In Acts 1:8 the resurrected Christ instructed his disciples telling them, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." The scope of Jesus' mission was to go to the ends of the earth, but of all the geographic destinations for this good news, Samaria is an interesting choice. Samaria was prominent in this list because there was history with this region and outright repulsion and disdain for the Samaritan culture, Samaria represented more than physical geography, but a people who the Jews would go out of their way to avoid.
In 2019 I believe we still have "Samaritan" unreachables that we must be willing to cross whatever barriers are necessary to not overlook them as we focus on the ends of the earth. Our Samaria may include any number of people who "are not like us" (and may not really like us either!). The strategies for reaching these different spheres of influence all vary, and our Samaria is no different. One common Samaria that has challenged evangelical Christians in recent years is the LGBTQ community. We have at least been very public about our often contentious animosity for each other. However, as Christ's ambassadors, charged with making disciples to the ends of the earth, balancing truth and grace is needed in abundance if we will be faithful in fulfilling Christ's mission for His Church.
Everyone matters is one of my deeply held core values. However, as I began fleshing out this value,, I had to admit that I was holding on to some "Samarias" myself. God also continued to give me opportunities to put this value into action as He put more and more LGBTQ people into my life, until I was deeply convicted that everyone had inherent, God-designed dignity and value, including my LGBTQ relationships. I also found that I was being drawn to love an even wider range of marginalized groups of people, and I have found great joy in being Christ's ambassador even in some awkward and humbling ways.
To be faithful ambassadors we need to first relax and release ourselves from the pressure of being God to the LGBTQ community. Jesus himself affirms that we will receive power "WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON US." All the power I need flows from Christ through the Holy Spirit. If you are like me, you may need to confess sin and repent, being willing to engage rather than retreat from relationships that may be a little messy. We must relate with intentionality and humility. I had to become a better question asker and an even better listener. All relationships are built upon the tracks of trust, and to be fair, this is a two way street. There are stereotypes and prejudices that have to be torn down on both sides of the relationships. Because of the real or perceived lack of trust, language and definitions are tricky, but if both sides are willing to work toward understand, I believe it is worth the effort every time.
I don't have all the answers, and I don't know how conversations will go, of if there will be any on-going relationship, but because of my Biblical worldview, I am convinced that Christ loves every one of these "Samaritans" just as much as He loves me. I don't have to be embarrassed or intimidated because I follow Christ. We can speak the truth honestly, but not in a condescending or self-righteous attitude. We need to do our homework and research all that we can to help us better engage our "Samarias". There are many resources out there and I can't list them all here, but a few have helped shape my views on sexuality and homosexuality specifically.
The following are some books that I have read that offer Biblical perspectives on holy sexuality, while offering a posture of humility and grace:
Sex in A Broken World by Paul David Tripp (a good overview of sex as a cultural idol)
Is God Anti-Gay? by Sam Allbery
People To Be Loved by Preston Sprinkle
Holy Sexuality And The Gospel by Christopher Yuan
Understanding Sexual Identity by Mark Yarhouse
Single Gay Christian by Gregory Coles
Us Versus Us by Andrew Marin
There are also numerous talks on You Tube by these authors that may be a more concise look at the issues.
Lastly the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender, led by Preston Sprinkle is a good resource base for the conversation as well. The web site can be found at www.centerforfaith.com.
Johnny Pons was the long time Baptist Campus Minister at Penn State University and now lives and ministers in the Nashville area.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is in paperback.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Recipes for Feeding Fifty by Sue Dickerson
Sue Dickerson coordinated the BCM Lunch Program at Arkansas State University for 32 years. Most days, there was a church group that provided the meal, but when there was not a church, she would often prepare one of these meals. Or, these meals and particularly desserts were used for a special banquet such as our Leadership Recognition Dinner, etc. The desserts were favorites at our Spring Banquet. Through the years as our Lunch Program grew, she multiplied it to as many as 250.
SPAGHETTI
10 lbs Lean Ground Beef
2 or 3 teaspoons oregano
2 or 3 chopped onions (or use onion flakes)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 large jars or cans (26 oz.) Spaghett Sauce
3 1/2 lbs. thin spaghetti
2 large cans (28 oz.) tomatoes cut up
2 large cans (16 oz.) mushrooms
Brown meat with onion in skillet. Drain in colander and put in large heavy pot or pots. Add sauce, mushrooms, tomatoes, an spices. (This can be prepared the day before and refrigerated.) Over low heat stir frequently for 20 or 30 minutes. Cook spaghetti in boiling water, drain in large colander and rinse in clear water. Mix sauce and spaghetti together in large pans, You can cover pans with foil and place in low (200 degree) oven.
