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Thursday, November 29, 2018

Chicken Soup and College Ministry

You likely have seen the story that CBS News has done about the Jewish Rabbi at The Rohr Center for Jewish Life at Arizona State University.  If you have not, the story is basically that they make and deliver homemade chicken soup to any student who is sick.  Parents and anyone can go on line to their site and order this for a sick student....at no cost.

The CBS story showed the Rabbi and his wife making the chicken soup and showed a mom who lives across the country who had ordered it for her daughter who was sick.  The container of soup has on it a label telling the name of the ministry and their website.  They indicated that they normally averaged delivering about 15 a week.  Likely, that number will go up after today!  While it is free, there is a place to click on their website where you can make a donation.  My guess would be that most parents do so.  It would be interesting to know how much they receive.

But, my point is, what a great idea!  I remember many years ago being sick in my dorm room with strep throat thinking there was a good chance I would die and that would probably be a good thing.  There was a knock at the door and it was my BSU Director holding a cup of soup from The Wig Wam (a student eatery in the next building).  Wow...it was wonderful.

Flu season is coming.  Should we have some sort of chicken soup ministry?  Is it an outreach idea?  Could we have a "Flu Bag" that goes to any student that we hear about that is sick?  Is that a fund raiser that similar to "Final Exam Care Packages" that are marketed to parents with profits going to Summer Missions?

I also just like the idea that they are trying to help college students.  Isn't that a big part of what we are all about?  Many of our ministries have nursing students involved.  Would they like to lead out in a ministry in helping sick students?

Very seldom do I hear what is really a new idea.  Today, I did.  I think new ideas ought to stir us to think new ideas.

"Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."  James 5:14

Arliss Dickerson's book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, at Amazon.com in paperback format is reduced to $3.99 during the holidays.

Monday, November 26, 2018

The Fork Goes on the Left.....It's the Little Things That Make a Difference!

I loved the book, "Make Your Bed" by Admiral William McRaven. McRaven is one of our modern day American heroes who led the mission to get Bin Laden.  His book came out of a graduation speech he gave at the University of Texas.  He said, "First make your bed every morning."  You have started the day with an accomplishment, etc.  McRaven says it is the little things that make a difference.  I totally agree and double down on that belief in college ministry.

Last week the scripture that was my focus was Matthew 5:41, "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."  It was Jesus's word to those who could be forced to carry a Roman soldier's pack for one mile.  I am committed to the idea that it is not the grand gesture or event done occasionally that makes the difference, but rather it is the little thing done right again and again that makes the difference.  It is the second mile in little things that set the tone for everything.

Here are my seven little things done again and again in college ministry that make the difference.  Note, I said, AGAIN AND AGAIN.

1.  Write PERSONAL thank you notes.
When someone gives money to your ministry, write them a note.  When someone volunteers in your ministry, write them a thank you note.  A HANDWRITTEN thank you note says you care, you took time and you appreciated what they did.  It only has to be three or four lines written on a half sheet or thank you card.

2.  Walk Through the Student Center and across the campus EVERY Day.
It is easy to be stuck in your office and just see those students who come to you.  Walking across the campus and through the Student Center every day will lead to incidental contacts...sometimes God uses a sixty second conversation.  Students you know will introduce you to students you do not know.  You will grow in your sense of the personality, needs, and opportunities of your campus.

4.  Have students in your home.
This is not an every week thing or that your home becomes the campus Student Center.  And  there are reasons this may not be possible.  But, an end of the semester event held at your home says in another way that you care....it is not just a job you do, you care.  And, it may help your family feel more connected to what you do.

5.  The fork goes on the left.
I led a ministry for many years that had a weekly large group Lunch Program.  We put table covering on the tables with a napkin on the left of where the plate would go with the fork on the napkin.  That is the correct place for the fork to go.  My students laughed about my insistence about it.  But, they did it.  Little things and little habits demonstrate your commitment to EXCELLENCE.  Or, does your ministry do the little things in a way that communicates....mediocre, just get by is good enough here.  NO; the fork goes on the LEFT.

6.  Dress the part.
Are you ever frustrated by the lack of being treated as a professional or a peer by school officials or pastors?  When you go to meetings with them, do you dress like a professional? Jeans with holes in them may be great with students (and sometimes cost a lot) but it may not communicate that you are a highly competent professional that should be treated like one.  When I go to a "neck tie meeting", I wear a neck tie.  When I go to a "business casual meeting", I wear a sweater and slacks.  What do you wear?  How are you treated?

7.  Do well what you do well.
What is the thing that you do best?  What is your strength in college ministry?  Are you doing it the best you can do it?  Or, are you slacking on it to spend time on other things?  Or, are you slacking on it because you know you can and still get by acceptably?  Every ministry has one or two things that make the difference.  Your strength likely is one of those one or two things.  Make sure you do well what it is that you do well.

