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.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Monday, July 23, 2018
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).
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).
Saturday, July 21, 2018
5 Things Parents Can Do to Encourage Their Kids Spiritually in College
1. Just as you communicate a desire for good grades and keeping scholarships, etc, encourage and talk about spiritual involvement and connections.
-Just as you cannot control or make students study and make good grades, you talk about it and do all you can to promote it. Do the same with spiritual connections.
2. Make SURE that the local Baptist Collegiate Ministry, another ministry and or a local church with a college ministry has their name and contact information.
-Contacts are beginning to be made and information is starting to be sent out now about special start of school events. What a student does their first three weeks often determines their whole college career of connections and activities.
3. Ask about spiritual involvement, events attended, etc the first time they come home for a visit.
-You will ask about friends, Greek life, studies, dorm life, etc. Make this just part of that whole conversation.
4. If your family will visit for a weekend in the fall semester for Homecoming or any other event, let them know that you will plan to stay and attend a church with them on that Sunday prior to your leaving.
-Remember, that tone matters. It cannot be, "We know you will not have gone to church yet, so we are going to stay and drag you to a church on that Sunday." Make it something along the lines of, "That weekend we are going to be there think about a restaurant you really like we can eat at and a church we can all go to on Sunday."
5. Model to your student the kind of spiritual connections and activity you expect and hope for them.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry in eBook form available for 99 cents each on Amazon.com. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback on Amazon.
5.
-Just as you cannot control or make students study and make good grades, you talk about it and do all you can to promote it. Do the same with spiritual connections.
2. Make SURE that the local Baptist Collegiate Ministry, another ministry and or a local church with a college ministry has their name and contact information.
-Contacts are beginning to be made and information is starting to be sent out now about special start of school events. What a student does their first three weeks often determines their whole college career of connections and activities.
3. Ask about spiritual involvement, events attended, etc the first time they come home for a visit.
-You will ask about friends, Greek life, studies, dorm life, etc. Make this just part of that whole conversation.
4. If your family will visit for a weekend in the fall semester for Homecoming or any other event, let them know that you will plan to stay and attend a church with them on that Sunday prior to your leaving.
-Remember, that tone matters. It cannot be, "We know you will not have gone to church yet, so we are going to stay and drag you to a church on that Sunday." Make it something along the lines of, "That weekend we are going to be there think about a restaurant you really like we can eat at and a church we can all go to on Sunday."
5. Model to your student the kind of spiritual connections and activity you expect and hope for them.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry in eBook form available for 99 cents each on Amazon.com. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback on Amazon.
5.
Friday, July 20, 2018
10 Habits of Highly Effective College Ministers
1. They continually realize that God is up to more than they ever know or may even see.
2. They eat with students in a student environment.
-Students are more themselves when eating and you will know them and they will know you. You will also learn more about your ministry and how God is using it in their lives. Plus, when you eat with students in student settings, you will meet their friends.
3. They recognize and use the different seasons of the ministry and they utilize the strength of their current personal season.
-There are times for outreach, times for administration, times for building deeper into yourself and your own faith walk. Each age has a strength to lean into.
4. They have friends their own age and have a life apart from their work and ministry.
-Those who stay long term have learned this secret and do NOT cheat their families.
5. They know and maximize the individual strength of their ministry and their own personal strength.
-Often the strength of the ministry and the College Minister's personal strength are related, but not always. Often, the strength of the ministry lies in something unique to the campus or students involved..
6. They look for, enlist, and build up student leaders all the time.
-Their ministry has a leadership culture that acknowledges and values student leadership.
7. They walk across the campus and through the Student Center every day.
-Someone has coined the term, "Be the mayor of your campus." It means to know a wide variety of people and they know you.....both student and administrative. It widens the College Minister's influence and opportunities.
8. They are watching and learning from other ministries all the time....even those with whom they disagree theologically.
9. They realize and accept that they are being watched or observed all the time. You are the face of your ministry!
-There is no time a College Minister is "off duty". This is not a curse. This is a blessing. Who you are can draw people to your ministry and develop supporters of your ministry.
10. They are not afraid to hire people sharper than they are and to encourage and promote their ministry and their careers.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five (5) books on college ministry that are available on Amazon.com in eBook form for 99 cents each. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is also available in paperback format.
2. They eat with students in a student environment.
-Students are more themselves when eating and you will know them and they will know you. You will also learn more about your ministry and how God is using it in their lives. Plus, when you eat with students in student settings, you will meet their friends.
