5 Ideas to Enlarge Your Ministry

It is not unusual for a College Minister to be asked after an event, "Did you have as many students attend as you had hoped?".  My answer to that has always been, "I have never had as many as I hoped...no matter how many came.".  Most of us want our ministry to be larger.  We want to win more students to Christ.  We want to train more leaders for the future.  We want to impact our campus in a great way.  We like big crowds (maybe that one is just me!).

Here are 5 Ideas to Help Enlarge Your Ministry:

1.  Visit two different college ministries to see what and how they do it.
We can always learn things simply from talking to leaders of different ministries.  But, I am convinced we will see and learn things when we visit that we would not pick up on otherwise.  If possible, I would encourage you to visit one of these that is very different than you and yours.  It will stretch your thinking.  Maybe, if you are Baptist, visit a non-Baptist ministry, etc, etc.

2.  Invite a different fraternity/sorority or campus club to be special guests at one of your events.
Recognize them, introduce their officers, and say something about what they do that benefits the campus.  Some do this at their weekly Lunch Program and others do it monthly at their large group worship event.  Even if none of these students immediately begin attending your ministry, it helps spread campus wide awareness, which is never a bad thing.

3.  Volunteer to speak in Leadership classes or Freshmen Development classes.
Or, is there another area of expertise that you have that might benefit some class or group?

4.  Volunteer one day a month on campus helping some department or group.
A College Minister told me recently of volunteering to help the Student Affairs Office stuff Orientation Packets.  He worked all day for them for free.  Again, awareness of a ministry is huge.  Does the campus even know you and your ministry are there?

5.  Connect in a particular and on-going way to a different group on campus.
Does the band need a chaplain?  Does the tennis club need a sponsor?  Lots of people are chaplains for athletic teams and that is a very good thing.  But, there are lots of different groups on campus that you might benefit and open up avenues to a whole new group of students.

Then, there is always the old and proven method....lie about your numbers. Or, "estimate".  Obviously, I am joking...but....yes there are some who do it I am sorry to say.  It is wrong...don't do it.  If you give numbers, count and use "math numbers" not "ministerial numbers".

5 Tips for College Ministers Getting More Done

Don't you wish you had a dollar for every day you did not do any of what you had planned or thought you would do that day?  College Ministers' days are often crazy busy, but at the end of the day, we often feel we did not get much done.  Here are some ideas that may help a little.

1.  Do not open social media (facebook, emails, etc) until 10:30.
Often, we see a message we need to respond to or someone has a task they need us to do.  How would it change your day and accomplishment, if you spent the first two hours of your day each day doing what you deemed most important or significant that day...rather than what someone else thought?

2.  Do your prep work for speaking away from campus.
When I had an on campus office in our BCM Center, I learned that was the worst place to do my prep work for speaking each week.  Someone would need to talk to me for just a minute or there would be a phone call I needed to take.  When I began to do my prep work away from the Center, I got done in three or four hours what took all day at the Center.  My prep was better AND I was more available on campus.

3.  Schedule a time each week that is "paperwork time".
College Ministers are notorious for not getting reports, etc done on time.  For me, Friday morning was paperwork day.  Have a set time blocked out when you do it.  You will get it done on time and not be frustrated by it others times thinking, "I need to do that.".

4.  Keep a file that you throw "Talk Ideas" into.
Sometimes, you come across an article that gives you a great idea.  Just copy or tear it out and throw it in your folder.  Sometimes, doing your quiet time you have a great idea for a talk.  Jot it down on a piece of paper and throw it in your idea file.  When it comes time to plan and lay out your talks for the semester, it is wonderful to pull that file out.

5.  Schedule one day a month to hide out and work on major projects.
Sometimes we are so busy on a daily basis, it is hard to think about and plan for the big picture.  Or, we cannot get that Bible study series written that we have always wanted to do.  This also will help your personal sense of accomplishment.

5 Tips Series

Last week I posted "5 Things That Can Get a College Minister Fired".  Over the next week or two, I will continue a series I am calling "5 Tips".