LASAGNE
Use SAME meat sauce as for spaghetti.
Another shortcut is, I don't cook the noodles if I prepare it the day before I serve it.
3 or 4 large boxes of Lasagne noodles
3 (16 oz) carts of Cottage Cheese
3 or 4 eggs (Mix with cottage cheese)
8 cups of shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Use large flat pans (steam table type) and layer lasagne in this order:
1. Meat Sauce
2. Lasagne noodles (cook if serving in short time)
3. Cottage Cheese
4. Mozzarella Cheese
Make another layer and end with meat sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before baking. (Add about 1/2 to 1 cup water to pan before covering and storing in refrigerator overnight, or for several hours.) Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly for 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on oven. It is easier to serve if it sets 10 to 20 minutes.
PUNCH BOWL CAKE
2 Punch Bowls
2 Yellow Cake Mixes
2 Large boxes of Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 Large cans (16 oz) Crushed Pineapple
4 Cans Pie Filling (16 oz) Strawberry, Blueberry, or Cherry (Don't mix flavors)
4 cartons Whipping Topping
Nuts - optional
Bake cakes according to directions. Cool and crumble into small pieces (crumbs). Mix pudding according to box directions. Place half of crumbs in bowls and layer rest of ingredients in this order:
1. 1/2 of pudding and spread to edges
2. 1/2 of pineapple with juice
3. 1 can of pie filling
4. 1 carton of whipped topping
Repeat layers and end with topping. Sprinkle nuts on top. Cover with clear wrap and refrigerate. Each bowl will serve about 30 people.
BROCCOLI SALAD
6 or 7 large bunches Broccoli
6 cups raisins
4 cups sunflower seeds
6 cups Miracle Whip salad dressing
6 cups chopped onion (purple or vidalia)
3 cups Sugar
6 Tablespoons vinegar
Cut broccoli into flowerettes and add raisins, sunflower seeds, and chopped onion. Mix salad dressing, sugar and vinegar together. Add to broccoli mixture right before serving.
FRENCH TARTS
6 packages of Cream Cheese (8oz)
6 cups powdered sugar
3 pints whipping cream
6 teaspoons vanilla
6 packages tart shells (8 to a box)
Bake tart shells by instructions on box. Cool. Soften cream cheese and beat with mixer. Add sugar. Fold in whipped cream and vanilla. This can be refrigerated until you are read to serve. Fill shells. Add fruit topping. Fresh strawberries are good or your favorite fruit pie filling.
Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9
SPAGHETTI
10 lbs Lean Ground Beef
2 or 3 teaspoons oregano
2 or 3 chopped onions (or use onion flakes)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 large jars or cans (26 oz.) Spaghett Sauce
3 1/2 lbs. thin spaghetti
2 large cans (28 oz.) tomatoes cut up
2 large cans (16 oz.) mushrooms
Brown meat with onion in skillet. Drain in colander and put in large heavy pot or pots. Add sauce, mushrooms, tomatoes, an spices. (This can be prepared the day before and refrigerated.) Over low heat stir frequently for 20 or 30 minutes. Cook spaghetti in boiling water, drain in large colander and rinse in clear water. Mix sauce and spaghetti together in large pans, You can cover pans with foil and place in low (200 degree) oven.
LASAGNE
Use SAME meat sauce as for spaghetti.
Another shortcut is, I don't cook the noodles if I prepare it the day before I serve it.
3 or 4 large boxes of Lasagne noodles
3 (16 oz) carts of Cottage Cheese
3 or 4 eggs (Mix with cottage cheese)
8 cups of shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Use large flat pans (steam table type) and layer lasagne in this order:
1. Meat Sauce
2. Lasagne noodles (cook if serving in short time)
3. Cottage Cheese
4. Mozzarella Cheese
Make another layer and end with meat sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before baking. (Add about 1/2 to 1 cup water to pan before covering and storing in refrigerator overnight, or for several hours.) Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly for 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on oven. It is easier to serve if it sets 10 to 20 minutes.