3. They recognize and use the different seasons of the ministry and they utilize the strength of their current personal season.
-There are times for outreach, times for administration, times for building deeper into yourself and your own faith walk. Each age has a strength to lean into.
4. They have friends their own age and have a life apart from their work and ministry.
-Those who stay long term have learned this secret and do NOT cheat their families.
5. They know and maximize the individual strength of their ministry and their own personal strength.
-Often the strength of the ministry and the College Minister's personal strength are related, but not always. Often, the strength of the ministry lies in something unique to the campus or students involved..
6. They look for, enlist, and build up student leaders all the time.
-Their ministry has a leadership culture that acknowledges and values student leadership.
7. They walk across the campus and through the Student Center every day.
-Someone has coined the term, "Be the mayor of your campus." It means to know a wide variety of people and they know you.....both student and administrative. It widens the College Minister's influence and opportunities.
8. They are watching and learning from other ministries all the time....even those with whom they disagree theologically.
9. They realize and accept that they are being watched or observed all the time. You are the face of your ministry!
-There is no time a College Minister is "off duty". This is not a curse. This is a blessing. Who you are can draw people to your ministry and develop supporters of your ministry.
10. They are not afraid to hire people sharper than they are and to encourage and promote their ministry and their careers.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five (5) books on college ministry that are available on Amazon.com in eBook form for 99 cents each. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is also available in paperback format.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Why College Freshmen Drop Out of Church
Recent studies and surveys showing the number of college freshmen dropping church is alarming. Some say 9 out of 10. Others say it is more like 7 out of 10 seniors active in church in high school make no spiritual connection in college. I personally subscribe to the 7 out of 10 number. Part of what makes it difficult to get an active figure is, if a high school senior was "active" in church or if they really disappeared their 10th grade year. Many youth ministry experts say most drop church around their 10th grade year and the number that walk across the church stage on Senior Sunday is deceptive.
So, why do those who were active in church not continue in college???
1. High school seniors feel they have graduated from church.
My church does a beautiful Senor Sunday with a slide show in the services, introduction of each senior, one or more speaking, and even a special speaker just for those services. That is followed by a well done banquet type meal for seniors, parents, and grandparents, etc. Our experience is we never see many of those students again except for an occasional appearance with parents at a worship service. Most do not ever attend the University Sunday School groups even once.
2. College is busier.
I am convinced most who have been truly active do not go to college planning to drop church. College is more demanding with increased academic expectations and activities. We know that what a freshman does their first three weeks of college in relationships and activities pretty well determines their freshmen year and likely all of college. It is easy for them to assume church will just happen somewhere in there and it does not. A student has to be intentional about making a spiritual connection with a ministry like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and or a church.
3. Parents ok dropping out.
I always hate saying this because it is an unfair statement in many ways. Here is what I mean. Many parents who are active believers and very involved in their church dropped out while in college and came back to church. They assume their son or daughter will do the same and that is ok. Somehow, that message is communicated to the student. At the very least, a message of expecting continued spiritual involvement is not communicated. I encourage parents to talk to their students about spiritual involvement and connections. Parents talk about grades and scholarships and offer encouragement in those areas....why not spiritual questions and encouragement as well.
4. They have a behavior mess up.
Most college students go to college looking for friends and fun. The first month of school is especially filled with all sorts of social activities and opportunities. Often in the search for friends and fun, they are exposed to things they never participated in before. It is not unusual for a student to be drunk for the first time or have a first time experience with alcohol or have some sort of compromising sexual experience. This "moral failure" on their part produces a sense of guilt that drives them away from their faith involvement. College Ministers must continually speak of forgiveness and new beginnings. Students must realize one compromising experience or period does not have to define them for all of college.
5. College churches are much bigger than their home church.
It is just a fact that the majority of churches are smaller. The majority of college churches that reach out to students are larger. It is easy to feel lost or uncomfortable for those who have come out of smaller community churches. It is different. Most students are looking for a church "just like my home church". Many students go once or twice and then just fade away.
6. We do not have a good "next step" system.
Many Youth Ministers feel their job is done when the student graduates. Some churches have a college and singles group. It is difficult for an eighteen year old student to go to a college and singles group. There must be intentional "next steps" in helping students transition to a different place in the church....different both emotionally and physically.
