This is a Guest Blog by Mario Moore.
1, BRING RECOGNITION TO THE ISSUE (STATE THE FACTS).
Begin by asking simple questions. Do you know who was shot or killed? What is their name? Actually say it. When did this take place? Where did it happen? Who was there when it happened? Who shot them? Was there a person of color involved? Was there a person who is white involved?
At this point, we want to get students in the habit of recognizing that these things are happening. Both black and white students will need help here. We do not know it all but it is better that we learn and process these things together. Doing it alone can cause students to not give it its due attention or become angry and bitter that no one else has talked to them about it. We either will take time to learn together or we will passively entrust the media to be their source of wisdom.
But I echo that the challenge is to recognize the facts, not your opinions. The facts will help us later on as we seek the Lord in how to pray. Part of the issue is that we do not see things as we ought to. So be careful not to not bring in presumptions into your dialogue with students. We do not know all the facts, but there are some things which are crystal clear.
-Practice by analyzing the George Floyd murder. What is clearly evidenced in this tragedy..
-In a one on one conversation ask someone else what they observed.
-Write down your observations. This can help down the line to possibly pick up on commonalities.
2. PRAY FOR THOSE INVOLVED (FAMILY, OFFICERS, CITY...)
Every time this happens, ripple effects are sent throughout and form concentric circles of impact. Of course those who are closest are from the families of the victim, the officer's family, the city, a large portion of the black and brown community. In the outer rings my be your students, and many others who are not in that city. Try to sympathize with those who may be closer to the situation than you are. Try to put into words what they may feeling at this point and turn to the God who cares for them. If God cares for them, shouldn't you as well?
As a warning, know that many feelings are intertwined with every tragedy. They should not be avoided or considered invalid despite how you feel. Just because its not what you feel does not mean their feelings are invalid. Imagine if we saw a person fall down and they said their back hurts. We may not be able to see their pain, feel their pain, or fully understand why it hurts. It would be cruel of us to disregard their cries and their pain because it did not affect us or we do not feel it. That posture makes us look like the Levite and the Priest rather than the good Samaritan (ref Luke 10:25-37). Doing this well can really allow us to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) and will help our students and ministers to care well for black students who feel this more acutely. That being said.....
-Call your black and brown students and pray for them. Bring the facts with you as to let them know if you are seeing the same thing.
-Host a brief prayer meeting with students over zoom and pray for those involved, the city, the hearts of the people, and the churches there.
-Construct prayer cards with scriptures that can teach your students how to pray when they see these things happen.
3. ALLOW SPACE FOR FRUSTRATION, CONFUSION, AND ANGER. (TEACH THEM TO LAMENT)
Hear the words of the Lord. For those who are well have not need for a physician, but those who are unwell (ref Mark 2:17). So, please teach your students it is is ok to tell the Great Physician where it hurts. If their feelings are unrighteous, He can make them well. Our frustration, confusion, fear and anger must be brought under the righteous care of our Lord, Jesus. So, give them space and prompt them to do so. Ask them to describe their demeanor and listen to them. Do not explain them away or try to fix them. Sit with those who are having a hard time. We often try to quickly turn people to just be happy when their hearts are not there yet. Walk with them as a good brother or sister.
-Provide journals for students and encourage them to write out their thoughts and prayers.
-Ask students to "describe in 1-3 words how they are feeling about.....? This is hard for most people to do but it is a great exercise to allow them to stop and process.
-Know someone in your context that can help you and your students process racism and examples of it in your setting.
This does not answer all our questions or solve all our problems. I pray that things like this will cause us to ask more questions and see that there is a problem. Then that the weight of the issue would turn us to the One who holds us in his hands.
Mario Moore is an Assistant Campus Minister with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger and author. His new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
Monday, August 31, 2020
Saturday, August 22, 2020
More Information on a Campus Ministry Shut Down Due to Health Violations
I shared in my previous blog about Christian Student Fellowship having their Welcome Events shut down by the University of Kentucky due to violation of health protocols. A friend of mine who is a retired BCM Director volunteers with them and the leader is one of his former students. They have provided this information and gave me permission to share it in hopes that it will help others in this unusual time. Also, I want to make sure my blog is not wrongfully harming their name and reputation.
