I write and speak often of the value of student ownership of a ministry. The ministry is something they believe in, invest in, and connect others. It is not just something that they "visit". They own it.
When students own it they are much more likely to invest higher degrees of energy and care into what is happening. They also are more likely to stick around when the ministry hits a rough patch. And, all ministries hit rough patches. If they are just "a visitor", they will leave and go elsewhere...where there does not seem to be rough patches. Owners even invest more in rough patches!
Three (3) Actions that Produce Ownership:
1. LISTENING - What do your key student leaders have to say about the ministry? Are you listening? That does not mean all the time agreeing with what is said, but it is an active, genuine listening to their thoughts and ideas.
2. DECISIONS ARE NOT ALL FROM "ON HIGH". - To feel like owners students have to be able to make some of the decisions. A key word there is "some". The College Minister does not abdicate all responsibility and decision making.
3. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN PRINCIPLE AND PREFERENCE. - When a College Minister allows students to influence and make some decisions, not all will be his or her preference. It is important to be aware of the difference between preferences and principles. A College Minister or leader cannot ever back down on a principle. But, some things are just not "the way I would do it." But, they are ok. I went with something other than "my preference" this past week on a decision. It not only was ok...it turned out to be the best decision.
Do your many of your students "own the ministry" or just "visit the ministry"?
Monday, October 30, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
5 Things I LOVE in College Ministry
I recently wrote "5 Things I HATE in College Ministry". The fact is I love College Ministry and would even confess to something Kelly Minter says in her study of 2 Corinthians, ALL THINGS NEW, "I realize that sometimes I love the work of Jesus more than I love Jesus." I do struggle with that.
5 Things I Love:
1. The Different Seasons
There is the fall and start of school which is so charged with energy, excitement, and optimism. There is the Christmas Break which is a time of reflection and evaluation of the semester just finished. There is summer which has a looser schedule when I read and study more and connect with incoming students, plan and re-adjust. It is energizing. I have always felt for my pastor friends who basically do the same thing 365 days a year.
2. The Variety of Every Day
It is crazy the different things a College Minister will do in one day...often back to back. I always remember the time when I was on the phone with someone about the possibility that his church would make a $100,000 gift to the new campus center we were trying to raise the money to build. When I hung up, I walked out of my office to embrace a student who was in tears over a $25 parking ticket she had just gotten. I have gone from talking with the University President to a meeting with a freshman guy who thought having to be at class at 11:00 three times a week was just ridiculous.
3. The Combination of Youth and Adulthood in Students
They are old enough to do whatever, but they are ready to pivot and go a different direction when they sense it is God's call on their life. They have not landed in the proverbial rut yet. They can watch cartoons for two hours and then go to the lab where they are a key assistant working on cancer research.
4. The Passion of Students
When college students get turned on about something....they are all in! Let's go do it...let's go do it now! One of my guys lived out in the bush in a foreign country all last summer sharing the Gospel. It did not occur to him it might be dangerous or too rough. He came back planning to go to seminary to go back to places like that.
5. College Students are the Most Interesting People in the World
I had rather talk to college students than anyone else. Old people conversations are incredibly boring! It is same old, same old. Not with students! Bang! Let's talk about this and let's talk about that and what do you think the unforgiveable sin is and have you seen this funny video with a cat?
6. I know I said 5...but....When you are with college students, it is ok to eat french fries!
I am sad for people who have not experienced the joy of doing college ministry and just talking with college students all the time!
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
5 Things I Love:
1. The Different Seasons
There is the fall and start of school which is so charged with energy, excitement, and optimism. There is the Christmas Break which is a time of reflection and evaluation of the semester just finished. There is summer which has a looser schedule when I read and study more and connect with incoming students, plan and re-adjust. It is energizing. I have always felt for my pastor friends who basically do the same thing 365 days a year.
2. The Variety of Every Day
It is crazy the different things a College Minister will do in one day...often back to back. I always remember the time when I was on the phone with someone about the possibility that his church would make a $100,000 gift to the new campus center we were trying to raise the money to build. When I hung up, I walked out of my office to embrace a student who was in tears over a $25 parking ticket she had just gotten. I have gone from talking with the University President to a meeting with a freshman guy who thought having to be at class at 11:00 three times a week was just ridiculous.
3. The Combination of Youth and Adulthood in Students
They are old enough to do whatever, but they are ready to pivot and go a different direction when they sense it is God's call on their life. They have not landed in the proverbial rut yet. They can watch cartoons for two hours and then go to the lab where they are a key assistant working on cancer research.
