Those outside of college ministry are often surprised that those in this ministry feel pressure. Most would assume that only pastors feel pressure....the pressure of expectations, everyone grading them every Sunday on their sermon, etc. But, those who have done college ministry for....oh....let's say six weeks know the early feelings of pressure. Any time someone is responsible to others for their performance and when you are depending on the decisions and whims of 18, 19, and 20 year old college students, life is full of unknowns.
UNKNOWNS is likely the best word to describe the coming fall. This semester is not over as students are still taking classes on line, but as we look to working with students now, already we have great concerns about the fall. What will this crop of freshmen bring as emotional baggage after a senior year that ended in disappointments....no prom....no big graduation parties....no big award assemblies? Will the normal number of students come and will they be ready to be out and about? Will key upperclass leaders decide to just stay home and take classes on line? Will budget income from churches and individuals decline due to church giving being down and individual givers being affected by all this is going on....and not going on?
So, what do we do?
1. REMEMBER, the greatest cause of pressure are those pressures we put on ourselves. Realize that and and give yourself some grace. It is not that everyone else has the answers and you are floundering in the dark. Everyone is there.
2. Set REALISTIC GOALS. This fall will not just pick up where last fall finished. It just will not and cannot. Dial your expectations down.
3. TALK TO OTHERS. There are different conversation groups going on all across the college ministry family. What are others trying? What have they learned? Don't try to invent the wheel on your own.
4. PRACTICE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Now more than ever exercise, eat right, sleep, and spend time with family. As we are not having all our events, invest some extra time in your family. Or, if you are single, work on building some more strong friendships and nurturing relationships.
5. READ. Read tech stuff, but do not just read "The Best Zoom Event Ever". Use this time to invest in your soul and overall knowledge.
6. DO THE IGNORED TASKS. There are always things that needed to be done, but there was not time. Paint the chapel. Work on the Alumni list or do the best alumni newsletter ever. These will be tangible acts that will give you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. A sense of accomplishment helps relieve the sense of pressure.
7. TRUST GOD. Big surprise, but this all did not take God by surprise. Know that He can work in this, if only we will trust, allow, and be open to how He might use you in this time!
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson). "ALMOST Everything About College Ministry" coming this summer.
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