This is a PORTION of a statement by Brian Marshall, who is the CSF leader, which he sent to their supporters.
"This past Friday (8/14) was the first night that all students were officially on campus and we were ready to host one of our events--S'more Summer. We had spent literally months--hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars---to create safe spaces to welcome students in accordance with university and CDC recommendations.
This was the first Friday night of students being back, with thousands of students on campus the university only listed 3 campus activities in the K Week App. The CSF S'more Summer was one of those 3 events. We did not know until after the fact that only three events were being publicized. The S/more Summer event is an annual event we host and typically draws way fewer people than showed up this past Friday. Unfortunately we simply didn't foresee the crowd that showed up almost immediately after the start of our event. Our event--as well as the other two events on campus--were overrun by students.
Using widely published guidelines for occupancy standards, we had a pre-set number of people we allowed in this largely outdoor event. But we hit our capacity limit very quickly. We had to turn students away at the gates, even offering them $5 Starbucks gift cards as a way to say we're sorry you can't come in! But despite our best efforts - safety signage, announcements over the sound system, staff going around individually asking people to keep their masks on and spread out, etc.- we couldn't get students to maintain proper social distancing once they were inside the event like we had hoped.
On Saturday, we hosted two more events during the day which were much more manageable......Though admittedly even at those events where 6 food wide tables were spread more than 6 feet apart throughout our grounds, we would still find students clumped together in small groups. We made consistent efforts to walk around the grounds asking them to separate....."
In some additional information shared with me (Arliss), CSF had done the following:
-Submitted their numbers guidelines to the university prior to the event and it had been approved and promoted by the university.
-Also, they had detailed cleaning plans in place, including hiring a disinfectant workers for the events whose sole job it was to clean.
My Take-Aways From This:
1. HERE IS A BIG ONE FOR ALL OF US: You can do everything right and get in trouble!
2. If you get into trouble, be prepared to show what you have done both to University officials AND your supporters.
3. Training our student leaders is HUGE and enlisting them in WHY we are doing what we are doing and asking THEM to help other students understand and comply. Role models are huge!
4. A minor take-away is, I like the idea of having SOMETHING to give to students, if you have to turn them away from an event due to numbers. If you are having two large group worship events and the first one packs out...don't just tell them to come back later, GIVE them something.
5. Don't say, "We will probably get in trouble any way, so the heck with it." We are still responsible for doing right AND NOT burning our bridges with the University administration!! There will be other falls.
6. Share as much information as you can from your events of things that worked and did not work and learn from others. Let's keep passing information.
Oh, and why not pray for the CSF folks.
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
This is a PORTION of a statement by Brian Marshall, who is the CSF leader, which he sent to their supporters.
"This past Friday (8/14) was the first night that all students were officially on campus and we were ready to host one of our events--S'more Summer. We had spent literally months--hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars---to create safe spaces to welcome students in accordance with university and CDC recommendations.
This was the first Friday night of students being back, with thousands of students on campus the university only listed 3 campus activities in the K Week App. The CSF S'more Summer was one of those 3 events. We did not know until after the fact that only three events were being publicized. The S/more Summer event is an annual event we host and typically draws way fewer people than showed up this past Friday. Unfortunately we simply didn't foresee the crowd that showed up almost immediately after the start of our event. Our event--as well as the other two events on campus--were overrun by students.
Using widely published guidelines for occupancy standards, we had a pre-set number of people we allowed in this largely outdoor event. But we hit our capacity limit very quickly. We had to turn students away at the gates, even offering them $5 Starbucks gift cards as a way to say we're sorry you can't come in! But despite our best efforts - safety signage, announcements over the sound system, staff going around individually asking people to keep their masks on and spread out, etc.- we couldn't get students to maintain proper social distancing once they were inside the event like we had hoped.
On Saturday, we hosted two more events during the day which were much more manageable......Though admittedly even at those events where 6 food wide tables were spread more than 6 feet apart throughout our grounds, we would still find students clumped together in small groups. We made consistent efforts to walk around the grounds asking them to separate....."
