Trends in College Ministry

In speaking and writing about trends in college ministry, it is always difficult to make sweeping generalizations.  Trends vary area to area and state to state.  So, what is true in one area is not in another part of the country.  As is the case in what is trending in any area, there are usually good and bad results of those trends and good and bad things that influence or cause those trends.  Here are some trends I see.

1.  MORE CHURCHES ARE DOING COLLEGE MINISTRY.
This is true basically in the south where there are lots of churches.  This is good in that we recognize the importance of reaching today's generation.  The negative side of it is there is a greater sense of "competition" between different churches and campus based ministries rather than an attempt to work together for the overall good.

2.  THERE IS A GREATER EMPHASIS ON EVANGELISM ON CAMPUS.
This is a good thing and result of a growing number of young adults who are not Christians.  The back side of this is sometimes what is seen as not facing and dealing with the reality of the large number of "high school Christians" walking away from faith in college.

3.  COLLEGE EVENTS ARE BECOMING MORE CHURCH LIKE.
Partly as a result of a need for greater evangelistic emphasis, many weekly college events are becoming more like "Sunday Church Services".  My concern here is that why should students who are turned off to church go to a college student version of it? Or, why attend a church, when they "go to church" at a campus ministry? We can share the Gospel in the midst of fun and talking about student issues that are not general church topics.

4.  MORE COLLEGE MINISTERS ARE MOVING TO SENIOR PASTOR ROLES.
This is a combination of things in that as college ministries become more "church like", College Ministers are being more "Preacher Like".  And, as churches become less traditional, they are looking for pastors who are more creative in their approach and leadership style.  Obviously, salary issues continue to be a factor here.

5.  CAMPUS BASED COLLEGE MINISTERS CONTINUE TO BE ASSIGNED MORE OFF CAMPUS ROLES.
Those College Ministers who are employed by state conventions continue to be assigned more responsibilities apart from their local campus.  For some, it is having responsibility for additional campuses and for others, it is serving as a regional youth and young adult ministry consultant.

6.  MORE COLLEGE MINISTERS ARE RAISING ALL OR PART OF THEIR SALARIES.
As people are seeing the need for College Ministry and experiencing God's call to different places where funding is not available, more are raising their salaries to serve.  One Southern Baptist State Convention currently is requiring their employed College Ministers to raise a part of their annual salary.  Some see more freedom in raising their salaries while others feel more different pulls.

7.  THERE IS A GREATER EMPHASIS ON SHORT TERM MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.
As more and more students are required to do internships in the summer or work to save as much money for school as possible, there is a greater emphasis on short term projects that allow a wider variety of students to serve.

8.  DISASTER RELIEF PROJECTS ARE GROWING AS COLLEGE STUDENT OPTIONS.
Many college ministries are even partnering with college administrations, other campus clubs, etc in doing Disaster Relief projects.  These serve dual purposes in providing additional funding and involving non-believers with Christian students for a brief but concentrated time.  And, it makes many college administrations more friendly toward Christian groups doing Disaster Relief.

9. THERE ARE MORE PART TIME COLLEGE MINISTERS.
This is a result of more campus sites being developed by many colleges and states.  This is a way to touch more campuses and is also a result of funding declines among state convention supported college ministry positions.

10. CAMPUS BASED COLLEGE MINISTERS CONTINUE TO BECOME MORE CREATIVE IN BUDGETING AND FINANCING THEIR MINISTRIES.
Some campus based ministries now have "Coffee Shops" in their ministry centers which serve as both an outreach to the campus and a revenue source for the ministry or part time jobs for students involved in the ministry.  Others are seeing the need to connect more to alumni and other individual based funding.

11. MORE COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO COLLEGE ON LINE!
And, we are not doing a very good job of talking about how to deal with this phenomenon,  Even students living on a residential campus, are taking more of their classes on line which more causes them to isolate in their room or apartment.

12.  THERE IS AN EVEN GREATER NEED FOR WOMEN IN COLLEGE MINISTRY.

The gender issues and questions have even more increased the need for women working in college ministry as Christian role models, counselors, and mentors.  

13.  AS CHURCH FINANCES TEND TO SHRINK, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO ADVOCATE FOR COLLEGE MINISTRY.

It seems as churches and Baptist State Conventions struggle with financial issues, it is often an early option to cut in the area of college ministry.  Outside voices speaking up makes a difference!  

Arliss Dickerson's book, "Reaching MORE College Students", is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN and "Almost Everything About College Ministry" is at Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.