PUNCH BOWL CAKE
2 Punch Bowls
2 Yellow Cake Mixes
2 Large boxes of Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 Large cans (16 oz) Crushed Pineapple
4 Cans Pie Filling (16 oz) Strawberry, Blueberry, or Cherry (Don't mix flavors)
4 cartons Whipping Topping
Nuts - optional
Bake cakes according to directions. Cool and crumble into small pieces (crumbs). Mix pudding according to box directions. Place half of crumbs in bowls and layer rest of ingredients in this order:
1. 1/2 of pudding and spread to edges
2. 1/2 of pineapple with juice
3. 1 can of pie filling
4. 1 carton of whipped topping
Repeat layers and end with topping. Sprinkle nuts on top. Cover with clear wrap and refrigerate. Each bowl will serve about 30 people.
BROCCOLI SALAD
6 or 7 large bunches Broccoli
6 cups raisins
4 cups sunflower seeds
6 cups Miracle Whip salad dressing
6 cups chopped onion (purple or vidalia)
3 cups Sugar
6 Tablespoons vinegar
Cut broccoli into flowerettes and add raisins, sunflower seeds, and chopped onion. Mix salad dressing, sugar and vinegar together. Add to broccoli mixture right before serving.
FRENCH TARTS
6 packages of Cream Cheese (8oz)
6 cups powdered sugar
3 pints whipping cream
6 teaspoons vanilla
6 packages tart shells (8 to a box)
Bake tart shells by instructions on box. Cool. Soften cream cheese and beat with mixer. Add sugar. Fold in whipped cream and vanilla. This can be refrigerated until you are read to serve. Fill shells. Add fruit topping. Fresh strawberries are good or your favorite fruit pie filling.
Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9
Thursday, August 22, 2019
The 3 Indisputable Laws of College Ministry......Law #3
The 3 Indisputable laws are:
1. EVERY campus is different.
2. EVERY leader has different strengths, gifts, and abilities.
3. EVERY ministry has different resources.
One of the "College Minister Killers" is comparing their ministry to another ministry. It is easy then to feel totally inadequate and that obviously you were meant to be flipping burgers somewhere as a life vocation and calling. It is a killer because we never know all that is going on inside the ministry and often the ones we compare to have resources that the majority of college ministries simply do not have.
There are lots of different types of resources. It can be facilities. Some ministries have wonderful meeting places and some even right in the middle of campus. Others have a multiple person staff. Comparing one person's work against that of 3, 4, or 5 is always going to be a downer. In church situations, some are blessed with terrific and abundant volunteers. Others feel they are hard pressed to find someone who can just cook burgers for a cookout.
Of course, the most obvious resource is budget or money. There are college ministries that receive out of the blue checks for $50,000 from alums. That is NOT the norm. Obviously, they can do things most ministries would only salivate over.
THERE ARE TWO KEYS TO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:
1. Clearly acknowledge what you DO and DO NOT have that would be helpful. It is easy to focus on what your ministry does not have that would be desirable. But, that sows dissatisfaction and does not benefit the ministry. What are the resources you have and how do you maximize the use of those resources? This is another way of saying one of my mantras, "Play to your strength". Make sure you are utilizing in the best possible way whatever your resources are. If you have little budget, but lots of volunteers, then make sure those volunteers get maximum opportunities.
2. Develop a plan to work toward developing needed resources....that are within reason for your ministry. All of us could say, "I want a million dollar budget." That is not happening. But, it may be that more funds are needed for the Back-2-School Retreat. Have you articulated well to the decision makers what your vision is. Church leaders say, "Resources follow vision.". Do you express gratitude those who already provide resources. Always thank and appreciate people for what they do that helps, blesses, and supports your ministry. Knowing you got it, appreciated it, and what it did goes a long way toward future help or increased finances.
Remember that money does not make a ministry.....but....it is hard to have much ministry without money. So, share your dream, articulate the vision.
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).
1. EVERY campus is different.
2. EVERY leader has different strengths, gifts, and abilities.
3. EVERY ministry has different resources.
One of the "College Minister Killers" is comparing their ministry to another ministry. It is easy then to feel totally inadequate and that obviously you were meant to be flipping burgers somewhere as a life vocation and calling. It is a killer because we never know all that is going on inside the ministry and often the ones we compare to have resources that the majority of college ministries simply do not have.