In some additional information shared with me (Arliss), CSF had done the following:
-Submitted their numbers guidelines to the university prior to the event and it had been approved and promoted by the university.
-Also, they had detailed cleaning plans in place, including hiring a disinfectant workers for the events whose sole job it was to clean.
My Take-Aways From This:
1. HERE IS A BIG ONE FOR ALL OF US: You can do everything right and get in trouble!
2. If you get into trouble, be prepared to show what you have done both to University officials AND your supporters.
3. Training our student leaders is HUGE and enlisting them in WHY we are doing what we are doing and asking THEM to help other students understand and comply. Role models are huge!
4. A minor take-away is, I like the idea of having SOMETHING to give to students, if you have to turn them away from an event due to numbers. If you are having two large group worship events and the first one packs out...don't just tell them to come back later, GIVE them something.
5. Don't say, "We will probably get in trouble any way, so the heck with it." We are still responsible for doing right AND NOT burning our bridges with the University administration!! There will be other falls.
6. Share as much information as you can from your events of things that worked and did not work and learn from others. Let's keep passing information.
Oh, and why not pray for the CSF folks.
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
Friday, August 21, 2020
College Ministers Beware!!! Ministry Events Shut Down.
Purdue University this week suspended and sent home 36 students as a result of a pledge party not adhering to Purdue health guidelines.
Kentucky Kernel newspaper had the following headline, "CSF Shut down over Social Distancing". The paper went on to say, "UK has banned Christian Student Fellowship, one of the most popular student organizations on campus, from hosting events for the remainder of K Week."
Three larger issues here:
-Your ministry does not want to be the cause of students being suspended and sent home from school.
-No ministry wants their Welcome Events to be shut down....and....could this lead to more sanctions by the school against the ministry?
-Do we genuinely care about the health of our students and their affect on the general population?
Be Wise! Be thoughtful. Be careful!! Or, as my friend Bill Choate said, "Ministries are not always being good citizens. We must do better than this."
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
Kentucky Kernel newspaper had the following headline, "CSF Shut down over Social Distancing". The paper went on to say, "UK has banned Christian Student Fellowship, one of the most popular student organizations on campus, from hosting events for the remainder of K Week."
Three larger issues here:
-Your ministry does not want to be the cause of students being suspended and sent home from school.
-No ministry wants their Welcome Events to be shut down....and....could this lead to more sanctions by the school against the ministry?
-Do we genuinely care about the health of our students and their affect on the general population?
Be Wise! Be thoughtful. Be careful!! Or, as my friend Bill Choate said, "Ministries are not always being good citizens. We must do better than this."
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
Thursday, August 20, 2020
End of a Chapter Or End of a Book? I still hear Calvin Miller's voice.
Dr. Calvin Miller, the great preacher, author, and teacher died eight years ago this week. He was a favorite of mine. Although in many circles he was a "big name", he did not act that way and did not "price" himself that way. He spoke on our campus three or four times and always did it for whatever I offered him. Money was not his driving force.
He said something once in a casual conversation that I have never forgotten and try to utilize in some of my decision making.
We were driving to another town in our area for him to speak at another college. He was still pastor of the church in Omaha that he had started. He had been contacted by a seminary about becoming their Preaching Professor He was in the midst of making his decision as to what to do. He said this, "I am trying to decide if I am at the end of a book or at the end of a chapter." He said, "If I am at the end of a book, I will go to the seminary, but if it is simply the end of a chapter, I will start a new chapter at the church.".
That still resonates with me! How many times have we confused the end of a chapter with the end of a book? All of us have friends in the ministry who jump from place to place very quickly. Evidently, they are the authors of short books.
But, here is the other thing, how often do we not realize that it is the end of a chapter in the ministry where we are and it is time to begin a new chapter? I am not one for continual change. I believe in building over the long term. Yet, sometimes there is the need for "the new". We have become stale or the ministry has become stale and fresh air is needed.....a fresh wind of the Spirit is needed.