4. The Passion of Students
When college students get turned on about something....they are all in! Let's go do it...let's go do it now! One of my guys lived out in the bush in a foreign country all last summer sharing the Gospel. It did not occur to him it might be dangerous or too rough. He came back planning to go to seminary to go back to places like that.
5. College Students are the Most Interesting People in the World
I had rather talk to college students than anyone else. Old people conversations are incredibly boring! It is same old, same old. Not with students! Bang! Let's talk about this and let's talk about that and what do you think the unforgiveable sin is and have you seen this funny video with a cat?
6. I know I said 5...but....When you are with college students, it is ok to eat french fries!
I am sad for people who have not experienced the joy of doing college ministry and just talking with college students all the time!
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
Monday, October 23, 2017
5 Things I HATE in College Ministry
1. Those who say "there is only one way to do it".
It is said many different ways, but there are those who say it. All of us have our style or our philosophy, but we must acknowledge that there is more than one way to do it...and do it well! When we say there is only one way to do it, we are doing harm to others who are not doing our style or philosophy. Always be an advocate your method, style or philosophy, but don't be bashing someone else's unless it is contrary to the Gospel or acting in unethical ways.
2. Campus based and church based college ministries not working together.
I see situations where the ministries (often of the same denomination) are competing against the other....OR, they are not negative, they just are not cooperating for the good of all. If you are not cooperating for the good of all...you are working against other ministries.
3. One ministry STEALING students from another.
Have you ever had someone who was a ministry staffer tell your students they should be in their ministry because your ministry "does not...." do whatever they say they do well? Students hop around and ministry shop or do buffet tasting. But, when we tell students they should not be in another ministry so they will be in ours, we are acting unethically....and even more...not Christ-like.
4. The idea that some think College Ministers don't work hard because they "hang out" on campus.
Those that know me or read my stuff know one of my platform ideas is walking across the campus and through the Student Center every day. Hanging out some provides connection to different students.
5. Seeing a student walk away from my ministry and never knowing why.
I don't think there is anything that hurts more than seeing a student we have invested in walk away from our ministry and never knowing why they left. I would do better with them telling me they didn't like me or I had done something wrong than just seeing them leave and not knowing what happened. If you do college ministry long, it will happen many times...and you never know why and it always hurts.
It is said many different ways, but there are those who say it. All of us have our style or our philosophy, but we must acknowledge that there is more than one way to do it...and do it well! When we say there is only one way to do it, we are doing harm to others who are not doing our style or philosophy. Always be an advocate your method, style or philosophy, but don't be bashing someone else's unless it is contrary to the Gospel or acting in unethical ways.
2. Campus based and church based college ministries not working together.
I see situations where the ministries (often of the same denomination) are competing against the other....OR, they are not negative, they just are not cooperating for the good of all. If you are not cooperating for the good of all...you are working against other ministries.
3. One ministry STEALING students from another.
Have you ever had someone who was a ministry staffer tell your students they should be in their ministry because your ministry "does not...." do whatever they say they do well? Students hop around and ministry shop or do buffet tasting. But, when we tell students they should not be in another ministry so they will be in ours, we are acting unethically....and even more...not Christ-like.
4. The idea that some think College Ministers don't work hard because they "hang out" on campus.
Those that know me or read my stuff know one of my platform ideas is walking across the campus and through the Student Center every day. Hanging out some provides connection to different students.
5. Seeing a student walk away from my ministry and never knowing why.
I don't think there is anything that hurts more than seeing a student we have invested in walk away from our ministry and never knowing why they left. I would do better with them telling me they didn't like me or I had done something wrong than just seeing them leave and not knowing what happened. If you do college ministry long, it will happen many times...and you never know why and it always hurts.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Large Church Based College Ministry Seeking a College Minister
First Baptist Church, Denton, Texas is seeking a full time college minister. It is a large ministry with a weekly collegiate event on Tuesday night with a normal attendance of 450 to 500 students. The church has a normal attendance of one thousand (1,000) on Sunday mornings. The ministry is primarily connected to University of North Texas, Texas Women's University, and North Central College. The previous college minister left at the end of February.
Some of the characteristics they are seeking in the person God would place there are:
-Someone who feels called to college ministry, has some experience and sees this as God's on-going call in their life.
-A self-motivated team player who will work well in a multi-staff situation .
-An Evangelist/Discipler
-Someone who has a "Word Gift". This person would be the primary speaker for the weekly
Tuesday night event (Overflow). They currently are having a variety of guest speakers.
-A seminary degree is preferred or that the person being in the process of working on a seminary degree.
This is a fully salaried position with health and retirement benefits.