There are lots of different types of resources. It can be facilities. Some ministries have wonderful meeting places and some even right in the middle of campus. Others have a multiple person staff. Comparing one person's work against that of 3, 4, or 5 is always going to be a downer. In church situations, some are blessed with terrific and abundant volunteers. Others feel they are hard pressed to find someone who can just cook burgers for a cookout.
Of course, the most obvious resource is budget or money. There are college ministries that receive out of the blue checks for $50,000 from alums. That is NOT the norm. Obviously, they can do things most ministries would only salivate over.
THERE ARE TWO KEYS TO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:
1. Clearly acknowledge what you DO and DO NOT have that would be helpful. It is easy to focus on what your ministry does not have that would be desirable. But, that sows dissatisfaction and does not benefit the ministry. What are the resources you have and how do you maximize the use of those resources? This is another way of saying one of my mantras, "Play to your strength". Make sure you are utilizing in the best possible way whatever your resources are. If you have little budget, but lots of volunteers, then make sure those volunteers get maximum opportunities.
2. Develop a plan to work toward developing needed resources....that are within reason for your ministry. All of us could say, "I want a million dollar budget." That is not happening. But, it may be that more funds are needed for the Back-2-School Retreat. Have you articulated well to the decision makers what your vision is. Church leaders say, "Resources follow vision.". Do you express gratitude those who already provide resources. Always thank and appreciate people for what they do that helps, blesses, and supports your ministry. Knowing you got it, appreciated it, and what it did goes a long way toward future help or increased finances.
Remember that money does not make a ministry.....but....it is hard to have much ministry without money. So, share your dream, articulate the vision.
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).
Monday, August 19, 2019
The 3 Indisputable Laws of College Ministry...Law #2
The 3 Indisputable laws are:
1. EVERY campus is different.
2. EVERY leader has different strengths, gifts, and abilities.
3. EVERY ministry has different resources.
EVERY leader has different strengths, gifts, and abilities. Just as we can not develop the "perfect college ministry model" and drop it onto every campus because each campus is different, so is each leader different. God has wired us all differently and uniquely.
Some years ago I read Andy Stanley's book, "7 Habits of Effective Leaders". My huge take away from that book was the necessity of knowing and maximizing our strength....the particular ability/gift that God has placed in our life. I had always believed it subconsciously, but had never really given it priority in my thinking.
This is not about being self-centered or building the ministry solely around your personality. When that is done, the ministry collapses the day that leader is gone. Where I disagreed with Stanley was he said so there were things he did not do and left to other staffers. Most of us cannot do that....we ARE the staff. But,often we short change our strength because it is our strength. We can get by with less effort in that area and we can put more energy into one of our weaker areas.
HOWEVER, that shortchanges the ministry. The best of our best has not been applied. But, this takes some honesty with ourselves. What really is our strength....or....what really is our gift from the Lord? Often out of modesty or a desire not to be boastful, many of us do not clearly name and put forward our strength/gift.
YOU ARE THE BEST TOOL YOUR MINISTRY HAS!
Some Questions to Ask Yourself:
1. Name your gift....what is it that you do best?
-Perhaps you need to get some feedback from two or three people you trust whom you know love you. What do they say your strength is? Or, do they agree with what you are saying it is? This usually needs to be someone other than your spouse or your moth.
2. Are you giving the proper time and priority to utilizing that gift in the ministry?
-If you are an organizer/leader, are you putting that at the forefront of what you do? It concerns me that today a model has developed that seems to make the College Minister a speaker/communicator first. Not all of us are wired that way. Often, we are simply imitating whoever we thing is best at speaking/communicating AND it is taking much of our time and energy to prep because we are not wired that way. OR, the ministry is suffering because we are putting out a product that is not the best. Not everybody is a dynamic speaker.
3. What is your weaker area?
Once you name it, then you can begin to take steps in dealing with it. Work at empowering students, other staff or volunteers in your area of weakness. If you are not a musician, find those that are and turn them loose to do it well. Good leaders are not threatened by those that do some things better than they do. Being a good leader means build a team....NOT being the WHOLE team!
Be YOU where God called you to be. Keep growing in every area, but make sure your are growing and utilizing the thing God is most likely to work through. He made you the way you are for a reason.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time consultant for the Lifeway Collegiate Ministries office and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
1. EVERY campus is different.
2. EVERY leader has different strengths, gifts, and abilities.
3. EVERY ministry has different resources.
EVERY leader has different strengths, gifts, and abilities. Just as we can not develop the "perfect college ministry model" and drop it onto every campus because each campus is different, so is each leader different. God has wired us all differently and uniquely.
