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.