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.
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