The 5 Tips Series Will Include:

5 Really Simple Rules for College Ministry Success

5 Ways to Grow Your Ministry

5 Ideas for Self Care

5 Ways to Kill Your Ministry

5 Tips for Getting More Done

5 Tips for a Better Home Life

Have a great week!

If you have any suggestions for "5 Tips", let me know.
Arliss
arlissdickerson@gmail.com

5 Things That Can Get a College Minister Fired!

Some years ago I asked to meet with one of our church College Ministers.  He had only been at the church a short time and he had asked if I would provide a letter from our ministry that would allow him to play intramurals.  I had because I knew that would be an excellent way for him to connect to students.  He was an excellent athlete with an outgoing personality.  He quickly became widely known.  But, students began to come to me about his profanity in games and their concern about how it reflected on him and the church he represented.  In our meeting I told him of students voicing their concerns to me and that this would be a major concern to his church.  He thanked me and basically that was the end of our relationship on his part.

Evidently, he thought it was none of my business.  I never knew if the pastor or other leaders at the church became aware.  But, I do know that many students began to leave the church over the semester.  So, is your behavior anyone else's business?  Whether we like it or not, the real world answer is.....YES!  When we serve on a church staff or work for a state wide or local campus ministry group, our behavior is not our own.

Here are 5 Things That Can Get You Fired:

1.  Misbehavior or the appearance of misbehavior with students.
There is greater sensitivity to this right now than there has ever been...particularly in the area of male/female relationships.  Be careful to avoid even the "appearance" of misbehavior.

2.  Not keeping your supervisor in the loop about major changes or issues.
No one likes to be blindsided by an issue or problem.  Make sure that those who supervise you are aware of flying objects that might come their direction.  Although, you may have total authority to make changes within your ministry, it is always wise to keep a supervisor in the loop of what and why.  That allows them to be able to respond to concerns that might come their way.  And in the long run, this helps protect you.

3.  Breaking work rules even though they are stupid rules.
Most work places have a rule or two that is dumb or is long outdated.  But, also know that breaking it can bite you.

4.  Posting dumb stuff on social media or connecting to questionable sites.
I know this is over said again and again.  But, again and again I see ministers posting dumb stuff on social media.  Think twice and then a third time before you push that button.  Also, "liking" a certain article can show up on a feed which is connected to a site that has questionable material on it.  A pastor friend doing sermon research (honestly) had some questionable sites begin to show up on his facebook page.

5.  Breaking unwritten rules.
Some would say, "If it is not written, it is not a rule.".  I hope you know that is not true.  If there is any question in your mind about the propriety or "ok-ness" of some action, choice or behavior, ask about it.  Breaking unwritten rules can and has gotten people fired.

A Free Book

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Arliss

Whatever Happened to, "I want to re-dedicate my life."?

I LOVE summer.  I cannot begin to list all the things I like about summer.  But, one of those is that I am always reminded of a ton of childhood memories.  At the very center or peak of summer childhood memories is "Church Camp".  That was in the days before there was Piano Camp, Computer Camp, and all the myriad sports camps.  There was just church camp and everybody went...not just those that went to church....every kid went to somebody's church camp.  Our church always took up an offering for those who could not afford to go or their parents might not be willing to pay for them to go.

One of the things that happened at Church Camp was an invitation each night.  A main component of those invitations was often the exhortation that we needed to re-dedicate our lives.  I and friends of mine have laughed and joked about some of those invitations that were along the lines of, "If you love your mama and don't hate your daddy, you need to come forward."  I don't hear those type invitations any more....but I am sure they are still being offered somewhere.  After we had re-dedicated our lives at camp, we were told at the end of the week that we needed to make our decision public when we got home.  So, on the first Sunday night after camp, our youth group would go forward and "re-dedicate our lives".  I even remember the pastor saying one night after we had done that, "Now, I know you think why do they do this every year, but it is important to them."

One year when I was in about the eighth grade the invitation was to come forward and promise to read the Bible every day.  I went forward.  A junior high boy promised to read his Bible every day.  No big deal.  Except, I have never forgotten that.  Oh, I have missed lots of days in these many, many years following.  I even missed one day this week when I left the house way earlier than usual.  If I am honest, some days I don't get much out of my reading...it's just part of what I do every day.  But, some days there is a verse that God must have just put in there the night before for me to read that day.  Wow!

