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.".
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