Some years ago I read Andy Stanley's book, "7 Habits of Effective Leaders". My huge take away from that book was the necessity of knowing and maximizing our strength....the particular ability/gift that God has placed in our life. I had always believed it subconsciously, but had never really given it priority in my thinking.
This is not about being self-centered or building the ministry solely around your personality. When that is done, the ministry collapses the day that leader is gone. Where I disagreed with Stanley was he said so there were things he did not do and left to other staffers. Most of us cannot do that....we ARE the staff. But,often we short change our strength because it is our strength. We can get by with less effort in that area and we can put more energy into one of our weaker areas.
HOWEVER, that shortchanges the ministry. The best of our best has not been applied. But, this takes some honesty with ourselves. What really is our strength....or....what really is our gift from the Lord? Often out of modesty or a desire not to be boastful, many of us do not clearly name and put forward our strength/gift.
YOU ARE THE BEST TOOL YOUR MINISTRY HAS!
Some Questions to Ask Yourself:
1. Name your gift....what is it that you do best?
-Perhaps you need to get some feedback from two or three people you trust whom you know love you. What do they say your strength is? Or, do they agree with what you are saying it is? This usually needs to be someone other than your spouse or your moth.
2. Are you giving the proper time and priority to utilizing that gift in the ministry?
-If you are an organizer/leader, are you putting that at the forefront of what you do? It concerns me that today a model has developed that seems to make the College Minister a speaker/communicator first. Not all of us are wired that way. Often, we are simply imitating whoever we thing is best at speaking/communicating AND it is taking much of our time and energy to prep because we are not wired that way. OR, the ministry is suffering because we are putting out a product that is not the best. Not everybody is a dynamic speaker.
3. What is your weaker area?
Once you name it, then you can begin to take steps in dealing with it. Work at empowering students, other staff or volunteers in your area of weakness. If you are not a musician, find those that are and turn them loose to do it well. Good leaders are not threatened by those that do some things better than they do. Being a good leader means build a team....NOT being the WHOLE team!
Be YOU where God called you to be. Keep growing in every area, but make sure your are growing and utilizing the thing God is most likely to work through. He made you the way you are for a reason.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time consultant for the Lifeway Collegiate Ministries office and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
Monday, August 12, 2019
3 Indisputable Laws of College Ministry....Law #1
The 3 Indisputable Laws are:
1. EVERY campus is different.
2. EVERY leader has different strengths, gifts, and abilities.
3. EVERY ministry has different resources
LAW #1 EVERY campus is different.
One of the reasons that we cannot produce the "perfect model of campus ministry" and simply institute it on every campus is because every campus is different. The type students that go there are different than other students that go to other campuses.
Factors in difference can be obvious like size, type college (religious affiliated, engineering, arts, etc). But, the differences can be very subtle. Several years ago the campus where I was serving had torn down the Student Center to be build a larger, nicer, and more modern one. Due construction delays, foreman being fired and replaced, etc, it took way longer than planned. It affected the whole campus atmosphere and even the type students who chose to come to school there during that time.
A while back one of our college ministry churches hired a one year Intern type to lead their college ministry for just one year. He had come from a very ivy league type university where academics were primary and students came from all over the country to attend. The students where he had gone to school were very social action oriented. The campus where he was serving attracted students primarily from a seventy five mile radius. They were not social action minded. He based his large group worship events around world hunger and other very relevant topics. However, that was not where his students were. Another church opened the fall doing a "Love, Sex, and Marriage" series. They more correctly read the students on that campus.
QUESTIONS TO ASK IN UNDERSTANDING YOUR CAMPUS:
1. What is the average student like?
2. What FELT NEEDS are they experiencing? (You may correctly see they have certain needs, but that is not what they would say their needs are..}
3. Are there other ministries on or relating to campus that are doing things positive or negative that affects the overall atmosphere and view of Christian ministries?
4. What campus activities or normal schedule affects students time and availability?
-On some campuses all Greek organizations meet on the same night.
-Weekend night football or basketball games on some campuses are the total focus of students.
-Some campuses have developed the habit of certain nights being "the party night".
-Is there one night that most campus clubs meet?
5. Do students primarily stay on campus for weekends or do most students go home for the weekend?
6. What are weekend study habits?
-One College Minister who serves at a well-known Ivy League college says that his students will not be gone for a weekend retreat for more than one night. Weekend study is a must for them.
