Do You Have a College Ministry Elevator Speech?

An Elevator Speech is known as a 30-60 second pitch, if you were to meet someone in an elevator for whom you wanted to work for or convey some important information to.  You got 30-60 seconds till the door opens and they are gone. 

Through the years as a College Minister I have often been asked to bring "a short report" or to "say a word about your ministry".  I have found that many people in that situation spend half their time saying they don't have enough time to tell you all they want to tell you.  That is a waste of an opportunity.

I think a College Ministry Elevator Speech should be 3 to 5 minutes long.  And, you should be able to do it on a moment's notice.  Here is an outline for such a speech.

1.  TELL THEM SOMETHING GOOD THAT HAS HAPPENED.

"Last weekend we had the best Back-2-School Retreat since I have been at..... We saw this happen.

Or, "Last year we had 5 Dorm Bible study groups and this year we have been able to start 10."

While figures can be impressive, I believe the most "STICKY STORIES" are about an individual.  "I want to tell you about Bobby who this week committed his life to full time ministry after being a top pre-med student."  Or, yesterday two roommates shared with me they had re-committed their lives to Christ and that one was getting out of her sorority to be more involved in our ministry and the other shared she wanted to stay in the sorority to influence it for the Lord." 

2,  WHAT IS A BRIEF SNIPPET OF YOUR VISION FOR THE MINISTRY?

It could be, "I believe that we can reach into a wide variety of groups on campus and through that touch the campus as a whole."  Or, "I really see an openness to the Gospel on campus right now among non-Christian students."  Or, the University administration has really seen we are trustworthy and they are beginning to open doors for us in lots of different ways that can help us impact the whole campus." Or, "Through our ministry for the last couple of years, we have been able to develop some student leaders who really have the desire to influence the campus."

OR, SHARE YOUR LIFE/MINISTRY SCRIPTURE.

Mine is, "And the words you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." 2 Timothy 2:2

3.  WHAT DO YOU NEED OR WANT?

"We need you to pray for our Dorm Bible study groups."  Or, "We need some volunteers to host a student Bible study in their homes."  Or, "Please pray that we can grow our budget to meet the needs and opportunities we are being given."  Or, "We need another church or group that could provide one of our Outreach Lunch Programs."

4.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS SAY THANKS!

"Thanks for caring about our ministry and encouraging me."  Or,"Thanks for your financial support of this ministry...we do not take that for granted."  "Just thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my heart with you. It is encouraging to me."

AND NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GO OVER TIME!

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.