When I visited with a college ministry leader who said he felt too many College Ministers were "happy with their fifty", it made me mad when he said it. I have wrestled with that statement ever since. There are parts of me that wants to yell that is an unfair statement because I know how hard College Ministers as a whole work. Yet, there is a "part" of me that says, "OK; maybe I agree with that....just a little...kinda sorta....sometimes?".
Here is my point, it is easy to work really hard twenty four/seven and not be as effective as we could possibly be. Almost none of us who do college ministry would argue that our ministry is reaching everyone we hope it would or that our ministry is at its full potential. Every ministry has a ceiling. But, have we accepted a ceiling that can be broken? So, what do we do?
One thing to do in taking your ministry to another level is to focus it. Is YOUR ministry in FOCUS?
F - Fix your obvious negatives.
O - Outline a long range plan.
C - Cooperate with necessary partners.
U - Understand the campus situation and audience.
S - Slim down your offerings and do a few things REALLY well.
This is excerpted from my Amazon book: FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, which was written for the purpose of encouraging and helping College Ministers evaluate and consider if there are some steps they can take that would take their ministry to the next level. Doing the "same old, same old" and expecting a different result is one definition of insanity.
Arliss
Monday, July 31, 2017
Friday, July 28, 2017
If You Have Kids that Go to College, They Probably Don't Go to Church and What You CAN Do!
Seven out of ten high school seniors active in church make NO spiritual connection in college. And, that does not count those that disappeared when they got their driver's license. . So, odds are that includes your son or daughter. Why is that?
I speak at lots of Senior Sunday Lunches around high school graduation time. When I share this statistic...the parents always sit there and smile at me. At first, I thought they probably were not listening. Then, my wife said, "Dummy, they think their son or daughter is in the three out of ten.". Since then, I have realized a third possibility.....Parents don't care!
I don't mean to be harsh But, I have realized that many parents do not expect spiritual connection in college because they had none when they went to college.....and they came back to church. I believe that in some way or other that message is communicated to their college bound sons and daughters......"We know you won't go to church or be involved in Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) or another campus ministry and that's ok.".
There are two problems with this. First, if they do come back, they bring the issues that developed while they were away from the Lord and spiritual influence. They make life choices and often pick a spouse during this "vacation from God". But, here is the worse news: these days many that go away during college are not coming back.
Here is a less than perfect suggestion.....parents should expect and communicate that they expect spiritual involvement in college. Do you communicate an expectation of good grades or keeping a scholarship? Most likely you do. So, why not communicate spiritual expectations? Just like grades, you cannot mandate it, but you can express it. That means asking questions about grades, going to class, and attendance at Baptist Collegiate Ministry, a local church or other campus religious group.
A message many high schoolers are getting is that graduation is also graduation from church. One person who has studied this has said, "Parents are not getting what they want from their student, but they are getting what they deserve.". What he means is, don't expect anything from your student that you do not practice yourself. That does not insure their involvement, but it increases the odds!
If you have a son or daughter going off to college in a few weeks, you can make sure the Baptist Campus Minister (more than 800 nation wide) and or a local church college ministry has their contact information. Many of these are mailing, emailing, calling, and texting information about Welcome Week events and other connection opportunities. Their first friends and connections will help determine their habits.
What a freshman does the first 2-3 weeks of the fall goes a long way toward determining their habits and practices for their whole college career. You can increase the odds by what you say and do AND by letting someone know they are coming that will reach out to them. Now is the perfect time to do it.
I speak at lots of Senior Sunday Lunches around high school graduation time. When I share this statistic...the parents always sit there and smile at me. At first, I thought they probably were not listening. Then, my wife said, "Dummy, they think their son or daughter is in the three out of ten.". Since then, I have realized a third possibility.....Parents don't care!
I don't mean to be harsh But, I have realized that many parents do not expect spiritual connection in college because they had none when they went to college.....and they came back to church. I believe that in some way or other that message is communicated to their college bound sons and daughters......"We know you won't go to church or be involved in Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) or another campus ministry and that's ok.".
There are two problems with this. First, if they do come back, they bring the issues that developed while they were away from the Lord and spiritual influence. They make life choices and often pick a spouse during this "vacation from God". But, here is the worse news: these days many that go away during college are not coming back.
Here is a less than perfect suggestion.....parents should expect and communicate that they expect spiritual involvement in college. Do you communicate an expectation of good grades or keeping a scholarship? Most likely you do. So, why not communicate spiritual expectations? Just like grades, you cannot mandate it, but you can express it. That means asking questions about grades, going to class, and attendance at Baptist Collegiate Ministry, a local church or other campus religious group.
A message many high schoolers are getting is that graduation is also graduation from church. One person who has studied this has said, "Parents are not getting what they want from their student, but they are getting what they deserve.". What he means is, don't expect anything from your student that you do not practice yourself. That does not insure their involvement, but it increases the odds!
