Happy New Year! Next Post: "The Quick Cheat Sheet for Ministry Expansion"

Last Call for the Bargain!

Last Call:  The Amazon.com Christmas special on the paperback version of FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is winding down.  Cost during the special is $3.99 and it is returning to the regular price of $4.99.

Merry Christmas to ALL!

May this be a worshipful and blessed Christmas for you and yours!  I'm hoping and praying for a restful and rejuvenating Break for you.

I'm shutting down for Christmas. I hope you are as well!

"Today in the city of David, a Savior was born for you who is Christ the Lord."
Like 2:11

God Called You to Love College Students...Not be Famous or Lead a Large Ministry!

One of my students recently asked me jokingly, "Who is more famous, you or ____________?" and he named a College Minister who is well known for his ministry and for being super active on social media.  I don't remember what smart mouth answer I gave.  But, later I began to think about it seriously.

One of the dangers of social media is we see what others are doing and sometimes feel that is is way better and more significant in God's kingdom than what we are doing.  I have a friend who has led what I would characterize as a "top 25 Baptist campus ministry in the U.S".  As a result of some changes he felt called by the Lord to make, he is now on another campus, doing all the same things well he did at the other campus....and....not getting nearly the response he got on his previous campus.  The two campuses are significantly different.  The resources are different.  He is being faithful to God's calling on his life.  Some might wonder what ever happened to him.  But, the Lord knows where he is!

Another friend serves on what might be called "the least Christian campus in America" and he has been having 35 students at his weekly large group meeting.  He is seeing some students come to Christ.  That is wonderful in the context where he serves.  He would be one of my nominees for Campus Minister of the Year.  But, he probably will not be described by anybody as "famous".

Right now in my "Fifth Season" I am leading what is the smallest ministry I have led in many many years.  Sometimes I am frustrated.  Yet, I feel I am where the Lord wants me right now.  The other night I was frustrated by our drop in attendance.  But, I left excited by the conversations I got to have with some students that night.  It was not about the size of the crowd....it was about God's movement in their lives and my being privileged by God to be present to it.

God did not call us to be famous or lead a large ministry.  He called us to love students in His Name and to be faithful to that.  Most of us will not wind up to be famous....but that is not what we were called to be.  And, we may not lead "a large ministry", but God knows where we are and He will continue to speak into the lives of students.  That is what He called us to.  A few of us may wind up leading large ministries and a handful of us may be a little "famous" in our tribe.

But, if we worry about being famous or how many likes our latest statement on Facebook or Twitter gets, we just need reminding, that was not what we committed our life to.  God is speaking into the lives of college students and we get to be part of it!!


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).

Common College Ministry Mistakes

Over the next few days I will be posting "Common College Ministry Mistakes" on
my Facebook page, College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson. I hope you will check it out. I will be using it to post brief College ministry helps that would not be a full article.
Arliss

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Do Your Ministry Partners Respect Your Ministry?

I have written that the "IT Factor" for College Ministers is R-E-S-P-E-C-T.  In working with college students for the long term God process in their life, it is not charisma or how trendy we dress, it is respect.  But, I want to add another dimension to that.

Do your ministry partners respect your ministry?  In the Southern Baptist world a campus based College Minister is responsible not only for having a ministry on campus, but they are responsible for working with, encouraging and helping the church college ministries.  It is a complicated mine field to navigate sometimes.  Some are very cooperative. Some are eager for help. Some are somewhat cooperative and some even seem to intentionally compete against the campus based ministry and other church ministries.

A simple fact is, if your ministry is not respected, other ministries are less likely to cooperate.  Lack of respect toward a ministry is sometimes caused by poor behavior on the part of the professional leadership or students involved.  However, often lack of respect is caused by either a poor job OR that the ministry is smaller and not considered "significant" by others.

So how do we earn "ministry respect"?  First, we do the best possible job we can do.  Excellence is always a key to respect.  Part of excellence is being what we say we are.  Also, it sometimes means working with those who will cooperate and going forward.  When some are not cooperative, we cannot let that keep us from being cooperative with those who will.  Some ministry leaders have to see the benefit of cooperation.  It has been argued that if we "give away our ministry" others will be more cooperative.  The opposite is often true.  A strong thriving ministry draws cooperation.

There is an unhealthy competitive spirit that is harmful to ministry to students and to God's kingdom overall.  But, I believe there is a "Healthy Competitive Spirit".  When other ministries do well and are not cooperative, we can let that drive us to do the best possible job we can do.  We are not angry or negative toward that ministry.  But, we work on our ministry being all that it can be.

The personal actions of the College Minister can affect the "ministry respect".
 5 Things the College Minister Can Do to Bolster "Ministry Respect":
-Always respond to and return messages as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours.
-Express thanks where thanks is due.  When a partner helps, do not take it for granted!
-Communicate.  Let them know things you are doing that might affect them and ask for any information they want to share with you.
-Highlight things that are happening through cooperative efforts.  Share the credit.
-Never bad mouth other ministries.....even when they deserve it.  It is hard...I know!

My scripture when I wrestle with this issue is Mark 9:38-40.  "Teacher, said John, we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop because he was not one of us.  Do not stop him, Jesus said.  No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us."

Respect can be lost instantly and earning it takes time.  Are you working at earning respect for your ministry?  A respected ministry can make more of a difference.


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).

Baptist Campus Seeking a Campus Minister

Williams Baptist University located in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas is seeking applicants for their Director of Campus Ministries. The Director of Campus Ministries is responsible for the creation, implementation, and management of a comprehensive campus ministry program that promotes discipleship, worship, evangelism, and domestic/international missions through the mission and vision of WBU.  The person filling this position will also direct the WBU Worship Team.

REQUIREMENTS
-Master of Divinity (M.Div) or equivalent, three years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience
-Demonstrated Ability in personal evangelism and discipleship
-Commitment to evangelical missions
-Ability to direct and oversee a worship team

Applicants should complete WBU's online application at htts://williamsbu.edu/careers/support-staff-applications and then email a resume, statement of faith and references to hr@williamsbu.edu.  A review of applicants will begin immediately and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Those having questions or seeking more information may contact Dr.Brett Cooper, Vice President for Development, at bcooper@williamsbu.edu.


Arliss Dickerson's book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available in paperback at Amazon.com for the reduced price of $3.99 during the holidays/

Going Big or BIGGER

Most ministries are not averse to having a larger crowd.  I am often asked how to break the "attendance ceiling".  What is a "big crowd" is determined by the campus setting, the part of the country in which you serve and resources such as budget, facilities and staff. Fifty is a big crowd some places while two hundred might be considered a small crowd in a different setting. While numbers do not determine success, each number is a person. But, we must beware that we do not do what simply will draw a crowd.  Many years ago I spoke for an event on a campus and there was a "Beer Bust" going on next door.  They had a bigger crowd.  That does not mean the Christian event was not valuable.  So, the value of your ministry is not determined by the size of the crowd.  But, we all want to reach and impact as many as possible

So, as you consider how to make your event big or bigger.  Here are some questions to ask and what some ministries have done.  You do not have to like a suggestion to learn something from it.  But first, be honest about what your situation is..

Here are some Questions to Ask:
1.  Is our facility determining our capacity?  Should we change locations?
2.  Are we doing well what we are doing?  I often say, do well what you do well.
3.  If your ministry is in an area where there are other collegiate worship events, is your ministry emphasizing the unique aspects of your event.  Be the best YOU that you can be.
4.  Do you work at having an "Invite Culture"?  Often students are happy to come and never think about inviting or bringing anyone with them.
5.  Do we have too many events in one week and it dilutes energy and focus from our "main event"?  Would it be better to do fewer events on a regular basis?
6.  Should we target a different type of student or part of campus?
7.  Are we doing "same old, same old" and expecting a different response?
8.  The Tough Question:  Have I become enamored by the sound of my own voice and made it too much about me?  Should I invite others to speak at least some of the time?

Here are some things that some ministries have done to have the largest possible weekly worship event.
-Pay each week to bring in a well-known Christian speaker.
One such ministry I am aware of averaged 700 to 1,000.

-One ministry I recently learned about asks their graduates to consider raising their salary and staying on one year.  Each year they have about 100 of these "Graduate Assistants" who work at enlisting and bringing students to their weekly meeting.  They regularly have 1400 each week on this large campus.

-Obviously worship bands and music are huge. One method is to bring in well known worship leaders and use local speakers or staff speakers.

-Some ministries rotate their meetings through different fraternity and sorority houses.

-Many ministries now schedule their Freshmen small groups to meet following their weekly large group meeting.  This involves the Freshmen group leaders in working to get students at the weekly large group event.

