An AWKWARD Blog Post!!

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is in the process of establishing and raising the money for an Endowed Chair of College Ministry.  What is awkward about writing about this is, that it is named after me.  This was a surprise announcement to me made at the National Collegiate Ministries Summit in Nashville about a year ago.  I am vain enough to be totally honored by this announcement.

What is unusual about this is, normally an endowed chair (which takes a lot of money) would be named after a famous preacher or a wealthy individual who had or was about to give the seminary a large sum of money.  I fit in neither of these categories.  When an Endowed Chair is named for a famous preacher, his many admirers, church, etc will give and the Chair is funded.  A case can be made that the position could have been named the Louie Giglio Chair for College Ministry.  Louie has spoken to thousands of college students and young adults.  Many would classify him as the number one influencer of faith among today's college and young adult generation. One offering at a Passion Conference could likely fund it.  Or, an argument could be made to name it the J. D. Greear Chair for College Ministry.  Greear is the pastor of a large church which is known for reaching college students and young adults.  Plus, he is one of the younger persons to be elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

So, why the Arliss Dickerson Chair for College Ministry and Discipleship?  Since I had no hand or knowledge of this decision prior to its announcement, I am sharing my thoughts...not my knowledge.  I believe it is the ultimate demonstration of what New Orleans Theological Seminary is doing in very quietly being involved in helping every day college ministry.  I have just returned from the annual meeting of the BCNet at the seminary campus, which is a gathering of multiple committees made of campus and church College Ministers who volunteer their time and efforts in furthering college ministry throughout North America and beyond. Part of the expense of that event is covered by the seminary.   The seminary sends faculty, at seminary expense, to speak at collegiate and College Minister events throughout the year and each year give some grants to local campus initiatives.  This is in addition to their college ministry track of classes offered.

I believe putting my name....an every day, not famous College Minister's name on it.... illustrates  their everyday efforts to bless college ministry.  My name is there as a representative of every College Minister who does not get the recognition, appreciation and support they deserve.  You could substitute your name or the name of a College Minister that God used to bless your life and it would be EXACTLY appropriate.  

I have been told recently that no Southern Baptist seminary other than New Orleans is offering any specific college ministry courses.  If that is correct, that causes me great concern.  Every area of ministry has specific issues, skills, etc.  When we say we are losing this generation, that is not the best preparation for reaching college young adults.  

So, my point in this AWKWARD post is even MORE AWKWARD in that I believe for those of us who believe in the need for college ministry, we need to be helping to see that this Endowed Chair gets funded.  Someone asked if I knew some acquaintances who might give $10,000.  My response was, "Everyone I know fits in the $25 category."  Are there those we know who could potentially give significantly or is it simply a matter of all of us who can give $25 here and there doing it and keeping on?  This great cause (reaching college students with the Gospel of Jesus Christ) is what is involved here.  

If you do college ministry, I hope anytime you see a mention of this proposed chair that you will substitute your name there.....The ________________  Chair of College Ministry and Discipleship.  That will be ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!  Oh yeah, MAYBE mention it to some alums or parents who have a burden for reaching this generation?  And maybe even craziest of all,  write a $25 check or go on line and do it?  I am.....even though it is AWKWARD.  

Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).