In my experience of dealing with campus based Baptist Collegiate Ministries, these are what I have observed as common characteristics of the larger ones.
1. A long term veteran leader of the ministry.
This is key in more than one factor. Because of his or her long tenure, people and churches recommend students to the ministry and they go out of their way to commend their students to the ministry. This long earned and developed trust results in significant financial gifts to the ministry by alumni, churches and even parents. Almost all large campus based ministries have significant individual gifts. These gifts are usually tied to relationships.
2. An intentional and well done freshmen ministry.
These ministries make a point of spending significant time, planning, and resources in connecting with freshmen over the summer and during the first three weeks of school. They host and promote a variety of freshmen events and connections.
3. Well done small groups.
In some instances these are separate freshmen and upperclass groups. In other instances, they are combined upperclass and freshmen groups. These groups do "soul care" as well as making sure that missing people are contacted and that they know someone cares. This is in addition to the teaching and personal growth that happens in the group.
4. High functioning student leaders.
These ministries work hard at enlisting, developing and empowering student leaders. These leaders multiply the ministry in their wide variety of connections and varied personalities that connect to different student groups on campus.
5. Well known across campus.
These larger ministries tend to be well known and have an excellent reputation across the campus. Students who are not even involved in the ministry tend to tell others and help spread the word about the ministry.
Every ministry of any size can learn from these characteristics and begin to work at developing strengths in one or more of these areas. The only one that cannot be instantly addressed is the long term leader. But, every year makes a College Minister more long term.
I have not seen enough large church based college ministries close up to make too many observations. But, those I have seen tend to demonstrate three things:
-An excellent speaker/preacher type.
-Significant resources.
-A high commitment to college ministry...it is not just another one of their ministries.
Most of the large non-denominational ministries tend to demonstrate the above listed five characteristics and one additional one. Almost all larger non-denominational ministries have a staff of six (6) to twelve (12). Almost all Baptist campus ministries have one or two staffers and a few have three or four. But, many of these have their own campus facility. One area that Baptists have been reluctant to do has been to allow their local Campus Ministers to build a staff through individual or ministry fund raising. Some feel that this is something that should be considered.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five campus ministry books available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback. Also, check out on Facebook, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".
Monday, October 29, 2018
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Young Women and College Ministry
There are some issues it is difficult to be right on. One of those is women and ministry. Several years ago I was fussed at by some local pastors for hiring a woman Associate who was married and her husband was willing to move and find a job where she had an opportunity. I have written in recent years about the need to have women involved in college ministry roles. When I was a BCM Minister on a campus with a large Lunch Program featuring a speaker, I was criticized for not having enough women speakers. The point which was a good one was that our young women needed to see and hear committed Christian women speak. While I wholeheartedly agreed, I had difficulty finding women who were available and capable to do what we were asking. Beth Moore where were you?
Recently, I have been fussed at just a little bit for the fact that our Wednesday night student band is often all guys. The problem is our capable and regular gal singers graduated. We have been able to utilize a couple of our female students a couple of times. But, for a variety of reasons, they have not been regulars.
A friend of mine who pastors a church has women on his staff. At his church all the staff are called pastors. He has been criticized by other pastors who have women on their staff, but do not call them "pastors". It is hard to be right.
Let me be clear; this is NOT a discussion about women and ordination. This is about how do we best help young women honor the Lord, serve and see other women who honor the Lord and serve? The criticism we get is simply a good reminder that we need to be aware and looking for ways to utilize our young women and we need to continually be looking for ways to provide them role models of women who love the Lord and serve.
Trust me...you will not get it perfectly right in everybody's eyes. But, that does not mean we should not be wrestling and working with it. God uses men and women.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback. Also, check out Arliss' Facebook page, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".
Recently, I have been fussed at just a little bit for the fact that our Wednesday night student band is often all guys. The problem is our capable and regular gal singers graduated. We have been able to utilize a couple of our female students a couple of times. But, for a variety of reasons, they have not been regulars.
A friend of mine who pastors a church has women on his staff. At his church all the staff are called pastors. He has been criticized by other pastors who have women on their staff, but do not call them "pastors". It is hard to be right.
Let me be clear; this is NOT a discussion about women and ordination. This is about how do we best help young women honor the Lord, serve and see other women who honor the Lord and serve? The criticism we get is simply a good reminder that we need to be aware and looking for ways to utilize our young women and we need to continually be looking for ways to provide them role models of women who love the Lord and serve.
Trust me...you will not get it perfectly right in everybody's eyes. But, that does not mean we should not be wrestling and working with it. God uses men and women.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback. Also, check out Arliss' Facebook page, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".
