No matter what age you are in college ministry, there are strengths to that age and level of experience. But to maximize that, we must do certain tasks...not just float along. Here are some tasks for each of the four seasons of college ministry.
THE NEAR PEER/THE STARTER
This is when the College Minister is young in both age and experience.
1. Look at different ministries and learn from them to help you develop your own philosophy of college ministry.
2. Discover by trial and error what your college ministry strengths and gifts are.
3. Listen to and learn from experienced colleagues. It is sometimes at this point to be less likely to listen to older peers.
4. Find a mentor to teach, develop, nurture you in college ministry.
THE COOL ADULT/THE ROLE MODEL
The College Minister has young family or is a real world functioning single that models the "next step" for students.
1. Develop a network of colleagues for learning and support.
2. Draw on your experience and developing philosophy to take your ministry to the next level. Become more and more intentional in what you do.
3. Find a ministry you can settle into. Often The Starter must take whatever job is available. Experience shows us that the most solid ministries are ones led by a long term leader.
4. Learn to minister to students from outside their reference. The Peer says, "this is the way I do it."
5. Develop a healthy balance of family and ministry that will allow you to stay for the long haul.
THE RESPECTED VETERAN
This person has built a strong ministry and is reaping the benefits of time and experience.
1. Work at staying tuned to students' viewpoints.
2. Build and develop the ministry support base that will strengthen your ministry. This comes from tenure and respect.
3. Begin to mentor and invest in other younger Campus Ministers. Share your wisdom and this will in term benefit you and keep you fresh.
4. Develop a ministry that is larger than your personal ministry by drawing on resources and relationships built over the long term.
THE BUILDER/THE STATESMAN
This is a time of ministry from accumulated wisdom and the support of a wide network that is ministering in the present but preparing the ministry for what is next.
1. Strengthen the structure of the ministry with your experience and insight.
2. Be intentional about benefiting college ministry as a whole by being a spokesperson, etc. Continue to mentor younger College Ministers.
3. Build the ministry support base by developing the finances, building the relationships, developing the facilities, etc.
4. Stay connected to students. They want to learn from older adults.
5. Lay the groundwork and benefit successors that will come. Leave it much better and stronger than you found it!
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format for 99 cents each at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is in paperback currently priced at $3.99.
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