AND, campus atmosphere changes too. So, never stop being one who studies your campus atmosphere and traits. The more you understand your campus, the more it will benefit your ministry.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback.
1. EVERY campus is different.
2. EVERY leader has different strengths, gifts, and abilities.
3. EVERY ministry has different resources
LAW #1 EVERY campus is different.
One of the reasons that we cannot produce the "perfect model of campus ministry" and simply institute it on every campus is because every campus is different. The type students that go there are different than other students that go to other campuses.
Factors in difference can be obvious like size, type college (religious affiliated, engineering, arts, etc). But, the differences can be very subtle. Several years ago the campus where I was serving had torn down the Student Center to be build a larger, nicer, and more modern one. Due construction delays, foreman being fired and replaced, etc, it took way longer than planned. It affected the whole campus atmosphere and even the type students who chose to come to school there during that time.
A while back one of our college ministry churches hired a one year Intern type to lead their college ministry for just one year. He had come from a very ivy league type university where academics were primary and students came from all over the country to attend. The students where he had gone to school were very social action oriented. The campus where he was serving attracted students primarily from a seventy five mile radius. They were not social action minded. He based his large group worship events around world hunger and other very relevant topics. However, that was not where his students were. Another church opened the fall doing a "Love, Sex, and Marriage" series. They more correctly read the students on that campus.
QUESTIONS TO ASK IN UNDERSTANDING YOUR CAMPUS:
1. What is the average student like?
2. What FELT NEEDS are they experiencing? (You may correctly see they have certain needs, but that is not what they would say their needs are..}
3. Are there other ministries on or relating to campus that are doing things positive or negative that affects the overall atmosphere and view of Christian ministries?
4. What campus activities or normal schedule affects students time and availability?
-On some campuses all Greek organizations meet on the same night.
-Weekend night football or basketball games on some campuses are the total focus of students.
-Some campuses have developed the habit of certain nights being "the party night".
-Is there one night that most campus clubs meet?
5. Do students primarily stay on campus for weekends or do most students go home for the weekend?
6. What are weekend study habits?
-One College Minister who serves at a well-known Ivy League college says that his students will not be gone for a weekend retreat for more than one night. Weekend study is a must for them.
AND, campus atmosphere changes too. So, never stop being one who studies your campus atmosphere and traits. The more you understand your campus, the more it will benefit your ministry.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback.
Friday, August 9, 2019
NEW College Ministry Resource for FREE!
The Baptist Collegiate Ministry has launched a new website, collegeministry.com which is full of resources for those who do college ministry....volunteer and professional.
Topic areas include: Leadership, Evangelism, Discipleship, Missions, International Student Ministry, Gospel Appointments, and much more. There is a list of people you can choose to follow for their up to date insights and thoughts on college ministry. Plus, there is a directory to help you locate a ministry or someone at a particular school. There will also be updates about upcoming events such as the SUMMIT, which is a once every three year event for College Ministers. This site has been developed by The Baptist Collegiate Network whose purpose state is: "To LEAD college students and others in the academic community to faith in Jesus Christ, to DEVELOP them as disciples and leaders, and to CONNECT them to the life and mission of the church. There will be new material added continually. Just pick and read or download what fits your question or need at the time.
You can sign up to receive emails and get a free copy of my book, THE BIG 50.....50 Ideas and Principles for Growing Your College Ministry, or just Starting One.
It is done by Baptists, but you don't have to be Baptist to read it and benefit from it.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback.
Topic areas include: Leadership, Evangelism, Discipleship, Missions, International Student Ministry, Gospel Appointments, and much more. There is a list of people you can choose to follow for their up to date insights and thoughts on college ministry. Plus, there is a directory to help you locate a ministry or someone at a particular school. There will also be updates about upcoming events such as the SUMMIT, which is a once every three year event for College Ministers. This site has been developed by The Baptist Collegiate Network whose purpose state is: "To LEAD college students and others in the academic community to faith in Jesus Christ, to DEVELOP them as disciples and leaders, and to CONNECT them to the life and mission of the church. There will be new material added continually. Just pick and read or download what fits your question or need at the time.
You can sign up to receive emails and get a free copy of my book, THE BIG 50.....50 Ideas and Principles for Growing Your College Ministry, or just Starting One.
It is done by Baptists, but you don't have to be Baptist to read it and benefit from it.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback.
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