4 Ways to do College Ministry WRONG

I say often that there is more than one way to do college ministry right.  So, how can it be done wrong?

1.  COPY ANOTHER MINISTRY.

No two situations are alike.  No two ministries have all the same resources.  No two campuses are totally alike.  No two College Ministers have the exact same gift and skill set.  Ok; you get the idea.  Learn from others, use the same principles/essentials, but be uniquely what God has for you and that ministry.

2.  BECOME A CLOSED GROUP.

This happens two different ways. The first is philosophical.  "We are a discipleship ministry and only for those who are ready to be serious about their faith."  That does not leave much room for the student who has questions about faith...either as a believer or non-believer.  And, it often precludes the believer that has strayed and struggling with how to "come back".

Second, it is when a group just becomes an unhealthy clique.  They are all friends, think alike and have no room for anyone else or anyone not  just like them or with their attitudes.  If we are honest, most ministries struggle with this to some degree.  There is a fine line between a group being caring for each other without shutting others out.

3.  FIGHT OR IGNORE THE ADMINISTRATION.

Some ministries take great delight in breaking the campus rules.  The campus may say, "No flyers put on windshields".  The ministry says, "We are telling people about Jesus, so is ok." The more rules we break, the more rules and restrictions get put on ministries....and not just ours.  A rule breaking ministry can harm all other ministries on campus.  Doors get locked to these ministries.

Second, some ministries just ignore the administration.  When campus administrators see our ministries as partners or at least, not harmful, it is beneficial.  Doors open to helpful partners. If administrators don't even know you or your ministry is there, how does that benefit anyone?  Know and befriend those that need to know you.

4.  CHURCH COLLEGE MINISTRIES THAT SEPARATE THE MINISTRY FROM THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE.

Some large church COLLEGE ministries are totally separate from the church as a whole.  In the short term this seems beneficial as everything is college student friendly, directed and some would say it keeps students from seeing unpleasant church stuff.  But, here is the thing, will these students love the church and fit into the church for the years to come?  Doing real church over the long haul usually means being with a bunch of folks not just alike.  

And of course, there is thinking it is all up to you and that the Lord is lucky to have you there leading it, but that is for another day.

Arliss Dickerson's new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com.(Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX ).  Type in his name to see all his books or just the title.