Throughout this last school year I talked with different college ministry supporters, supervisors, and area pastors who thought their particular college ministry should be larger. Two different ones said to me, "I think they are just happy when they get their 50.". In some instances 50 would be a miracle, but in others there is a feeling that it just the easy number and that more is way within the realm of possibility. Numbers are never the ultimate test of success but every number represents someone the Lord loves and wants to redeem and use.
Is your ministry reaching its potential or are you "just happy with your 50"? Here are five ways to attempt to enlarge your ministry. Have you considered something that might enlarge your ministry? Only number 5 is guaranteed.
Five Ways to Enlarge Your College Ministry:
1. Add another staffer (full or part-time) with the responsibility and job description of reaching out to a totally different group on your campus.
They might focus on greeks, athletes, a particular dorm, the band, or an apartment complex totally populated by students. If another staffer is not in the realm of possibility, could there be a new student team formed for that one purpose?
2. Add a different night or time to your weekly big event.
One ministry that had a Thursday night worship event added a Tuesday night worship event with the same theme, etc, but utilizing a different speaker, etc. The ministry staff did not attend both nights in order to not double their work expectations. Some campus based ministries have experimented with having a worship event at 7:00 and then repeating the same event at 9:00.
3. Reduce your events to focus on one or two.
Sometimes we have so many different events and times that students not only cannot attend them all, but they cannot keep it straight. But, perhaps even more importantly, the main event does not get the focus and attention it needs in order to have a quality event and work at bringing and connecting with new people.
4. Combine multiple events into one night.
Many BCM/BSM/BSU ministries have a Freshmen Night one night and a large everyone event on a different night. Others have small groups that meet at different times. Would it be possible to have all of your small groups meet on the same night following the large group worship event? There are two reasons to be there and small group leaders are encouraging and reminding students to be there. Plus, it reduces the time/nights commitment of your leaders.
5. Lie about your numbers.
It works. Everyone loves stories of huge crowds. A friend tells of a large week night college worship event that featured a well known speaker who often spoke of their having one thousand each week. My friend was there one night when the speaker indicated there were a thousand there. My friend counted and there were just over 600 there. My friend lost respect for someone he admired. It was a great crowd, but it was not one thousand (1,000). And, there are some who don't lie....they just "estimate" attendance. Be a person of integrity.....if there are 50 there, it is not "about 100".
Have you considered doing something different to reach more.....not work harder.....not be on campus 24/7....do something different? Remember the definition of insanity: "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.".
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry/leadership consultant and the author of five books on college ministry at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson). "ALMOST Everything About College Ministry" will be available in early summer.
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