AND, I make my bed every morning.  Do you?

Arliss Dickerson's paperback version of FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available for a reduced price of $3.99 at Amazon.com during this holiday period.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving and a Book Bargain

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Recent studies show that an attitude of gratitude is beneficial to your health. Wow!  I visited with a friend recently who is going through a difficult season. He is trying to discern God's direction for a new calling. He told me that each morning he tries to write down two or three things for which he is grateful. I am grateful for all of you that are part of the College Ministry family!  I pray rest and rejuvenation for you during this brief holiday to make the end of semester dash.

Right now on our Facebook page, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson" is information about a book bargain.

Remember lettuce is dangerous this holiday and chocolate is not!

Monday, November 19, 2018

Happy Wife...Happy Life/Don't Grouse with your Spouse!

"No, you did NOT tell me you were going to be gone then!"  We have had that conversation more than once at my house.  How about you?  Those who work in college ministry have crazy schedules and work at odd times.  It takes a spouse who shares God's calling to college ministry or is committed to that calling in their spouse's life.

But, we are wrong, if we think they just need to understand.  Even when your spouse does understand, we must work at having the best possible home life and relationship with our spouse and children.

Here are 5 Suggestions for a Better Home Life in the College Ministry World:

1.  Keep a calendar at home that has all your work and travel dates, special events, etc on it.

2.  Be home when you say you will or call/text that you are running behind schedule.
-You will run behind schedule often, but letting your spouse know makes a difference!

3.  Arrange your schedule so that you can pick up your kids from school once a week.  That communicates a ton and blesses you with that time with young children.  They will be grown and gone soon.

4.  Remember and remind yourself that your spouse is more important than your best student!
Your best student leader quitting is painful.....BUT your spouse "quitting" is catastrophic!!

5.  Have a standing "Lunch Date Day".
When kids are in school, lunch does not require a babysitter.  Lunch is cheaper.  An every week forty-five minute lunch together might even be better than a once a month "date night".  But, "Lunch Date Day" AND Date Night is a big winner!

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry in eBook format available at Amazon.com for 99 cents each.  Check out on Facebook, "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".


Thursday, November 15, 2018

5 REALLY Simple Rules for College Ministry Success

1.  Don't do things students can and will do.

2.  Know when and where to be on campus to see and meet lots of different students.

3.  Eat where students eat once or twice a week.

4.  Lay out your speaking topics for a whole semester in advance.  You can always change, if need be.

5.  Sit down with 3 or 4 freshmen and have them tell you about your ministry...what they like, don't like, benefit from and think is "just crazy".  Remember, freshmen think and talk better with free pizza in their mouth.

Arliss Dickerson's new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com.

Monday, November 12, 2018

What's the "Vibe" of Your Weekly Event?

Every event has a "vibe" or "feel" when you walk into it.  A vibe is "the atmosphere of a place as communicated to and felt by others".  What is the vibe of your weekly event?  It may be accidental.  It may be intentional.  It may be positive or it may be negative.

But, everyone who attends an event gets a vibe that affects their overall feel and evaluation of the event.  We cannot determine all that goes into the vibe of our event.  But, we can do somethings that affect it.

So, what are some causes of the vibe at an event?
-the size of the crowd...big or small can give either a positive or negative vibe.  Most of the time a small crowd gives a negative vibe.
-the set-up....Are the chairs haphasardly set around or does that seem to be some neatness or pattern to it?
-silence almost always gives a bad vibe!
-the immediate friendliness or lack of it gives an immediate vibe.
-lighting....is it too dark, glaring light?
-dirty or a strange odor
-students who act like they wish they were not there

So what can you do that helps develop a positive vibe?
-One or more greeters outside the door or just inside who have the outgoing gift of friendliness is a great start.  Not everyone has the gift of greeting.  Find one or two students that do.

-Be intentional in how your room is set up.  There is an order and neatness to it.  The number of chairs or seats is about right for the size crowd that is expected.  Way too many empty chairs creates a bad vibe.  It is easy to feel, "Nobody else came so why did I?".  A room can be "filled" with fewer chairs according to their spacing and arrangement.

-If your stage or front area has special lighting, is it on and adjusted?  Also, as soon as the last "amen" is said, don't turn off your stage lighting and turn on glaring lights immediately.  I see it done often and it feels weird.  To me, it is sort of like, "Shut up and leave.".

-Music playing when students come in is huge.  Many today play a mix of Christian and non-Christian music that students will recognize and enjoy. Of course, there has to be sensitivity to not playing music that is offensive.  Some even play all non-Christian music prior to the start of their event.  But, do avoid taped funeral music!!  Upbeat music brings a sense of energy.

-If your event has a band, could the instrumentalists begin playing a few minutes before the worship time starts. Or, should they simply play some following the last "amen"?