Some years later in my adult days, I was speaking for the morning Bible study at our state wide camp.  Students had been responding to the morning study especially well and the camp director asked for the invitation that night if I would stand at the head of the center aisle and receive students coming forward.  The first student who came forward said, "I want to re-dedicate my life." I said, "Great, what do you want to change or do?"  He said, "I just want to re-dedicate."  I clogged up the line that night asking students making re-dedications to indicate a specific area of change or commitment.  Many did.

For a variety of reasons good and bad, we don't talk much about "re-dedicating" these days.  I hope we find some new expression of this.  I am glad a young boy went forward at a little dinky church camp (that probably should have been condemned by the health department) and re-dedicated his life with the promise to read the Bible every day.  Let's never take lightly the decisions and re-dedications that children, youth and college students make. Maybe we need to start talking about "re-dedicating" again.

I probably could use a good "re-dedication" in my life today!

Self Evaluation for College Ministers

May and June tend to be the slower times for campus based College Ministers.  It is usually a time of evaluation of the ministry and thinking about what tweaks and adjustments to make for the next school year.  The hardest area to evaluate is ourselves.  We tend to be too critical of our self or not be able to see ourselves clearly.  But, I really believe that is a very important part of getting ready for the next school year.  Am I being the best me that God can use in this place?

I have written and spoken a lot about what I call "The Four Seasons of a College Minister" that relate to age and experience.  One of the things I have learned in my own experience and dealing with other College Ministers is we tend to have a hard time seeing what age category actually fits us.  As I continually say, there are definite strengths to each season.  That is part of being honest in what season we are.....making sure we are playing to the strengths of our season.

THE FOUR SEASONS:

The Near Peer (Everybody's buddy...similar age to students).

The Cool Adult (that one who is a real world functioning single or recently married with a young family and some experience on which they base their ministry)

The Respected Veteran (He/she has experience, is trusted by supporters and is putting one year's ministry on top of another...Respected is a key strength here.)

The Builder (The Builder has many years experience and is not only serving effectively, but is laying the groundwork for those who will follow.)

Which are you?

Another Set of Categories Is:

The Pastor (Often an older minister who has been a pastor and is "Brother___________" and their ministry is very much pastoral.)

The Speaker (Their whole ministry is based around their speaking ability and the ministry is built around their large group event.)

The Manager (He or she is a details person and they plan, budget and administrate while they see the students doing most of the on campus ministry.)

The Equipper (The Equipper is all about asking students to do things, lead this, organize that, etc.  They tend not to be upfront types, but they are very much in charge of the ministry.)

Often we function in a role just like we saw either our Campus Minister do it when we were students or how our current hero in college ministry is doing it.  The only problem is....that may not be the style or age category that fits who we are.  God has written his will into our lives by they way he has gifted us.  Are you functioning within the gifts God has given consistent with your age and experience?

Early summer is a great time for some self-evaluation.  Consider whether you might ask some folks you trust and you know care about you, where they see you fitting in these and if you are functioning to the best in that role.

5 Steps in Developing and Working with Student Leaders

One of my passions is working with and developing student leaders.  It benefits the ministry because they multiply your efforts and they touch people I would never even meet.  Plus, it builds up leaders for our churches as they graduate and move on.  And, I will confess that I am never sad to see students graduate and move on.  It means that you are going to get to work with and develop a whole new crop!

Here are what I think are 5 steps in developing and working with student leaders:

1.  AFFIRMATION
Students need to hear they have the potential and ability to be used by God.  One of our jobs is to point out and affirm the gifts and raw abilities that we see in students.  Many of them think they have nothing to offer or that no one has ever believed in them.  Demonstrating your belief in them and their potential is huge in many students lives.

OPPORTUNITY
After affirming a student's potential we must look for and offer them a chance to serve that gives them the chance to use and grow in their ability.  Sometimes a student will say no and that has not been a waste of your time as they have had the affirmation that may lead to other things for them.  But, it is important that we trying to place them in a role where they fit.  Beware of just "sticking them somewhere".

