The Three Types of College Ministry Student Leaders

  In a college ministry the more student leaders a ministry has who are taking ownership and investing in the ministry, the healthier, stronger, and even larger the ministry will be.  Part of having strong student leaders is to be intentional in involving, recognizing, and developing those that have the ability and potential to lead.  Some will have the desire to lead and others will simply have the potential and must be challenged to begin to lead.

However, an easy temptation or danger is to think that all leaders look alike and lead the same way.  If we fall into this trap, we can easily miss students who could bless our ministry or not give them the opportunities they deserve and that will benefit them as well as the ministry.

THE THREE TYPES OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP TYPES AND STYLES:

1.   UP FRONT LEADERS.  These are the ones that are vocal and their strength is in speaking and lead from their personality.  This is the picture that most people get when thinking about leaders.  They are usually well spoken and others are drawn to them by the magnetism of their personality.  Often because leadership comes naturally to this type student, they may not be the best at preparation and organization and part of their development is helping them to grow in these areas.  Usually, this type student is looking for opportunities to lead.  So, it is important that your ministry demonstrate a priority of developing and utilizing student leaders.

2.  SERVANT LEADERS.  Servant Leaders are those who may not even be comfortable in front of a group but they will do whatever is necessary to make their cause advance and others are challenged and encouraged by their example and heart.  It is particularly easy to overlook this type student for leadership roles and even for them to indicate they are not leaders and are reluctant to serve in such a role.  This is where affirmation and challenge to lead is especially important. One temptation for this person is to try to do it all themselves.  They have to be taught and encouraged to let others do their part.

3.  MANAGER LEADERS.  This student is an organizer and is good at delegating and helping others be successful.  They lead through process.  They tend to recognize others strengths and help them be successful.  They function best within a structure and tend to make the structure even more productive.  One of the tasks in working with a Manager Leader is helping them be patient with those who tend not to be organized and function more by the moment.

WAYS TO HELP STUDENT LEADERS DEVELOP:

 AFFIRM leadership ability.  Many students do not recognize the capabilities they have.  Let students know that you believe in them.

EVALUATE AND PROCESS with them.  Help them learn and grow from their experiences.  When something works, help them see why and when something does not work, help them learn from it AND REALIZE that the lack of success may have nothing to do with their abilities and efforts.

EXPRESS APPRECIATION to students who take on leadership roles.  Be grateful for the time and effort that they expend for the ministry.  Help them know they are not alone and that you are there with them and for them.

Paul and Barnabus were leaders of the early church.  Yet, their abilities and leadership styles were different which brought them into disagreement as seen in Acts 15:36-41.  Part of our role in leading a college ministry is recognizing, valuing, and helping a variety of leaders to serve the cause of Christ on your campus.

Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry/leadership consultant and the author of five books on college ministry at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).  "ALMOST Everything About College Ministry" will be available in early summer.