Monday, October 22, 2018
"Baker's Dozen of Important Items Learned in 43 Years of Collegiate Ministry" by Bruce McGowan
Bruce McGowan is retiring this month following 43 years in college ministry. For the last several years, he has served as the leader of the Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) on 114 campuses in Texas. Following are notes from an address he gave recently.
1. VISION - Jesus is Lord and we proclaim Him! Col 1:28-29 This vision determines why you are on a campus.
1. VISION - Jesus is Lord and we proclaim Him! Col 1:28-29 This vision determines why you are on a campus.
2. TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN: Discipleship and Evangelism! A campus ministry will never see kingdom growth if the focus is on believers only. Jesus came to "Seek and save the lost". Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 10:35
3. SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Your role of leadership is not for personal gain but to empower others to serve. John 13
4. 95%: Target is the 95%, not the 5%. One will never grow a group fighting over the 5%. Lots of leaders are just not believers yet! Luke 10:2
5. PRAY for "Laborers for the Harvest"both in Texas and throughout North America. Luke 10:2; John 4:35; Luke 18. God has never failed to provide!
6. LEADERSHIP: We should never have to beg or coerce leaders! If you are leading students to "hide God's word in their hearts" and listen to God in prayer, they will hear from Him when asked to serve. Ask God often but God does the calling! Build a culture of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit through God's word and prayer. Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18; Hebrews 12:4
7. HARVEST PRINCIPLE: Sow broadly, reap broadly, sow sparingly, reap sparingly. Hoping for a big harvest whle planting in a tiny field is foolishness. All things are possible with God! The push is always outward, consistently, constant, compassionate. Easy to adopt the cultural value that everything is about me! The cure for complacent Christianity is involvement with lostness. Luke 10:2
8. SERVE CAMPUS: The over arching philosophy on most campuses is looking after self. Mark 10:35
9. INCARNATIONAL MINISTRY: John 1:13-14, We cannot push back the darkness when you expect people to come to you. BCM Directors are not chaplains or counselors but rather Apostolic leaders intentionally engaging the lost, teaching others to do the same. Part of MISSIONAL DNA (Alan Hirsch, "The Forgotten Ways")
10. PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT is your responsibility in cooperation with God's Spirit! Philippians 2:16-17
11. THE BLAME GAME: Blaming others for a lack of student response is a sure indicator of loss of vision and personal awareness. If they are not responding, the problem is with you!
12. GIFTEDNESS MATTERS: Campus Ministers must have elements of giftedness from the leadership gifts found in Ephesians 4:11-13. A-apostle; P-prophet; E-evangelist; S-shepherd; T-teacher. Let's keep our hearts open to those with Apostolic, Prophet, and Evangelistic gifting among students. They often are ignored because they can be pushy! (LOL)
13. GOD'S NOT SURPRISED WITH CHANGES: God will continue involvement on campuses of the world! The question is will Baptists want to be a part of one of the most exciting mission opportunities presented to the church in history? In order to stay involved we must adapt our structures to fit the mission. I am thankful for the Cooperative Program and I believe there still is a place in Baptist life for this approach. However, CP dollars will never match the opportunity and need in reaching the campus....it is incomprehensible why we would limit our BSM staffs to just the money going into CP. If we do, we will continue to see shrinking staffs in mainline states. Absolutely no reason for that to happen! Book of Acts!
The Forgotten Ways
The Fuel and the Flame
Spiritually Healthy Leader
Mission determines structure, not structure dictating mission.
Monday, October 15, 2018
10 Tips for Staying in College Ministry LONG Term
We need more long term College Ministers. Larger ministries are led by long term College Ministers because of their experience, the trust they have established with others, and their reputation for investing well in college students. Too many get out of college ministry when they are at the point of taking it to the next level. Try on these tips for staying long term.
1. Act your age.
Some have bought into the myth college ministry is only for the young, so they try to act younger than they are. Students see through that and it does not work. Plus, every age has its plus....so exercise the strength of that age. I don't wear gym shorts on campus!
2. Rest and prepare when students are gone.
One of the great things about college ministry is the breaks, pauses, and seasons. When students are not around (that often includes Fridays). It is time to read, do long term speaking prep, and rest. Also, it is a great time for evaluation.
3. Tweak don't Burn and Obliterate!
Unless your ministry is a total failure, it does not need to start from scratch each year. Build on what is working and adjust to student and campus changes.
4. Don't compare!!
Don't compare yourself to the "Golden College Minister". Don't compare your ministry to another ministry. It is destructive to you and it is usually not accurate.
5. Go to meetings and don't sit in the hall all the time.
There is the temptation once you have done college ministry for awhile to think you will hear nothing new. Obviously, you will hear lots of things you have heard before. But, when you sit in the hall visiting all the time, you will not hear the new things being said.
