I was talking with a friend who led a large ministry on the campus of a major university. He said, "College Ministry is really pretty simple, reach freshmen and develop student leaders." I agree completely. If you want it put succinctly, that is it.
So, the end of a semester is always a relief and a time of evaluation. What does that mean in this most unusual of semesters? Here are some things to consider as you evaluate.
REACHING FRESHMEN
-Was there anything done this fall because of Covid restrictions that is a keeper, no matter the circumstances? Should something be done out of the ordinary for the start of the Spring Semester due to the differences in this fall?
-Are summer Zoom Freshmen Gatherings a regular from now on? Are Survival events done virtually a keeper or does there need to be a "Virtual Survival" and an "In Person Survival"?
-What about Bible study groups? Should there be virtual groups and in person groups every year? How do groups need to be adjusted for the coming semester...shorter, longer, etc?
-One friend said this fall they had reached a lot of great freshmen girls and very few freshmen guys. Does next summer's outreach need to have some "gender intentional" outreach? Do you have an idea for "a guy event" for January? Reaching guys being a problem is nothing new....but has the current circumstance somehow even grown that problem? Has the time past that we just do outreach and it is the same for girls and guys? Seemingly, we can't just lament the loss of guys, we must develop some new ideas for reaching them.
-Just generally speaking: Is my freshmen outreach all that it should be both event wise, quality wise, number of events wise, and properly funded? Do we need more outreach events at the start or better quality events?
DEVELOPING STUDENT LEADERS
-How did your leaders perform this year? Did they step up and take extra responsibility? Do different times call for different leadership training and development? Consider doing something special for your student leaders as a result of their stepping up in difficult times.
-As students go home for Christmas, consider calling or writing personally some freshmen who showed real leadership potential this fall and encourage them. Let them know you see good things in them and that God can use them in the future. Let them know how glad you are that they are a part of the ministry. Don't take them for granted.
-Is it time to give a "Get out of jail free card" to one or more of your student leaders? The circumstances just have not worked for them and their leadership role is a pain to them. Should you call and talk with them and give them the opportunity for a "no fault" drop out or transfer to a different role. Perhaps there is a different role that would fit them better and give them a new start and that could be done now. Sometimes, it is a good idea to create a role to encourage someone and them to not feel they were "fired". When students feel a failure, it often sours them on leadership opportunities in the future.
The formula is simple.....it just takes hours, years, prayer and focus to do the formula. Hang in there. Remember, you do not know all that God has done this semester and used things you said and did that you do not know and may never know. I believe that!
Arliss Dickerson's new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com
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