Reaching More College Students

In my previous writings about LARGE college ministries and their characteristics, one thing that was an obvious factor was multiple staff.  In CRU ministries it was 6-12 and in BCM ministries there was not a number, but multiple staff.  It seems that large BCM ministries offset staff size with facilities which CRU does not have.  Yet most, if not all, large college ministries have multiple staff.  The simplest answer to having a large college ministry is having more staff.  It is not the only answer, but it is the simplest and most likely.

STAFF OPTIONS
Many in our tribe would say, "Multiple staff....I'm just barely keeping our ministry afloat financially as it is!".  Here are three options to consider:

 1.  Volunteer Staff
Some years ago, a friend working on a large campus told me of a lady in one of the local churches who had been active in a sorority at that university.  She had each year organized some Greek events for him.  She was not paid anything.  It was a calling for her and an expression of her faith.  Is there someone who was on the football or volleyball team, etc who might do some ministry in that area for your ministry?  Are there just a couple of women who would say they would lead a couple of Bible studies in a women's dorm?  Think wide....ask God to help you see who is out there.

2.  Part Time Staff
A number of years ago I hired a young mom to work very part time.  Her husband was an attorney and she did part time consulting.  She told me she usually used her check to buy shoes.  She liked expensive shoes.  She was of immense value to our ministry.  Often college ministries with one staffer are led by men.  Is there a young mom who doesn't want to work at all in the summer and during school breaks and wants to be home when school is out that could be a plus to your ministry?  Is there a recent graduate of your ministry who has gone to work in your city that could step back in for a few hours each week that would make a difference?  Ask the Lord to help you see who that might be.

3.  Full Time Staff
Many people called to ministry right out of college or seminary need and want experience from someone who has been down the road.  Invite someone to come work with you for one year or two.  You pay them something and they raise part of their salary. Or, invite your BEST SENIOR to stay an extra nine months before career.  The values are two:  it increases your ministry and you mentor them which impacts their life and or ministry for years to come.

STRATEGY
Here is the warning:  An additional person showing up and hanging out will NOT reach more students! There must be some intentionality in strategy.  Simply put, this person must connect to some different people.  I have long believed the most obvious way to grow a ministry is through an intentional, organized Freshmen Ministry.  Freshmen are looking for friends and help in navigating college.  They are more open than any other group.  And, it is a burden of my heart that many freshmen shipwreck their lives.  But, it might be a ministry to athletes.  Or, an additional person might identify two dorms that they will focus on.  The point is when a second or third person is added, there must be a plan that aims them toward additional students.

God does not just love large ministries.  And large is a relative term.  In some places fifty (50) is large.  The point of this whole thing is to think and be intentional about, "How can we reach more students?"

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).