If you have a son or daughter going off to college in a few weeks, you can make sure the Baptist Campus Minister (more than 800 nation wide) and or a local church college ministry has their contact information. Many of these are mailing, emailing, calling, and texting information about Welcome Week events and other connection opportunities. Their first friends and connections will help determine their habits.
What a freshman does the first 2-3 weeks of the fall goes a long way toward determining their habits and practices for their whole college career. You can increase the odds by what you say and do AND by letting someone know they are coming that will reach out to them. Now is the perfect time to do it.
Arliss Dickerson's brand new book, A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is on sale for $4.99 at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF and the best selling, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is marked down to $8.99 at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Youth Minister Resumes Sought
Hot Springs Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas is seeking resumes or recommendations for their Youth Minister position. It is a Southern Baptist Church with a Sunday attendance of 500-600. More information is available at HotSpringsBaptist.org/job-opportunities. Resumes may be sent to jbridges@hotspringsbaptist.org
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
The Difference in Church Based College Ministry and Campus Based?
I spent 41 years doing campus based college ministry. I recently started my second stint as an Interim Church Based College Minister. One of the things I have believed in both positions is that a church based ministry should not look just like a campus based one. There is and should be a difference in the two. I would even go as far as to say that some churches are not doing a church based college ministry, but rather are doing their version of a campus based ministry. The church I serve started the campus based BCM ministry on the local campus many years ago and continues to be one of it's leading financial supporters. So, we want it to succeed and we do not want to do anything that might harm what it is doing.
One reason that churches often do what I would call a version of a campus based ministry is that the College Minister or volunteer leaders were active in a campus based ministry that blessed them and so they do what they saw and experienced. That is is a pretty natural happening. One Campus Based College Minister complained to me recently that area churches hire his graduates and they then do all the same things that his ministry on campus is doing and students see all the same things by the different ministries.
So, what differences should there be in the two and how do we understand them better?
-Church based ministries have the great opportunity to expose students to and connect them to Christians of a wide range of ages, background and vocations.
-Campus based ministries should resist the temptation to become the students' church. In fact, students will often see it that way even when the ministry does not intend it. So, campus based ministries (that are not a campus based church) should always and in many different ways be pointing students toward local churches.
-Church based ministries must point students toward their church wide events...not just their student only events. Why does this matter, if they get community and solid Bible teaching at student only events? If we teach students that faith communities will always specialize in their needs and interests, we can be contributing to a "consumer only" view of church and faith.
-Both campus based and church based offer opportunities to serve. But, the church usually can offer a wider variety of opportunities. These in turn help prepare students for service in churches for their entire life time.
-It has been my experience that campus based ministries can be more specific and intentional in doing leadership training and it is one thing that churches should expect of their campus bases ministry partners.
-One difference in the two ministries I have observed is that church based ones tend to be more preaching centered and campus based ministries tend to be more teaching oriented. A friend of mine recently said that campus based ministries are "more educational" and church ministries , particularly campus church plants tend to be "more prophetic". Campus based ministries often help students with issues like time management, study skills, etc. These and other "school topics" usually are not part of a church based ministry.
-Campus based ministries often have more opportunity due to setting and location to do more one to one discipleship. Churches due to facilities and staff can usually offer the much more quality large group experiences.
-Yet, the campus based ministries can give students the opportunities to sing, play, speak, etc in their large group events which prepares them for future service in churches. The expectation at a campus event is not the same as one at a church wide worship event.
-An observation I made many years ago and still do not fully understand is that campus based college ministers and church based ones tend to be different personality types. At a large national campus minister meeting I used to help plan and organize, church based college ministers wanted more preaching and campus based wanted more how to seminars/breakouts. The personalities over-all are just different. Obviously, this is a generalization with lots of exceptions.
It is my goal as Church Based College Minister to be supportive and helpful of our Campus Based College Minister and that ministry. I think the ideal is they will reach some students we will not and cannot and we will reach some students they would not and cannot. And, we will reach and work together with some students for the students' benefit. And, I will continue to expect the Campus Based Minister to be an advocate and representative with school officials and administrators for all our ministries benefit.
One reason that churches often do what I would call a version of a campus based ministry is that the College Minister or volunteer leaders were active in a campus based ministry that blessed them and so they do what they saw and experienced. That is is a pretty natural happening. One Campus Based College Minister complained to me recently that area churches hire his graduates and they then do all the same things that his ministry on campus is doing and students see all the same things by the different ministries.
So, what differences should there be in the two and how do we understand them better?
-Church based ministries have the great opportunity to expose students to and connect them to Christians of a wide range of ages, background and vocations.
-Campus based ministries should resist the temptation to become the students' church. In fact, students will often see it that way even when the ministry does not intend it. So, campus based ministries (that are not a campus based church) should always and in many different ways be pointing students toward local churches.