For more information or to submit a resume you can contact:
Doyle Lowry, Executive Pastor
dlowry@firstdenton.org
Cell: 940.395.6761
1100 Malone Street
Denton, Texas 76201
Some of the characteristics they are seeking in the person God would place there are:
-Someone who feels called to college ministry, has some experience and sees this as God's on-going call in their life.
-A self-motivated team player who will work well in a multi-staff situation .
-An Evangelist/Discipler
-Someone who has a "Word Gift". This person would be the primary speaker for the weekly
Tuesday night event (Overflow). They currently are having a variety of guest speakers.
-A seminary degree is preferred or that the person being in the process of working on a seminary degree.
This is a fully salaried position with health and retirement benefits.
For more information or to submit a resume you can contact:
Doyle Lowry, Executive Pastor
dlowry@firstdenton.org
Cell: 940.395.6761
1100 Malone Street
Denton, Texas 76201
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
New Details Announced for Collegiate Summit in Nashville
The once every three years Collegiate Summit has been a special event and gathering of the College Ministry family for several years now. The next Collegiate Summit will be in Nashville at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville on May 2-4.
Speakers already announced are Ben Stuart, Pastor of Passion City Church in Washington, DC, Russell Moore of the Religious Liberty Commission, Tom Richter, pastor of First Baptist Church, Cullman, Alabama, Jackie Hill-Perry, Writer and Artist of Nashville. Brooke and Boggs will be leading worship.
I am excited that we have just received confirmation that Erica Reitz and Dr. Bob Stewart will be leading Mega Seminars at the Summit. Erica is the author of AFTER COLLEGE: NAVIGATING TRANSITIONS, RELATIONSHIPS AND FAITH. Erica serves at Penn State University where she has specialized in helping college seniors and recent graduates navigate the transition to post-college life.
Dr. Stewart is a professor at New Orleans Seminary and speaks to standing room only crowds of students each August at Collegiate Week. He is known for his understanding of theological trends and answering the tough questions of faith.
I will confess to being a "Summit Addict" but not willing to seek treatment. What is better than being with 500 other College Ministers....folks who get what we do better than anyone else? If you register by January 15, 2018, you will pay only $125 registration which includes two meals and a reception. Spouses registering with a College Minister can register for only $50. So, it is couple friendly! You can go to the Lifeway Events website for the schedule and a list of area hotels who offer a special Summit price.
I will be in Nashville May 2-4 and hope you will be too!
PS: It is mostly Baptists that come....but not all.....and most of them are friendly and don't bite...except at meals.
Speakers already announced are Ben Stuart, Pastor of Passion City Church in Washington, DC, Russell Moore of the Religious Liberty Commission, Tom Richter, pastor of First Baptist Church, Cullman, Alabama, Jackie Hill-Perry, Writer and Artist of Nashville. Brooke and Boggs will be leading worship.
I am excited that we have just received confirmation that Erica Reitz and Dr. Bob Stewart will be leading Mega Seminars at the Summit. Erica is the author of AFTER COLLEGE: NAVIGATING TRANSITIONS, RELATIONSHIPS AND FAITH. Erica serves at Penn State University where she has specialized in helping college seniors and recent graduates navigate the transition to post-college life.
Dr. Stewart is a professor at New Orleans Seminary and speaks to standing room only crowds of students each August at Collegiate Week. He is known for his understanding of theological trends and answering the tough questions of faith.
I will confess to being a "Summit Addict" but not willing to seek treatment. What is better than being with 500 other College Ministers....folks who get what we do better than anyone else? If you register by January 15, 2018, you will pay only $125 registration which includes two meals and a reception. Spouses registering with a College Minister can register for only $50. So, it is couple friendly! You can go to the Lifeway Events website for the schedule and a list of area hotels who offer a special Summit price.
I will be in Nashville May 2-4 and hope you will be too!
PS: It is mostly Baptists that come....but not all.....and most of them are friendly and don't bite...except at meals.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
What TYPE of College Student Do YOU Mostly Reach?
This is a topic I have written on before. It is my belief that all of us in college ministry have a "type student" with whom we most easily connect and draw into our ministry. I want to speak to BOTH sides of that issue.
First, it has long been my observation that all College Ministers have their group...those students with which they most easily identify and most easily involve in their ministry. In previous blogs I have used the examples of the "Athlete College Minister" who is good at connect to athletic types. There is the "Music College Minister" who is gifted at connecting to students with musical talent. There is the"Greek College Minister" who has all the fraternity and sorority folks in their ministry. There are tons of "types" and hybrids.