So, here are my take-aways from Calvin Miller's words:
1. Sometimes, a book has come to an end and it is time to move or go on.
2. Sometimes, it is time to begin a new chapter where we are.
3. Some may "move" too quickly but, others keep trying to add on to the same chapter. Don't ruin a good chapter by trying to extend it too far. I am never a change for change sake person when it comes to ministry. Just because something is the hot new trend, it does not mean your ministry needs to be doing it. The strongest ministries usually keep building on some tried and proven things. Yet, even the best chapters end and it is time to start a new one either personally or in the ministry as a whole. One example of that would be as we age, we need to do college ministry differently. That is easy to confuse with the end of a book where it is simply time for a new chapter.
4. When a book ends, end it well. Leave it better than you found it. All of us know the disappointment of a poor ending to a book in which we have invested lots of time. Ending well likely is a plus to starting well in a different setting.
Calvin Miller is still speaking to me....and I hope to you.
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger and author. His new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
He said something once in a casual conversation that I have never forgotten and try to utilize in some of my decision making.
We were driving to another town in our area for him to speak at another college. He was still pastor of the church in Omaha that he had started. He had been contacted by a seminary about becoming their Preaching Professor He was in the midst of making his decision as to what to do. He said this, "I am trying to decide if I am at the end of a book or at the end of a chapter." He said, "If I am at the end of a book, I will go to the seminary, but if it is simply the end of a chapter, I will start a new chapter at the church.".
That still resonates with me! How many times have we confused the end of a chapter with the end of a book? All of us have friends in the ministry who jump from place to place very quickly. Evidently, they are the authors of short books.
But, here is the other thing, how often do we not realize that it is the end of a chapter in the ministry where we are and it is time to begin a new chapter? I am not one for continual change. I believe in building over the long term. Yet, sometimes there is the need for "the new". We have become stale or the ministry has become stale and fresh air is needed.....a fresh wind of the Spirit is needed.
So, here are my take-aways from Calvin Miller's words:
1. Sometimes, a book has come to an end and it is time to move or go on.
2. Sometimes, it is time to begin a new chapter where we are.
3. Some may "move" too quickly but, others keep trying to add on to the same chapter. Don't ruin a good chapter by trying to extend it too far. I am never a change for change sake person when it comes to ministry. Just because something is the hot new trend, it does not mean your ministry needs to be doing it. The strongest ministries usually keep building on some tried and proven things. Yet, even the best chapters end and it is time to start a new one either personally or in the ministry as a whole. One example of that would be as we age, we need to do college ministry differently. That is easy to confuse with the end of a book where it is simply time for a new chapter.
4. When a book ends, end it well. Leave it better than you found it. All of us know the disappointment of a poor ending to a book in which we have invested lots of time. Ending well likely is a plus to starting well in a different setting.
Calvin Miller is still speaking to me....and I hope to you.
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger and author. His new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
Monday, August 17, 2020
The Dilemma for College Ministers THIS Fall
This is the most strange of all falls for College Ministers. But, I suspect the greatest dilemma may not even be on our radar.
It is.....what do we do about the behavior of students at our events? Here is what I mean. College and Universities have gone to great lengths to develop and administer Covid 19 Health guidelines for behavior. There have been rooms set aside for students to quarantine. Classes have been moved to large ball room type spaces to allow social distancing, etc.
But, what will students do when they are together outside of the University control? Having just done a wedding that involved and was attended by lots of students, I will tell you what many will do. They will behave as if none of this existed. Students returning from the summer were hugging each other and there were not masks in evidence by any of them.
Here is the College Minister Dilemma: Will you strictly enforce the University guidelines at your events? Students may feel they should be able to just be themselves there and act as they do when they are on their own. Will students not attend your events if you practice strictly the guidelines?
One College Minister has shared with me that early this summer it was evident that the Student Affairs office on the campus where he serves was monitoring on social media the pictures of the different religious organizations that were RSO's (Recognized Student Organizations) and their behavior relative to health guidelines. He said some churches were NOT renewing their RSO status, so that they could practice as they pleased with their student events.
What will you do? How will students feel whichever you decide? How will parents respond, if you choose to not observe the guidelines? Does that matter? What if your ministry is named as the cause of an outbreak (as some churches have been)?
I do not have an easy and magic answer. My point is to suggest you give much thought and prayer to your decision as to how to proceed. And, I would suggest that you make sure that any supervisors are on board with whatever decision you make. It is a difficult dilemma!
