As a College Minister, I have long said May was my favorite month. The school year and all its demands were over....and....summer had not started yet. May has always been gloriously calm and renewing for me.
I hope, if you serve in college ministry, that you can now pull back for a time and spend time with family...spend some time by yourself. Pray, get out and walk, etc.
So, in that spirit, I will be off the grid for a couple of weeks. I will be "May-ing". Blessings to all.
Arliss
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Friday, May 18, 2018
What I Learned Writing FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY
A couple of years ago a College Minister called to ask what materials was I aware of on college ministry revitalization. He and a group had looked and not found any. I looked and did not find any. So, I decided I would try to write something on it.
I started with the working title of "College Ministry Revitalization" and when I finished I thought that just sounded incredibly dull. So, I decided to go with a more "punchy" title...thus, "FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY".
Here are some things I have learned:
1. Very few people think THEIR ministry is broken.
2. Outsiders looking into some college ministries often are more critical of it and than the
leadership is. Whether the outside view is accurate I am sure varies situation to situation.
3. What some outsiders consider a broken college ministry is one where the leadership is happy with a certain number. There is no sense of urgency or plan to go past their normal number. The most common statement I hear there is, "They are happy with their 50.". I hear this from interested outsiders and sometimes their supervisors.
4. Shortly after writing "FIXING", due to a sudden necessary staff change at my church, I was asked to step in in July as the Interim College Minister. We had had a large ministry that had gone to a small one due to turnover of College Ministers, some wrong decisions a few years back and changes at the church. Multiple issues are often involved in broken ministries. Some good staffers had stabilized it, but it was not growing. I was facing the reality of applying what I had written.
5. Fixing is painful. It involves self-evaluation. It calls for facing some sacred cows and deciding if they should be sacred. It also involves the temptation of simply doing what draws a crowd. I like crowds.
6. It is slow. It is a daily process that involves some steps forward and some back.
7. Instant growth is often not healthy or sustainable, but it sure helps everyone involved feel like progress is being made and encourages people to keep on. Plus, others are more willing to provide necessary assistance and resources.
8. Fortunately, if a ministry has been at low ebb, a little progress or growth can look big.....but...it is tempting to stop there and say we have arrived. But, the ministry is still not what it should be or has not reached anywhere close to full potential.
9. A friend said I should have given it a more positive title (where was he when I coming up with the title?). I guess "TAKING YOUR SENSATIONAL COLLEGE MINISTRY TO EVEN MORE SENSATIONAL HEIGHTS" would have been the way to go.
10. I just signed on to do a second year as "Interim College Minister" at my church because fixing is not instant and one of the killers is constant turnover. And, we have made progress and I genuinely think we can build on that progress. Some obvious progress helps you keep going!
11. One thing I have learned for sure is college ministry books entitled, "FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY" don't sell well at all!
I started with the working title of "College Ministry Revitalization" and when I finished I thought that just sounded incredibly dull. So, I decided to go with a more "punchy" title...thus, "FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY".
Here are some things I have learned:
1. Very few people think THEIR ministry is broken.
2. Outsiders looking into some college ministries often are more critical of it and than the
leadership is. Whether the outside view is accurate I am sure varies situation to situation.
3. What some outsiders consider a broken college ministry is one where the leadership is happy with a certain number. There is no sense of urgency or plan to go past their normal number. The most common statement I hear there is, "They are happy with their 50.". I hear this from interested outsiders and sometimes their supervisors.
4. Shortly after writing "FIXING", due to a sudden necessary staff change at my church, I was asked to step in in July as the Interim College Minister. We had had a large ministry that had gone to a small one due to turnover of College Ministers, some wrong decisions a few years back and changes at the church. Multiple issues are often involved in broken ministries. Some good staffers had stabilized it, but it was not growing. I was facing the reality of applying what I had written.
5. Fixing is painful. It involves self-evaluation. It calls for facing some sacred cows and deciding if they should be sacred. It also involves the temptation of simply doing what draws a crowd. I like crowds.
6. It is slow. It is a daily process that involves some steps forward and some back.
7. Instant growth is often not healthy or sustainable, but it sure helps everyone involved feel like progress is being made and encourages people to keep on. Plus, others are more willing to provide necessary assistance and resources.