3.  TRAIN
When we ask a student to serve in a leadership role, we must help know what to do and how to do it.  I always try to emphasize that the task is the same as the student who served in that role the past year....HOWEVER....they may do it in a different way depending on their individual gifts and personality.  Some fail because they don't have a clue what they are supposed to do.  Some fail because they are trying to do it just like their predecessor did it.

4.  PROCESS/EVALUATE
It is huge for us to help them learn from their experiences by processing and evaluating what happens as they serve.  Sometimes their efforts will be successful and sometimes they will not. But, they need to know even the "perfect leader" whoever that is never has one hundred percent success.  Understanding why something worked or didn't work is huge.  Learning from each experience is part of what the leadership role is all about.  Being a leader in your college ministry is never just about the job they are to do.

5.  ADVOCATE
Be an advocate for them in the years to come.  I work at trying to help my former students who are feeling called to ministry.  I recommend them for jobs and I keep track of their situations.  Getting that first job or two is huge and someone advocating for them and on their behalf is encouraging to them and helps them know they are not forgotten.  It can even get to the point that people will call you asking for recommendations of people because they know you advocate for worthy leader types.

4 Killers of Church College Ministries

In my fifth season (there is Near Peer, Cool Adult, Respected Veteran, and The Builder) which is doing college ministry in retirement, AFTER the Builder.  I have gone from a campus based College Minister for 41 years to being in my second year as a church College Minister.  Many things are the same and many are different.  Some are better....some are worse....and some are just different.  Here are what I see as four common killers of church college ministries that are DIFFERENT from campus based ministries.

1.  CONSTANT TURNOVER OF THE COLLEGE MINISTER
As I have indicated in other Blog articles, one thing I have learned is that there is a quicker and higher turn over rate of church based College Ministers than there is of campus based.  One church based College Minister told me that was true because he was continually given other assignments by the church and that the church varied year to year in their commitment or priority toward college ministry.  He said he has always had to be a "hyphen minister".  Those may be College and Youth, College and Young Adults, College and ______________.  Also, some go to a church based college ministry position as an entry into becoming a pastor and move when that opportunity comes.

2.  DECISIONS ARE MADE FOR THE OVERALL BENEFIT OF THE CHURCH NOT THE OVERALL BENEFIT OF COLLEGE MINISTRY
When I was a campus based College Minister, every decision and action we took was based on what was best for the ministry to students on that campus...period.  Several years ago when our church transitioned from two identical traditional worship services to a Contemporary service and a Traditional Service, the Contemporary Service was put at 8:30 on Sunday morning....not the best time for a college friendly service.  It was the best decision at that time for the church as a whole....but NOT the best decision for the college ministry.  Most churches do not FIRST ask, "What is best for our ministry to college students?".

3.  CHURCH COLLEGE MINISTERS HAVE MORE DIVIDED TIME ISSUES
About three years ago in my role as a college ministry consultant, I was in a meeting of church College Ministers from around the country and the number one complaint was not being able to get to the campus every day due to meetings they had to attend at the church.  Church staffers often have a day that is their "Hospital Day", etc, etc.  That group of College Ministers spoke of all the committee or staff meetings they had to attend as a staff member.

4.  CHURCH COLLEGE MINISTERS ARE OFTEN MORE SHARPLY EVALUATED BY NUMBERS
One church based College Minister in a large ministry setting, who had transitioned from being a campus based, told of a staff meeting early in the semester where the pastor asked why student attendance was way down the previous day.  The pastor was upset by it.  The College Minister was stunned by the question and criticism he heard.  It was the first weekend with no home football game, etc.  A large number of students had gone home for the weekend.  Those who serve on campus expect and understand the ebb and flow of a semester.  Often, churches do not understand this and are critical of the College Minister.  When budgets dip, college ministry is often cut more due to the numbers currently being recorded in the college ministry.  This criticism...overt or implied....is another factor in frequent turnover of church based College Ministers.

I am learning more and more that campus based college ministry and church based college ministry are brothers and sisters......BUT THEY ARE NOT TWINS.

Arliss Dickerson's college ministry books are available at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX