Ben Neiser serves as Campus Minister at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and is also the Collegiate Network Coordinator for the Utah/Idaho Southern Baptist Convention. He has provided the following information.
Our ministry, Intersect, is in great need of laborers. We have had several short term missions partnerships and two Semester Missionaries. What we need is more long term ministry partnerships to form. I would be happy to speak with anyone about the following opportunities.
CAMPUS MISSIONARY INTERN WITH INTERSECT - BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO
-35,000 enrollment with less than 50 known born again believers.
-The CMI will assist in the areas of prayer, evangelism and outreach events.
CAMPUS MISSIONARY WITH INTERSECT - UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY, OREM, UT
-40,000 entrollment
PRODUCER - INTERSECT PODCAST & YOU TUBE SHOW
-This is the online format to our evangelistic ministry of Intersect.
CAMPUS MISSIONARY - UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, LOGAN, UT
-23,000 enrollment
CAMPUS MISSIONARY - BYU-IDAHO, REXBURG, ID
-21,000 enrollment
CHARACTERISTICS WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
-Highly intentional in evangelism and discipleship
-Not intimidated by a cross cultural mission field.
GENERAL DETAILS OF AVAILABLE POSITIONS:
-At least a one year commitment.
-Positions can be used as ministry intern experience.
-Can be filled by an individual seeking a permanent position.
-These positions are self-funded or bi-vocational.
-These positions can be held by current seminary students. A seminary degree or pursuit of a seminary degree is not a prerequisite for these positions.
I will be happy to talk with anyone wanting more information. You can contact me, BenNeiser@gmail.com or 870.926.5461.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format for 99 cents at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback.
Monday, September 30, 2019
Thursday, September 26, 2019
7 Deadly Sins of a College Minister
1. Not getting the contact info of a new student who attends your church or event.
2. Poor relationships with supporting churches for a campus based College Minister.
3. Not writing personal thank you notes to contributors or others who are helping you do what you do.
4. Not being clearly appropriate or above reproach in opposite sex relationships, meetings, etc.
5. Loose handling or accounting of finances and cash payments handed to you.
6. Not balancing family, ministry, and personal/spiritual self care.
7. Not understanding spoken and unspoken expectations of stakeholders, employers, and/or supervisors.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
2. Poor relationships with supporting churches for a campus based College Minister.
3. Not writing personal thank you notes to contributors or others who are helping you do what you do.
4. Not being clearly appropriate or above reproach in opposite sex relationships, meetings, etc.
5. Loose handling or accounting of finances and cash payments handed to you.
6. Not balancing family, ministry, and personal/spiritual self care.
7. Not understanding spoken and unspoken expectations of stakeholders, employers, and/or supervisors.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
Monday, September 23, 2019
Two IMPORTANT College Ministry Dates
SEPTEMBER 30 - Monday, September 30th is the deadline to submit proposals to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to be considered for one of their $500 grants to be given to five different college ministries. The proposal is to state what your ministry would do with the money and the possible impact or continuing value it would be to the on-going nature of your ministry or to the witness to the campus. For information or to submit your proposal, email Dr. Beth Masters at bmasters@nobts.edu. Beth serves as College Ministry Professor at NOBTS and is a friend to all of us that do college ministry.
OCTOBER 10 - Engage24 is a 24 hour period focused on engaging the world with the good news of Christ. While Engage24 is intensely focused on a single day of evangelism, the mission is to promote a 24/7 lifestyle of evangelism and engagement with the gospel. Some campus ministries will do special projects on that day and others will focus on the one to one sharing of their students in their daily activities. While this date has been set as the designated Engage24 date in the past, a specific day was not selected for this year. However, many campus ministries have indicated that this will be the date for their emphasis as it has worked well within their school and ministry calendar. Each campus can determine what will work best for them.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry (Doing College Ministry Better; 25 Tips for Developing College Ministry Leaders; The Big 50: 50 Ideas and Principles for Growing Your College Ministry; The 10 Commandments of College Ministry). They are available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback: Amazon.com/dp/B0741DM1CD
OCTOBER 10 - Engage24 is a 24 hour period focused on engaging the world with the good news of Christ. While Engage24 is intensely focused on a single day of evangelism, the mission is to promote a 24/7 lifestyle of evangelism and engagement with the gospel. Some campus ministries will do special projects on that day and others will focus on the one to one sharing of their students in their daily activities. While this date has been set as the designated Engage24 date in the past, a specific day was not selected for this year. However, many campus ministries have indicated that this will be the date for their emphasis as it has worked well within their school and ministry calendar. Each campus can determine what will work best for them.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry (Doing College Ministry Better; 25 Tips for Developing College Ministry Leaders; The Big 50: 50 Ideas and Principles for Growing Your College Ministry; The 10 Commandments of College Ministry). They are available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback: Amazon.com/dp/B0741DM1CD
Thursday, September 19, 2019
The UNFORGIVABLE SIN in College Ministry??