6. Communicate your love for college students.
Never get too busy or too professional to just sit and enjoy listening to and talking to college students. That's actually why God called you.
7. Mentor younger College Ministers.
YES, that will help you survive longer and do it better. It causes you to continue to think about what and why you do things. AND, it will help you to continue to stay current with how younger generations think. AND, answering their questions will stretch you....even the dumb questions.
8. Listen and maybe even learn from those with whom you disagree.
There are lots of different ways to do college ministry well. While we may disagree theologically or even style wise, there are ideas others are practicing from which we can benefit. But, we have to be willing to talk to them and listen to them. It helps keep your ministry fresh.
9. Invite your spouse to some events.
While your spouse may work in another area and have a more than full life apart from your ministry, let them see and be part of your world. They will understand you better and students will benefit from seeing a healthy marriage relationship. Plus, your spouse will see why you often get home an hour later than you said you would.
10. Read more of my 99 cent books on Amazon....sorry could not resist that one!!
Check out the Facebook group, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson" for postings and information.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available on Amazon.com for 99 cents each. His book, "FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY", is also available in paperback.
1. Act your age.
Some have bought into the myth college ministry is only for the young, so they try to act younger than they are. Students see through that and it does not work. Plus, every age has its plus....so exercise the strength of that age. I don't wear gym shorts on campus!
2. Rest and prepare when students are gone.
One of the great things about college ministry is the breaks, pauses, and seasons. When students are not around (that often includes Fridays). It is time to read, do long term speaking prep, and rest. Also, it is a great time for evaluation.
3. Tweak don't Burn and Obliterate!
Unless your ministry is a total failure, it does not need to start from scratch each year. Build on what is working and adjust to student and campus changes.
4. Don't compare!!
Don't compare yourself to the "Golden College Minister". Don't compare your ministry to another ministry. It is destructive to you and it is usually not accurate.
5. Go to meetings and don't sit in the hall all the time.
There is the temptation once you have done college ministry for awhile to think you will hear nothing new. Obviously, you will hear lots of things you have heard before. But, when you sit in the hall visiting all the time, you will not hear the new things being said.
6. Communicate your love for college students.
Never get too busy or too professional to just sit and enjoy listening to and talking to college students. That's actually why God called you.
7. Mentor younger College Ministers.
YES, that will help you survive longer and do it better. It causes you to continue to think about what and why you do things. AND, it will help you to continue to stay current with how younger generations think. AND, answering their questions will stretch you....even the dumb questions.
8. Listen and maybe even learn from those with whom you disagree.
There are lots of different ways to do college ministry well. While we may disagree theologically or even style wise, there are ideas others are practicing from which we can benefit. But, we have to be willing to talk to them and listen to them. It helps keep your ministry fresh.
9. Invite your spouse to some events.
While your spouse may work in another area and have a more than full life apart from your ministry, let them see and be part of your world. They will understand you better and students will benefit from seeing a healthy marriage relationship. Plus, your spouse will see why you often get home an hour later than you said you would.
10. Read more of my 99 cent books on Amazon....sorry could not resist that one!!
Check out the Facebook group, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson" for postings and information.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available on Amazon.com for 99 cents each. His book, "FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY", is also available in paperback.
Friday, October 12, 2018
By Popular Demand: "College Ministers Should be Fired if They Don't Work with Alumni."
This blog post is being done by popular demand....Paul Worcester and at least one other, asked if I would say more about this as a result of a question and discussion on Collegiate Collective. So, here goes.
One of, if not my most, outrageous statements is, "College Ministers should be fired, if they don't work with alumni.". This is mostly directed toward those who do on campus ministry and particularly those who inhabit my world of Baptist Collegiate Ministers. Here is my reasoning as well as some suggestions for what and how to do it.
Most college ministry budgets I am familiar with are sorely lacking. Some College Ministers are now being asked to raise a portion of their salary that previously was provided. They are getting by on a shoestring. So, where can additional funding come from? I think the most obvious answer to that is from those who believe in what you are doing because they have experienced it personally. That would be your alums. HOWEVER, I believe your interest in and investment in alumni should not be just for fund raising. You can continue to be a spiritual encouragement in their lives and serve as a resource as many of them begin to serve in lay and ministerial leadership roles. Plus, the more advocates we have for college ministry out there, the better!
So, here is a random list of my thoughts, ideas, and practices on Alumni newsletters, etc.
1. Every campus based college ministry should have an alumni list which they mail to at least twice a year.
2. It is necessary to mail regularly in some way or other to maintain address forwards which expire after a certain amount of time.