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His latest book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
It is.....what do we do about the behavior of students at our events? Here is what I mean. College and Universities have gone to great lengths to develop and administer Covid 19 Health guidelines for behavior. There have been rooms set aside for students to quarantine. Classes have been moved to large ball room type spaces to allow social distancing, etc.
But, what will students do when they are together outside of the University control? Having just done a wedding that involved and was attended by lots of students, I will tell you what many will do. They will behave as if none of this existed. Students returning from the summer were hugging each other and there were not masks in evidence by any of them.
Here is the College Minister Dilemma: Will you strictly enforce the University guidelines at your events? Students may feel they should be able to just be themselves there and act as they do when they are on their own. Will students not attend your events if you practice strictly the guidelines?
One College Minister has shared with me that early this summer it was evident that the Student Affairs office on the campus where he serves was monitoring on social media the pictures of the different religious organizations that were RSO's (Recognized Student Organizations) and their behavior relative to health guidelines. He said some churches were NOT renewing their RSO status, so that they could practice as they pleased with their student events.
What will you do? How will students feel whichever you decide? How will parents respond, if you choose to not observe the guidelines? Does that matter? What if your ministry is named as the cause of an outbreak (as some churches have been)?
I do not have an easy and magic answer. My point is to suggest you give much thought and prayer to your decision as to how to proceed. And, I would suggest that you make sure that any supervisors are on board with whatever decision you make. It is a difficult dilemma!
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His latest book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in his name or the title.
Thursday, August 13, 2020
College Ministers and Parents Working Together
Some have said one plus of doing college ministry over youth ministry is that we do not have to deal with parents. Yet, are we missing a key ally and supporter, if our college ministries are not connecting with parents? My friend Steve Masters, BCM Director at LSU, is a loud proponent of connecting with the parents of incoming freshmen. The LSU?BCM mails out a "Parent Survey" along with a letter with lots of information about the BCM ministry. The letter asks for the student's cell number and encloses a questionnaire for the parents to fill out.
The questionnaire asks about their student's special interests, church involvement, what they hope will happen spiritually in their student's life, and prayer requests. The form also asks, if they know other students coming to LSU. They gain lots of additional contacts as a result of parents sending the names and contact information of other students.
Two or three things this does. It helps the parents know what is going on and that they are not alone in their concern for their son or daughter. It involves them in giving encouragement on their end to their son or daughter to be involved with the ministry. Parent encouragement for spiritual involvement at college is a factor in what a student does. Some parents even volunteer to help with events. And, a few even send a check. In these most unusual of days, parents are more concerned than ever about the welfare of their sons and daughters. Their knowing they have another partner at the campus is a plus.
Several years ago, our ministry at Arkansas State sent a letter to the parents of incoming freshmen telling of our weekly Lunch Program and inviting them to buy a semester ticket for their student that would be mailed to the student. Not as many responded as we had anticipated. But, I still believe we were on the right track. One reason previously involved freshmen drop out of church at college is, their parents seem to expect and ok it. Let's help parents be involved in encouraging spiritual growth and development at college. It is hard for parents to be very encouraging about things they do not even know exist. A parent letter, survey, offer of a lunch ticket, pre-paid Survival registration, or Fall Retreat sign-up just might be some things we could invite parents to encourage and even do "early registration".
Back to my friend Steve Masters. He is so adamant that College Ministers are missing the boat when it comes to reaching out to parents, he said, "Tell anybody that wants to know more to email me and I will send them copies of our parent survey and letter." His email is lsubcm@eatel.net.
You do not have to do all LSU/BCM is doing and you may not have access to a mailing list that makes it possible. But, is there some way you should be attempting to partner with parents more....for the benefit of the student....and the benefit of your ministry?
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY is available at amazon.com. Type in Arliss Dickerson or the title.
The questionnaire asks about their student's special interests, church involvement, what they hope will happen spiritually in their student's life, and prayer requests. The form also asks, if they know other students coming to LSU. They gain lots of additional contacts as a result of parents sending the names and contact information of other students.