Some years ago speaking to a group of College Ministers, I said off the top of my head that the unforgivable sin in college ministry is not getting a students name and contact information. Others would say it is not sharing the Gospel, etc. And, I certainly would not disagree with any of those assertions.
Here is my point with not getting a student's name and contact info being unforgivable. If we do not know their name and how to connect with them, we may never see them again and there is nothing we can do about it....unless they choose to show up or connect with us again. Students are more reluctant these days to share contact info and I am keenly aware of that. However, we must give them the opportunity to give us that information AND we must be conscious of our knowing their name and or teaching our student leaders to connect with new students and get their name...their FULL name.
How many times have you asked one of your core students, "Who was that new student you were visiting with?" And, they say, "His name was Sam.....Great, what was his last name?" And, they do not know. To me that is almost more frustrating than knowing nothing. I have spent lots of time trying to figure out who Sam was and trying to find him...to no avail.
One way some ministries get names is through their Welcome Tables. As students come into the event, core students at the Welcome Tables do a name tag for everyone (mailing labels work as well and are CHEAPER.) and if they do not know them, ask them if they would be willing to fill out an Info Card. Most will. Picking the right personalities for a Welcome Table is key too.
Yet, another part of this name business is knowing who has been and has not been in awhile. About the third or fourth week of school is the time to be aware of who has not been since the first week or so. Weekly large group worship events usually have lots of visitors during those first couple of weeks. Some freshmen are at everything. THEN, they have that first series of tests and it scares them and they disappear. If no one misses them and let's them know that, why should they come back?
Some use Sign-In Sheets at the entrance or at the Welcome Tables. Obviously, there are some more tech savvy approaches. Some are utilizing IPads where a student simply can go in and check their attendance when they arrive. Others use different aps that allow a student to text a certain number and that records their presence and they ask everyone to do it at some point during the event.
KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK:
1. Are you working at in some way or other getting students' names and contact info when they come for the first time? Are you teaching your core students to do it?
2. Are you able to some way or other track if a student has been or not been to any of your events in two or three weeks? You can look at Sign-In lists. You can check your Tech sheet, etc.
There is a fine line between badgering someone about their involvement and demonstrating that you care and that they matter. The problem is that fine line is different with different students. HOWEVER, I decided a long time ago I would rather a student feel I was badgering them than for them to think I did not care.
The SWEETEST SOUND ON EARTH is someone calling your name when you feel alone or that it has been a long, hard, bad six test week. A text during big test weeks, flu season when folks are missing can be an encouragement. It can be as simple as, "Missed your face lately, hope tests or the flu hasn't gotten you down. Yell, if I can help."
Arliss Dickerson is a part time consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and 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 also in paperback.
Here is my point with not getting a student's name and contact info being unforgivable. If we do not know their name and how to connect with them, we may never see them again and there is nothing we can do about it....unless they choose to show up or connect with us again. Students are more reluctant these days to share contact info and I am keenly aware of that. However, we must give them the opportunity to give us that information AND we must be conscious of our knowing their name and or teaching our student leaders to connect with new students and get their name...their FULL name.
How many times have you asked one of your core students, "Who was that new student you were visiting with?" And, they say, "His name was Sam.....Great, what was his last name?" And, they do not know. To me that is almost more frustrating than knowing nothing. I have spent lots of time trying to figure out who Sam was and trying to find him...to no avail.
One way some ministries get names is through their Welcome Tables. As students come into the event, core students at the Welcome Tables do a name tag for everyone (mailing labels work as well and are CHEAPER.) and if they do not know them, ask them if they would be willing to fill out an Info Card. Most will. Picking the right personalities for a Welcome Table is key too.
Yet, another part of this name business is knowing who has been and has not been in awhile. About the third or fourth week of school is the time to be aware of who has not been since the first week or so. Weekly large group worship events usually have lots of visitors during those first couple of weeks. Some freshmen are at everything. THEN, they have that first series of tests and it scares them and they disappear. If no one misses them and let's them know that, why should they come back?
Some use Sign-In Sheets at the entrance or at the Welcome Tables. Obviously, there are some more tech savvy approaches. Some are utilizing IPads where a student simply can go in and check their attendance when they arrive. Others use different aps that allow a student to text a certain number and that records their presence and they ask everyone to do it at some point during the event.
KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK:
1. Are you working at in some way or other getting students' names and contact info when they come for the first time? Are you teaching your core students to do it?
2. Are you able to some way or other track if a student has been or not been to any of your events in two or three weeks? You can look at Sign-In lists. You can check your Tech sheet, etc.
There is a fine line between badgering someone about their involvement and demonstrating that you care and that they matter. The problem is that fine line is different with different students. HOWEVER, I decided a long time ago I would rather a student feel I was badgering them than for them to think I did not care.
The SWEETEST SOUND ON EARTH is someone calling your name when you feel alone or that it has been a long, hard, bad six test week. A text during big test weeks, flu season when folks are missing can be an encouragement. It can be as simple as, "Missed your face lately, hope tests or the flu hasn't gotten you down. Yell, if I can help."
Arliss Dickerson is a part time consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and 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 also in paperback.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Pros and Cons of College Ministry Spirit Groups
This weekend the University of Georgia Baptist Collegiate Ministry Spirit Group, "The Paint Crew" gained national attention on both television and other media by honoring the memory of Wendy Anderson at the UGA, Arkansas State football game. Mrs. Anderson, the wife of the ASU Head Coach Blake Anderson, recently passed away from breast cancer. It raises again the discussion about the pluses and minuses of Christian ministries doing spirit groups.
Some see these groups as a distraction from the ministry of being a witness and discipleship group which is their purpose. Others argue that they bring positive recognition to these ministries. Having been the leader of a campus ministry that has done such a group, I am aware of many of the arguments on both sides. But, a simple answer is, not every ministry should do these spirit groups. They take time, energy, and resources......AND they occasionally can come back to bite you.
PLUSES OF MINISTRY SPIRIT GROUPS
-Such groups that paint up at ball games can be a plus in connecting to guys. Reaching guys is another whole issue in college ministry these days. These type groups can be a plus there.
-They help combat the idea that some have that Christian groups are just some poor withdrawn from the real world group huddled somewhere in a corner.
-It brings campus wide awareness to the ministry. One of the pluses of any college ministry is to be known campus wide in a positive way.
-Such groups done well and in good taste develop positive relationships with the administration and open other doors with the school. One campus ministry had a woman they sponsored elected to the Homecoming court and immediately was invited to participate in upcoming new student events.
MINUSES OF MINISTRY SPIRIT GROUPS
-They take time and energy. Someone has to organize and make sure it is happening AND done in a quality way.
-Greek Groups (Fraternities and Sororities) sometimes view these groups as "competing" in their territory. Therefore, they feel they cannot or should not participate in these ministries because it is like quitting your sorority or fraternity to join a competing one.
-Quite simply, the ministry can lose sight of its purpose and just become another social group on campus. Often, when groups attain some recognition and awareness like this, then they are invited to participate in other "club activities" on campus. A ministry has to be diligent to not lose sight of its purpose and focus.
-Bad Behavior by these groups. Students can get caught up in the heat of the game and misbehave which reflects on the ministry. One ministry suspended their football spirit group mid-season due to some of their students throwing things at the opposing team, etc. Those actions are on the ministry!
A frustration expressed by some who do such groups is that often the groups are not attributed to the ministry by the school or the media. Seemingly, this is done in order to not be seen as "promoting a particular religion".
Again, these groups are not for every ministry. Each individual situation calls for a different and unique answer....like much in college ministry. Every campus is different!
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and is the author of five books on college ministry. They are available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is in paperback.
Some see these groups as a distraction from the ministry of being a witness and discipleship group which is their purpose. Others argue that they bring positive recognition to these ministries. Having been the leader of a campus ministry that has done such a group, I am aware of many of the arguments on both sides. But, a simple answer is, not every ministry should do these spirit groups. They take time, energy, and resources......AND they occasionally can come back to bite you.
PLUSES OF MINISTRY SPIRIT GROUPS
-Such groups that paint up at ball games can be a plus in connecting to guys. Reaching guys is another whole issue in college ministry these days. These type groups can be a plus there.
-They help combat the idea that some have that Christian groups are just some poor withdrawn from the real world group huddled somewhere in a corner.
-It brings campus wide awareness to the ministry. One of the pluses of any college ministry is to be known campus wide in a positive way.
-Such groups done well and in good taste develop positive relationships with the administration and open other doors with the school. One campus ministry had a woman they sponsored elected to the Homecoming court and immediately was invited to participate in upcoming new student events.
MINUSES OF MINISTRY SPIRIT GROUPS
-They take time and energy. Someone has to organize and make sure it is happening AND done in a quality way.
-Greek Groups (Fraternities and Sororities) sometimes view these groups as "competing" in their territory. Therefore, they feel they cannot or should not participate in these ministries because it is like quitting your sorority or fraternity to join a competing one.
-Quite simply, the ministry can lose sight of its purpose and just become another social group on campus. Often, when groups attain some recognition and awareness like this, then they are invited to participate in other "club activities" on campus. A ministry has to be diligent to not lose sight of its purpose and focus.
-Bad Behavior by these groups. Students can get caught up in the heat of the game and misbehave which reflects on the ministry. One ministry suspended their football spirit group mid-season due to some of their students throwing things at the opposing team, etc. Those actions are on the ministry!
A frustration expressed by some who do such groups is that often the groups are not attributed to the ministry by the school or the media. Seemingly, this is done in order to not be seen as "promoting a particular religion".
Again, these groups are not for every ministry. Each individual situation calls for a different and unique answer....like much in college ministry. Every campus is different!
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and is the author of five books on college ministry. They are available for 99 cents each in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is in paperback.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Can a College Ministry Weekly Event be "Too Churchy"?
I love the wide variety of Christian events for college students I see and attend on campuses and in churches. I love the informality, the energy, and creativity. Some College Ministers say they "speak" weekly and others say they "preach". I think the differences sometimes refer to style or just a difference in terminology. But, to me it raises the question, "Is it possible for college ministry events to be too churchy?"
One of the ideas I have been committed to my whole ministry on campuses as a ministry of local churches is that we not replace the church where there are lots of great local church options. For church College Ministers, I would say there is always the line of tension that the college ministry does not in reality become a separate church from those who are not college students.
A great concerns of our time is the large number of college students who have come to faith in Christ and been active in a church walking away from faith and church while in college. Some studies indicate they are not coming back.....at least immediately following college. To me part of connecting with and helping those who have "Prodigaled" (a new term I've heard lately for those who have walked away.) is that we do things that specifically relate to where they are, but not replace church itself.
As a College Minister that has spoken for a weekly event and spoken in Sunday Worship services at churches, I would have to tell you that my Sunday preaching is very different from my Thursday talks. As you would guess, these talks were a lot about "Love, Sex, and Marriage"; "Relationships"; "Setting Priorities" and even "Time Management". College student events give us the opportunity to speak about things we would not do in Sunday Sermons at church. There is a preacher saying called, "Preach your sugar stick". If you don't speak that language, it means to preach your best, most liked sermon to impress people. My all time most requested talk is, "7 Red Flags in a Dating Relationship". It has lots of scripture in it, but it is not a Sunday church sermon. I have never done it in a Sunday service and will never do so. But, it has fit in lots of college ministry events.....by me and others.
Some would say because of the lack of awareness of scripture and God's basic message of salvation in today's college students, we just need to always speak a very basic gospel message. While I agree and lament the lack of "Gospel knowledge", I think there is a temptation that we not speak regularly to specific college issues and questions. I believe the Bible is the most incredible and practical book in how to live life in an every day way. Lots of students don't know the Bible is practical.
And, long ago I decided that fun and faith were not opposites. Laughter is a gift from the Lord. When people are laughing, they are least guarded and most at ease. I like collegiate events that have fun ice breakers in them and people are sharing funny things that have happened to them on campus, etc. The "fun" doesn't have to happen after the last amen is said. I did cringe a bit when a college worship band leader who had just participated in a fun game in the middle of a weekly event had to throw up in a waste basket before she could come back to lead the set before I spoke. But, college ministry is messy sometimes!
College students come to college looking for fun and friends. I happen to believe all of that can happen in a weekly spiritual collegiate event where they hear about the Lord and His love for them. Some even come to Christ in those "fun settings". Whether you preach or talk, I hope you are speaking to college student issues.....and having lots of fun with students and the most practical book ever written. "A merry heart doeth good..." Proverbs 17:22
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).
One of the ideas I have been committed to my whole ministry on campuses as a ministry of local churches is that we not replace the church where there are lots of great local church options. For church College Ministers, I would say there is always the line of tension that the college ministry does not in reality become a separate church from those who are not college students.
A great concerns of our time is the large number of college students who have come to faith in Christ and been active in a church walking away from faith and church while in college. Some studies indicate they are not coming back.....at least immediately following college. To me part of connecting with and helping those who have "Prodigaled" (a new term I've heard lately for those who have walked away.) is that we do things that specifically relate to where they are, but not replace church itself.
As a College Minister that has spoken for a weekly event and spoken in Sunday Worship services at churches, I would have to tell you that my Sunday preaching is very different from my Thursday talks. As you would guess, these talks were a lot about "Love, Sex, and Marriage"; "Relationships"; "Setting Priorities" and even "Time Management". College student events give us the opportunity to speak about things we would not do in Sunday Sermons at church. There is a preacher saying called, "Preach your sugar stick". If you don't speak that language, it means to preach your best, most liked sermon to impress people. My all time most requested talk is, "7 Red Flags in a Dating Relationship". It has lots of scripture in it, but it is not a Sunday church sermon. I have never done it in a Sunday service and will never do so. But, it has fit in lots of college ministry events.....by me and others.
Some would say because of the lack of awareness of scripture and God's basic message of salvation in today's college students, we just need to always speak a very basic gospel message. While I agree and lament the lack of "Gospel knowledge", I think there is a temptation that we not speak regularly to specific college issues and questions. I believe the Bible is the most incredible and practical book in how to live life in an every day way. Lots of students don't know the Bible is practical.
And, long ago I decided that fun and faith were not opposites. Laughter is a gift from the Lord. When people are laughing, they are least guarded and most at ease. I like collegiate events that have fun ice breakers in them and people are sharing funny things that have happened to them on campus, etc. The "fun" doesn't have to happen after the last amen is said. I did cringe a bit when a college worship band leader who had just participated in a fun game in the middle of a weekly event had to throw up in a waste basket before she could come back to lead the set before I spoke. But, college ministry is messy sometimes!
College students come to college looking for fun and friends. I happen to believe all of that can happen in a weekly spiritual collegiate event where they hear about the Lord and His love for them. Some even come to Christ in those "fun settings". Whether you preach or talk, I hope you are speaking to college student issues.....and having lots of fun with students and the most practical book ever written. "A merry heart doeth good..." Proverbs 17:22
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, September 9, 2019
Tee Shirts and College Ministry
Some years ago at a meeting I heard an older College Minister say, "I am not running a tee shirt shop.". Someone in the back muttered, "Then, you aren't working with college students.". Tee shirts and shorts tend to be the college student uniform.
Where do tee shirts fit in a college ministry? Some years ago I proposed to our leadership team that we not do tee shirts for our Back-2-School Retreat and that we do caps or vizors. My students looked at me like I had just said, "I've decided to get rid of the Bible." One spoke up and said, "Tee shirts are the reason we come to college." Well, that settled that new idea!
I first really began to realize the VALUE OF TEE SHIRTS several years ago when the Baptist Student Ministry at Texas A&M was told that to continue to be a recognized student organization they had to run their money through the school. That was a non-starter and so not being a recognized student organization meant they could no longer post flyers, advertise on campus, do information tables, etc, etc. Their solution was to do tee shirts that advertised their weekly large group worship event with time and place. And, they asked their students to wear them each week on that day. It worked great.
Instead of seeing tee shirts as a necessary evil, I would propose that you THINK STRATEGICALLY ABOUT YOUR TEE SHIRTS! I know that sounds a little too grandiose.....but seriously.
TEE SHIRTS CAN SERVE 4 DIFFERENT PURPOSES:
1. WITNESS
Lots of tee shirts are done with a scripture passage that is done in good taste and can be quickly read. This sort of tee shirt has often gotten a bad name as a result of what might be called, "In your face scripture shirts."
2. PROMOTIONAL
These are ones that promote your ministry. They can have the name of the ministry and even a time and place. Obviously, quality, attractive art work is key in any shirt. Someone has said that half of the reason students pledge a Greek organization is to be able to wear a shirt that says, "I belong.". All of us want to belong. Many ministries budget to give away shirts or sell them cheaply at the beginning of the year in order to promote their ministry on campus.
3. RECOGNITION/APPRECIATION
Many ministries have a banquet of some sort in the spring where they recognize outgoing and incoming leaders and give out awards. One way to recognize leaders and express appreciation at these events is to give them a special tee shirt that is different than any of your other ministry shirts.
4. SIGNING UP
Many years ago we began to make a tee shirt part of the cost of our Back-2-School Retreat (although we budgeted in order to reduce the cost). Students got their tee shirt as soon as they registered and paid. In order to get their shirt and have first pick at sizes, students would quickly begin to register.
By the way, I am not a fan of "free Retreats". If students do not have to pay to sign up, then they have made NO COMMITMENT and are very likely not to show up.
FINALLY, on this deeply theological topic of tee shirts, I have always said, "I don't care if I like the shirt....I want the students to like it well enough to wear it." So, it is important to involve some students in the design and selection.
Students wearing attractive shirts around campus with a Christian message and/or the name of your ministry on it is a plus. Remember, the whole reason students come to college is tee shirts!
AN ADDITION:
Kevin Cox, College Minister at Clarke College Worcester, Mass, sent this message in regard to tee shirts in a ministry. T-Shirt's are our best advertisement. I would add a 5th value. They help build cohesion in a group or momentum for an event. All year long the students who didn't attend Fusion conference see other students wearing them and say, "I want to go next year." And when your ministry doesn't have a building/location, T-shirts make them feel like they are part of something real. Other students at fairs and such recognize this too and it gives a tangible, visible expression to the community you are developing on campus.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time collegiate consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
Where do tee shirts fit in a college ministry? Some years ago I proposed to our leadership team that we not do tee shirts for our Back-2-School Retreat and that we do caps or vizors. My students looked at me like I had just said, "I've decided to get rid of the Bible." One spoke up and said, "Tee shirts are the reason we come to college." Well, that settled that new idea!
I first really began to realize the VALUE OF TEE SHIRTS several years ago when the Baptist Student Ministry at Texas A&M was told that to continue to be a recognized student organization they had to run their money through the school. That was a non-starter and so not being a recognized student organization meant they could no longer post flyers, advertise on campus, do information tables, etc, etc. Their solution was to do tee shirts that advertised their weekly large group worship event with time and place. And, they asked their students to wear them each week on that day. It worked great.
Instead of seeing tee shirts as a necessary evil, I would propose that you THINK STRATEGICALLY ABOUT YOUR TEE SHIRTS! I know that sounds a little too grandiose.....but seriously.
TEE SHIRTS CAN SERVE 4 DIFFERENT PURPOSES:
1. WITNESS
Lots of tee shirts are done with a scripture passage that is done in good taste and can be quickly read. This sort of tee shirt has often gotten a bad name as a result of what might be called, "In your face scripture shirts."
2. PROMOTIONAL
These are ones that promote your ministry. They can have the name of the ministry and even a time and place. Obviously, quality, attractive art work is key in any shirt. Someone has said that half of the reason students pledge a Greek organization is to be able to wear a shirt that says, "I belong.". All of us want to belong. Many ministries budget to give away shirts or sell them cheaply at the beginning of the year in order to promote their ministry on campus.
3. RECOGNITION/APPRECIATION
Many ministries have a banquet of some sort in the spring where they recognize outgoing and incoming leaders and give out awards. One way to recognize leaders and express appreciation at these events is to give them a special tee shirt that is different than any of your other ministry shirts.
4. SIGNING UP
Many years ago we began to make a tee shirt part of the cost of our Back-2-School Retreat (although we budgeted in order to reduce the cost). Students got their tee shirt as soon as they registered and paid. In order to get their shirt and have first pick at sizes, students would quickly begin to register.
By the way, I am not a fan of "free Retreats". If students do not have to pay to sign up, then they have made NO COMMITMENT and are very likely not to show up.
FINALLY, on this deeply theological topic of tee shirts, I have always said, "I don't care if I like the shirt....I want the students to like it well enough to wear it." So, it is important to involve some students in the design and selection.
Students wearing attractive shirts around campus with a Christian message and/or the name of your ministry on it is a plus. Remember, the whole reason students come to college is tee shirts!
AN ADDITION:
Kevin Cox, College Minister at Clarke College Worcester, Mass, sent this message in regard to tee shirts in a ministry. T-Shirt's are our best advertisement. I would add a 5th value. They help build cohesion in a group or momentum for an event. All year long the students who didn't attend Fusion conference see other students wearing them and say, "I want to go next year." And when your ministry doesn't have a building/location, T-shirts make them feel like they are part of something real. Other students at fairs and such recognize this too and it gives a tangible, visible expression to the community you are developing on campus.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time collegiate consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
Thursday, September 5, 2019
How to Minister to a Campus that Doesn't Want You There.....a Guest Blog by Ben Neiser
There are pockets in our country and definitely in Canada that have campuses that are not just indifferent but hostile to our presence among their students. This doesn't change the call to fulfill the Great Commission to these places. So, how should we proceed in carrying out the call?
1. See Prayer as the weapon that it really is.
The early believers were born-again into a community that was immediately hostile to their presence. How did they react to this? They prayed. They prayed often (Acts 1:14, 2:42). They prayed first (4:23-24). They prayed because they didn't know what to do. We we pray when we don't know what ELSE to do. The early church's prayers had power (Acts 4:25-31) because they were praying for God to do GOD-sized things. The book of Acts records significant movements of God turning many hearts to Him that were preceded by the faithful prayers of the saints.
How devoted to prayer are you for your campus?
When you face opposition, do you pray first?
What are you asking God to do on your campus that only He can do in His power?
2. Wait
What!? Yes, wait. "But you don't know how much there is to do!" Yes I do. I have 75,000 college students in my metro area. Less than 100 are born-again. The early believers were commanded to wait (Acts 1:4) and nearly the entire known world had not heard the Good News of Jesus. They were to wait on the Spirit of God to move, then they were to respond in faith. The value of waiting is something that I have learned over time in a hostile area. Most of us are familiar with making plans and then asking God to bless them. It is much more effective to wait on the Lord to move and prompt your heart and spirit to partner with Him in the work that He is doing on campus. This is where prayer is again vital. Prayers for a sensitivity to the Spirit and wisdom are common should be common for us.
What am I waiting on exactly?
A. Clarity of vision and direction given by the Spirit. If you don't know how to clearly articulate the purpose of the activity, then you are not ready.
B. Unity among believers filled with the Spirit. You many not have many believers in your ministry but seek unity among local church leaders and believers outside your context as well. You can never have to much unity.
C. Passion and Boldness by the Spirit to move forward regardless of the results. We all long for the day when we hear, "Well done good and FAITHFUL servant." It is faithfulness not effectiveness for which we strive.
Waiting builds dependence on God and not you or others.
Waiting increases sensitivity to the Spirit and wisdom/discernment.
Waiting help us achieve what Christ commands His disciples: "Behold I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16
3. Move in Faith - Going back to Matthew 10:5-42
a. Share the Gospel. The early church in Acts 4 prayed for boldness in continuing to share the Gospel in the midst of persecution. It is illegal, YES ILLEGAL, to proselytize on my campus. What we found is that about 2/3 of the students live within walking distance off campus.. So we share the gospel there. Let the most distinguishing factor of your ministry be the Gospel that we proclaim and live.
b. Highly Intentional Discipleship. Matthew 10 shows us how intentional Jesus was with the disciples. He commands them to spend the most time with those who hear and believe in the Gospel and to stay with them. Why was this not foreign to the disciples? Because this is what Jesus was doing with them. Jesus prepares them for opposition by reminding them of the opposition that He experienced. What are the chosen few that you are taking with you? Who are the ones that are close enough to you to have seen you weep in prayer for your campus? Who have seen first hand the opposition that you face?
4. Build an Army not a Crowd.
This is the culmination of the previous three. Christianity is a movement centered around the message of the Gospel, empowered by the Spirit, fueled by the prayers of the saints. It is not an event. An event indicates a starting and stopping. A movement is continuous. I love my uncle, who is a Marine. I made the mistake )albeit once) to call him a former Marine. He quick to correct me to say, "There is not such thing as a former Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine." The enemy can scatter a crowd buty they can't stop a movement (Acts 8:4)! In September 2017, campus administrators shut down our weekly Bible study that we held on campus. It had gained to much traction by unbelieving students. The crowd gathered gained the attention of the wrong people and they squashed it. Oh, but to Go's glory, ou believers came to me and immediately began to pray with me for God to give us resolve in continuing to share the Gospel. We prayed, fasted, waited on the Lord to give clarity, unity, and boldness. Now we are connecting, sharing, inviting more students than we ever have before. More seeds of the gospel are being sown than ever and there has been more receptivity than ever. Stop focusing on drawing a crowd and start building an army.
Ben Neiser is the Collegiate Network Coordinator for the Utah/Idaho Southern Baptist Convention. Ben has served in collegiate ministry for 10 years.
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. He is also a part time consultant for the Collegiate Ministry Office at Lifeway Christian Resources.
1. See Prayer as the weapon that it really is.
The early believers were born-again into a community that was immediately hostile to their presence. How did they react to this? They prayed. They prayed often (Acts 1:14, 2:42). They prayed first (4:23-24). They prayed because they didn't know what to do. We we pray when we don't know what ELSE to do. The early church's prayers had power (Acts 4:25-31) because they were praying for God to do GOD-sized things. The book of Acts records significant movements of God turning many hearts to Him that were preceded by the faithful prayers of the saints.
How devoted to prayer are you for your campus?
When you face opposition, do you pray first?
What are you asking God to do on your campus that only He can do in His power?
2. Wait
What!? Yes, wait. "But you don't know how much there is to do!" Yes I do. I have 75,000 college students in my metro area. Less than 100 are born-again. The early believers were commanded to wait (Acts 1:4) and nearly the entire known world had not heard the Good News of Jesus. They were to wait on the Spirit of God to move, then they were to respond in faith. The value of waiting is something that I have learned over time in a hostile area. Most of us are familiar with making plans and then asking God to bless them. It is much more effective to wait on the Lord to move and prompt your heart and spirit to partner with Him in the work that He is doing on campus. This is where prayer is again vital. Prayers for a sensitivity to the Spirit and wisdom are common should be common for us.
What am I waiting on exactly?
A. Clarity of vision and direction given by the Spirit. If you don't know how to clearly articulate the purpose of the activity, then you are not ready.
B. Unity among believers filled with the Spirit. You many not have many believers in your ministry but seek unity among local church leaders and believers outside your context as well. You can never have to much unity.
C. Passion and Boldness by the Spirit to move forward regardless of the results. We all long for the day when we hear, "Well done good and FAITHFUL servant." It is faithfulness not effectiveness for which we strive.
Waiting builds dependence on God and not you or others.
Waiting increases sensitivity to the Spirit and wisdom/discernment.
Waiting help us achieve what Christ commands His disciples: "Behold I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16
3. Move in Faith - Going back to Matthew 10:5-42
a. Share the Gospel. The early church in Acts 4 prayed for boldness in continuing to share the Gospel in the midst of persecution. It is illegal, YES ILLEGAL, to proselytize on my campus. What we found is that about 2/3 of the students live within walking distance off campus.. So we share the gospel there. Let the most distinguishing factor of your ministry be the Gospel that we proclaim and live.
b. Highly Intentional Discipleship. Matthew 10 shows us how intentional Jesus was with the disciples. He commands them to spend the most time with those who hear and believe in the Gospel and to stay with them. Why was this not foreign to the disciples? Because this is what Jesus was doing with them. Jesus prepares them for opposition by reminding them of the opposition that He experienced. What are the chosen few that you are taking with you? Who are the ones that are close enough to you to have seen you weep in prayer for your campus? Who have seen first hand the opposition that you face?