3. I believe one of the mailings should go near the end of the year because some professionals receive year end bonuses, profit sharing, etc and they then many make significant tax deductible donations. Do they even think about or consider your ministry?
4. Older alums are more likely to make larger gifts because of their season of life and established success. Many of these folks do not read or like email newsletters. They want to hold it in their hands.
5. Always, always enclose an addressed return envelope for their convenience. We would receive these throughout the year. What I realized is that many people would stick these back some where as a reminder to give at some point.
6. Send a NEWSletter with NEWS about alums in it....not just telling what you are doing and how desperately you need money.
7. How do you GET news? In our end of the year mailing, we would ask them to send us a copy of their Christmas Newsletter, if they did one. When I saw or heard something, I would jot it on a piece of paper and drop it in a file folder that I kept.
8. Many people do not give because they cannot afford to make "a significant gift". After hearing many alums say to me, "I would send you some money, but I can't give you enough to help you.", I realized we need to make it ok and not embarrassing to give a small amount.
9. We started what we call IPTAY. It was I Pay Twentyfive A Year. The first year we began, one alum sent a check for $50. He said, "I knew my roommate would not send his $25."
10. At that time we had 1200 names on our Alumni list. We said, "$25 times 1200 would make a huge difference." If your math is poor, that is $30,000 and that would help! It did not start out huge, but it continued to grow over the years. This cannot be a one time thing.
11. In our newsletter, we would list everyone who gave to the IPTAY fund. It was an alphabetical list. There was no difference in all those who gave $25 and the one who gave $5,000 or those that gave $500, etc.
12. Many College Ministers have told me that there is no alumni list where they serve. So, start one! Somebody has to start it. Even if you do not reap the benefit of it, your successors will.
13. How do you start one? Contact alums you know and ask them to give you addresses of two or three with whom they keep contact. some do an "Alumni and Friends" list. A friend of mine adds all his freshmen to his alumni list. That way no one is ever lost to the list because they disappeared before graduation. By the way, he receives HUGE alumni gifts.
14. If the newsletter is mailed Bulk, make a notation on the outside "Address Correction Requested". It will cost you to get it back, HOWEVER, it will help keep the list up to date.
Check with your Post Office; these rules and details often change.
15. Sue and I would have a cookout at our house for graduating seniors. It was for fun and to express appreciation to them. The only program was a two minute speech by me. "Be active in your church when you leave here. Thanks for what you did here. Some of the things you enjoyed like Back-2-School Retreat were made possible by alums who give $25 a year. I hope you will consider it. Let's pray and eat."
16. One friend who raises his own salary asks alums to consider giving 1% of their annual income. Darrell Cook at Virginia Tech is a master at working with alums and they have an Alumni Work and Reunion Weekend each summer. His engineer alums work on their Center.
I know some Baptist Campus Ministers are not allowed by policy to ask alums for money. I still would do at least one alumni newsletter mailing of some sort. The more advocates we have, who know what is going in college ministry and particularly the one that impacted them, the more likely they will be to speak up when budget decisions are made in their churches.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at Amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson). His book, "ALMOST Everything About College Ministry", will be available in early summer.
One of, if not my most, outrageous statements is, "College Ministers should be fired, if they don't work with alumni.". This is mostly directed toward those who do on campus ministry and particularly those who inhabit my world of Baptist Collegiate Ministers. Here is my reasoning as well as some suggestions for what and how to do it.
Most college ministry budgets I am familiar with are sorely lacking. Some College Ministers are now being asked to raise a portion of their salary that previously was provided. They are getting by on a shoestring. So, where can additional funding come from? I think the most obvious answer to that is from those who believe in what you are doing because they have experienced it personally. That would be your alums. HOWEVER, I believe your interest in and investment in alumni should not be just for fund raising. You can continue to be a spiritual encouragement in their lives and serve as a resource as many of them begin to serve in lay and ministerial leadership roles. Plus, the more advocates we have for college ministry out there, the better!
So, here is a random list of my thoughts, ideas, and practices on Alumni newsletters, etc.
1. Every campus based college ministry should have an alumni list which they mail to at least twice a year.
2. It is necessary to mail regularly in some way or other to maintain address forwards which expire after a certain amount of time.
3. I believe one of the mailings should go near the end of the year because some professionals receive year end bonuses, profit sharing, etc and they then many make significant tax deductible donations. Do they even think about or consider your ministry?
4. Older alums are more likely to make larger gifts because of their season of life and established success. Many of these folks do not read or like email newsletters. They want to hold it in their hands.
5. Always, always enclose an addressed return envelope for their convenience. We would receive these throughout the year. What I realized is that many people would stick these back some where as a reminder to give at some point.
