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.