8. Fortunately, if a ministry has been at low ebb, a little progress or growth can look big.....but...it is tempting to stop there and say we have arrived. But, the ministry is still not what it should be or has not reached anywhere close to full potential.
9. A friend said I should have given it a more positive title (where was he when I coming up with the title?). I guess "TAKING YOUR SENSATIONAL COLLEGE MINISTRY TO EVEN MORE SENSATIONAL HEIGHTS" would have been the way to go.
10. I just signed on to do a second year as "Interim College Minister" at my church because fixing is not instant and one of the killers is constant turnover. And, we have made progress and I genuinely think we can build on that progress. Some obvious progress helps you keep going!
11. One thing I have learned for sure is college ministry books entitled, "FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY" don't sell well at all!
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Fall Semester Kickoff Strategies by Gary Stidham, UTA/BSM
Here is an abbreviated version of Gary Stidham's (Baptist Campus Minister at the University of Texas, Arlington) presentation at his Idea Lab at the Collegiate Summit 2018.
The first 3-5 weeks offer a unique opportunity that will not be duplicated at any other time during the school year.
-They are open.
-They are looking for friends.
-They are used to filling out forms.
Good summers make great falls.
-Plan events, make reservations, print promotional materials, write curriculum, sign student leaders up to staff outreaches, etc.
EVERYONE on campus needs to know you are there. VISIBILITY!
-Much of what we do visibly during the first two weeks will determine what kind of people and
how many people join in with us.
There is no substitute for person to person contact. Have a follow-up plan for every student you engage.
-People become involved in your ministry more through meaningful relationships than events and promotion.
-They are asking, "Are these the kind of people I want to be involved with?"
Throw unforgettable events!
-Gear your first meetings to the first-time guest.
Practice the full calendar principal.
-Keep a written or electronic calendar and fill in the time with high priority areas such as leadership meetings, appointments, ministry events.
-Plan out your entire time in advance so you are spending time doing what's important and you are getting adequate rest and time with God.
Expect to be tired but know it is worth it.
-Commit to be disciplined with your time.
-This isn't the time to renew long lost friendships or join new clubs.
Walk with God, pray hard, and enjoy yourself!
-No matter how urgent the hour, Jesus' words still ring true, "...apart from Me you can do nothing."
-Enjoy the process, laugh.
(Portions adapted from Campus Crusade for Christ, "Eight Principals for the first three Weeks".)
The first 3-5 weeks offer a unique opportunity that will not be duplicated at any other time during the school year.
-They are open.
-They are looking for friends.
-They are used to filling out forms.
Good summers make great falls.
-Plan events, make reservations, print promotional materials, write curriculum, sign student leaders up to staff outreaches, etc.
EVERYONE on campus needs to know you are there. VISIBILITY!
-Much of what we do visibly during the first two weeks will determine what kind of people and
how many people join in with us.
There is no substitute for person to person contact. Have a follow-up plan for every student you engage.
-People become involved in your ministry more through meaningful relationships than events and promotion.
-They are asking, "Are these the kind of people I want to be involved with?"
Throw unforgettable events!
-Gear your first meetings to the first-time guest.
Practice the full calendar principal.
-Keep a written or electronic calendar and fill in the time with high priority areas such as leadership meetings, appointments, ministry events.
-Plan out your entire time in advance so you are spending time doing what's important and you are getting adequate rest and time with God.
Expect to be tired but know it is worth it.
-Commit to be disciplined with your time.
-This isn't the time to renew long lost friendships or join new clubs.
Walk with God, pray hard, and enjoy yourself!
-No matter how urgent the hour, Jesus' words still ring true, "...apart from Me you can do nothing."
-Enjoy the process, laugh.
(Portions adapted from Campus Crusade for Christ, "Eight Principals for the first three Weeks".)
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Calling Freshmen by Steve Masters, LSU/BCM
I had an interesting day in regards to Freshmen Outreach and some good reminders. One of our student leaders is calling freshmen today for the fall of 18 to find out if they are definitely coming to LSU....and to invite them to get involved in BCM. I told the student to text me the name of any student he contacts that wants to get involved.