-Would a "Supper Program" be an option?  Many ministries have Lunch Programs, but these are limited in time due to fitting into a lunch hour.  Would it be possible to do a meal each week prior to your evening large group event?  Some churches enlist a different Sunday School Group to do the meal and be present for a variety of age group connections.

Remember, you can always try something once or twice to get a feel for the possibility of it being a regular thing.

Arliss Dickerson's book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available in paperback at Amazon.com for the reduced price of $3.99 during the holidays.  Some have found it to be helpful in taking a ministry to "the next level".

Chicken Soup and College Ministry

You likely have seen the story that CBS News has done about the Jewish Rabbi at The Rohr Center for Jewish Life at Arizona State University.  If you have not, the story is basically that they make and deliver homemade chicken soup to any student who is sick.  Parents and anyone can go on line to their site and order this for a sick student....at no cost.

The CBS story showed the Rabbi and his wife making the chicken soup and showed a mom who lives across the country who had ordered it for her daughter who was sick.  The container of soup has on it a label telling the name of the ministry and their website.  They indicated that they normally averaged delivering about 15 a week.  Likely, that number will go up after today!  While it is free, there is a place to click on their website where you can make a donation.  My guess would be that most parents do so.  It would be interesting to know how much they receive.

But, my point is, what a great idea!  I remember many years ago being sick in my dorm room with strep throat thinking there was a good chance I would die and that would probably be a good thing.  There was a knock at the door and it was my BSU Director holding a cup of soup from The Wig Wam (a student eatery in the next building).  Wow...it was wonderful.

Flu season is coming.  Should we have some sort of chicken soup ministry?  Is it an outreach idea?  Could we have a "Flu Bag" that goes to any student that we hear about that is sick?  Is that a fund raiser that similar to "Final Exam Care Packages" that are marketed to parents with profits going to Summer Missions?

I also just like the idea that they are trying to help college students.  Isn't that a big part of what we are all about?  Many of our ministries have nursing students involved.  Would they like to lead out in a ministry in helping sick students?

Very seldom do I hear what is really a new idea.  Today, I did.  I think new ideas ought to stir us to think new ideas.

"Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."  James 5:14

Arliss Dickerson's book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, at Amazon.com in paperback format is reduced to $3.99 during the holidays.

The Fork Goes on the Left.....It's the Little Things That Make a Difference!

I loved the book, "Make Your Bed" by Admiral William McRaven. McRaven is one of our modern day American heroes who led the mission to get Bin Laden.  His book came out of a graduation speech he gave at the University of Texas.  He said, "First make your bed every morning."  You have started the day with an accomplishment, etc.  McRaven says it is the little things that make a difference.  I totally agree and double down on that belief in college ministry.

Last week the scripture that was my focus was Matthew 5:41, "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."  It was Jesus's word to those who could be forced to carry a Roman soldier's pack for one mile.  I am committed to the idea that it is not the grand gesture or event done occasionally that makes the difference, but rather it is the little thing done right again and again that makes the difference.  It is the second mile in little things that set the tone for everything.

Here are my seven little things done again and again in college ministry that make the difference.  Note, I said, AGAIN AND AGAIN.

1.  Write PERSONAL thank you notes.
When someone gives money to your ministry, write them a note.  When someone volunteers in your ministry, write them a thank you note.  A HANDWRITTEN thank you note says you care, you took time and you appreciated what they did.  It only has to be three or four lines written on a half sheet or thank you card.

2.  Walk Through the Student Center and across the campus EVERY Day.
It is easy to be stuck in your office and just see those students who come to you.  Walking across the campus and through the Student Center every day will lead to incidental contacts...sometimes God uses a sixty second conversation.  Students you know will introduce you to students you do not know.  You will grow in your sense of the personality, needs, and opportunities of your campus.

4.  Have students in your home.
This is not an every week thing or that your home becomes the campus Student Center.  And  there are reasons this may not be possible.  But, an end of the semester event held at your home says in another way that you care....it is not just a job you do, you care.  And, it may help your family feel more connected to what you do.

5.  The fork goes on the left.
I led a ministry for many years that had a weekly large group Lunch Program.  We put table covering on the tables with a napkin on the left of where the plate would go with the fork on the napkin.  That is the correct place for the fork to go.  My students laughed about my insistence about it.  But, they did it.  Little things and little habits demonstrate your commitment to EXCELLENCE.  Or, does your ministry do the little things in a way that communicates....mediocre, just get by is good enough here.  NO; the fork goes on the LEFT.

6.  Dress the part.
Are you ever frustrated by the lack of being treated as a professional or a peer by school officials or pastors?  When you go to meetings with them, do you dress like a professional? Jeans with holes in them may be great with students (and sometimes cost a lot) but it may not communicate that you are a highly competent professional that should be treated like one.  When I go to a "neck tie meeting", I wear a neck tie.  When I go to a "business casual meeting", I wear a sweater and slacks.  What do you wear?  How are you treated?

7.  Do well what you do well.
What is the thing that you do best?  What is your strength in college ministry?  Are you doing it the best you can do it?  Or, are you slacking on it to spend time on other things?  Or, are you slacking on it because you know you can and still get by acceptably?  Every ministry has one or two things that make the difference.  Your strength likely is one of those one or two things.  Make sure you do well what it is that you do well.

AND, I make my bed every morning.  Do you?

Arliss Dickerson's paperback version of FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available for a reduced price of $3.99 at Amazon.com during this holiday period.

Happy Thanksgiving and a Book Bargain

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Recent studies show that an attitude of gratitude is beneficial to your health. Wow!  I visited with a friend recently who is going through a difficult season. He is trying to discern God's direction for a new calling. He told me that each morning he tries to write down two or three things for which he is grateful. I am grateful for all of you that are part of the College Ministry family!  I pray rest and rejuvenation for you during this brief holiday to make the end of semester dash.

Right now on our Facebook page, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson" is information about a book bargain.

Remember lettuce is dangerous this holiday and chocolate is not!

Happy Wife...Happy Life/Don't Grouse with your Spouse!

"No, you did NOT tell me you were going to be gone then!"  We have had that conversation more than once at my house.  How about you?  Those who work in college ministry have crazy schedules and work at odd times.  It takes a spouse who shares God's calling to college ministry or is committed to that calling in their spouse's life.

But, we are wrong, if we think they just need to understand.  Even when your spouse does understand, we must work at having the best possible home life and relationship with our spouse and children.

Here are 5 Suggestions for a Better Home Life in the College Ministry World:

1.  Keep a calendar at home that has all your work and travel dates, special events, etc on it.

2.  Be home when you say you will or call/text that you are running behind schedule.
-You will run behind schedule often, but letting your spouse know makes a difference!

3.  Arrange your schedule so that you can pick up your kids from school once a week.  That communicates a ton and blesses you with that time with young children.  They will be grown and gone soon.

4.  Remember and remind yourself that your spouse is more important than your best student!
Your best student leader quitting is painful.....BUT your spouse "quitting" is catastrophic!!

5.  Have a standing "Lunch Date Day".
When kids are in school, lunch does not require a babysitter.  Lunch is cheaper.  An every week forty-five minute lunch together might even be better than a once a month "date night".  But, "Lunch Date Day" AND Date Night is a big winner!

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry in eBook format available at Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  Check out on Facebook, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".

5 REALLY Simple Rules for College Ministry Success

1.  Don't do things students can and will do.

2.  Know when and where to be on campus to see and meet lots of different students.

3.  Eat where students eat once or twice a week.

4.  Lay out your speaking topics for a whole semester in advance.  You can always change, if need be.

5.  Sit down with 3 or 4 freshmen and have them tell you about your ministry...what they like, don't like, benefit from and think is "just crazy".  Remember, freshmen think and talk better with free pizza in their mouth.

Arliss Dickerson's new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com.

What's the "Vibe" of Your Weekly Event?

Every event has a "vibe" or "feel" when you walk into it.  A vibe is "the atmosphere of a place as communicated to and felt by others".  What is the vibe of your weekly event?  It may be accidental.  It may be intentional.  It may be positive or it may be negative.

But, everyone who attends an event gets a vibe that affects their overall feel and evaluation of the event.  We cannot determine all that goes into the vibe of our event.  But, we can do somethings that affect it.

So, what are some causes of the vibe at an event?
-the size of the crowd...big or small can give either a positive or negative vibe.  Most of the time a small crowd gives a negative vibe.
-the set-up....Are the chairs haphasardly set around or does that seem to be some neatness or pattern to it?
-silence almost always gives a bad vibe!
-the immediate friendliness or lack of it gives an immediate vibe.
-lighting....is it too dark, glaring light?
-dirty or a strange odor
-students who act like they wish they were not there

So what can you do that helps develop a positive vibe?
-One or more greeters outside the door or just inside who have the outgoing gift of friendliness is a great start.  Not everyone has the gift of greeting.  Find one or two students that do.

