As I am in my first fall of doing church based college ministry (as an Interim), I have given considerable thought to doing the basics that will benefit whomever comes to this position on a more permanent basis. I want it to be built and strengthen on a solid foundation. A pillar is defined as, "A tall vertical structure used as a support....or a person or thing regarded as reliably providing essential support for something." (Wikapedia)
This has been an interesting challenge for me since I had recently written, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, and this ministry had gone from being large to being much smaller over a period of about three or four years. I told someone, "I might have to tear up "Fixing" when this is over.". That has not happened yet, but I wish I had had this experience prior to writing "Fixing".
Let me share SIX PILLARS:
1. Good and solid Biblical teaching.
This can and likely should happen in both small groups and large group events. It is the basis of who we are and what we proclaim. I like and am all about students reading the latest good Christian books....but they should not be a pillar of our ministry.
2. A Sense of Mission
One of things that is making our ministry work right now is many of our students have a real sense of mission about our ministry. They are reaching out to friends and working at it being the best it can be. They do not see the ministry as simply their private club.
3. Committed and Capable Student Leaders
No ministry or organization can survive or at least thrive without solid leaders and I believe student leaders are essential to a healthy and strong college ministry. We must enlist, attract, train and empower student leaders. They reach those we cannot. It builds them for future service and it multiplies the leader's time and efforts.
4. A Plan or Strategy
A plan is a road map. Where are you trying to go? Do you have a plan to get there? Just as on a long trip, there may be detours, your plan may change as you go, but having a plan is a must. Just as every map must be unique or specific to the trip you are taking, your plan must be unique or specific to your ministry. It involves your goals, resources, and planned actions. You cannot copy someone else's map or plan.
5. Strong Outreach to Freshmen
Freshmen are the most reachable and most needy. If your ministry is about touching lives for their benefit and the benefit of the kingdom, you must be trying to reach out to freshmen. Yet, I have been very pleasantly surprised at the number of upperclassmen we are seeing that are responding to our outreach and invitations. There is need an opportunity in every class.
6. Consistency
There must be consistency in what is offered and there must be consistency in the leadership. As I state in "FIXING" one of the reasons a college ministry can become broken is continual turnover of leadership (that has happened to the one I am currently leading.). There must also be ongoing consistency in what is offered and how it is done. Students know what to expect and they know what they are inviting friends to attend and commit to. Every good ministry is continually tweaking from one year to the next, but it does not go through wholesale change every semester....or every week. UNLESS, it is broken and needs fixing.
I am not arguing these are the only pillars....but can you say what your pillars are? What is your ministry based on and supported by?
FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is an Amazon eBook aimed at helping ministries to to the next level. It is available in or print or eBook format.
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