Two or three things this does. It helps the parents know what is going on and that they are not alone in their concern for their son or daughter. It involves them in giving encouragement on their end to their son or daughter to be involved with the ministry. Parent encouragement for spiritual involvement at college is a factor in what a student does. Some parents even volunteer to help with events. And, a few even send a check. In these most unusual of days, parents are more concerned than ever about the welfare of their sons and daughters. Their knowing they have another partner at the campus is a plus.
Several years ago, our ministry at Arkansas State sent a letter to the parents of incoming freshmen telling of our weekly Lunch Program and inviting them to buy a semester ticket for their student that would be mailed to the student. Not as many responded as we had anticipated. But, I still believe we were on the right track. One reason previously involved freshmen drop out of church at college is, their parents seem to expect and ok it. Let's help parents be involved in encouraging spiritual growth and development at college. It is hard for parents to be very encouraging about things they do not even know exist. A parent letter, survey, offer of a lunch ticket, pre-paid Survival registration, or Fall Retreat sign-up just might be some things we could invite parents to encourage and even do "early registration".
Back to my friend Steve Masters. He is so adamant that College Ministers are missing the boat when it comes to reaching out to parents, he said, "Tell anybody that wants to know more to email me and I will send them copies of our parent survey and letter." His email is lsubcm@eatel.net.
You do not have to do all LSU/BCM is doing and you may not have access to a mailing list that makes it possible. But, is there some way you should be attempting to partner with parents more....for the benefit of the student....and the benefit of your ministry?
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY is available at amazon.com. Type in Arliss Dickerson or the title.
Monday, August 10, 2020
We Need Women in College Ministry
We need women in college ministry. This is not a "liberal rant" or a response to anything other than the realities of college campuses and college students.
Women make up 56% of those attending college. There are more women there. Most college ministries have more women involved than men. That goes to the number on campus and the greater difficulty in reaching guys...... which is another issue.
Why do we need women in college ministry?
-Young women are searching for godly women role models. There are a ton of different messages in our society about how women are to act and be. So, what is a Christian woman supposed to act like and do? Role models are needed. I love it when I see both single women and married women with children serving in college ministry. Students are watching and learning.
-Do we really want our culture to be the only voice on college campuses as to what it means to live as a woman in today's world?
-Sexual assault is more of an issue on college campuses than the public number will ever demonstrate. But, the reported numbers are disturbing enough. And, I am not accusing colleges of covering up those realities....although seemingly, some do. Rather, sexual assault is likely the most under reported of any sort of crime. I am glad when there is a trusted Christian woman they can talk to about it.
Why do we not have more women in college ministry?
-Unfortunately, women in college ministry have been caught in the debate over ordination and women being pastors of churches. I have worked with several great women in college ministry. None of them wanted to be the pastor of a church....or wanted to be ordained, but they did want to be appreciated. I (a guy) served several years in college ministry before I was ordained. It is not a necessity in most situations.
-Also, young women are not hearing us say we need them there. Let's say it. We need women in college ministry.
Lots more could be said. Again, this is not about any great theological debate, it is simply the reminder that women are needed in Christian roles on college campuses. They lead Bible studies in girls dorms, sorority houses, work with women's athletic teams, etc. That's not all they do, but its a task most guy College Ministers do not do well. Also, I have seen that there are some issues college guys would rather talk to a woman about. And if there are more women on college campuses, we ought to be serious about reaching them.
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in Arliss Dickerson or the title.
Women make up 56% of those attending college. There are more women there. Most college ministries have more women involved than men. That goes to the number on campus and the greater difficulty in reaching guys...... which is another issue.
Why do we need women in college ministry?
-Young women are searching for godly women role models. There are a ton of different messages in our society about how women are to act and be. So, what is a Christian woman supposed to act like and do? Role models are needed. I love it when I see both single women and married women with children serving in college ministry. Students are watching and learning.
-Do we really want our culture to be the only voice on college campuses as to what it means to live as a woman in today's world?
-Sexual assault is more of an issue on college campuses than the public number will ever demonstrate. But, the reported numbers are disturbing enough. And, I am not accusing colleges of covering up those realities....although seemingly, some do. Rather, sexual assault is likely the most under reported of any sort of crime. I am glad when there is a trusted Christian woman they can talk to about it.