6. Send a NEWSletter with NEWS about alums in it....not just telling what you are doing and how desperately you need money.
7. How do you GET news? In our end of the year mailing, we would ask them to send us a copy of their Christmas Newsletter, if they did one. When I saw or heard something, I would jot it on a piece of paper and drop it in a file folder that I kept.
8. Many people do not give because they cannot afford to make "a significant gift". After hearing many alums say to me, "I would send you some money, but I can't give you enough to help you.", I realized we need to make it ok and not embarrassing to give a small amount.
9. We started what we call IPTAY. It was I Pay Twentyfive A Year. The first year we began, one alum sent a check for $50. He said, "I knew my roommate would not send his $25."
10. At that time we had 1200 names on our Alumni list. We said, "$25 times 1200 would make a huge difference." If your math is poor, that is $30,000 and that would help! It did not start out huge, but it continued to grow over the years. This cannot be a one time thing.
11. In our newsletter, we would list everyone who gave to the IPTAY fund. It was an alphabetical list. There was no difference in all those who gave $25 and the one who gave $5,000 or those that gave $500, etc.
12. Many College Ministers have told me that there is no alumni list where they serve. So, start one! Somebody has to start it. Even if you do not reap the benefit of it, your successors will.
13. How do you start one? Contact alums you know and ask them to give you addresses of two or three with whom they keep contact. some do an "Alumni and Friends" list. A friend of mine adds all his freshmen to his alumni list. That way no one is ever lost to the list because they disappeared before graduation. By the way, he receives HUGE alumni gifts.
14. If the newsletter is mailed Bulk, make a notation on the outside "Address Correction Requested". It will cost you to get it back, HOWEVER, it will help keep the list up to date.
Check with your Post Office; these rules and details often change.
15. Sue and I would have a cookout at our house for graduating seniors. It was for fun and to express appreciation to them. The only program was a two minute speech by me. "Be active in your church when you leave here. Thanks for what you did here. Some of the things you enjoyed like Back-2-School Retreat were made possible by alums who give $25 a year. I hope you will consider it. Let's pray and eat."
16. One friend who raises his own salary asks alums to consider giving 1% of their annual income. Darrell Cook at Virginia Tech is a master at working with alums and they have an Alumni Work and Reunion Weekend each summer. His engineer alums work on their Center.
I know some Baptist Campus Ministers are not allowed by policy to ask alums for money. I still would do at least one alumni newsletter mailing of some sort. The more advocates we have, who know what is going in college ministry and particularly the one that impacted them, the more likely they will be to speak up when budget decisions are made in their churches.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at Amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson). His book, "ALMOST Everything About College Ministry", will be available in early summer.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
5 Characteristics of This Generation?
Those of us who work with college students are always trying to understand each new generation and what their unique characteristics are. I am often asked what is the difference I see in today's college students and when I started many, many, many years ago. My answer is "lack of loyalty". While this is not true to all students, I do see it in many more than previously. As I have written previously, in the past when you reached a student they would likely stay active in your ministry for their whole time at the university. In recent years, more students have to be re-enlisted annually. Or, some will just say, I have done this a while and now I am going to be active in something different. They do not act mad or hurt or left out. They just are going to make a change.
O.S. Hawkins in his devotional boo, "The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know" lists what his summation of social trends are for today. While I would not agree with his list completely, I find it interesting to consider.
Hawkins' List:
1. Their number one quest is a meaningful relationship.
2. They desire immediate gratification.
3. They want something for nothing.
4. They want guilt free living.
5. They are on a search for prosperity.
Here are some of my observations:
1. They desperately want and need close personal relationships but struggle with how to do it because of the "distance" social media has brought to relationships.
2. They want to connect in some way to "world wide causes".
3. They have a great distrust of the political system and therefore they start with some
wariness of most institutions.
4. They do not accept an answer just because an authority figure gave it.
5. They want to participate in worship....not just attend it.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format on Amazon.com. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.
O.S. Hawkins in his devotional boo, "The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know" lists what his summation of social trends are for today. While I would not agree with his list completely, I find it interesting to consider.
Hawkins' List:
1. Their number one quest is a meaningful relationship.
2. They desire immediate gratification.
3. They want something for nothing.
4. They want guilt free living.
5. They are on a search for prosperity.
Here are some of my observations:
1. They desperately want and need close personal relationships but struggle with how to do it because of the "distance" social media has brought to relationships.
2. They want to connect in some way to "world wide causes".
3. They have a great distrust of the political system and therefore they start with some
wariness of most institutions.