-Drinks or snacks informally available before an event often create a very positive feeling

Most likely the College Minister is not the best one to gauge the vibe.  So, ask your students about it.  Experiment a little bit with different things and see what happens.  So, what's the VIBE of your event?  Is it accidental or intentional?

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available at Amazon.com for 99 cents each in eBook format.  FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is also available in paperback.

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Is the Name a Hindrance?

I was talking with a student of a University in the deep south.  The Baptist Collegiate Ministry at his campus is not nearly as large as it used to be.  He said, "We need to take Baptist out of the name."

It was his argument that students are now leery of denominations and that for the BCM to have Baptist in its name is a barrier for more and more students.  Most Baptist college ministries outside the south go by a name that does not have Baptist in it.  But, in the south we are Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Baptist Student Union, and Baptist Student Ministry.

 A few years back Campus Crusade for Christ became simply CRU.  Is this a conversation that Baptists need to have?

I will be honest....I do not think we are there yet.  For one thing in most places the ministries are simply BCM, BSM, or BSU.  So, BAPTIST is not the first thing that you hear.  It is not hidden, but it is not blaring either.  Also, I think the reputation of a ministry on a particular campus..... and even if a ministry is well known enough to have a reputation.... are the key factors for now.

I will admit to the fact that a few years back a student said he did not continue to come to our ministry because we were Baptist, instead.......he was attending one at......a Baptist church.  While the reason he gave for not becoming involved in our ministry was Baptist, I think it was actually a choice of "styles".  Right now, I believe "style" of the ministry is a bigger factor.

Right now I am sticking with Baptist.  But, it is interesting to think what we might call it, if and when that time comes.

What do YOU think?

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.  On Facebook check out "College Ministry Resources by Arliss Dickerson".


Tuesday, November 6, 2018

2 Campus Ministers Sought for Kentucky Campuses

The Kentucky Baptist Convention is seeking applicants for two fully funded campus based college ministry positions.  They are:

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky

University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Corbin, London area

Both of these Campus Ministers will work on their primary campus and assist churches in their region to engage the main campus and area community colleges.

To submit a resume or for more information, contact Carlos De la Barra, Carlos.De.la.Barra@kybaptist.org

Monday, November 5, 2018

A Dream....The Power of One

When I served as Baptist Campus Minister at Arkansas State for 32 years I almost never dreamed anything related to work.  Since retiring from that position, I have many dreams that are college ministry work related.   I am not sure what that means...other than I am even crazier than I realized.  Night before last, I dreamed I was speaking at a College Minister Workshop (one of my FAVORITE places to be) on the topic, "The Power of One".  It was about my belief in the value of working one to one with students in leadership roles and those that show great potential.

So, here are some of my thoughts on "The Power of One".  I am a bit of a conundrum in that I am a big proponent of large group/yall come meetings.  Yet, I am all about the value of working with students individually.  Consequently, I believe a healthy college ministry is somehow a mix of both.  Large group meetings touch people that are not ready or open to one to one meetings.  And, there is just something positive and encouraging about being part of a larger group.

Here are some of my basic beliefs about meeting with students one to one:

1.  You meet with students that have leadership roles in order to invest in them, train them, and encourage them.  They multiply your ministry and your personal time.

2.  You meet with students who have great potential and you encourage and help them to affirm and accept the gifts and abilities God has placed in their life.

3.  Meetings must be regular in order to have on-going value.  Set a time and place.

4.  Meet in a private place that avoids interruption and also does not embarrass them should they become emotional...which happens when talking about tough stuff.

5.  You ask them questions and you LISTEN.  It is not all about you talking.  They probably get plenty of preaching.  Counselors are taught to ask questions and listen.  We have two ears and one mouth....listen twice as much as you talk?

6.  When they are leaders help them learn to process their areas of leadership concerning why something worked or did not work.

7.  Some students with great potential have messed up and need to FEEL forgiven.  They often have asked God for forgiveness and He has extended it, but they have not received it or FELT it.  You can help them receive it.

9.  They need to know you care about them, not just what they can do for you or the ministry.

8.  Help them be and feel successful.  When students feel like they have failed in a leadership role, they are reluctant to take on another one.  Their sense of success is key to their continuing to serve in the years to come.

10.  Make sure they know they can call on you when they are in trouble or need help.....that you have not simply thrown them out there to sink or swim.

11.  YOU must learn to balance your time between people you meet with on a regular basis and being available for other students who have short term needs or just need to talk.  Don't let all your time get scheduled up every week.  Students never need to feel you are too busy to talk to them.

12.  Remember, Jesus had twelve in which He invested an extra amount of time.  And, seemingly Jesus invested a bit more in three of the Disciples than He did in everybody.  But, He also preached "The Sermon on the Mount" to the masses.

Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available at Amazon.com for 99 cents each in eBook format.  His book, FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY, is also available in paperback.