Why do we not have more women in college ministry?
-Unfortunately, women in college ministry have been caught in the debate over ordination and women being pastors of churches. I have worked with several great women in college ministry. None of them wanted to be the pastor of a church....or wanted to be ordained, but they did want to be appreciated. I (a guy) served several years in college ministry before I was ordained. It is not a necessity in most situations.
-Also, young women are not hearing us say we need them there. Let's say it. We need women in college ministry.
Lots more could be said. Again, this is not about any great theological debate, it is simply the reminder that women are needed in Christian roles on college campuses. They lead Bible studies in girls dorms, sorority houses, work with women's athletic teams, etc. That's not all they do, but its a task most guy College Ministers do not do well. Also, I have seen that there are some issues college guys would rather talk to a woman about. And if there are more women on college campuses, we ought to be serious about reaching them.
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger, and author. His book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com. Type in Arliss Dickerson or the title.
Thursday, August 6, 2020
How Will the Food Be Done?
In these craziest of days on college campuses, College Ministers are getting lots of questions they have never gotten before. They come from supervisors, students, parents and college administrators.
One large college ministry contacted their Student Affairs office to get permission to do a large out door welcome event. They have done many similar events before and have a great working relationship with the school. HOWEVER, these are not normal days. The question was asked, "How will the food be done?".
If you do food for any of your events, here are some the questions:
-How will the food be served?
-Who will be cooking the food?
-In what configuration will the students eat?
I am sure that there will be other variations of these questions. The ministry that had to have permission to conduct the outdoor welcome event on campus had to answer the question satisfactorily before permission was going to be given. What would your answer be?
Many ministries have Outreach Lunch Programs. Will those be dis-banded this year? Are you planning to operate like always in the past? One ministry that has a long tradition of a well done such Lunch Program shared a unique and good idea. They will not have a "Yall Come" Lunch Program this year. Rather, twice a month they will have a Lunch Program where they invite a specific group and get an estimated number from them of how many will attend. By doing it every other week, they will have time to contact groups and get all the information passed back and forth as needed, plus do follow up from the previous group's attendance. One week it may be a sorority and the next time the Student Senate or the Physical Therapy Class.
So, "How will the food be done?" In the past they have had different churches bring the food and serve it. This fall they will do a Chick Fila box lunch each time. Since different groups are attending, variety is not an issue. And, it is prepared by a recognized and acceptable food provider....not to mention one that is liked by students on the whole. Since, most of the those who come from churches to serve are often older adults, they may not want to come, but they may be willing to contribute to it. But, they can be invited to help hand out the boxes, if they desire.
Another option: Would it be possible to prepare the food as you have done in the past? And, buy take out boxes to dish it into and serve it? Would that meet the different requirements and concerns? The rules, requirements and concerns vary from campus to campus and administration to administration. So, the questions and concerns have to be answered specifically to each place and ministry.
But, if you thought you could not do a Lunch Program...maybe you can....just think some new thoughts about how to do it. Maybe you thought you could not do that welcome event like you have done in the past with food....maybe you can outside with "Box Lunches".
RANDOM: I heard a Church College Minister yesterday say that their staff, including the pastor, goes to lunch on campus where students eat once a week. He said word spreads like crazy when they are there and students especially love seeing the pastor on campus. Presence and who is present communicates a lot.
Check out Arliss' new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, at amazon.com.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Four Things a Ministry Leader Must Do
1. Have a vision and direction you are trying to take the ministry.
2. Communicate that vision as clearly and often as possible.
-Have an elevator talk you can do any time. 2-3 minutes
This is what we are trying to do. A story that illustrates it. Here is something you can do to help.
3. Ask others to lead AND ALLOW others to lead.
-Ministries die when it is all about that one leader and that leader leaves.
-The longer someone leads a ministry the more it takes on their strengths and weaknesses.
-Invite and equip leaders that mitigate your weaknesses.
4. Accept Responsibility.
Leaders own it. No matter who does what; it is still your responsibility.
Check out Arliss' new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, at amazon.com.
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