4. They do not accept an answer just because an authority figure gave it.
5. They want to participate in worship....not just attend it.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format on Amazon.com. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Being a POSITIVE Presence on Campus
Depending on the size of your campus, the size of your ministry, and the disposition of your campus, your ministry may be known or not known generally on the campus. It is to a ministry's benefit to be known in a positive way. Regretfully, some ministries are known in a negative way and it hurts all campus ministries.
Here are Five Ways to be a POSITIVE Presence:
1. KNOW THE RULES AND KEEP THE RULES.
Most campuses have rules about what can be done in regards to publicity, events on campus, etc. Some ministries that have a negative presence usually are known for breaking the rules. Often, they do it in the name of being "a bold witness". In the long run this is harmful to the Christian witness on that campus.
2. KNOW THE KEY HOLDERS AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW YOU.
Our ministry was using a room in the University Student Center recently. There was a problem with the room. One of the night custodians went out of the way to offer us an alternative. He is a key holder. The lady in the Student Affairs office who schedules the room is a key holder. I went out of my way to thank her for working with us and letting her know he had been super helpful. She said she would note that about him. Both she, the night custodian and the Chancellor are key holders. It is to our benefit to know all of them and have a positive relationship to them.
3. SPEAK NO ILL OF OTHER CAMPUS MINISTRIES.
This is hard sometimes! Obviously, if a ministry is speaking or doing hateful things that is a whole different thing. But, the normal disagreements over philosophy, theological fine points, etc should not be criticisms that you voice to students. For a variety of reasons, students respond very negatively toward criticisms of other ministries. And if we are honest, sometimes that criticism...even though valid in our eyes....is the result of some jealousy on our part.
4. WALK THROUGH THE STUDENT CENTER AND ACROSS CAMPUS EVERY DAY!
We have more of a sense of what is going on throughout campus. We see people that it is helpful to just get to wave to. We see students with whom we get to have a non-confrontational sixty second conversation. Students we know introduce us to other students.
5. GO TO CAMPUS EVENTS.
A friend of mine uses the slogan for their ministry, "We Love Our Campus!". Students and key holders know when you love the campus. Part of demonstrating that is showing up at campus events. Key holders are more likely to work with someone or a group that they know is trying to benefit the campus as a whole. Show up.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.
Here are Five Ways to be a POSITIVE Presence:
1. KNOW THE RULES AND KEEP THE RULES.
Most campuses have rules about what can be done in regards to publicity, events on campus, etc. Some ministries that have a negative presence usually are known for breaking the rules. Often, they do it in the name of being "a bold witness". In the long run this is harmful to the Christian witness on that campus.
2. KNOW THE KEY HOLDERS AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW YOU.
Our ministry was using a room in the University Student Center recently. There was a problem with the room. One of the night custodians went out of the way to offer us an alternative. He is a key holder. The lady in the Student Affairs office who schedules the room is a key holder. I went out of my way to thank her for working with us and letting her know he had been super helpful. She said she would note that about him. Both she, the night custodian and the Chancellor are key holders. It is to our benefit to know all of them and have a positive relationship to them.
3. SPEAK NO ILL OF OTHER CAMPUS MINISTRIES.
This is hard sometimes! Obviously, if a ministry is speaking or doing hateful things that is a whole different thing. But, the normal disagreements over philosophy, theological fine points, etc should not be criticisms that you voice to students. For a variety of reasons, students respond very negatively toward criticisms of other ministries. And if we are honest, sometimes that criticism...even though valid in our eyes....is the result of some jealousy on our part.
4. WALK THROUGH THE STUDENT CENTER AND ACROSS CAMPUS EVERY DAY!
We have more of a sense of what is going on throughout campus. We see people that it is helpful to just get to wave to. We see students with whom we get to have a non-confrontational sixty second conversation. Students we know introduce us to other students.
5. GO TO CAMPUS EVENTS.
A friend of mine uses the slogan for their ministry, "We Love Our Campus!". Students and key holders know when you love the campus. Part of demonstrating that is showing up at campus events. Key holders are more likely to work with someone or a group that they know is trying to benefit the campus as a whole. Show up.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format on Amazon.com for 99 cents each. His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.
Monday, October 1, 2018
Social Media and Evangelism: The Digital Marketplace by Ben Neiser
Ben Neiser serves as the Collegiate Network Coordinator for the Utah/Idaho SBC.
The marketplace in 1st Century culture was essential and central to every day living and interacting with the community. The marketplace became the central hub in which you could do somewhat of a one-stop shop. The marketplace didn't just provide basic physical needs but also fulfilled social/recreational needs as well (Matthew 23:7). Everyone from children (Matthew 11:16) to governing and religious leaders (Acts 16:19) were present everyday in the marketplace. It is safe to say that if you wanted to get a sense of the culture of a city or town, then you went to the marketplace. Then it is no secret as to why Jesus ministered in the marketplace (Mark 6:56) Also, we find the Apostle Paul preaching the Gospel in the marketplace (Acts 17:17). Jesus and his Apostles saw this as one of the most strategic grounds to further the kingdom and we should too.