An hour ago he texted me the name of Steven. I called him and he signed up for our Freshmen Family Groups and Collegiate Week. He asked me to call his girlfriend. She signed up for Collegiate Week and a Freshmen Family Group. I asked her for the names of others seniors coming to LSU that might want to get involved in the BCM. She gave me the names and numbers of two girls. One signed up for a Freshman Family Group. She gave me the name of a guy from a non-denominational church. I called him and he signed up for a Freshman Family Group and is interested in Collegiate Week. He gave me the name of another girl and I called and left her a voicemail.
She is the sister of a guy in a Discipleship Group I lead. A few minutes later I got a call from one of the messages I left. He said, "I was told I need to return your call.". He signed up for an FFG and is interested in Collegiate Week.
Here are my Takeaways:
1. Phone calls still work.
2. I need to call more freshmen.
3. Freshmen and other students will recruit each other.
4. I need to remember to ask for secondary contacts.
5. The sooner we can get students to sign up the better it is for ownership.
An hour ago he texted me the name of Steven. I called him and he signed up for our Freshmen Family Groups and Collegiate Week. He asked me to call his girlfriend. She signed up for Collegiate Week and a Freshmen Family Group. I asked her for the names of others seniors coming to LSU that might want to get involved in the BCM. She gave me the names and numbers of two girls. One signed up for a Freshman Family Group. She gave me the name of a guy from a non-denominational church. I called him and he signed up for a Freshman Family Group and is interested in Collegiate Week. He gave me the name of another girl and I called and left her a voicemail.
She is the sister of a guy in a Discipleship Group I lead. A few minutes later I got a call from one of the messages I left. He said, "I was told I need to return your call.". He signed up for an FFG and is interested in Collegiate Week.
Here are my Takeaways:
1. Phone calls still work.
2. I need to call more freshmen.
3. Freshmen and other students will recruit each other.
4. I need to remember to ask for secondary contacts.
5. The sooner we can get students to sign up the better it is for ownership.
Monday, May 7, 2018
A Personal Word
I cannot begin to express my appreciation to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for the announcement by Dr. Beth Masters at the Collegiate Summit that they were establishing the Arliss Dickerson Chair of Discipleship and Collegiate Ministry.
As those who were there noted, I was stunned by the announcement. This came as a total shock and surprise to me. Besides being personally honored, I believe that most College Ministers do not get the encouragement, appreciation, and affirmation they deserve. So, for just a local Campus Minister to have his name placed on what will become an endowed chair of college ministry is mind boggling.
First, it shows New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's commitment to helping and promoting college ministry! They are a huge partner to us. Second, I hope that all my brothers and sisters in this college ministry tribe feel this is some recognition and appreciation of them. It is not a famous preacher or someone who just gave them a large amount of money. It is just an every day College Minister.
Thanks to so many who have sent messages and called. You have been super kind. I cannot say thanks enough to Beth, the Seminary, and to so many who have encouraged me along the way...in the HIGH CALLING...COLLEGE MINISTRY!
Blessings to all! And now there is that minor detail of them raising the full $2 million.
Arliss
For those who have asked, you can make a contribution by going to www.nobts.edu
Click "Give Now" in the upper right hand corner. Below the donation amount is "Designations", click on "Multiple/Other Designations and it will come up. Thanks for asking.
As those who were there noted, I was stunned by the announcement. This came as a total shock and surprise to me. Besides being personally honored, I believe that most College Ministers do not get the encouragement, appreciation, and affirmation they deserve. So, for just a local Campus Minister to have his name placed on what will become an endowed chair of college ministry is mind boggling.
First, it shows New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's commitment to helping and promoting college ministry! They are a huge partner to us. Second, I hope that all my brothers and sisters in this college ministry tribe feel this is some recognition and appreciation of them. It is not a famous preacher or someone who just gave them a large amount of money. It is just an every day College Minister.
Thanks to so many who have sent messages and called. You have been super kind. I cannot say thanks enough to Beth, the Seminary, and to so many who have encouraged me along the way...in the HIGH CALLING...COLLEGE MINISTRY!
Blessings to all! And now there is that minor detail of them raising the full $2 million.
Arliss
For those who have asked, you can make a contribution by going to www.nobts.edu
Click "Give Now" in the upper right hand corner. Below the donation amount is "Designations", click on "Multiple/Other Designations and it will come up. Thanks for asking.
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