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-They help combat the idea that some have that Christian groups are just some poor withdrawn from the real world group huddled somewhere in a corner.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.
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