A while back I was in a national meeting of church based College Ministers and their overwhelming number one complaint was the inability to get to campus many days due to meetings at the church. I have begun to wonder what the number one complaint of campus based College Ministers is. I sent a message to some veterans of college ministry (all Baptist Collegiate Ministers) to ask not just what their main complaint was, but what did they hear from others.
Their responses were somewhat varied, but fell into these five categories.
1. LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF COLLEGE MINISTRY, HOW HARD IT IS AND HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS.
This leads to a concern for the future of college ministry as resources decline. Many outside of college ministry do not see or understand it as a valid lifetime calling. One shared of his mother asking, "When will you get your own church?". I think most of us have experienced that at different times. When I would speak in a church, it was not unusual for someone to come up after the service and say, "I think you could have your own church."......or....."You could be the pastor of a big church.".
This lack of understanding and in some areas and declining resources leads to an uncertainty about the future of college ministry or the security of jobs. One even said he has heard it said, "Will BCM even exist in 15 years?"
2. LACK OF RESOURCES.
The specifics of this varies from state to state in Baptist life. In some states, Baptist College Ministers are raising all of their salaries and in at least one state, they are raising a portion of their salaries. For those with campus centers, there is difficulty or concern about maintaining them at a high level. This is complicated in some situations about policies in regard to who College Ministers can ask for money or how they can ask. Some raise money from alumni and others are not allowed to do so. Many are not allowed to ask a church for money and must depend on communicating the value of what they do and communicating how they are funded.
3. PRESSURE TO PRODUCE NUMBERS TO JUSTIFY EXISTENCE.
This is a part of numbers one (1) and two (2). If the value of the ministry is being questioned, the issue of numbers is always there in one way or the other. Many outside of college ministry do not understand that a "college ministry congregation" turns over at least 25% every year. Students graduate and transfer or drop out. Those who are part of a constant church congregation often do not realize that in many ways a College Minister starts all over every fall. Some Universities also require their students to do off campus internships in other locations which may take key leaders away for different periods of time. A college ministry of fifty will touch more different people in a four year span than a larger church will, yet that is hard to see and communicate for those outside of college ministry. "How many did you have last night?" can be the dreaded question for a College Minister!
4. UNNECESSARY COMPETITIVENESS FROM CHURCHES.
Within Baptist life there is a greater emphasis on churches reaching college students which is a good thing. Yet, what this often leads to is overlapping ministries or a failure to see the value of cooperation on all sides for the good of reaching students and the strength of all ministries. This also goes back to number three (3). When a person feels the pressure to produce numbers to justify their job, budget, etc, it is sometimes hard to do what is best for the overall good. One BCM Director said, "Churches expect me to provide them with students and then they keep them so busy that they drop out of my ministry. When my ministry gets smaller, its harder for me to do what they are asking me to do."
5. LONELINESS.
It is easy for a College Minister to feel like "neither fish nor fowl". They are not church staff and they are not faculty. In many places, there is no one else doing what they do. All of us need someone who "gets it" when it comes to who we are and what we do. Thankfully, current technology with cell phones, Zoom, Skype, etc this can be alleviated to some degree. College Ministers must find kindred souls and connect to them for their own health and survival.
So, what's the answer to these "5 Complaints"? Obviously, there is not a simple answer. But, here are a few thoughts.
1. Communication is huge! We must continually communicate well what we are doing. Slower times on campus (Breaks, etc) must be utilized well in connecting with our stake holders (Alums, church, staff, etc).
2. Commit to excellence and trust the Lord! I believe God is at work in all of this. Do what we do as well as we can do it. That is what we can control.
3. Be the best steward of resources you can be. If we are wasteful or our building looks shabby and dirty, why should people give their resources to us? Demonstrate you use well what you have.
4. Write personal thank you notes to people who give you money letting them know you are grateful and something that was accomplished with what they gave.
5. Be intentional about connecting with others who share your calling...both in the Baptist tribe and those outside it. Go to regional gatherings where you will meet and know others (Oxford, July 8-10?).
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry in eBook and print at amazon.com (Type in Arliss Dickerson.).
No comments:
Post a Comment