-Church based ministries must point students toward their church wide events...not just their student only events. Why does this matter, if they get community and solid Bible teaching at student only events? If we teach students that faith communities will always specialize in their needs and interests, we can be contributing to a "consumer only" view of church and faith.
-Both campus based and church based offer opportunities to serve. But, the church usually can offer a wider variety of opportunities. These in turn help prepare students for service in churches for their entire life time.
-It has been my experience that campus based ministries can be more specific and intentional in doing leadership training and it is one thing that churches should expect of their campus bases ministry partners.
-One difference in the two ministries I have observed is that church based ones tend to be more preaching centered and campus based ministries tend to be more teaching oriented. A friend of mine recently said that campus based ministries are "more educational" and church ministries , particularly campus church plants tend to be "more prophetic". Campus based ministries often help students with issues like time management, study skills, etc. These and other "school topics" usually are not part of a church based ministry.
-Campus based ministries often have more opportunity due to setting and location to do more one to one discipleship. Churches due to facilities and staff can usually offer the much more quality large group experiences.
-Yet, the campus based ministries can give students the opportunities to sing, play, speak, etc in their large group events which prepares them for future service in churches. The expectation at a campus event is not the same as one at a church wide worship event.
-An observation I made many years ago and still do not fully understand is that campus based college ministers and church based ones tend to be different personality types. At a large national campus minister meeting I used to help plan and organize, church based college ministers wanted more preaching and campus based wanted more how to seminars/breakouts. The personalities over-all are just different. Obviously, this is a generalization with lots of exceptions.
It is my goal as Church Based College Minister to be supportive and helpful of our Campus Based College Minister and that ministry. I think the ideal is they will reach some students we will not and cannot and we will reach some students they would not and cannot. And, we will reach and work together with some students for the students' benefit. And, I will continue to expect the Campus Based Minister to be an advocate and representative with school officials and administrators for all our ministries benefit.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Why I Wrote FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY
My book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, has just gone live on Amazon. Here are the three reasons I wrote it. They matter, if you are in College Ministry, whether you read the book or not
1. I could find ZERO resources on "College Ministry Revitalization"....ZERO!
I have been serving as Lifeway's college ministry consultant in the area of Leadership Development now for ten years. Part of that job is connecting with College Ministers who need help or have questions. A regular call I have gotten through the years is, "How do I fix a broken college ministry?". Most often it has been a person who has just gone to a job and they were hired to "fix it". As they have surveyed the situation, it has looked more daunting with no place to start. About a year ago, a friend called and asked, "What materials are there on "College Ministry Revitalization"? Great question and I had zero for an answer. So, I researched it and found.....zero. That was the beginning of my project. We need to not only be planting more College ministries, we need to be upping our game in the established ones.
2. "The days of my being able to pay a full salary and benefits for someone to work with twenty-five (25) students is coming to an end."
In visiting with a college ministry leader who supervises a significant number of college ministries, he said, "The days of my being able to pay a full salary and benefits for someone to work with twenty-five (25) students is coming to an end.". As church and denominational funding is seeing some decline, there are more and more discussions about what to keep and what to not do...or do differently. Fair or not, College Ministers are being held to a tougher standard of success or accountability due to tightening budgets. All of us must be thinking and asking, what will it take for this ministry to go to another level?
3, National studies say seven out of ten (7 of 10) students active in church in high school are making NO spiritual connections in college.
In recent years, national studies continue to say seven out of ten (7 of 10) students active in church in high school are making no spiritual connections in college. If that figure alarms us, then we cannot continue to do same old same old!
This book is NOT a guaranteed magic formula. Every situation is different and all need a movement of God and His Spirit to be all that He would have it to be. But, sometimes we are just stunned by the enormity of a task and there seems no starting place. Hopefully, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is and will be a starting place. Maybe even it will lead someone else to write the second book on "College Ministry Revitalization" and it will be way better than this one.
Whether you read the book or not, are you thinking, asking, and praying, how do I lead my ministry to the next level?
1. I could find ZERO resources on "College Ministry Revitalization"....ZERO!
I have been serving as Lifeway's college ministry consultant in the area of Leadership Development now for ten years. Part of that job is connecting with College Ministers who need help or have questions. A regular call I have gotten through the years is, "How do I fix a broken college ministry?". Most often it has been a person who has just gone to a job and they were hired to "fix it". As they have surveyed the situation, it has looked more daunting with no place to start. About a year ago, a friend called and asked, "What materials are there on "College Ministry Revitalization"? Great question and I had zero for an answer. So, I researched it and found.....zero. That was the beginning of my project. We need to not only be planting more College ministries, we need to be upping our game in the established ones.
2. "The days of my being able to pay a full salary and benefits for someone to work with twenty-five (25) students is coming to an end."
In visiting with a college ministry leader who supervises a significant number of college ministries, he said, "The days of my being able to pay a full salary and benefits for someone to work with twenty-five (25) students is coming to an end.". As church and denominational funding is seeing some decline, there are more and more discussions about what to keep and what to not do...or do differently. Fair or not, College Ministers are being held to a tougher standard of success or accountability due to tightening budgets. All of us must be thinking and asking, what will it take for this ministry to go to another level?
3, National studies say seven out of ten (7 of 10) students active in church in high school are making NO spiritual connections in college.
In recent years, national studies continue to say seven out of ten (7 of 10) students active in church in high school are making no spiritual connections in college. If that figure alarms us, then we cannot continue to do same old same old!
This book is NOT a guaranteed magic formula. Every situation is different and all need a movement of God and His Spirit to be all that He would have it to be. But, sometimes we are just stunned by the enormity of a task and there seems no starting place. Hopefully, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is and will be a starting place. Maybe even it will lead someone else to write the second book on "College Ministry Revitalization" and it will be way better than this one.
Whether you read the book or not, are you thinking, asking, and praying, how do I lead my ministry to the next level?
Monday, July 17, 2017
Example of the College Minister is the Number One Influencer in a College Ministry
Albert Sweitzer said, "Example is not the main thing; it's the only thing."
I am a huge believer in the power of example. It just might be the greatest tool we have in our personal ministry. The smaller the ministry is or in the early days of starting a ministry or the College Minister taking over a ministry the example of the College Minister is magnified even more.
Here are five ways I believe our example impact the ministry that we lead:
1. Who we are can draw students to the ministry.
The personal characteristics that we demonstrate affect who is drawn to the ministry. Nothing we do inour ministry is more valuable or important than who we are. It might scare us to know how closely students watch, learn, and even copy what they see of us. For years I did all my planning writing on a yellow legal pad. Only after several years did I realize I picked up that simple habit from my College Minister.
2. Who we are affects what students take from our ministry.
If they see us pray about situations and care about people who do not know Christ, they are more likely to take that from our ministry to their adult life. Former BCM Presidents who now serve in secular leadership roles have messaged me pictures of how their meeting room was organized prior to a major meeting. They took that from how we did leadership meetings.
3. What we demonstrate in personal characteristics affects our financial support.
If you have to raise your salary or depend on churches, organizations, or individuals for financial support of your budget, who you are affects their response. People want to support someone they admire or respect. Do your work habits cause others to think their money will be used wisely? It is difficult to separate feelings about a ministry from feelings about the leader of that ministry. Respect and appreciation helps build financial support.
4. The ministry we lead will reflect our personal strengths and weaknesses.
The longer we serve as the leader of a ministry, the more that ministry will take on our personality....strengths and weaknesses. It becomes a picture of the leader. It is a reminder of why we can never cut corners in our personal practices. It is also a reminder of how we much enlist, empower and support students and other leaders or staffers who have different strengths than our own.
5. Our example will affect parents and other Christian leaders deciding whether to send students to our ministry or advising them to stay away.
Well known and respected ministries are blessed by youth ministers, pastors, parents and even college administrators referring and encouraging students to become involved with that ministry. This will not happen where the example of the leader is a negative one.
There is an old saying. "Who you are is speaking so loudly, I can't hear what you are saying.".
Your example shapes and affects the whole ministry....it may be scary, but is is true!
I am a huge believer in the power of example. It just might be the greatest tool we have in our personal ministry. The smaller the ministry is or in the early days of starting a ministry or the College Minister taking over a ministry the example of the College Minister is magnified even more.
Here are five ways I believe our example impact the ministry that we lead:
1. Who we are can draw students to the ministry.
The personal characteristics that we demonstrate affect who is drawn to the ministry. Nothing we do inour ministry is more valuable or important than who we are. It might scare us to know how closely students watch, learn, and even copy what they see of us. For years I did all my planning writing on a yellow legal pad. Only after several years did I realize I picked up that simple habit from my College Minister.
2. Who we are affects what students take from our ministry.
If they see us pray about situations and care about people who do not know Christ, they are more likely to take that from our ministry to their adult life. Former BCM Presidents who now serve in secular leadership roles have messaged me pictures of how their meeting room was organized prior to a major meeting. They took that from how we did leadership meetings.
3. What we demonstrate in personal characteristics affects our financial support.
If you have to raise your salary or depend on churches, organizations, or individuals for financial support of your budget, who you are affects their response. People want to support someone they admire or respect. Do your work habits cause others to think their money will be used wisely? It is difficult to separate feelings about a ministry from feelings about the leader of that ministry. Respect and appreciation helps build financial support.
4. The ministry we lead will reflect our personal strengths and weaknesses.
The longer we serve as the leader of a ministry, the more that ministry will take on our personality....strengths and weaknesses. It becomes a picture of the leader. It is a reminder of why we can never cut corners in our personal practices. It is also a reminder of how we much enlist, empower and support students and other leaders or staffers who have different strengths than our own.
5. Our example will affect parents and other Christian leaders deciding whether to send students to our ministry or advising them to stay away.
Well known and respected ministries are blessed by youth ministers, pastors, parents and even college administrators referring and encouraging students to become involved with that ministry. This will not happen where the example of the leader is a negative one.
There is an old saying. "Who you are is speaking so loudly, I can't hear what you are saying.".
Your example shapes and affects the whole ministry....it may be scary, but is is true!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
"10 Things Parents of a College Freshman Need to Know"
1. College is usually harder than high school and your son or daughter may study as hard or harder, but not make the same grades as in high school.
2. The friends and habits a student develops during the first three weeks often determine their whole college career. Make sure they understand the importance of starting right with a clear set of priorities. Students can shipwreck their college career and even their entire life during this brief time.
3. Seven (7) out of ten (10) high school seniors active in church make No Spiritual Connections while in college. If this is a priority in your family, discuss how to make it part of the first 3 weeks. Many do not intentionally turn away from their faith; it just gets lost in the beginning with all the busyness. If you encourage and expect good grades, why not encourage faith connections?
4. Parents cannot see or receive their son or daughter's grades without a signed form that can be obtained from the Registrar's Office. This is part of federal privacy laws. It does not matter that you are paying the bill.
5. Students who live in dorms tend to make better grades according to national studies. It is all about being connected to college life and feeling like a college student. Students living away from campus can feel isolated and alone, especially in freshman year.
6. National studies also show that students who are active in campus organizations are more likely to stay in school and graduate. Again, it is about being connected and feeling connected. Obviously, this is where ministries like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry are a huge plus.
7. A recent study shows that students tend to marry someone they date! Really!!
8. You should know where your son or daughter lives at school and how to contact them there or how someone else could contact them (dorm and room number, apartment and number....not just cell phone.).
9. The average is for a student to change their major 3 to 4 times. That is why it is best to take required basics the first semester or two. This allows time for adjustment and further determination of a major.
10. Psychologists say the two greatest times of change in a person's life are birth to age one and high school graduation to Christmas. That is why it is so important to stay connected and involved during this time. But, avoid making all their decisions for them. Learning to make decisions and choices are part of the adulting process of college.
SOME SUGGESSTIONS:
2. The friends and habits a student develops during the first three weeks often determine their whole college career. Make sure they understand the importance of starting right with a clear set of priorities. Students can shipwreck their college career and even their entire life during this brief time.
3. Seven (7) out of ten (10) high school seniors active in church make No Spiritual Connections while in college. If this is a priority in your family, discuss how to make it part of the first 3 weeks. Many do not intentionally turn away from their faith; it just gets lost in the beginning with all the busyness. If you encourage and expect good grades, why not encourage faith connections?
4. Parents cannot see or receive their son or daughter's grades without a signed form that can be obtained from the Registrar's Office. This is part of federal privacy laws. It does not matter that you are paying the bill.
5. Students who live in dorms tend to make better grades according to national studies. It is all about being connected to college life and feeling like a college student. Students living away from campus can feel isolated and alone, especially in freshman year.
6. National studies also show that students who are active in campus organizations are more likely to stay in school and graduate. Again, it is about being connected and feeling connected. Obviously, this is where ministries like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry are a huge plus.
7. A recent study shows that students tend to marry someone they date! Really!!
8. You should know where your son or daughter lives at school and how to contact them there or how someone else could contact them (dorm and room number, apartment and number....not just cell phone.).
9. The average is for a student to change their major 3 to 4 times. That is why it is best to take required basics the first semester or two. This allows time for adjustment and further determination of a major.
10. Psychologists say the two greatest times of change in a person's life are birth to age one and high school graduation to Christmas. That is why it is so important to stay connected and involved during this time. But, avoid making all their decisions for them. Learning to make decisions and choices are part of the adulting process of college.
SOME SUGGESSTIONS:
-Make sure the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, another ministry, or a college ministry church has your son or daughter's contact information prior to school starting. Where they go at the start determines who they meet and make connections.
-If your son or daughter will be living at home, do not ask them to function on the home schedule of meals, etc. Consider buying a meal ticket on campus or depositing to an account where this money can be used on campus for food. This is not only convenient, but it helps them connect more to campus and "feel like" a college student.
-If joining a fraternity or sorority is something that might be an option, consider the possibility of delaying that until after the first semester. This allows time to really know what a group is like and to adjust to class, etc.
-Make sure your student understands that if they plan to drop a class, it is important to officially drop it...not just stop going. HOWEVER, if a student drops below twelve (12) hours most schools do NOT consider them full time and scholarships, etc become null and void. In some instances, they must move out of dorms or other school housing. Also, a student's car insurance can become null and void if they are not a full time student.
Want MORE Help for your Freshman? Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith and Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9
-If your son or daughter will be living at home, do not ask them to function on the home schedule of meals, etc. Consider buying a meal ticket on campus or depositing to an account where this money can be used on campus for food. This is not only convenient, but it helps them connect more to campus and "feel like" a college student.
-If joining a fraternity or sorority is something that might be an option, consider the possibility of delaying that until after the first semester. This allows time to really know what a group is like and to adjust to class, etc.
-Make sure your student understands that if they plan to drop a class, it is important to officially drop it...not just stop going. HOWEVER, if a student drops below twelve (12) hours most schools do NOT consider them full time and scholarships, etc become null and void. In some instances, they must move out of dorms or other school housing. Also, a student's car insurance can become null and void if they are not a full time student.
Want MORE Help for your Freshman? Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith and Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9
Monday, July 10, 2017
The 5 Chimps Theory and College Ministry
The 5 Chimps Theory that I tweeted recently is, "You are emotionally, physically, financially, or otherwise the average of the five people you hang out with most.". This comes from a new book, "Ten Habits of Successful People".
I think there are two really pertinent applications of this to College Ministry.
1. College Ministers need to connect with other College Ministers who will help them grow and continue to develop in the best ways to reach their campus. And, these five people do not all need to be people in your same locale and state who see and hear exactly the same things you do. Some of our closest connections must be with people who share similar commitments, etc, but are seeing and experiencing some different things. If you are a BSU/BCM Director, develop and cultivate friendships with a College Minister or two who serve in another state. If you are a church College Minister, connect with a couple of College Ministry friends who are in another state or either another denomination. Each of you will benefit from this cross sharing of ideas and approaches. Hearing and doing the same old same old leads to......the same old, same old!
2. College students....particularly freshmen....need to have strong Christian students in their lives who will help them become strong Christian students. The best thing we can do in the life of incoming freshmen is to connect them in some way to upperclass students who are walking with the Lord. It may be a Freshmen Bible Study led by an upperclassman or it may be one to one discipleship partners. Non-Christian students can be impacted by upperclass students who take seriously the idea that they can literally be a life-changer in the life of an incoming freshmen. What are you planning and doing to help put "5 Christian Chimps" into the life of a bunch of incoming freshmen in just a few weeks? Doing the same old same old leads to the same old, same old!
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His new book, "ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY," is now available at amazon.com. Type in Arliss Dickerson or the title.
I think there are two really pertinent applications of this to College Ministry.
1. College Ministers need to connect with other College Ministers who will help them grow and continue to develop in the best ways to reach their campus. And, these five people do not all need to be people in your same locale and state who see and hear exactly the same things you do. Some of our closest connections must be with people who share similar commitments, etc, but are seeing and experiencing some different things. If you are a BSU/BCM Director, develop and cultivate friendships with a College Minister or two who serve in another state. If you are a church College Minister, connect with a couple of College Ministry friends who are in another state or either another denomination. Each of you will benefit from this cross sharing of ideas and approaches. Hearing and doing the same old same old leads to......the same old, same old!
2. College students....particularly freshmen....need to have strong Christian students in their lives who will help them become strong Christian students. The best thing we can do in the life of incoming freshmen is to connect them in some way to upperclass students who are walking with the Lord. It may be a Freshmen Bible Study led by an upperclassman or it may be one to one discipleship partners. Non-Christian students can be impacted by upperclass students who take seriously the idea that they can literally be a life-changer in the life of an incoming freshmen. What are you planning and doing to help put "5 Christian Chimps" into the life of a bunch of incoming freshmen in just a few weeks? Doing the same old same old leads to the same old, same old!
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His new book, "ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY," is now available at amazon.com. Type in Arliss Dickerson or the title.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
What SEASON Are You in as A College Minister....Really?
Easily, the thing I am asked to be speak about most at College Minister Workshops is, "The Seasons of a College Minister". Often, when colleagues call to chat...especially in the summer....one of the topics is, "Am I the right age to do this?".
Let me share 5 strong convictions I have about College Ministers, the right age to do it, etc.
1. College Ministry is NOT just for the young. We need all ages of folks doing college ministry. Some of the best I know are in their fifties and sixties...really.
2. Some people quit about the time they know enough to do it well.
3. There are pluses to every age....we must acknowledge those and utilize them to the max.
4. There are weaknesses or minuses to every age....we must acknowledge them and enlist, train, and allow others to fill those spots.
5. The perfect age for a College Minister is......the one you are NOW, if you are utilizing to the max the strengths of that stage or season.
Here is a quick Clif Notes version of my thoughts on The Seasons of a College Minister:
THE STARTER OR NEAR PEER (Some call them, "The Hang Out Ministers".)
A Strength: Their ministry focuses around relationships, hanging out with students, etc. They can move in a student world and are good at starting something from scratch.
A Weakness: There is generally a lack of respect of faculty, administrators, pastors and church staff which limits their resources and effectiveness.
A Task: Listen to experienced colleagues and be willing to learn.
THE ROLE MODEL OR COOL ADULT
The Campus Minister has a young family or is a real world functioning single that students see as a role model for life after college.
A Strength: They have some life and ministry experience to operate out of....every day is not a new day or first time experience.
A Weakness: It can be difficult to balance growing family and ministry. It is easy to neglect or be unfair to one or the other. Or, as a single, they have no life apart from work and ministry. There often is a struggle of identity: Who am I; I am neither church staff, faculty, etc.
A Task: Develop a clear philosophy of ministry based on your particular gifts/abilities and your unique campus setting. Develop a life balance.
THE MENTOR OR THE RESPECTED VETERAN
This Campus Minister has built a strong ministry and is reaping the benefits of experience and trust.
A Strength: Easier to find and draw on resources from alumni, peers, churches, etc due to the respect and proven track record.
A Weakness: It is easy to lose your passion for the ministry and be a little beaten down. Consequently, it is easy to just use your old notes and do exactly what you did on this date last year...the year before.....and the year before.
A Task: Work at staying tuned to students. Also, this is a time of intentionally encouraging and mentoring younger College Ministers.
THE STATESMAN/STATESWOMAN OR THE BUILDER
This is the time of sharing accumulated wisdom and experience and building for successors....leaving a legacy that will benefit those who come behind you.
A Strength: This College Minister can fill a parental void in students lives and has a vast network on which to draw. Long term relationships and respect pay off.
A Weakness: It is easy to "preach" to students and experience possible bitterness in regard to denominational politics or lack of career alternatives and advancement.
A Task: Be an ambassador for College Ministry....write, speak out, share your knowledge. Strengthen the structure and finances of the ministry you lead to bless the ones who succeed you...whether soon or ten years from now.
A REMINDER; Your students quit thinking you were cool LONG before you thought it happened!
A Personal Note: FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, my Amazon eBook, was delayed but will be available very soon. There will be an announcement coming.
Let me share 5 strong convictions I have about College Ministers, the right age to do it, etc.
1. College Ministry is NOT just for the young. We need all ages of folks doing college ministry. Some of the best I know are in their fifties and sixties...really.
2. Some people quit about the time they know enough to do it well.
3. There are pluses to every age....we must acknowledge those and utilize them to the max.
4. There are weaknesses or minuses to every age....we must acknowledge them and enlist, train, and allow others to fill those spots.
5. The perfect age for a College Minister is......the one you are NOW, if you are utilizing to the max the strengths of that stage or season.
Here is a quick Clif Notes version of my thoughts on The Seasons of a College Minister:
THE STARTER OR NEAR PEER (Some call them, "The Hang Out Ministers".)
A Strength: Their ministry focuses around relationships, hanging out with students, etc. They can move in a student world and are good at starting something from scratch.
A Weakness: There is generally a lack of respect of faculty, administrators, pastors and church staff which limits their resources and effectiveness.
A Task: Listen to experienced colleagues and be willing to learn.
THE ROLE MODEL OR COOL ADULT
The Campus Minister has a young family or is a real world functioning single that students see as a role model for life after college.
A Strength: They have some life and ministry experience to operate out of....every day is not a new day or first time experience.
A Weakness: It can be difficult to balance growing family and ministry. It is easy to neglect or be unfair to one or the other. Or, as a single, they have no life apart from work and ministry. There often is a struggle of identity: Who am I; I am neither church staff, faculty, etc.
A Task: Develop a clear philosophy of ministry based on your particular gifts/abilities and your unique campus setting. Develop a life balance.
THE MENTOR OR THE RESPECTED VETERAN
This Campus Minister has built a strong ministry and is reaping the benefits of experience and trust.
A Strength: Easier to find and draw on resources from alumni, peers, churches, etc due to the respect and proven track record.
A Weakness: It is easy to lose your passion for the ministry and be a little beaten down. Consequently, it is easy to just use your old notes and do exactly what you did on this date last year...the year before.....and the year before.
A Task: Work at staying tuned to students. Also, this is a time of intentionally encouraging and mentoring younger College Ministers.
THE STATESMAN/STATESWOMAN OR THE BUILDER
This is the time of sharing accumulated wisdom and experience and building for successors....leaving a legacy that will benefit those who come behind you.
A Strength: This College Minister can fill a parental void in students lives and has a vast network on which to draw. Long term relationships and respect pay off.
A Weakness: It is easy to "preach" to students and experience possible bitterness in regard to denominational politics or lack of career alternatives and advancement.
A Task: Be an ambassador for College Ministry....write, speak out, share your knowledge. Strengthen the structure and finances of the ministry you lead to bless the ones who succeed you...whether soon or ten years from now.
A REMINDER; Your students quit thinking you were cool LONG before you thought it happened!
A Personal Note: FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, my Amazon eBook, was delayed but will be available very soon. There will be an announcement coming.