-Be intentional in how your room is set up.  There is an order and neatness to it.  The number of chairs or seats is about right for the size crowd that is expected.  Way too many empty chairs creates a bad vibe.  It is easy to feel, "Nobody else came so why did I?".  A room can be "filled" with fewer chairs according to their spacing and arrangement.

-If your stage or front area has special lighting, is it on and adjusted?  Also, as soon as the last "amen" is said, don't turn off your stage lighting and turn on glaring lights immediately.  I see it done often and it feels weird.  To me, it is sort of like, "Shut up and leave.".

-Music playing when students come in is huge.  Many today play a mix of Christian and non-Christian music that students will recognize and enjoy. Of course, there has to be sensitivity to not playing music that is offensive.  Some even play all non-Christian music prior to the start of their event.  But, do avoid taped funeral music!!  Upbeat music brings a sense of energy.

-If your event has a band, could the instrumentalists begin playing a few minutes before the worship time starts. Or, should they simply play some following the last "amen"?

-Drinks or snacks informally available before an event often create a very positive feeling

Most likely the College Minister is not the best one to gauge the vibe.  So, ask your students about it.  Experiment a little bit with different things and see what happens.  So, what's the VIBE of your event?  Is it accidental or intentional?

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available at Amazon.com for 99 cents each in eBook format.  FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is also available in paperback.

Is the Name a Hindrance?

I was talking with a student of a University in the deep south.  The Baptist Collegiate Ministry at his campus is not nearly as large as it used to be.  He said, "We need to take Baptist out of the name."

It was his argument that students are now leery of denominations and that for the BCM to have Baptist in its name is a barrier for more and more students.  Most Baptist college ministries outside the south go by a name that does not have Baptist in it.  But, in the south we are Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Baptist Student Union, and Baptist Student Ministry.

 A few years back Campus Crusade for Christ became simply CRU.  Is this a conversation that Baptists need to have?

I will be honest....I do not think we are there yet.  For one thing in most places the ministries are simply BCM, BSM, or BSU.  So, BAPTIST is not the first thing that you hear.  It is not hidden, but it is not blaring either.  Also, I think the reputation of a ministry on a particular campus..... and even if a ministry is well known enough to have a reputation.... are the key factors for now.

I will admit to the fact that a few years back a student said he did not continue to come to our ministry because we were Baptist, instead.......he was attending one at......a Baptist church.  While the reason he gave for not becoming involved in our ministry was Baptist, I think it was actually a choice of "styles".  Right now, I believe "style" of the ministry is a bigger factor.

Right now I am sticking with Baptist.  But, it is interesting to think what we might call it, if and when that time comes.

What do YOU think?

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.  On Facebook check out "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".

2 Campus Ministers Sought for Kentucky Campuses

The Kentucky Baptist Convention is seeking applicants for two fully funded campus based college ministry positions.  They are:

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky

University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Corbin, London area

Both of these Campus Ministers will work on their primary campus and assist churches in their region to engage the main campus and area community colleges.

To submit a resume or for more information, contact Carlos De la Barra, Carlos.De.la.Barra@kybaptist.org

A Dream....The Power of One

When I served as Baptist Campus Minister at Arkansas State for 32 years I almost never dreamed anything related to work.  Since retiring from that position, I have many dreams that are college ministry work related.   I am not sure what that means...other than I am even crazier than I realized.  Night before last, I dreamed I was speaking at a College Minister Workshop (one of my FAVORITE places to be) on the topic, "The Power of One".  It was about my belief in the value of working one to one with students in leadership roles and those that show great potential.

So, here are some of my thoughts on "The Power of One".  I am a bit of a conundrum in that I am a big proponent of large group/yall come meetings.  Yet, I am all about the value of working with students individually.  Consequently, I believe a healthy college ministry is somehow a mix of both.  Large group meetings touch people that are not ready or open to one to one meetings.  And, there is just something positive and encouraging about being part of a larger group.

Here are some of my basic beliefs about meeting with students one to one:

1.  You meet with students that have leadership roles in order to invest in them, train them, and encourage them.  They multiply your ministry and your personal time.

2.  You meet with students who have great potential and you encourage and help them to affirm and accept the gifts and abilities God has placed in their life.

3.  Meetings must be regular in order to have on-going value.  Set a time and place.

4.  Meet in a private place that avoids interruption and also does not embarrass them should they become emotional...which happens when talking about tough stuff.

5.  You ask them questions and you LISTEN.  It is not all about you talking.  They probably get plenty of preaching.  Counselors are taught to ask questions and listen.  We have two ears and one mouth....listen twice as much as you talk?

6.  When they are leaders help them learn to process their areas of leadership concerning why something worked or did not work.

7.  Some students with great potential have messed up and need to FEEL forgiven.  They often have asked God for forgiveness and He has extended it, but they have not received it or FELT it.  You can help them receive it.

9.  They need to know you care about them, not just what they can do for you or the ministry.

8.  Help them be and feel successful.  When students feel like they have failed in a leadership role, they are reluctant to take on another one.  Their sense of success is key to their continuing to serve in the years to come.

10.  Make sure they know they can call on you when they are in trouble or need help.....that you have not simply thrown them out there to sink or swim.

11.  YOU must learn to balance your time between people you meet with on a regular basis and being available for other students who have short term needs or just need to talk.  Don't let all your time get scheduled up every week.  Students never need to feel you are too busy to talk to them.

12.  Remember, Jesus had twelve in which He invested an extra amount of time.  And, seemingly Jesus invested a bit more in three of the Disciples than He did in everybody.  But, He also preached "The Sermon on the Mount" to the masses.

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available at Amazon.com for 99 cents each in eBook format.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.

Common Characteristics of Large College Ministries

In my experience of dealing with campus based Baptist Collegiate Ministries, these are what I have observed as common characteristics of the larger ones.

1.  A long term veteran leader of the ministry.
This is key in more than one factor.  Because of his or her long tenure, people and churches recommend students to the ministry and they go out of their way to commend their students to the ministry.  This long earned and developed trust results in significant financial gifts to the ministry by alumni, churches and even parents.  Almost all large campus based ministries have significant individual gifts.  These gifts are usually tied to relationships.

2.  An intentional and well done freshmen ministry.
These ministries make a point of spending significant time, planning, and resources in connecting with freshmen over the summer and during the first three weeks of school.  They host and promote a variety of freshmen events and connections.

3.  Well done small groups.
In some instances these are separate freshmen and upperclass groups.  In other instances, they are combined upperclass and freshmen groups.  These groups do "soul care" as well as making sure that missing people are contacted and that they know someone cares.  This is in addition to the teaching and personal growth that happens in the group.

4.  High functioning student leaders.
These ministries work hard at enlisting, developing and empowering student leaders.  These leaders multiply the ministry in their wide variety of connections and varied personalities that connect to different student groups on campus.

5.  Well known across campus.
These larger ministries tend to be well known and have an excellent reputation across the campus.  Students who are not even involved in the ministry tend to tell others and help spread the word about the ministry.

Every ministry of any size can learn from these characteristics and begin to work at developing strengths in one or more of these areas.  The only one that cannot be instantly addressed is the long term leader.  But, every year makes a College Minister more long term.

I have not seen enough large church based college ministries close up to make too many observations.  But, those I have seen tend to demonstrate three things:
-An excellent speaker/preacher type.
-Significant resources.
-A high commitment to college ministry...it is not just another one of their ministries.

Most of the large non-denominational ministries tend to demonstrate the above listed five characteristics and one additional one.  Almost all larger non-denominational ministries have a staff of six (6) to twelve (12).  Almost all Baptist campus ministries have one or two staffers and a few have three or four.  But, many of these have their own campus facility.  One area that Baptists have been reluctant to do has been to allow their local Campus Ministers to build a staff through individual or ministry fund raising.  Some feel that this is something that should be considered.

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five campus ministry books available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.  Also, check out on Facebook, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".

Young Women and College Ministry

There are some issues it is difficult to be right on.  One of those is women and ministry.  Several years ago I was fussed at by some local pastors for hiring a woman Associate who was married and her husband was willing to move and find a job where she had an opportunity.  I have written in recent years about the need to have women involved in college ministry roles.  When I was a BCM Minister on a campus with a large Lunch Program featuring a speaker, I was criticized for not having enough women speakers.  The point which was a good one was that our young women needed to see and hear committed Christian women speak.  While I wholeheartedly agreed, I had difficulty finding women who were available and capable to do what we were asking.  Beth Moore where were you?

Recently, I have been fussed at just a little bit for the fact that our Wednesday night student band is often all guys.  The problem is our capable and regular gal singers graduated.  We have been able to utilize a couple of our female students a couple of times.  But, for a variety of reasons, they have not been regulars.