7. College students are exposed to a wide variety of questions and faiths.
Obviously, one of the things that happens at college is students are exposed to friends and professors who believe a wide variety of things. They will possibly have professors who make fun of Christian faith. As students learn to think for themselves they will have legitimate questions. We must help students realize that doubt is normal and even healthy in developing a mature faith. But, doubts must be faced honestly and good answers sought. Some simply walk away with their question and doubts. Also, it is important to realize because a college teacher may be an "expert" in their field of teaching, what they are saying about faith is not necessarily authoritative. We must help students understand that it is ok to have questions and that just because they do not know an answer does not mean there is not a good answer.
8. Feeling overwhelmed.
Freshmen often speak of being overwhelmed. It is not one thing...it is everything that is hitting them at once. Psychologists say one of the two greatest times of change in a person's life is high school graduation to Christmas. When students feel overwhelmed they tend to withdraw and isolate themselves just because their system is overloading. Where at all possible, I encourage freshmen to NOT work a job their first semester. I know the realities of money and college cost. It just is another factor in feeling overwhelmed.
9. Churches have separated youth from the church as a whole.
I believe a huge mistake we are making in attempting to do the best job of youth ministry and reach the most we are keeping them too separate from "big church". This adds to the feeling of graduating from church at high school graduation. They never were part of the church. They were members of the youth ministry. We must do youth events, youth camps, etc. But, we must help them be part of the church as a whole.
10. Church has a bad reputation.
Many in our culture today see church as more about politics and condemnation than about spirituality and life change. You can agree or disagree about this or the fairness of that view. But, we have to realize that perception is there and deal with it.
Some of these are issues we must address in how we do church and youth ministry. What draws students to youth group involvement may not be what helps connect them to faith and church for a lifetime. We must be helping and encouraging parents in working with their pre-college and college sons and daughters. Part of it goes to understanding all that is happening the in lives of college freshmen and doing all we can to connect people to them who get it. And, it means preparing seniors for what is to come. It also means we must fund and support college ministry better than we have in many situations.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9
So, why do those who were active in church not continue in college???
1. High school seniors feel they have graduated from church.
My church does a beautiful Senor Sunday with a slide show in the services, introduction of each senior, one or more speaking, and even a special speaker just for those services. That is followed by a well done banquet type meal for seniors, parents, and grandparents, etc. Our experience is we never see many of those students again except for an occasional appearance with parents at a worship service. Most do not ever attend the University Sunday School groups even once.
2. College is busier.
I am convinced most who have been truly active do not go to college planning to drop church. College is more demanding with increased academic expectations and activities. We know that what a freshman does their first three weeks of college in relationships and activities pretty well determines their freshmen year and likely all of college. It is easy for them to assume church will just happen somewhere in there and it does not. A student has to be intentional about making a spiritual connection with a ministry like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and or a church.
3. Parents ok dropping out.
I always hate saying this because it is an unfair statement in many ways. Here is what I mean. Many parents who are active believers and very involved in their church dropped out while in college and came back to church. They assume their son or daughter will do the same and that is ok. Somehow, that message is communicated to the student. At the very least, a message of expecting continued spiritual involvement is not communicated. I encourage parents to talk to their students about spiritual involvement and connections. Parents talk about grades and scholarships and offer encouragement in those areas....why not spiritual questions and encouragement as well.
4. They have a behavior mess up.
Most college students go to college looking for friends and fun. The first month of school is especially filled with all sorts of social activities and opportunities. Often in the search for friends and fun, they are exposed to things they never participated in before. It is not unusual for a student to be drunk for the first time or have a first time experience with alcohol or have some sort of compromising sexual experience. This "moral failure" on their part produces a sense of guilt that drives them away from their faith involvement. College Ministers must continually speak of forgiveness and new beginnings. Students must realize one compromising experience or period does not have to define them for all of college.
5. College churches are much bigger than their home church.
It is just a fact that the majority of churches are smaller. The majority of college churches that reach out to students are larger. It is easy to feel lost or uncomfortable for those who have come out of smaller community churches. It is different. Most students are looking for a church "just like my home church". Many students go once or twice and then just fade away.
6. We do not have a good "next step" system.
Many Youth Ministers feel their job is done when the student graduates. Some churches have a college and singles group. It is difficult for an eighteen year old student to go to a college and singles group. There must be intentional "next steps" in helping students transition to a different place in the church....different both emotionally and physically.