I am aware of a college ministry some years back who called a man as their College Minister who they felt would be good at reaching "Non-churchy students" and non-Christians. He was. He just had a gift for connecting to them and they responded to him in a very positive way. But, there was a back side to this strength. It is my belief that our weakness is usually the backside of our strength.
He was super at connecting to the "Non-churchy". He was not good at relating to Christian students and those who had grown up in church. Consequently, what had been a large ministry began to lose those students who had a Christian background and long term Christian commitment. Those that had been the backbone of the structure of the ministry began to leave and left the ministry strictly tied to his personal gift with the "Non-churchy".
Here is my point. We must know and play to the strength of what "type of student" we are gifted or good at reaching. HOWEVER, we must be aware of the "type of student" we are NOT gifted or good at connecting to. It is my belief that we must flex there to widen our ministry. Erick Reed has an article at Lifeway.com entitled "Three Questions to Improve Your Self-Awareness" Question number 2 is, "What are your blindspots?".
Do you know your blindspot in regard to the "type of student" that you do not automatically relate to and are you attempting to over-come that in some way? Reed says, "You need to invite some others into your life who can help you discern blind spots that my be costing you in your leadership." That is wisdom. You can empower others in that area and set them up for success there. Or, it may mean that you simply will recognize an area where you need to make some personal adjustments and flex.
Look at your ministry. What "type of student" comes to your ministry? Why are there not other "types of students" there?
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
First, it has long been my observation that all College Ministers have their group...those students with which they most easily identify and most easily involve in their ministry. In previous blogs I have used the examples of the "Athlete College Minister" who is good at connect to athletic types. There is the "Music College Minister" who is gifted at connecting to students with musical talent. There is the"Greek College Minister" who has all the fraternity and sorority folks in their ministry. There are tons of "types" and hybrids.
I am aware of a college ministry some years back who called a man as their College Minister who they felt would be good at reaching "Non-churchy students" and non-Christians. He was. He just had a gift for connecting to them and they responded to him in a very positive way. But, there was a back side to this strength. It is my belief that our weakness is usually the backside of our strength.
He was super at connecting to the "Non-churchy". He was not good at relating to Christian students and those who had grown up in church. Consequently, what had been a large ministry began to lose those students who had a Christian background and long term Christian commitment. Those that had been the backbone of the structure of the ministry began to leave and left the ministry strictly tied to his personal gift with the "Non-churchy".
Here is my point. We must know and play to the strength of what "type of student" we are gifted or good at reaching. HOWEVER, we must be aware of the "type of student" we are NOT gifted or good at connecting to. It is my belief that we must flex there to widen our ministry. Erick Reed has an article at Lifeway.com entitled "Three Questions to Improve Your Self-Awareness" Question number 2 is, "What are your blindspots?".
Do you know your blindspot in regard to the "type of student" that you do not automatically relate to and are you attempting to over-come that in some way? Reed says, "You need to invite some others into your life who can help you discern blind spots that my be costing you in your leadership." That is wisdom. You can empower others in that area and set them up for success there. Or, it may mean that you simply will recognize an area where you need to make some personal adjustments and flex.
Look at your ministry. What "type of student" comes to your ministry? Why are there not other "types of students" there?
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
Monday, October 9, 2017
Commuter Outreach
Reaching students who live on campus has always been easier...at least in all the contexts I have served and observed. I am at heart super practical and always just like to see and hear ideas. Here is an idea for Commuter Outreach from Roger and Rose Bear at Indiana State University.
"Every month we do an outreach project on campus. In September we focus on commuters. We make welcome bags that contain a car air freshener, a gospel tract called "God Allows U Turns," and a cut-out of a car that says "You AUTO check out BCM" with our contact information. We stood on the sidewalk at couple of campus locations and gave them to students as they walked in from the parking lots, and then gave out more at a commuter event sponsored by ISU. 200 students received these bags."
What do you do to intentionally reach out to commuters?
The National Collegiate Ministers Summit will be in Nashville, May 2-4. Do you have it on your calendar? It only happens once every three years.
"Every month we do an outreach project on campus. In September we focus on commuters. We make welcome bags that contain a car air freshener, a gospel tract called "God Allows U Turns," and a cut-out of a car that says "You AUTO check out BCM" with our contact information. We stood on the sidewalk at couple of campus locations and gave them to students as they walked in from the parking lots, and then gave out more at a commuter event sponsored by ISU. 200 students received these bags."
What do you do to intentionally reach out to commuters?
The National Collegiate Ministers Summit will be in Nashville, May 2-4. Do you have it on your calendar? It only happens once every three years.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Is This Generation X, Y, Z, J, or T? Or, is it "The Hang-out Generation"?
