a student world. Consequently, they tend to dress more casually. But, then they may go to a meeting with campus administrators or older church members who are more "dressed up". This is a particular problem when the college minister is younger and may lead to others not giving him or her the respect and professional courtesy they deserve. A few years back we had a college minister in our church who I heard this complaint about often. One Sunday when my fashion conscious daughter was visiting, she leaned over and said, "The college minister has on $200 jeans.". That would have blown the minds of some present.
They don't encourage church attendance. This criticism is given to both campus based and church based. Some feel the campus based minister almost should drive up with a busload of students each Sunday. Some church based ministers may have larger attendance at their week night meeting than at church on Sundays. In some cases, it's true they don't encourage it enough and in many other cases, it is simply college students choosing when they will and will not go......just as older adults do.
They are lazy and don't work. I think this criticism comes as a result of not seeing as many students attend or respond as we would all like to see. And, a significant part of what college ministers must do is be where students are and mixing with them informally. Some observers likely do not realize the significant conversations and witness happening in these settings. Most College Ministers work too much.
College Ministers are too liberal.. This really comes I think primarily due to different views on church traditions....not theology. Younger college Ministers may not adhere to some of the traditions older members tend to connect to church and therefore are seen as liberal. Plus, College Ministers are used to hearing a variety of thoughts and ideas and are more comfortable with it even though they may disagree.
They don't encourage church attendance. This criticism is given to both campus based and church based. Some feel the campus based minister almost should drive up with a busload of students each Sunday. Some church based ministers may have larger attendance at their week night meeting than at church on Sundays. In some cases, it's true they don't encourage it enough and in many other cases, it is simply college students choosing when they will and will not go......just as older adults do.
They are lazy and don't work. I think this criticism comes as a result of not seeing as many students attend or respond as we would all like to see. And, a significant part of what college ministers must do is be where students are and mixing with them informally. Some observers likely do not realize the significant conversations and witness happening in these settings. Most College Ministers work too much.
College Ministers are too liberal.. This really comes I think primarily due to different views on church traditions....not theology. Younger college Ministers may not adhere to some of the traditions older members tend to connect to church and therefore are seen as liberal. Plus, College Ministers are used to hearing a variety of thoughts and ideas and are more comfortable with it even though they may disagree.
Arliss Dickerson's book, Almost Everything About College Ministry, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX and A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
7 Tasks of a Strong College Minister
1. Intentionally Relational.....
Relationships are the currency of our ministry. Obviously, we must relate to students, but also we must be intentional about relationships to college administrators and pastors/church staff.
2. Demonstrates Integrity..... Most college ministries depend on others for financial support. Folks don't support someone they don't trust. I have served as a consultant in situations where church staff folks told me they did not trust the finances and the handling of it in the local campus ministry. We must go out of our way to demonstrate our trustworthiness. In the student realm, students often are wary of anyone in authority and Thry need to know they can trust us. For them to share their hearts, hurts and dreams, they must know we will be someone they can trust
3. Is a Communicator..... Not all campus Minister's are or need to be speakers, however they must communicate. We must communicate vision to students and communicate our Minjstry to our stake holders and or supervisors.
4. Continually growing..... I know some really good and very successful college ministers. One thing they all have in common is their continual desire to know more and to learn from others. They continually are growing in their own relationship to the Lord and in their skills and knowledge.
5. Multi-tasker..... A dear friend and former student of mine who came back to work with me said he had forgotten that college ministry was like juggling. You have to keep several things in the air at the same time. One example would be working in the present and planning for the future. Another would be working with students, but continuing contact and relationships with alums.
6. Trusting and empowering student leaders...... The great multiplier of our ministries is students who are serving and reaching out to other students. But, we must trust them with responsibility and train them to be able to handle those responsibilities. Part of this is developing a leadership culture and actively recruiting students with the potential of high capacity leadership.
7. Balancing ministering and ad-ministering...... By personality and inclination most of us tend to be either people or task oriented. Most college ministers can easily lean toward the people side and ignore the necessary administrative role. It is important to realize that good administration helps to build and solidify our ministry. One way some balance these two is focusing on administrative tasks during more slack student times such as summer, finals time, etc. None of us is perfect in all of these. But, part of the battle is realizing our areas that need work and being willing to give it some energy for development. Which is your strength......and......which could use a little extra effort? Ask someone who loves you.
2. Demonstrates Integrity..... Most college ministries depend on others for financial support. Folks don't support someone they don't trust. I have served as a consultant in situations where church staff folks told me they did not trust the finances and the handling of it in the local campus ministry. We must go out of our way to demonstrate our trustworthiness. In the student realm, students often are wary of anyone in authority and Thry need to know they can trust us. For them to share their hearts, hurts and dreams, they must know we will be someone they can trust
3. Is a Communicator..... Not all campus Minister's are or need to be speakers, however they must communicate. We must communicate vision to students and communicate our Minjstry to our stake holders and or supervisors.
4. Continually growing..... I know some really good and very successful college ministers. One thing they all have in common is their continual desire to know more and to learn from others. They continually are growing in their own relationship to the Lord and in their skills and knowledge.
5. Multi-tasker..... A dear friend and former student of mine who came back to work with me said he had forgotten that college ministry was like juggling. You have to keep several things in the air at the same time. One example would be working in the present and planning for the future. Another would be working with students, but continuing contact and relationships with alums.
6. Trusting and empowering student leaders...... The great multiplier of our ministries is students who are serving and reaching out to other students. But, we must trust them with responsibility and train them to be able to handle those responsibilities. Part of this is developing a leadership culture and actively recruiting students with the potential of high capacity leadership.
7. Balancing ministering and ad-ministering...... By personality and inclination most of us tend to be either people or task oriented. Most college ministers can easily lean toward the people side and ignore the necessary administrative role. It is important to realize that good administration helps to build and solidify our ministry. One way some balance these two is focusing on administrative tasks during more slack student times such as summer, finals time, etc. None of us is perfect in all of these. But, part of the battle is realizing our areas that need work and being willing to give it some energy for development. Which is your strength......and......which could use a little extra effort? Ask someone who loves you.
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