The 2 Most Deadly and Quickest Killers of College Ministries

There are several things that will kill either a campus based or church based college ministry.  Some are slow killers and others can be almost instant.  There are two that are the most deadly and I do not think you can rank one over the other, as they are different.

CONTINUAL TURNOVER OF MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP

This one can be either instant or slow.  There are many reasons that continual turnover is destructive to the ministry.

-Some students always disappear when there is a change in leadership.  They were drawn to the previous leader and that relationship is no longer there.

-Due to some circumstances in their own life, they are not there when the new leadership takes over and no one misses or re-enlists them.  Or, it seems that no one cares they are not there.

-Often times a new leader brings a completely different philosophy or approach to the ministry and previous students are not comfortable or do not feel they fit the new approach.

-A new leader may attract a different or new set of students and those previously involved feel left out or that they do not fit with the newer students.

So, what do we do with this issue?  The answer is complicated because many things go into causing the problem.  First, frequent turnover often comes due to a lack of emotional support to the College Minister or financial support of the ministry.  The salary may be minimal and people quickly move on just to survive financially.  Or, they feel no one cares but them.  A growing issue is additional duties being added to College Minister job descriptions that make it feel impossible to do what is being asked..

Another factor is that College Ministers must realize that it usually takes three years for a college ministry to begin to operate at full force. Simply put, that is three years of studens coming into the ministry under the same philosophy, expectations, and leadership relationships.  So, a College Minister, when possible, needs to make a long term commitment to that ministry.  That means suffering through the hard building days and not assuming the grass is always greener in a new position.

Outside the College Minister's scope, those who provide the position must see the need for a livable salary that provides for a family and a job description that is do-able and attractive to someone who is called to college ministry.

IMMORAL OR CONTINUAL MISBEHAVIOR BY STUDENT LEADERS

This one can be instant when others become aware of it.  They simply see the ministry as a sham and they want nothing to do with it or don't want others to think that ministry represents who they are.  First, please hear me, this is not a call for continual snooping or spying on leaders to insure their perfection.  They will not be perfect.  But, the issue is when there is a continual pattern of inappropriate behavior by people seen as being leaders.  Be aware, sometimes outsiders have a different or incorrect perception about who the leaders are.

-First, there must be clear expectations communicate to potential leaders of what the standards are.  This can be done in interviews and with a signed covenant.

-When the ministerial leadership becomes aware of inappropriate behavior, those students must be talked with individually....and respectfully....not in a accusatory manner.

-Remember, that are false accusations made and there are one time mistakes made by the finest of students.  This come to the point where you sometimes accept the word of a student that the accusation or appearance of wrong doing is false or misunderstood by others.  And, sometimes you extend grace and a second chance even when it is as it appeared.

Several years ago, I became aware of continual misbehavior by several students in our ministry.  Some were in key roles and others were not.  But, they were strongly identified with our ministry.  I confronted the issue with them and immediately the attendance at our large group meeting dropped by half!  Students who were involved in the inappropriate actions immediately stopped attending....as well as friends of theirs disappeared.  I was shell shocked, but felt I had done the right thing.  But, I had not anticipated how heavy the price would be.

Then a crazy thing began to happen.  Attendance at our large group meeting began to grow and went back to where it had been.  First, there were new students coming who had been turned off to our ministry due to the behavior they had seen in several.  They just assumed it had represented our ministry as a whole.  Not only had I not realized what was happening, but had not realized how it was affecting our ministry.  Students on campus know the reputation of your ministry.....even if you do not!  Then, some who had been involved in the misbehavior came back with a new spirit and understanding of Christian actions and responsibilities.

I cannot promise, if you take a moral stand and students leave, that the ministry will quickly grow back.....BUT, I can promise you it is possible.  

If at all possible, commit to the long term of your service in leading a college ministry and be willing to stand up to misbehavior that affects the ministry as a whole.

Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry/leadership consultant and the author of five books on college ministry at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).  "ALMOST Everything About College Ministry will be available in early summer.