A friend of mine who pastors a church has women on his staff.  At his church all the staff are called pastors.  He has been criticized by other pastors who have women on their staff, but do not call them "pastors".  It is hard to be right.

Let me be clear; this is NOT a discussion about women and ordination.  This is about how do we best help young women honor the Lord, serve and see other women who honor the Lord and serve?  The criticism we get is simply a good reminder that we need to be aware and looking for ways to utilize our young women and we need to continually be looking for ways to provide them role models of women who love the Lord and serve.

Trust me...you will not get it perfectly right in everybody's eyes.  But, that does not mean we should not be wrestling and working with it.  God uses men and women.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.  Also, check out Arliss' Facebook page, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".

"Baker's Dozen of Important Items Learned in 43 Years of Collegiate Ministry" by Bruce McGowan

Bruce McGowan is retiring this month following 43 years in college ministry.  For the last several years, he has served as the leader of the Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) on 114 campuses in Texas.  Following are notes from an address he gave recently.

1.  VISION - Jesus is Lord and we proclaim Him!  Col 1:28-29  This vision determines why you are on a campus.

2.  TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN:  Discipleship and Evangelism!  A campus ministry will never see kingdom growth if the focus is on believers only.  Jesus came to "Seek and save the lost".  Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 10:35

3.  SERVANT LEADERSHIP:  Your role of leadership is not for personal gain but to empower others to serve.  John 13

4.  95%:  Target is the 95%, not the 5%.  One will never grow a group fighting over the 5%.  Lots of leaders are just not believers yet!  Luke 10:2

5.  PRAY for "Laborers for the Harvest"both in Texas and throughout North America.  Luke 10:2; John  4:35; Luke 18.  God has never failed to provide!

6.  LEADERSHIP:  We should never have to beg or coerce leaders!  If you are leading students to "hide God's word in their hearts" and listen to God in prayer, they will hear from Him when asked to serve.  Ask God often but God does the calling!  Build a culture of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit through God's word and prayer.  Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18; Hebrews 12:4

7.  HARVEST PRINCIPLE:  Sow broadly, reap broadly, sow sparingly, reap sparingly.  Hoping for a big harvest whle planting in a tiny field is foolishness.  All things are possible with God!  The push is always outward, consistently, constant, compassionate.  Easy to adopt the cultural value that everything is about me!  The cure for complacent Christianity is involvement with lostness.  Luke 10:2

8.  SERVE CAMPUS:  The over arching philosophy on most campuses is looking after self.  Mark 10:35

9.  INCARNATIONAL MINISTRY:  John 1:13-14, We cannot push back the darkness when you expect people to come to you.  BCM Directors are not chaplains or counselors but rather Apostolic leaders intentionally engaging the lost, teaching others to do the same.  Part of MISSIONAL DNA (Alan Hirsch, "The Forgotten Ways")

10. PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT is your responsibility in cooperation with God's Spirit!  Philippians 2:16-17

11. THE BLAME GAME:  Blaming others for a lack of student response is a sure indicator of loss of vision and personal awareness.  If they are not responding, the problem is with you!

12. GIFTEDNESS MATTERS:  Campus Ministers must have elements of giftedness from the leadership gifts found in Ephesians 4:11-13.  A-apostle; P-prophet; E-evangelist; S-shepherd; T-teacher.  Let's keep our hearts open to those with Apostolic, Prophet, and Evangelistic gifting among students.  They often are ignored because they can be pushy! (LOL)

13. GOD'S NOT SURPRISED WITH CHANGES:  God will continue involvement on campuses of the world!  The question is will Baptists want to be a part of one of the most exciting mission opportunities presented to the church in history?  In order to stay involved we must adapt our structures to fit the mission.  I am thankful for the Cooperative Program and I believe there still is a place in Baptist life for this approach.  However, CP dollars will never match the opportunity and need in reaching the campus....it is incomprehensible why we would limit our BSM staffs to just the money going into CP.  If we do, we will continue to see shrinking staffs in mainline states.  Absolutely no reason for that to happen!  Book of Acts!

The Forgotten Ways

The Fuel and the Flame

Spiritually Healthy Leader

Mission determines structure, not structure dictating mission.

10 Tips for Staying in College Ministry LONG Term

We need more long term College Ministers.  Larger ministries are led by long term College Ministers because of their experience, the trust they have established with others, and their reputation for investing well in college students.  Too many get out of college ministry when they are at the point of taking it to the next level.  Try on these tips for staying long term.

1.  Act your age.
Some have bought into the myth college ministry is only for the young, so they try to act younger than they are.  Students see through that and it does not work.  Plus, every age has its plus....so exercise the strength of that age.  I don't wear gym shorts on campus!

2.  Rest and prepare when students are gone.
One of the great things about college ministry is the breaks, pauses, and seasons.  When students are not around (that often includes Fridays).  It is time to read, do long term speaking prep, and rest.  Also, it is a great time for evaluation.

3.  Tweak don't Burn and Obliterate!
Unless your ministry is a total failure, it does not need to start from scratch each year.  Build on what is working and adjust to student and campus changes.

4.  Don't compare!!
Don't compare yourself to the "Golden College Minister".  Don't compare your ministry to another ministry.  It is destructive to you and it is usually not accurate.

5.  Go to meetings and don't sit in the hall all the time.
There is the temptation once you have done college ministry for awhile to think you will hear nothing new.  Obviously, you will hear lots of things you have heard before.  But, when you sit in the hall visiting all the time, you will not hear the new things being said.

6.  Communicate your love for college students.
Never get too busy or too professional to just sit and enjoy listening to and talking to college students.  That's actually why God called you.

7.  Mentor younger College Ministers.
YES, that will help you survive longer and do it better.  It causes you to continue to think about what and why you do things.  AND, it will help you to continue to stay current with how younger generations think.  AND, answering their questions will stretch you....even the dumb questions.

8.  Listen and maybe even learn from those with whom you disagree.
There are lots of different ways to do college ministry well.  While we may disagree theologically or even style wise, there are ideas others are practicing from which we can benefit.  But, we have to be willing to talk to them and listen to them.  It helps keep your ministry fresh.

9.  Invite your spouse to some events.
While your spouse may work in another area and have a more than full life apart from your ministry, let them see and be part of your world.  They will understand you better and students will benefit from seeing a healthy marriage relationship.  Plus, your spouse will see why you often get home an hour later than you said you would.

10. Read more of my 99 cent books on Amazon....sorry could not resist that one!!


Check out the Facebook group,  "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson" for postings and information.

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available on Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  His book, "FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY", is also available in paperback.

By Popular Demand: "College Ministers Should be Fired if They Don't Work with Alumni."

This blog post is being done by popular demand....Paul Worcester and at least one other, asked if I would say more about this as a result of a question and discussion on Collegiate Collective.  So, here goes.

One of, if not my most, outrageous statements is, "College Ministers should be fired, if they don't work with alumni.".  This is mostly directed toward those who do on campus ministry and particularly those who inhabit my world of Baptist Collegiate Ministers.  Here is my reasoning as well as some suggestions for what and how to do it.

Most college ministry budgets I am familiar with are sorely lacking. Some College Ministers are now being asked to raise a portion of their salary that previously was provided.  They are getting by on a shoestring.  So, where can additional funding come from?  I think the most obvious answer to that is from those who believe in what you are doing because they have experienced it personally.  That would be your alums.  HOWEVER, I believe your interest in and investment in alumni should not be just for fund raising.  You can continue to be a spiritual encouragement in their lives and serve as a resource as many of them begin to serve in lay and ministerial leadership roles.  Plus, the more advocates we have for college ministry out there, the better!

So, here is a random list of my thoughts, ideas, and practices on Alumni newsletters, etc.