I must admit I am a bit fascinated by the titles given to each generation and the thing I wonder about the most is....who gets to name them? That is a heavy responsibility. So, you can let me know, if you know the answer. As a friend of mine said yesterday, "Tell me something I don't know.".
I find the descriptions helpful. I read the articles describing the characteristic of each. Here is my title for the current college student generation. They are "The Hang-out Generation". In my role as the Interim College Minister at my church, I spend two days of set aside time on campus. I meet with students who need to meet over an issue or just want to meet for us to know each other better....either by their request or mine. One thing I do on each of these days is walk the campus through the student high traffic areas. That has been a practice of mine for many years.
I have been struck by how many places the University has established "Hang-out Areas". There are large areas with many tables and chairs in the main student center and there are lots of small cubby holes, chairs and tables different places. There is a classroom building with an atrium and a deli....and lots of small table, chairs, and other groupings. There are older classrooms who have a small table and two chairs stuck here and there. These are recent additions.
Everywhere all over campus students are hanging out. Some are hanging out with one or two others and in other instances, they are hanging out alone....with their phone either looking at something or talking to someone.
Here are my Three Take-Aways for College Ministry:
1. We must take time to get out and about and connect with students in these hang out areas. Heading across campus with no appointment or plan may seem a waste of time. It is not. I continue to be surprised by how often God opens a door for a long or very short conversation that he uses in the hang-out areas and spaces.
2. For those of us fortunate and blessed enough to have some kind of designated, our own space...either in a campus Center or in our part of the church, we need to have "Hang-out Areas". We have two bistro tables with two stools in our University area. I notice how one or two students land there. We have a couch and chair area in another corner. Two or three students will land there. When they do not have a test that they run off to study for following one of our events, I notice how much they hang out. These areas help promote it.
3. Some sort of simple food promotes and advances hanging out. We have a coffee bar and there is iced tea available self serve....also something to munch on. Many years ago when I served on campus, I noticed when we had some sort of food afterwards, it encouraged students to stay and talk to someone else. When they got to know people, they usually came back.
If this is indeed the, "Hang-out Generation", we must go to where they are hanging out and we must provide places for them to hang out. Starbucks gets this and is making big money with it. I hate coffee.....but I like students hanging out where we and they have spiritual conversations. And, I will even meet them somewhere and buy their coffee......and we have spiritual conversations.
Are YOU hanging out on campus? Do you have hang out places where you meet?
I find the descriptions helpful. I read the articles describing the characteristic of each. Here is my title for the current college student generation. They are "The Hang-out Generation". In my role as the Interim College Minister at my church, I spend two days of set aside time on campus. I meet with students who need to meet over an issue or just want to meet for us to know each other better....either by their request or mine. One thing I do on each of these days is walk the campus through the student high traffic areas. That has been a practice of mine for many years.
I have been struck by how many places the University has established "Hang-out Areas". There are large areas with many tables and chairs in the main student center and there are lots of small cubby holes, chairs and tables different places. There is a classroom building with an atrium and a deli....and lots of small table, chairs, and other groupings. There are older classrooms who have a small table and two chairs stuck here and there. These are recent additions.
Everywhere all over campus students are hanging out. Some are hanging out with one or two others and in other instances, they are hanging out alone....with their phone either looking at something or talking to someone.
Here are my Three Take-Aways for College Ministry:
1. We must take time to get out and about and connect with students in these hang out areas. Heading across campus with no appointment or plan may seem a waste of time. It is not. I continue to be surprised by how often God opens a door for a long or very short conversation that he uses in the hang-out areas and spaces.
2. For those of us fortunate and blessed enough to have some kind of designated, our own space...either in a campus Center or in our part of the church, we need to have "Hang-out Areas". We have two bistro tables with two stools in our University area. I notice how one or two students land there. We have a couch and chair area in another corner. Two or three students will land there. When they do not have a test that they run off to study for following one of our events, I notice how much they hang out. These areas help promote it.
3. Some sort of simple food promotes and advances hanging out. We have a coffee bar and there is iced tea available self serve....also something to munch on. Many years ago when I served on campus, I noticed when we had some sort of food afterwards, it encouraged students to stay and talk to someone else. When they got to know people, they usually came back.
If this is indeed the, "Hang-out Generation", we must go to where they are hanging out and we must provide places for them to hang out. Starbucks gets this and is making big money with it. I hate coffee.....but I like students hanging out where we and they have spiritual conversations. And, I will even meet them somewhere and buy their coffee......and we have spiritual conversations.
Are YOU hanging out on campus? Do you have hang out places where you meet?
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