Social Media has become our marketplace. A Digital Marketplace. Here is what should convict us as Christians and in particular local churches/ministries. Ideas are being exchanged and making an impact in people's lives through Social Media. Unfortunately, the people that are ever present in this Digital Marketplace are in large part in opposition to the message of the Gospel. The message in the Digital Marketplace is that the Christian Church is a White, Rich, Republican, Gay Bashing, Muslim Hating group of people that will one day wake up and realize that they are on the wrong side of history. The local church has been glaringly un-involved in the Digital Marketplace for too long and it shows. Now some of you might argue that you have for years run ads on social media to advertise your events and worship services. Here is my push back. If you have only used social media as a means to get people into your doors for your gatherings, then you have barely scratched the surface of this Kingdom tool.
ARE YOU ADVERTISING, INVITING OR ENGAGING?
On social media, you will inevitably fall into one of three categories:
1. Someone with something to sell. Advertisement
2. Someone with something for me to do. Invitation
3. Someone with something to say. Engagement
Paul went into the marketplace of his day not to pull people away to another location to hear the message of the Gospel. He went to declare the message of the Gospel and then reason with those who heard. He went into the marketplace to engage with those that were there. How much of your activity on social media is focused on inviting people to your event?
How much of your activity on social media is focused on engaging people in gospel conversations/topics?
I recently had a unique interaction with a college student. He saw me on campus and recognized me as the leader of our group. I had no idea who he was. I asked him if he had ever been to one of our events. He said, "No, I've been following you guys for months." How many people do you think you have like that? How many people are just "following" you? Do they only get invitations to events for which they can't show up? Then, do they get the feeling of missing out on all the fun and teaching with your after event post? How do you think "following" you or your ministry is making people feel? Is it filling them with shame because of all the thing they should go to, but can't? Is it filling them with despair by comparing all of the fun your group had versus their feeling of being alone or at work?
HOW DO YOU GET MORE SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT?
1. ASK QUESTIONS. Our main event features a discussion and interaction with the biblical text. In the days leading up to our event, I post questions along with images that are in line with our main theme for the night. Those questions, most of the time, come straight from our discussion that night. So, even if you attended or didn't attend the event, there was a mental engagement with the message.
2. CONDUCT POLLS. Keep them simple and central to the message. Our most recent poll on Instagram ask this question: During trials what do you tend to use to cope with first: Your Faith or Other? People want to give their answer and they want to see how others have responded. No matter how they answer they will see that they are not alone.
3. BE OPEN TO QUESTIONS. If you let people know that they can ask any question and that you will answer them, then get ready for some engagement. Hold live online sessions where you are getting engagement and questions.
4. HOLD OPEN OFFICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY. Let people know on social media where you will be and when. Recently, I posted a live video that told people that only follow and have never attended, where I would be and when I would be there. I even shared that I would buy them lunch, if they showed up. The only conditions was they they had to ask me a faith question. I had two guys show up less than an hour later.
5. COMMUNICATE THE COUNTER-CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE GOSPEL. Offer push back, non-abrasive push back to the prevailing message that society has of the church. The narrative of the church that society hears is untrue. Change it! Show them with clarity and consistency through social media who Jesus is and what He has done. People need to see that Jesus is better before they will accept that He is true.
LAST STORY
I have a friend that is of a different faith background. He saw a disconnect between what he believes the message of his church is and what the surrounding community thinks it is. Because of this, he began an online show with short episodes that feature him and others of his faith discussing key questions that people are asking. They have thousands of "followers" now and their Youtube episodes reach 100,000 views. They are constantly engaging with their followers online through various means. I read the comments below their videos. Most of these people that comment share how their online show has changed their lives. My friend has shared stories of youth that have "followed" their show for years but have never met them in person. That has never stopped the impact from taking place though. The message was sent. People online engaged with the message and their lives were changed.
As in many of my articles, this is not the starting and ending point of the discussion but hopefully a catalyst that causes you to prayerfully consider change that would impact the Kingdom. Make no mistake though, the digital marketplace is hostile to the Gospel! Proceed with caution and tact. Follow the words of the Lord - "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format on Amazon.com. His book, THE BIG 50, is currently being featured.