7. College students are exposed to a wide variety of questions and faiths.
Obviously, one of the things that happens at college is students are exposed to friends and professors who believe a wide variety of things. They will possibly have professors who make fun of Christian faith. As students learn to think for themselves they will have legitimate questions. We must help students realize that doubt is normal and even healthy in developing a mature faith. But, doubts must be faced honestly and good answers sought. Some simply walk away with their question and doubts. Also, it is important to realize because a college teacher may be an "expert" in their field of teaching, what they are saying about faith is not necessarily authoritative. We must help students understand that it is ok to have questions and that just because they do not know an answer does not mean there is not a good answer.
8. Feeling overwhelmed.
Freshmen often speak of being overwhelmed. It is not one thing...it is everything that is hitting them at once. Psychologists say one of the two greatest times of change in a person's life is high school graduation to Christmas. When students feel overwhelmed they tend to withdraw and isolate themselves just because their system is overloading. Where at all possible, I encourage freshmen to NOT work a job their first semester. I know the realities of money and college cost. It just is another factor in feeling overwhelmed.
9. Churches have separated youth from the church as a whole.
I believe a huge mistake we are making in attempting to do the best job of youth ministry and reach the most we are keeping them too separate from "big church". This adds to the feeling of graduating from church at high school graduation. They never were part of the church. They were members of the youth ministry. We must do youth events, youth camps, etc. But, we must help them be part of the church as a whole.
10. Church has a bad reputation.
Many in our culture today see church as more about politics and condemnation than about spirituality and life change. You can agree or disagree about this or the fairness of that view. But, we have to realize that perception is there and deal with it.
Some of these are issues we must address in how we do church and youth ministry. What draws students to youth group involvement may not be what helps connect them to faith and church for a lifetime. We must be helping and encouraging parents in working with their pre-college and college sons and daughters. Part of it goes to understanding all that is happening the in lives of college freshmen and doing all we can to connect people to them who get it. And, it means preparing seniors for what is to come. It also means we must fund and support college ministry better than we have in many situations.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9
Friday, July 6, 2018
5 Ways to Be LARGER as a College Minister
1. Eat Barbecue for lunch every day. 2. Eat catfish for dinner every night. No, I am not talking about gaining weight and fighting the battle of the bulge. I am talking about having a larger presence, being a person of impact, and touching more people.
There is a fine line between self-promotion and being larger. We generally react negatively toward someone who promotes them self. I think it is the fear of being seen as self promoting that keeps many from becoming larger in who they are and their personal impact. It is my strong belief that College Ministers have two ministries....the ministry they lead and their personal ministry. Becoming larger impacts both of those for the good!
5 Ways to Become LARGER:
1. Look for colleagues in ministry that you can encourage and go out of your way to be helpful and encouraging to them.
Often there are people who are younger in experience and just someone acknowledging them and caring makes a huge difference in their life. I have a friend who genuinely makes every friend feel like her best friend. She is larger because of it.
2. Write something.
Do an article. Start a Blog. Write a Bible study and give it away. Do an on-line book. Do a Facebook live talk once a week on college ministry. Many years ago, my students in Seminary told me the texts they were using in their college ministry classes were written by folks not known for their college ministry success. None of our tribe had anything out there. I wrote a little book and had it printed at the Copy Shop just off campus. It looked awful! I am totally embarrassed when I see one somewhere. Several classes used it as a required text. It filled a void and met a need. Write something.
3. Speak out on issues.
Where there are issues that people are struggling with you can add a positive and reasoned voice. You KNOW I am not talking about making dumb political comments on Facebook. What are thoughts on Calvinism? What are characteristics of today's college student? What can parents do to help their college student succeed? Use your voice for the good of God's Kingdom.
4. Volunteer.
Does a camp need a helper one week? Does Student Affairs need help stuffing packets? Volunteer to lead a seminar at area churches for parents of college freshmen. Tell churches you will show up and lead a one time seminar for their students going off to college..."How to Make it in College".
5. Learn from someone who is LARGER.
Who do you know who is LARGER? Ask for their advice and feedback. Attach yourself to someone who is larger....either personally or by just keeping up with them and learning from a distance. Don't imitate them, but learn from them.
I believe we can all be LARGER, if we choose to be. But, you must take the risk of appearing self promoting. Do it. Be LARGER!
There is a fine line between self-promotion and being larger. We generally react negatively toward someone who promotes them self. I think it is the fear of being seen as self promoting that keeps many from becoming larger in who they are and their personal impact. It is my strong belief that College Ministers have two ministries....the ministry they lead and their personal ministry. Becoming larger impacts both of those for the good!
