College Ministry Revitalization

A lot of my thinking, writing and work this year has been about college ministry revitalization.  I am involved as Interim College Minister at my own church in a re-building project for a ministry that once was large and due several different events declined significantly.  Just a few months prior to agreeing to serve in this role, I had written FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY.  So, it has been a reality check to theory versus reality.  Happily, I am glad to say I have not had to recall all copies of "FIXING".  But, we all need reminding that it is not an overnight project.  Below are eleven things I continue to see as vital.

1.  Make sure there will be a group to invite students to attend (Critical Mass).
There must be a group to invite students to come to.  I have been through inviting new students to an event where they came and they were the only ones there.  It was painful for all involved....they did not return.  Are there young adults who might could be enlisted to be a part?  Or are there some students who would agree to be the core and attend events that were aimed at new students?

 2.  Look for, build up, and invest in potential student leaders.
They are those students who will multiply your ministry.  They are the ones that will represent your ministry to other students.

3.  Figure out how to maximize your personal strengths and gifts to the max.
We never want a ministry to be just about the leader.  But, in revitalization, sometimes you are what you have.  So, make sure you are maxing what you do best.

4.  Resist the temptation to have an all encompassing ministry.
Simply put, decide what the very basics will be and stick to those.  Do a few things and do them well.

5.  Make the ministry known.
Look for ways to make the ministry known on campus and to students as a whole.  In our church ministry revitalization this year, we have realized that our church simply had gotten off the radar.  One of our simple goals has been to get our church back on the radar...and it is slowly happening.  Students we don't know will now show up for church.  That is huge progress!

6.  Connect with high school juniors and seniors.
They are coming.  Plan now and begin working on the future.

7. Meet those on campus who work with student organizations.
Find out if your ministry is in need of repairing relationships or fixing your reputation.  Sometimes when a ministry has gone awry in the past, it has harmed necessary and beneficial relationships.  If that is the case, work on fixing it.

8. Look for freshmen and plan for looking for and connecting to freshmen next year.
Never forget the most available group to reach are freshmen who are looking to connect when they first come to campus.

9.  Walk the campus.
Walk the campus.  Eat on campus.  Meet people.  Let them see you and know you.

10. Enlist helpers.
Look for non-students who would share your vision of building or rebuilding a college ministry who might serve as helpers, encouragers, small group leaders, etc, etc.

11.  Don't Copy!
If there is a booming college ministry at your location, don't copy them.  You likely cannot do what they are doing.  And, why should students go to a much smaller and less well done version of that ministry?  Figure out what it is you and your ministry have to offer.