A college ministry friend and colleague shared with me that the Interfaith Council regular meeting held on his campus the most recent discussion was the feeling by some that we are in a "Post event culture". Perhaps, this is the newest term to the college ministry discussions. This meeting is a representative of College Ministers of all stripes and kinds who meet with the Dean of Students for regular communication with the state university and each other. The variety of types of ministries represented would in itself have huge disagreements about philosophies, goals, and just the how-to's of college ministry.
Well, ARE we in the "Post Event Era"? This same friend shared with me last year that they are seeing a shift from students coming to their large event first and then migrating to their small groups. Now, many are coming first to their small groups and migrating to their large group event as they develop relationships and are more comfortable. Is that a sign of the "Post Event Era"?
One of the problems with sweeping statements in college ministry is that there are such huge differences in so many things from the Bible Belt to the east and west. Then, you throw in the differences in ministry theologies and approaches. Some things that are true in one region are not true in another. Yet, there are those that say the Bible Belt should look to the eastern and western campuses to see what will arrive on their campus in a few years. Many ministries with which I am familiar are experiencing some of their best days in their large group events. Some are building new and larger college ministry facilities.
So, is there a cultural phenomenon that is affecting events? My simple answer is YES! Students increasingly do not know how to do personal relationships....face to face. They are a phone text and internet generation. As I passed through class room building hallways yesterday, there were scores of students waiting for their next class....not talking to each other but looking at their phones. An upperclassmen last night talked of the number of freshmen who had told him they were having a hard time making friends. They do not know how. They do not know how to do face to face.
I must confess that I am an "event ministry person". I believe in the value of large group events and how you can speak to a variety of needs and many more people than you can do that with on a one to one or small group basis. But, it may be that we need to think more in terms of moving people from our small groups to our events rather than vice versa. I am not of the notion that it is time to abandon our large group events.
I currently lead a large group College Bible Study event at my church. We are intentional about it being relational. We usually do some sort of get acquainted activity each week. We have space set up for hanging out, mixing and mingling. We have snacks out that promote hanging around and visiting. For some reason, food makes it easier to visit and talk...face to face.
I believe that relationships are the currency of Christian ministry. God moves through and uses relationships. We must be about developing relationships with students, teaching them to develop relationships with other students, and then letting God use those relationships in ministry and witness to others. Many years ago the Billy Graham organization did a follow up study of those coming to Christ in their crusades. They found a disappointing percentage were becoming involved in a church following their conversion. What they found was of those who did connect to a church, most of the time it was a result of a relationship to someone in the church. God uses relationships.
We must provide opportunity and do things that help students develop relationships. It is not just for their emotional well being....it is for the sake of the Gospel. Are we in a "Post Event Era" or are we in a "Post Relationship Era"? What are you doing around your events and in your ministry that promotes relationship development and connections?
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