5 Ways to Become LARGER:
1. Look for colleagues in ministry that you can encourage and go out of your way to be helpful and encouraging to them.
Often there are people who are younger in experience and just someone acknowledging them and caring makes a huge difference in their life. I have a friend who genuinely makes every friend feel like her best friend. She is larger because of it.
2. Write something.
Do an article. Start a Blog. Write a Bible study and give it away. Do an on-line book. Do a Facebook live talk once a week on college ministry. Many years ago, my students in Seminary told me the texts they were using in their college ministry classes were written by folks not known for their college ministry success. None of our tribe had anything out there. I wrote a little book and had it printed at the Copy Shop just off campus. It looked awful! I am totally embarrassed when I see one somewhere. Several classes used it as a required text. It filled a void and met a need. Write something.
3. Speak out on issues.
Where there are issues that people are struggling with you can add a positive and reasoned voice. You KNOW I am not talking about making dumb political comments on Facebook. What are thoughts on Calvinism? What are characteristics of today's college student? What can parents do to help their college student succeed? Use your voice for the good of God's Kingdom.
4. Volunteer.
Does a camp need a helper one week? Does Student Affairs need help stuffing packets? Volunteer to lead a seminar at area churches for parents of college freshmen. Tell churches you will show up and lead a one time seminar for their students going off to college..."How to Make it in College".
5. Learn from someone who is LARGER.
Who do you know who is LARGER? Ask for their advice and feedback. Attach yourself to someone who is larger....either personally or by just keeping up with them and learning from a distance. Don't imitate them, but learn from them.
I believe we can all be LARGER, if we choose to be. But, you must take the risk of appearing self promoting. Do it. Be LARGER!
Monday, July 2, 2018
5 Ways to Kill Your College Ministry
There are lots of ways to kill a ministry....new ones or variations develop all the time. But, here are some common ones that we see consistently.
1. Never change or adapt your ministry to fit different students or a changing campus.
As student leaders graduate and new ones step forward, sometimes they present a different set of gifts and abilities which calls for adjustment and change on your part. A campus changes. It can be as simple as new housing or buildings are built that change the flow of the campus. Or, it can be a change in attitudes that develop over time.
2. Changing everything EVERY year.
Students have to know what to expect. Strong leadership develops as students see what and how the ones who go before them have done it. Constant change destroys this rhythm. People send students to a ministry when they know what the students will experience. Alums and friends contribute to a ministry because they can relate to it. Change when you must but tweak always.
3. Don't be what you are asking your students to be and do.
If you are not on time and do what you will say you will do, why should you expect students to do those things. BE what you are asking students to be and do.
4. Never affirm or thank students for their time and efforts.
Never forget that students have many calls on their time and energies. Never take for granted the time and effort that your student leaders give you. Express gratitude in words and in actions....or sometimes in SWAG.
5. Never start and end your events on time or continually be changing times and days.
Most students work and most study. Do they know when they can go to work or to study? Do they know when your regular weekly events will end? If the day and time is continually changing, even if students are aware, it does not mean they can continually or quickly adjust work or class schedules. And, sometimes they will just say, "I cannot go tonight because I need to study for that test and you never know what time it will be over.".
1. Never change or adapt your ministry to fit different students or a changing campus.
As student leaders graduate and new ones step forward, sometimes they present a different set of gifts and abilities which calls for adjustment and change on your part. A campus changes. It can be as simple as new housing or buildings are built that change the flow of the campus. Or, it can be a change in attitudes that develop over time.
2. Changing everything EVERY year.
Students have to know what to expect. Strong leadership develops as students see what and how the ones who go before them have done it. Constant change destroys this rhythm. People send students to a ministry when they know what the students will experience. Alums and friends contribute to a ministry because they can relate to it. Change when you must but tweak always.
3. Don't be what you are asking your students to be and do.
If you are not on time and do what you will say you will do, why should you expect students to do those things. BE what you are asking students to be and do.
4. Never affirm or thank students for their time and efforts.
Never forget that students have many calls on their time and energies. Never take for granted the time and effort that your student leaders give you. Express gratitude in words and in actions....or sometimes in SWAG.
5. Never start and end your events on time or continually be changing times and days.
Most students work and most study. Do they know when they can go to work or to study? Do they know when your regular weekly events will end? If the day and time is continually changing, even if students are aware, it does not mean they can continually or quickly adjust work or class schedules. And, sometimes they will just say, "I cannot go tonight because I need to study for that test and you never know what time it will be over.".
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