1.  Every campus based college ministry should have an alumni list which they mail to at least twice a year.
2.  It is necessary to mail regularly in some way or other to maintain address forwards which expire after a certain amount of time.
3. I believe one of the mailings should go near the end of the year because some professionals receive year end bonuses, profit sharing, etc and they then many make significant tax deductible donations.  Do they even think about or consider your ministry?
4.  Older alums are more likely to make larger gifts because of their season of life and established success.  Many of these folks do not read or like email newsletters.  They want to hold it in their hands.
5.  Always, always enclose an addressed return envelope for their convenience.  We would receive these throughout the year.  What I realized is that many people would stick these back some where as a reminder to give at some point.
6.  Send a NEWSletter with NEWS about alums in it....not just telling what you are doing and how desperately you need money.
7.  How do you GET news?  In our end of the year mailing, we would ask them to send us a copy of their Christmas Newsletter, if they did one.  When I saw or heard something, I would jot it on a piece of paper and drop it in a file folder that I kept.
8.  Many people do not give because they cannot afford to make "a significant gift".  After hearing many alums say to me, "I would send you some money, but I can't give you enough to help you.", I realized we need to make it ok and not embarrassing to give a small amount.
9.  We started what we call IPTAY.  It was I Pay Twentyfive A Year.  The first year we began, one alum sent a check for $50.  He said, "I knew my roommate would not send his $25."
10.  At that time we had 1200 names on our Alumni list.  We said, "$25 times 1200 would make a huge difference."  If your math is poor, that is $30,000 and that would help!  It did not start out huge, but it continued to grow over the years.  This cannot be a one time thing.
11.  In our newsletter, we would list everyone who gave to the IPTAY fund.  It was an alphabetical list.  There was no difference in all those who gave $25 and the one who gave $5,000 or those that gave $500, etc.
12.  Many College Ministers have told me that there is no alumni list where they serve.  So, start one!  Somebody has to start it.  Even if you do not reap the benefit of it, your successors will.
13.  How do you start one?  Contact alums you know and ask them to give you addresses of two or three with whom they keep contact. some do an "Alumni and Friends" list.  A friend of mine adds all his freshmen to his alumni list.  That way no one is ever lost to the list because they disappeared before graduation.  By the way, he receives HUGE alumni gifts.
14.  If the newsletter is mailed Bulk, make a notation on the outside "Address Correction Requested".  It will cost you to get it back, HOWEVER, it will help keep the list up to date.
Check with your Post Office; these rules and details often change.
15.  Sue and I would have a cookout at our house for graduating seniors.  It was for fun and to express appreciation to them.  The only program was a two minute speech by me.  "Be active in your church when you leave here.  Thanks for what you did here.  Some of the things you enjoyed like Back-2-School Retreat were made possible by alums who give $25 a year.  I hope you will consider it.  Let's pray and eat."
16.  One friend who raises his own salary asks alums to consider giving 1% of their annual income.  Darrell Cook at Virginia Tech is a master at working with alums and they have an Alumni Work and Reunion Weekend each summer.  His engineer alums work on their Center.

I know some Baptist Campus Ministers are not allowed by policy to ask alums for money.  I still would do at least one alumni newsletter mailing of some sort.   The more advocates we have,  who know what is going in college ministry and particularly the one that impacted them, the more likely they will be to speak up when budget decisions are made in their churches.


Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at Amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).  His book, "ALMOST Everything About College Ministry", will be available in early summer.

5 Characteristics of This Generation?

Those of us who work with college students are always trying to understand each new generation and what their unique characteristics are.  I am often asked what is the difference I see in today's college students and when I started many, many, many years ago.  My answer is "lack of loyalty".  While this is not true to all students, I do see it in many more than previously.  As I have written previously, in the past when you reached a student they would likely stay active in your ministry for their whole time at the university.  In recent years, more students have to be re-enlisted annually.  Or, some will just say, I have done this a while and now I am going to be active in something different.  They do not act mad or hurt or left out.  They just are going to make a change.

O.S. Hawkins in his devotional boo, "The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know" lists what his summation of social trends are for today.  While I would not agree with his list completely, I find it interesting to consider.

Hawkins' List:
1.  Their number one quest is a meaningful relationship.

2.  They desire immediate gratification.

3.  They want something for nothing.

4.  They want guilt free living.

5.  They are on a search for prosperity.

Here are some of my observations:
1.  They desperately want and need close personal relationships but struggle with how to do it because of the "distance" social media has brought to relationships.

2.  They want to connect in some way to "world wide causes".

3.  They have a great distrust of the political system and therefore they start with some
wariness of most institutions.

4.  They do not accept an answer just because an authority figure gave it.

5.  They want to participate in worship....not just attend it.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format on Amazon.com.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.

Being a POSITIVE Presence on Campus

Depending on the size of your campus, the size of your ministry, and the disposition of your campus, your ministry may be known or not known generally on the campus.  It is to a ministry's benefit to be known in a positive way.  Regretfully, some ministries are known in a negative way and it hurts all campus ministries.

Here are Five Ways to be a POSITIVE Presence:

1.  KNOW THE RULES AND KEEP THE RULES.
Most campuses have rules about what can be done in regards to publicity, events on campus, etc.  Some ministries that have a negative presence usually are known for breaking the rules.  Often, they do it in the name of being "a bold witness".  In the long run this is harmful to the Christian witness on that campus.

2.  KNOW THE KEY HOLDERS AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW YOU.
Our ministry was using a room in the University Student Center recently.  There was a problem with the room.  One of the night custodians went out of the way to offer us an alternative.  He is a key holder.  The lady in the Student Affairs office who schedules the room is a key holder.  I went out of my way to thank her for working with us and letting her know he had been super helpful.  She said she would note that about him.  Both she, the night custodian and the Chancellor are key holders.  It is to our benefit to know all of them and have a positive relationship to them.

3.  SPEAK NO ILL OF OTHER CAMPUS MINISTRIES.
This is hard sometimes!  Obviously, if a ministry is speaking or doing hateful things that is a whole different thing.  But, the normal disagreements over philosophy, theological fine points, etc should not be criticisms that you voice to students.  For a variety of reasons, students respond very negatively toward criticisms of other ministries.  And if we are honest, sometimes that criticism...even though valid in our eyes....is the result of some jealousy on our part.

4.  WALK THROUGH THE STUDENT CENTER AND ACROSS CAMPUS EVERY DAY!
We have more of a sense of what is going on throughout campus.  We see people that it is helpful to just get to wave to.  We see students with whom we get to have a non-confrontational sixty second conversation.  Students we know introduce us to other students.

5.  GO TO CAMPUS EVENTS.
A friend of mine uses the slogan for their ministry, "We Love Our Campus!".  Students and key holders know when you love the campus.  Part of demonstrating that is showing up at campus events.  Key holders are more likely to work with someone or a group that they know is trying to benefit the campus as a whole.  Show up.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.

Social Media and Evangelism: The Digital Marketplace by Ben Neiser

Ben Neiser serves as the Collegiate Network Coordinator for the Utah/Idaho SBC.

The marketplace in 1st Century culture was essential and central to every day living and interacting with the community.  The marketplace became the central hub in which you could do somewhat of a one-stop shop.  The marketplace didn't just provide basic physical needs but also fulfilled social/recreational needs as well (Matthew 23:7).  Everyone from children (Matthew 11:16) to governing and religious leaders  (Acts 16:19) were present everyday in the marketplace.  It is safe to say that if you wanted to get a sense of the culture of a city or town, then you went to the marketplace.  Then it is no secret as to why Jesus ministered in the marketplace (Mark 6:56)  Also, we find the Apostle Paul preaching the Gospel in the marketplace (Acts 17:17).  Jesus and his Apostles saw this as one of the most strategic grounds to further the kingdom and we should too.

Social Media has become our marketplace.  A Digital Marketplace.  Here is what should convict us as Christians and in particular local churches/ministries.  Ideas are being exchanged and making an impact in people's lives through Social Media.  Unfortunately, the people that are ever present in this Digital Marketplace are in large part in opposition to the message of the Gospel.  The message in the Digital Marketplace is that the Christian Church is a White, Rich, Republican, Gay Bashing, Muslim Hating group of people that will one day wake up and realize that they are on the wrong side of history.  The local church has been glaringly un-involved in the Digital Marketplace for too long and it shows.  Now some of you might argue that you have for years run ads on social media to advertise your events and worship services.  Here is my push back.  If you have only used social media as a means to get people into your doors for your gatherings, then you have barely scratched the surface of this Kingdom tool.

ARE YOU ADVERTISING, INVITING OR ENGAGING?
On social media, you will inevitably fall into one of three categories:
1.  Someone with something to sell.  Advertisement
2.  Someone with something for me to do.  Invitation
3.  Someone with something to say.  Engagement

Paul went into the marketplace of his day not to pull people away to another location to hear the message of the Gospel.  He went to declare the message of the Gospel and then reason with those who heard.  He went into the marketplace to engage with those that were there.  How much of your activity on social media is focused on inviting people to your event?
How much of your activity on social media is focused on engaging people in gospel conversations/topics?

I recently had a unique interaction with a college student.  He saw me on campus and recognized me as the leader of our group.  I had no idea who he was.  I asked him if he had ever been to one of our events.  He said, "No, I've  been following you guys for months."  How many people do you think you have like that?  How many people are just "following" you?  Do they only get invitations to events for which they can't show up?  Then, do they get the feeling of missing out on all the fun and teaching with your after event post?  How do you think "following" you or your ministry is making people feel?  Is it filling them  with shame because of all the thing they should go to, but can't?  Is it filling them with despair  by comparing all of the fun your group had versus their feeling of being alone or at work?

HOW DO YOU GET MORE SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT?