Monday, July 3, 2017
5 Mistakes NOT to Make in College Ministry
One of the topics I was asked to speak on for the Tennessee Baptist College Ministers Workshop recently was, "5 Mistakes Not to Make". Believe me I have made more than five, but here are the five I chose to speak about. This is the Clif Notes version.
1. Not Being a Thank You Person.
There are people that make your ministry better....write them a thank you note. A handwritten note carries way more weight than a text, email, or other electronic message. Express gratitude and do not ever take for granted what people do that blesses your ministry, you, or your family.
2. Not Having a Healthy and Realistic Success Formula.
5 Things that go into a healthy and realistic one:
1. What the people who pay you expect....like them or not!
2. Tasks that give you personal satisfaction.
3. Knowing what your personal gifts, abilities are and making sure they are utilized. Using gifts gives satisfaction. It's God's sign of what He made us to do.
4. Your campus situations....none are identical....and some are tougher than others.
5. Your resources....people and budget. Your resources determine what you can and cannot do!
3. Making Annual Sweeping Changes to your Ministry OR Not Tweaking Your Ministry Each Year.
1. Some seem to start from scratch each year...new schedule...new everything which does not allow momentum to build and students, supporters have no idea what its all about. Don't bomb your ministry each year. When a new ministry comes to town and seems to suddenly do well there is the temptation to scrap everything and copy it. Beware!
2. No matter how ell things are going, there is probably something needs tweeking, changing, improving from last year.
4. "Being Happy with Your 50"
This is NOT a call to continual unhappiness with your ministry. It is a reminder to evaluate, get input from others and to ask some BIG questions.
Some Big Questions:
-What is the "lid" on our ministry and why is it there?
-What is one thing we need to stop, add, or change?
-What would it take to raise $10,000, $20,000 or whatever to do _________?
-What would it take to (you fill in the blank)____________?
5. Succumbing to the 2 BIGGEST KILLERS OF COLLEGE MINISTERS.
1. Comparison to other ministries.
You never know all that is going on there. I have a friend whose ministry receives $50,000 checks from alums to do whatever he can dream up. Unless you get checks like that, don't compare your ministry to ones like that. Learn from others but beware of the "demon of comparison". Long term faithfulness is usually more productive than flash in the pan ministries.
2. Feeling Alone....No one cares about this ministry but me.
First, that is likely not true...if it is true, that is partly your fault...share the vision...tell your story. Don't just hang out with college students; get some friends your age and do something besides work 24/7. As people know you, they will love and support you and your ministry.
Side Note: My new Amazon eBook, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, was delayed but will be available shortly.
1. Not Being a Thank You Person.
There are people that make your ministry better....write them a thank you note. A handwritten note carries way more weight than a text, email, or other electronic message. Express gratitude and do not ever take for granted what people do that blesses your ministry, you, or your family.
2. Not Having a Healthy and Realistic Success Formula.
5 Things that go into a healthy and realistic one:
1. What the people who pay you expect....like them or not!
2. Tasks that give you personal satisfaction.
3. Knowing what your personal gifts, abilities are and making sure they are utilized. Using gifts gives satisfaction. It's God's sign of what He made us to do.
4. Your campus situations....none are identical....and some are tougher than others.
5. Your resources....people and budget. Your resources determine what you can and cannot do!
3. Making Annual Sweeping Changes to your Ministry OR Not Tweaking Your Ministry Each Year.
1. Some seem to start from scratch each year...new schedule...new everything which does not allow momentum to build and students, supporters have no idea what its all about. Don't bomb your ministry each year. When a new ministry comes to town and seems to suddenly do well there is the temptation to scrap everything and copy it. Beware!
2. No matter how ell things are going, there is probably something needs tweeking, changing, improving from last year.
4. "Being Happy with Your 50"
This is NOT a call to continual unhappiness with your ministry. It is a reminder to evaluate, get input from others and to ask some BIG questions.
Some Big Questions:
-What is the "lid" on our ministry and why is it there?
-What is one thing we need to stop, add, or change?
-What would it take to raise $10,000, $20,000 or whatever to do _________?
-What would it take to (you fill in the blank)____________?
5. Succumbing to the 2 BIGGEST KILLERS OF COLLEGE MINISTERS.
1. Comparison to other ministries.
You never know all that is going on there. I have a friend whose ministry receives $50,000 checks from alums to do whatever he can dream up. Unless you get checks like that, don't compare your ministry to ones like that. Learn from others but beware of the "demon of comparison". Long term faithfulness is usually more productive than flash in the pan ministries.
2. Feeling Alone....No one cares about this ministry but me.
First, that is likely not true...if it is true, that is partly your fault...share the vision...tell your story. Don't just hang out with college students; get some friends your age and do something besides work 24/7. As people know you, they will love and support you and your ministry.
Side Note: My new Amazon eBook, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, was delayed but will be available shortly.
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