4. Build an Army not a Crowd.
This is the culmination of the previous three. Christianity is a movement centered around the message of the Gospel, empowered by the Spirit, fueled by the prayers of the saints. It is not an event. An event indicates a starting and stopping. A movement is continuous. I love my uncle, who is a Marine. I made the mistake )albeit once) to call him a former Marine. He quick to correct me to say, "There is not such thing as a former Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine." The enemy can scatter a crowd buty they can't stop a movement (Acts 8:4)! In September 2017, campus administrators shut down our weekly Bible study that we held on campus. It had gained to much traction by unbelieving students. The crowd gathered gained the attention of the wrong people and they squashed it. Oh, but to Go's glory, ou believers came to me and immediately began to pray with me for God to give us resolve in continuing to share the Gospel. We prayed, fasted, waited on the Lord to give clarity, unity, and boldness. Now we are connecting, sharing, inviting more students than we ever have before. More seeds of the gospel are being sown than ever and there has been more receptivity than ever. Stop focusing on drawing a crowd and start building an army.
Ben Neiser is the Collegiate Network Coordinator for the Utah/Idaho Southern Baptist Convention. Ben has served in collegiate ministry for 10 years.
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. He is also a part time consultant for the Collegiate Ministry Office at Lifeway Christian Resources.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
5 Possible Reasons a College Ministry Does Not Reach More Students
1. Lack of an INTENTIONAL STRATEGY.
It is easy to become overwhelmed in just dealing with what comes our way that we don't have a plan or we are not working the plan. Can you articulate your strategy? Are your actions and time use consistent with that strategy?
2. FACILITIES or BUDGET
Money does not make a ministry, but it is hard to have an effective ministry without money. If money is a factor for you, are you working at finding more resources? Facilities are not something that can be instantly fixed. BUT, they can look their best. Does your meeting place look clean, orderly and set up for its purpose?
3. CLUB ATMOSPHERE
It is easy for students to be happy with each other, enjoy being together and it does not enter their mind to reach out to others. We must always be about developing a warm and inviting atmosphere, but we have to work at it not being closed. Look for those that come that may not "feel" apart and work at connecting them AND HELPING CONNECT others who feel that way as well. If you are not out on campus meeting and connecting with new students, why should your core students think to?
4. HAPPY with our 50....or 25....or 70.
Whatever the magic number is. There is a fine line between being unsettled and unhappy with your ministry and feeling good about what is happening and yet continuing to reach out. Try something different, do a new thing occasionally.
5. OTHER MINISTRIES
Sometimes in multiple ministry situations other ministries are doing well and that's all students hear or know about. Or, your ministry just is not on the radar. Don't fall into the temptation of copying the "IT MINISTRY". Rather, work at defining what the strength of your ministry is and making that known to students. What your ministry uniquely offers is part of how to help it be on the radar.
Finally, remember God does not love us more if we have a hundred than if we have fifty. The question is simply, are we doing our very best with what God has called us to do in our circumstance with our resources?
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
It is easy to become overwhelmed in just dealing with what comes our way that we don't have a plan or we are not working the plan. Can you articulate your strategy? Are your actions and time use consistent with that strategy?
2. FACILITIES or BUDGET
Money does not make a ministry, but it is hard to have an effective ministry without money. If money is a factor for you, are you working at finding more resources? Facilities are not something that can be instantly fixed. BUT, they can look their best. Does your meeting place look clean, orderly and set up for its purpose?
3. CLUB ATMOSPHERE
It is easy for students to be happy with each other, enjoy being together and it does not enter their mind to reach out to others. We must always be about developing a warm and inviting atmosphere, but we have to work at it not being closed. Look for those that come that may not "feel" apart and work at connecting them AND HELPING CONNECT others who feel that way as well. If you are not out on campus meeting and connecting with new students, why should your core students think to?
4. HAPPY with our 50....or 25....or 70.
Whatever the magic number is. There is a fine line between being unsettled and unhappy with your ministry and feeling good about what is happening and yet continuing to reach out. Try something different, do a new thing occasionally.
5. OTHER MINISTRIES
Sometimes in multiple ministry situations other ministries are doing well and that's all students hear or know about. Or, your ministry just is not on the radar. Don't fall into the temptation of copying the "IT MINISTRY". Rather, work at defining what the strength of your ministry is and making that known to students. What your ministry uniquely offers is part of how to help it be on the radar.
Finally, remember God does not love us more if we have a hundred than if we have fifty. The question is simply, are we doing our very best with what God has called us to do in our circumstance with our resources?
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
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