1.  ASK QUESTIONS.  Our main event features a discussion and interaction with the biblical text.  In the days leading up to our event, I post questions along with images that are in line with our main theme for the night.  Those questions, most of the time, come straight from our discussion that night.  So, even if you attended or didn't attend the event, there was a mental engagement with the message.
2.  CONDUCT POLLS.    Keep them simple and central to the message.  Our most recent poll on Instagram ask this question:  During trials what do you tend to use to cope with first:  Your Faith or Other?  People want to give their answer and they want to see how others have responded.  No matter how they answer they will see that they are not alone.
3.  BE OPEN TO QUESTIONS.  If you let people know that they can ask any question and that you will answer them, then get ready for some engagement.  Hold live online sessions where you are getting engagement and questions.
4.  HOLD OPEN OFFICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY.   Let people know on social media where you will be and when.  Recently, I posted a live video that told people that only follow and have never attended, where I would be and when I would be there.  I even shared that I would buy them lunch, if they showed up.  The only conditions was they they had to ask me a faith question.  I had two guys show up less than an hour later.
5.  COMMUNICATE THE COUNTER-CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE GOSPEL.   Offer push back, non-abrasive push back to the prevailing message that society has of the church.  The narrative of the church that society hears is untrue.  Change it!  Show them with clarity and consistency through social media who Jesus is and what He has done.  People need to see that Jesus is better before they will accept that He is true.

LAST STORY
I have a friend that is of a different faith background.  He saw a disconnect between what he believes the message of his church is and what the surrounding community thinks it is.  Because of this, he began an online show with short episodes that feature him and others of his faith discussing key questions that people are asking.  They have thousands of "followers" now and their Youtube episodes reach 100,000 views.  They are constantly engaging with their followers online through various means.  I read the comments below their videos.  Most of these people that comment share how their online show has changed their lives.  My friend has shared stories of youth that have "followed" their show for years but have never met them in person.  That has never stopped the impact from taking place though.  The message was sent. People online engaged with the message and their lives were changed.

As in many of my articles, this is not the starting  and ending point of the discussion but hopefully a catalyst that causes you to prayerfully consider change that would impact the Kingdom.  Make no mistake though, the digital marketplace is hostile to the Gospel!  Proceed with caution and tact.  Follow the words of the Lord - "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."  Matthew 10:16

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format on Amazon.com.  His book, THE BIG 50, is currently being featured.

More Thoughts On Praying for Public Events by Brian Musser

This is a Guest Blog by Brian Musser who serves as a Baptist Campus Minister at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

I get to do my fair share of Invocations, Memorials and Benedictions at Drexel (a private secular school).  Public prayers like these have really made me evaluate what it means to pray in Jesus' name.  It is more than just the traditional few words we mechanically tack  on at the the end of the prayer.

I get the privilege to stand publicly before my University to communicate with my God in a way that my God and I understand.  Quite often, I am just talking directly to my God asking him to bless my school in certain specific ways.

Sometimes when I am tempted to overstep the parameters given to me, I ask if I am trying to preach at them or pray for them.  It is usually the former.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry that are available at Amazon.com for 99 cents each in eBook format.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.

Praying for Public Events

Recently, I was asked to pray for the Board of Trustees meeting at the University where we minister.  I had done this some years back at different times when I led the campus based BCM ministry there.  In the past, the invitation had always cautioned me to be sensitive to the fact that there would be several different beliefs represented, etc.

This time the invitation had attached to it a brief written statement by the University Attorney stating what some acceptable things to pray were and were not acceptable to say.  For some, this is the "automatic no" point.  They say, "If someone tells me what I cannot pray in a setting, then I will not pray there."  And, I do not completely disagree with that answer.

Here is why I chose to pray at that event.

 First, I thought, can I say and pray things I genuinely would want to pray in this setting?  I don't pray for my lost students by name in public settings.  I don't generally pray lots of things in public settings that I pray in private.  I genuinely want to pray for the well-being and wise decisions of those who work with our students and make decisions that affect all of them.  Lots of things I pray are not for all settings.  So, what I pray is almost always affected by the setting.

Secondly, I want our University administration to see our faith groups as partners in working for the benefit of students.  If I want them to partner, I have to work at partnering.  I have learned that in those settings I always meet people that it is beneficial for me to know and have a relationship to.  Those settings help them to see me and others like me as more of a peer.  That is always beneficial.

Third, if I show up and "play by the rules" they are more likely to trust me in other situations.  That continues to open doors or at least gets me a fair hearing when I ask permission to do something or use a facility, etc.

Fourth, I believe in freedom of religion.  I believe folks have the right to believe things other than what I believe and they even have the right to believe things I think are "nutsy" or to believe nothing at all.  Many public entities have chosen to have no religious activities of any sort so as to offend no one or to avoid having ones with whom they disagree.  I believe it is much more healthy to have a variety of religious expressions represented in University circles instead of trying to have NO expressions of faith.  Hear me correctly, I did not say I believe that all religions are valid!  I said, people have a right to believe whatever and that Universities are to be a place where there is an open expression of different ideas.  That is a much healthier place than NO discussion of faith in any way.  I believe the Christian faith holds up real well in discussions with folks of all different beliefs!

The FIFTH reason I can show up and pray at such an event is, even I am smart enough to pray what I genuinely want to pray without using the exact words they have told me I cannot use.

The Chairman of the Board thanked me; the Chancellor thanked me, and the person who invited me thanked me and said, "it was perfect".  Sometime I will tell you about the call I got asking me to pray before "The greatest fiddler in the world'.  I turned that one down.


Arliss Dickerson's new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com.

6 Steps in Raising Up Student Leaders in College Ministry

1.  Set a personal example of excellence.
-Never expect students to be something you are not.

2.  Affirm the potential you see in students.  Help them acknowledge and accept the gifts God has placed in their life for His service and their satisfaction.
-Often someone has to express believe in a student before they can believe in themselves.

3.  Explain and Train.
-Student leaders often fail because they have no idea how to do what they are being asked to do.

4.  Never let them feel deserted.
-Let them carry their responsibility, but never feel like you have walked away from them.

5.  Help them process experiences...both good and bad.
-As they serve, help them learn and understand what happened and why.  That is when they will GROW as a leader.  When there is little processing, there is little growth.

6.  Always, Always express appreciation for their service.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format for 99 cents each on Amazon.com.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.

God Called You to Love College Students...Not be Famous or Lead a Large Ministry!

One of my students recently asked me jokingly, "Who is more famous, you or ____________?" and he named a College Minister who is well known for his ministry and for being super active on social media.  I don't remember what smart mouth answer I gave.  But, later I began to think about it seriously.

One of the dangers of social media is we see what others are doing and sometimes feel that it is way better and more significant in God's kingdom than what we are doing.  I have a friend who has led what I would characterize as a "top 25 Baptist campus ministry" in the U.S.  As a result of some changes he felt called by the Lord to make, he is now on another campus, doing all the same things well he did at the other campus....and.....not getting nearly the response he got on his previous campus.  The two campuses are significantly different.  The resources are different. He is being faithful to God's calling on his life.  Some might wonder what ever happened to him.  But, the Lord knows where he is!

Another friend serves on what might be called "the least Christian campus in America" and he has been having 35 students at his weekly large group meeting.  He is seeing some students come to Christ. That is wonderful in the context where he serves.  He would be one of my nominees for Campus Minister of the Year.  But, he probably will not be described by anybody as "famous".

Right now in my "Fifth Season" I am leading what is the smallest ministry I have led in many many years.  Sometimes I am frustrated.  Yet, I feel I am where the Lord wants me right now.  The other night I was frustrated by our drop in attendance.  But, I left excited by the conversations I got to have with some students that night.  It was not about the size of the crowd....it was about God's movement in their lives and my being privileged by God to be present to it.

God did not call us to be famous or lead a large ministry.  He called us to love students in His Name and to be faithful to that.   Most of us will not wind up to be famous....but that is not what we were called to be.  And, we may not lead "a large ministry", but God knows where we are and He will continue to speak into the lives of students.  That is what He called us to.  A few of us may wind up leading large ministries and a handful of us may be a little "famous" in our tribe.

But, if we worry about being famous or how many likes our latest statement on Facebook or Twitter gets, we just need reminding, that was not what we committed our life to.  God is speaking into the lives of college students and we get to be part of it!!

Arliss Dickerson has five college ministry books available at Amazon.com in eBook format for 99 cents each.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.

EVERYTHING I Know About College Ministry (Almost)! Part 1

If I do another college ministry book, this will be the title.  At this point, I am not planning to write it, so here are some of the likely chapter titles.

1.  God called you to love college students in His name not to have a big ministry and be famous!  That is all up to God.

2.  Every campus is different and no other ministry can be duplicated.

3.  For every ministry to grow deep and wide, it takes a long term commitment.
-Every year is another layer.

4.  Different times of the school year determine the top priorities.

5.  College Ministers can become isolated and wither without intentional actions.

6.  Every College Minister's gifts and abilities are different and should help shape the ministry, but not dominate it.

7.  Every ministry has a unique strength and it must be nurtured and emphasized.

8.  The campus administration can be your friend or your enemy....it is partly up to you.

9.  Tweak the ministry every year....don't bomb it.

10.  Not giving proper time to your spouse and family will damage you and your family, as well as your ministry.

11.  A few things done well will have more lasting impact than a lot of things done poorly or mediocre.

12.  You can and should learn something from EVERY other college ministry.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format at Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback format.

TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE of the Leader in a College Ministry?

Every well functioning organization has a clear leader.  The personality and style of the leader will shape the organization or the ministry.  Some college ministries are built totally around the personality and style of the leader.  Other leaders are much more in the background and work at staying there.  God uses people with a wide variety of gifts and personalities.

If there is too much of the leader in the ministry, it likely will shrink dramatically or disappear when that leader is gone.  Also, the response to the ministry depends almost solely on students' personal response to that personality.  Too little of a leader in a ministry usually means the ministry is a bit directionless.  It is difficult for decisions to be made or for there to be a clear direction and plan.  There is a balance between too much and too little of the leader's presence.

FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN TOO MUCH AND TOO LITTLE

1.  The personality and spiritual gifts of the leader will obviously be a significant factor in how much the leader is front and center.  A college ministry leader does not have to be up front all the time to be the leader.  Not all strong and large college ministries are led by "big personality" leaders.

2.  Accept the responsibility that being the leader of the ministry means....being the leader.  It does not mean you are smarter and that God only speaks through you.  But, someone must have the final say, develop the plan and cast the vision continually.

3.  The leader must look for ways to build up and develop student leaders and other volunteers.  This avoids "too much" of the leader.

4.  Listen to the students.  Create opportunities and times for students to to talk about what they see as the needs, strengths, and weaknesses of the ministry.  This will help avoid it being too much in the image of one person.

5.  Seek the input of wise people outside the ministry as to their observations.  Outsiders will often see things we cannot see or at least be objective about in terms of our leadership and direction of the ministry.

6.  Expose students to other strong leaders or speakers who will help them see there is not just one style of leadership or one view of things.

7.  Look for ways to involve non-student adult volunteers in leadership or up front roles that bring variety and greater stability to the ministry during and after your tenure as the leader.

This is adapted from Arliss' book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, which is available on Amazon.com in eBook format and paperback.  All of Arliss' college ministry books are available in eBook format for 99 cents each.

Prep for Speaking to College Students

My two favorite groups to speak to are college students and those who work with college students.  I have been fortunate the last few years to get to speak for lots of college minister workshops and seminars.  They are my tribe.  I like speaking to college students because I believe that is the sweet spot of ministry.

I call it the sweet spot of ministry because there is no other time that has all the positive possibilities as that age category.  They are young enough to change, if necessary, the whole direction of their life.  They are old enough and in the spot where they are making the decisions that will determine the whole trajectory of their lives.  Wow...what an opportunity!  When I retired from the ministry at Arkansas State University, I no longer was speaking to a large group of students on a weekly basis.  Since I am now in my second year as a College Minister at a church, I am now speaking again to a large group of college students on a weekly basis.

Here are things I have learned again or am reminded of when preparing to speak to students.

1.  There is a fine art to it and therefore it must be done on a continual basis.
I realized quickly that after going a significant period of time not speaking to students on a weekly basis that I was not as good at it.  If we want to speak well to students, we must do it regularly and as often as possible.  Keep at it.

2.  Being with students on a regular basis helps you speak to them more effectively.
College students have a certain vibe and being with them helps you connect to what they are thinking, asking, and needing to hear.  I am occasionally in a setting where I hear very competent preachers speak to students....and the students don't connect to what they have to say on a deep level.  Why?  They are good speakers and prepared.  But, they are not connected to students on a regular basis and their messages don't resonate all the way.

3.  You have to talk it out loud before you present it.
I will confess to having been a Speech Major and even taught speech one semester many years ago.  I am totally committed to the idea that it is necessary to do a talk out loud by yourself BEFORE it is presented to a group of students.  I lock myself in my office and I do the talk standing up exactly as if there were a group of students present.  Here are some reasons:
-Some things I have written down don't sound right when they are said out loud.  Maybe, that is just me...but I think not.  Often that brilliant thing I wrote down or typed out sounds stupid when I say it out loud.
-My fluency is better after having practiced out loud. I am more relaxed in what I have to say and I have found the best words that say the thought.
-Speaking it out loud in practice helps me see the need for better transitions from one point to another.  In preparing, I usually write down my main points and then go back and develop each one.  When speaking it out loud, I am able to see better how to get from one point to the next.

4.  Speaking it out loud gets it more locked into my head.
I am less dependent on my outline when I have practiced it out loud.  It is just more there!

5.  Speaking it out loud helps me have a realistic understanding of how much time the talk will take.
I am sometimes surprised by either the brevity or the length of it.  I just don't know how long it will be until I actually do it.  The shorter the length of time allocated to me means I have to know how long it takes to say it.  Then, I can adjust as need to be to fit the time.  I have been in charge of more than one program where the whole schedule was ruined by one "way over time speaker".

6.  We owe students our best!
How do we challenge students to give their best to the Lord, if we are not giving our best.  Yes, I really do say it out loud.

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry in eBook format for 99 cents each on Amazon.com.  His best selling book is DOING COLLEGE MINISTRY BETTER.

Best New Awareness/Outreach Idea

All of us are always looking for new outreach or ministry awareness ideas.  There are the old faithfuls that most have used through the years.  There are breakfast bar give-aways, million dollar shot, hot coffee on a cold day, huge water slides, etc.

Just this last week I have seen one I have not been aware of before.  Both Gary Stidham at UT-Arlington and Mark Whitt at Middle Tennessee have utilized it.  It is the "First Day of School Picture".  They are out on campus with a huge sign making pictures.  Mark Whitt says in his promo, "You know your mom wants to see your first day of school picture.".

Gary Stidham's promotion of it showed students holding different signs.  Even if your first day of school has passed, it might still be an idea worth trying.

If you have seen a new or different idea, please send it to me.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available at Amazon.org in eBook format for 99 cents each.  FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback format also.

Why Do College Students Disappear from Your Ministry?

All of us who do college ministry have had the experience of seeing students become involved in our ministry and being very connected and then they disappear after a while.  What happened?

Nine Common Reasons College Students Drop Out of a Ministry:

1.  Their survival needs have been met.
One reason many students first become involved in a Christian campus or church group is for a sense of belonging and as an avenue for finding friends.  As the school year develops, those needs are met by other groups and other friendships have been developed.  Many of these have come as a result of your ministry casting a wide net.  Their primary motivation was not a relationship to the Lord.  However, some who came like this have made commitments to Christ or are now growing in what was a dormant relationship.  Keep casting the wide net.

2.They do not find a personal group within the ministry that holds them.
No matter how good the teaching or music is, etc if they do not make some personal connections within the group, they likely will disappear.  Every effort has to be made to help each student find a place of belonging and someone who notices and cares when they are not there.

3.  There are personality clashes or a change of friends.
Just as relationships will help hold students in a ministry, a clash in relationships can run them out.  Likely all of us who have been in college ministry long have experienced the breakup of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship where one or both then would drop out.  Occasionally, it even has wider implications when friends of theirs take sides and are affected.

4.  Schedules become more complicated due to work, labs, etc.
The farther students go in school the more likely they are to have their schedules more and more crowded with work, labs, observing, internships, etc.  Make sure that students knows your is not "an all or nothing" ministry.  Some students feel guilty when they cannot attend as regularly and as a result stop attending completely.

5.  They feel they have done all the ministry has to offer.
If a student can participate in everything a ministry has to offer in one or two years, why should they stay?  Some things in your ministry ought to be for juniors and seniors only.  Just as you meet some specific needs of freshmen, are you doing anything to meet the specific needs of seniors?

6.  They feel pulled between the good and the good.
In some collegiate settings, a variety of groups or churches may be providing a variety of ministries and training options.  Sometimes students drop out because they feel pulled between the demands for more of their time from more than one group or ministry.  Sometimes, students feel this pull and tension between a campus based ministry and their church.  Often, they wind up having to choose between the two rather than seeing them as complementary.  Every effort should be made by campus and church based ministries to communicate and cooperate for the overall good of the student.

7.  A student may drop out when they sense their beliefs and those espoused in the ministry are different.
A student may become involved in a ministry for a variety of reasons but they drop out because they sense their own beliefs are at odds with those the see as taught or represented in the ministry.  No ministry can be all things to all students.  Help those students to find a group or ministry whose beliefs are consistent with their own.

8.  Some students drop out when "reality" hits.
I call the third week of school "reality week".  That is when the first round of tests begin and the welcome events and free pizza events have pretty well ended. This is the point when they realize this is not summer camp and some study will have to happen.How students feel after their dropping out determines the possibilities of their coming back.  Was their absence noticed, accepted, or seen as a sign of their lack of commitment....therefore....good riddance?

9.  They drop out due to guilt over personal behavior.
Sometimes a student will do something way outside of their commitment to the Lord and their moral character.  And even though they have repented and asked the Lord's forgiveness, their sense of personal shame and guilt pushes them away.  It is important that we continually speak of God's forgiveness.  This is not to make light of behavior or moral standards, it is rather to believe in and offer the grace of Jesus Christ offered again and again to all of us.

Any ministry has drop outs.  Any good ministry has drop outs.  An extra strong ministry may have more drop outs because students have been attracted because of the excellent outreach that is done and the reputation of the ministry on campus.  It is important that we never make students feel once they have left that the door is not open for them to come back.  We must work at keeping our relationship to them warm and caring.  In Luke 15 it says the Father was looking down the road and saw the son coming back and ran to him.  That door was not just open; it was wide open.  Students drop out for many reasons.  Is it obvious your door is wide open for their return?

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry that are available for 99 cents each in eBook form on Amazon.com.  FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is also available in paperback format.

Most Recent Southern Baptist College Ministry Statistics

The most recent figures for Southern Baptist College Ministries for the previous school year were just released.  Four states were not listed in the totals (Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas) with Texas being the largest in Southern Baptist College Ministry with ministries on approximately 114 campuses.

398,002 students were impacted by ministries on 583 campuses.

9,530 people (both student and non-students) accepted Christ thru BCM ministries.

11,812 students were involved in leadership roles.

24,735 students were in 4,811 Bible Study groups.

3,229 students involved in BCM ministries are preparing for full time Christian vocations.

6,239 students served on short term missions teams (Spring Break, etc).

135 men and women serve in full time campus ministry roles

257 serve in part time campus ministry roles.

189 churches reported having a full time College Minister with no other responsibilities.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five college ministry books in eBook form available for 99 cents each at Amazon.com.  FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is also available in paperback format.

The Scariest Question in College Ministry

The scariest question in college ministry is, "What are we going to do about college students who go to school totally on the internet?".

The campus where I served as BCM Campus Minister and now serve as College Minister at a church that reaches out to that campus recently announced some startling figures.  The enrollment for this past school year was 13,594.  That was a pretty normal number for the past few years. Of that number 64% took at least one online course.  That was not surprising to me just in what I hear from my students.

But, then there was the block buster number for me.  Of the 13,594, 37% take ALL of their courses on line.  That means they never have to walk across campus.  And it may even mean they are not within a thousand miles of our ministry.  That is often the first thought when we hear of students going to college all on the internet.  But, this past week a friend told of her niece who is on the track team and lives on campus.  Her coaches asked her to take all of her classes on line because that way she would be more available for training, travel, etc.

In my neighborhood, a single mother and her son moved in with their mother/grandmother across the street. I would see him twice a day walk off to high school and walk home afterward.  Last year he graduated from high school and started college on line.  Then, I would see him come out of the house about once a week.

How do we reach and minister to students who are more and more isolating themselves?  I think this is the scariest question for two reasons:
1.  This does not fit any of our models of successful college ministry.
2.  But, to me this is the "More Scary" part.....I don't hear anyone asking the question.

We only get answers to questions and develop solutions to difficult issues when we begin to ask, ponder, and discuss the question.

So, here is the question:  "How do we reach and minister to all these college students who are doing ALL of their college on line?".  Let's start talking about ideas.  It will be less scary then!

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook form on Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is also available in paperback format.

6 Tips for College Freshmen

1.  Take basics at the start.
On average college students change majors three times.  If a student starts out taking classes in their major and then changes, then those classes are not beneficial overall.  If possible, take only required basics the first semester.

2.  Your first three weeks set the pattern.
What you do the first three weeks often set the pattern for your whole college life.  Get into a regular pattern of going to classes and having a set time to do assigned reading and study.

3.  Remember that going to class is the easiest thing you can do to do well in college.
Most students who have grade troubles skip class.  Most professors will lay things out in front of you....if you are there.  Some even give the benefit of the doubt on a close final grade, if the student has been there all the time.  If you miss because of illness, get a note from the infirmary or your doctor in order to do any make-up work or tests.

4.  Choose your friends by your priorities...not your priorities by your friends.
If you are a Christian, it is important that during the first three weeks you connect with other students who share your faith.  Go to Christian events during the start of school in order to meet and connect.  You will become like the people with whom you hang out.

5.  Be a part of a group.
Studies show that students who are involved with a campus group tend to be happier, stay in school and make better grades.  Again, if you are a Christian this can be a group such as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM, BSU, BSM) and or a local church college ministry.  Look for their start of school welcome events.

6.  If joining a fraternity or sorority is a possibility for you, consider waiting until second semester.
This will allow you time to get settled in a good study routine and know what a group and the people in it are really like.


Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook form on Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is also available in paperback format.

My View of the Current State of SBC College Ministry

This is an updated version of a Blog I did a couple of years ago following a talk I was asked to give by this title.  Prior to the talk, I solicited the thoughts of others in our world and received several messages.  So, here are my thoughts on this today.

1.  State wide campus based (BCM, BSU, BSM,etc) organizations are more different than they have ever been.
-No longer does every state convention have a State BCM office or leader whose sole function is college ministry.
-BCM/BSU/BSM College Ministers have a wider variety of responsibilities than ever before.  Many are now asked to serve as Area Coordinators and/or young adult consultants to churches.  The College Minister in one such situation on a large major campus indicated that he is on campus 3 days a week and out working with churches 2 days a week.
-State Convention infrastructures have changed drastically in the last 10-15 years.  Much of this is related to finances and some is related to changing dynamics and philosophy in reaching people.  There are cuts in many areas which also causes cuts in College Ministry staff.
-One College Ministry leader said, "We are adjusting to new paradigms and new models.  We are working with both campus based ministries and campus church plants."

2.There is a greater awareness of and commitment to the value of church based college ministry.
-This is partly the result of some large church ministries being publicized.
-In some places, it is the result of cutbacks in the area of campus based ministry.

3.  There is more of a sense of "competition" between different styles of college ministry than ever before.
-It is campus based vs church based.
-Campus based or church based vs campus church plant
-This is partly due to some who loudly espouse, "My way is the only way." which increases push back from some who are successfully doing it a different way.
-The cuts or threats of cuts in budgets causes everyone to make their case louder about the value of their ministry.

4.  There is more stress on College Minister families than in a long time.
-The lost of insurance provided for many families in some Convention supported positions has added financial stress.  Added duties makes for more time away from home.
-There is an added feeling of uncertainty about the future.

5.  The influence of less experienced College Ministers is growing due to tech savvy and involvement while the influence of older and more experienced College Ministers is declining due to less tech savvy or involvement.
-One older College Minister described some young College Ministers as "Beasts of Social Media...do they tweet and post in their sleep?".
-While we should welcome the input of all and can learn from all, we must realize that the number of followers someone has on social media does not necessarily mean what they are doing or touting is the way for all ministries to go.
-Older College Minister MUST realize the need for their involvement and voices in the discussions today about the what, why, and how of college ministry.

6.  Our national voice is varied.
-Lifeway is the official office of college ministry for Southern Baptists and works with all different college ministry models.  Where that office had as many as 15 people a number of years ago, there is now one full time person in that role with four part time contract workers assigned to different areas.
-The North American Mission Board (NAMB) has been a significant positive and influential figure in college ministry for many years.  In recent years, NAMB has chosen to focus their efforts and finances on campus church plants.  Some have seen this as a negative signal toward the campus based ministry philosophy or that it is forcing competition.

7.  New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary continues to increase their efforts in supporting and encouraging college ministry and training college ministry leaders.  The most recent sign of that has been their announcement of raising funds to establish an endowed Chair of Discipleship and Collegiate Ministries.  They also continue to host and provide some financial support for national and regional collegiate student and leadership events.

8.  Some Convention supported College Ministers are now asked to raise a part of their salary.  Previously, all of their salary was provided by the Convention.  Whether this will be a growing trend or not is yet to be seen.
-Many who serve outside of the deep south have raised their salary funding in the past and continue to do so.
-Some feel that raising their own salaries actually gives them greater freedom to do college ministry in that they are not asked to take on additional duties outside of college ministry.

9.  There is a mis-perception that college ministry is way down. While college ministry is harder than it has ever been due to changes in our society and some funding changes, many ministries are experiencing their best days yet.  Our College Ministers have been super flexible at adjusting to new days, different styles of funding, and learning from each other.  Our people continue to be our greatest strength!

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).