The marketplace in 1st Century culture was essential and central to every day living and interacting with the community. The marketplace became the central hub in which you could do somewhat of a one-stop shop. The marketplace didn't just provide basic physical needs but also fulfilled social/recreational needs as well (Matthew 23:7). Everyone from children (Matthew 11:16) to governing and religious leaders (Acts 16:19) were present everyday in the marketplace. It is safe to say that if you wanted to get a sense of the culture of a city or town, then you went to the marketplace. Then it is no secret as to why Jesus ministered in the marketplace (Mark 6:56) Also, we find the Apostle Paul preaching the Gospel in the marketplace (Acts 17:17). Jesus and his Apostles saw this as one of the most strategic grounds to further the kingdom and we should too.
Social Media has become our marketplace. A Digital Marketplace. Here is what should convict us as Christians and in particular local churches/ministries. Ideas are being exchanged and making an impact in people's lives through Social Media. Unfortunately, the people that are ever present in this Digital Marketplace are in large part in opposition to the message of the Gospel. The message in the Digital Marketplace is that the Christian Church is a White, Rich, Republican, Gay Bashing, Muslim Hating group of people that will one day wake up and realize that they are on the wrong side of history. The local church has been glaringly un-involved in the Digital Marketplace for too long and it shows. Now some of you might argue that you have for years run ads on social media to advertise your events and worship services. Here is my push back. If you have only used social media as a means to get people into your doors for your gatherings, then you have barely scratched the surface of this Kingdom tool.
ARE YOU ADVERTISING, INVITING OR ENGAGING?
On social media, you will inevitably fall into one of three categories:
1. Someone with something to sell. Advertisement
2. Someone with something for me to do. Invitation
3. Someone with something to say. Engagement
Paul went into the marketplace of his day not to pull people away to another location to hear the message of the Gospel. He went to declare the message of the Gospel and then reason with those who heard. He went into the marketplace to engage with those that were there. How much of your activity on social media is focused on inviting people to your event?
How much of your activity on social media is focused on engaging people in gospel conversations/topics?
I recently had a unique interaction with a college student. He saw me on campus and recognized me as the leader of our group. I had no idea who he was. I asked him if he had ever been to one of our events. He said, "No, I've been following you guys for months." How many people do you think you have like that? How many people are just "following" you? Do they only get invitations to events for which they can't show up? Then, do they get the feeling of missing out on all the fun and teaching with your after event post? How do you think "following" you or your ministry is making people feel? Is it filling them with shame because of all the thing they should go to, but can't? Is it filling them with despair by comparing all of the fun your group had versus their feeling of being alone or at work?
HOW DO YOU GET MORE SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT?
1. ASK QUESTIONS. Our main event features a discussion and interaction with the biblical text. In the days leading up to our event, I post questions along with images that are in line with our main theme for the night. Those questions, most of the time, come straight from our discussion that night. So, even if you attended or didn't attend the event, there was a mental engagement with the message.
2. CONDUCT POLLS. Keep them simple and central to the message. Our most recent poll on Instagram ask this question: During trials what do you tend to use to cope with first: Your Faith or Other? People want to give their answer and they want to see how others have responded. No matter how they answer they will see that they are not alone.
3. BE OPEN TO QUESTIONS. If you let people know that they can ask any question and that you will answer them, then get ready for some engagement. Hold live online sessions where you are getting engagement and questions.
4. HOLD OPEN OFFICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY. Let people know on social media where you will be and when. Recently, I posted a live video that told people that only follow and have never attended, where I would be and when I would be there. I even shared that I would buy them lunch, if they showed up. The only conditions was they they had to ask me a faith question. I had two guys show up less than an hour later.
5. COMMUNICATE THE COUNTER-CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE GOSPEL. Offer push back, non-abrasive push back to the prevailing message that society has of the church. The narrative of the church that society hears is untrue. Change it! Show them with clarity and consistency through social media who Jesus is and what He has done. People need to see that Jesus is better before they will accept that He is true.
LAST STORY
I have a friend that is of a different faith background. He saw a disconnect between what he believes the message of his church is and what the surrounding community thinks it is. Because of this, he began an online show with short episodes that feature him and others of his faith discussing key questions that people are asking. They have thousands of "followers" now and their Youtube episodes reach 100,000 views. They are constantly engaging with their followers online through various means. I read the comments below their videos. Most of these people that comment share how their online show has changed their lives. My friend has shared stories of youth that have "followed" their show for years but have never met them in person. That has never stopped the impact from taking place though. The message was sent. People online engaged with the message and their lives were changed.
As in many of my articles, this is not the starting and ending point of the discussion but hopefully a catalyst that causes you to prayerfully consider change that would impact the Kingdom. Make no mistake though, the digital marketplace is hostile to the Gospel! Proceed with caution and tact. Follow the words of the Lord - "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format on Amazon.com. His book, THE BIG 50, is currently being featured.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)