My 4th Most All Time Read Blog Article...."The Quick Cheat Sheet"

 A Cheat Sheet is a quick summary of a lot of information.  Here is my updated cheat sheet for revitalizing a struggling college ministry or taking one to another level.

1.  Look at and as HONESTLY as possible determine what issues are hold your ministry back.

2.  Get input and LISTEN to your core students.  But, remember those there are the ones most likely to feel everything is just as it should be.

3.  Determine if any of "The Ministry Killers" are at work in your ministry.  Two of the most common are Inappropriate Behavior  by student leaders and Lack of Excellence in what is done.

4.  Decide which of two basic approaches to take...particularly in a struggling ministry or a re-start...."Do a complete overhaul and change everything".  Or, "Tweak some things within the current ministry".

5.  Establish a starting point and give it priority.....this is FIRST.

6.  Look at the common characteristics of large and growing ministries .....what is one of those that could most quickly move your ministry in a positive direction.  Don't suddenly try to adopt all of them.

7.  Develop and overall plan.  A written plan or strategy is a plus to making continual progress.  Don't let the everyday tasks keep you from  doing the things necessary for the change or growth.  It is easy to get sidetracked.

8.  Assess honestly the ministry's healthy or unhealthy "atmosphere".  Every ministry has a "Vibe".  If it is unhealthy, what is at the core of that?

9.  Be prepared for the push back and personal attack that often goes with any major change.  As much as possible, let people know why you are doing what you are doing.

10. Consider slimming down what your ministry offers to beef up the quality of your offerings.  No ministry can be and offer every good possibility.

11.  If it is taking on a broken ministry, make an OBVIOUS change or multiple changes that show this is a NEW day.

12,  Invest deeply in a few leaders or potential leaders, that could be difference makers.

13. Clean up the reputation of the ministry with outsiders, if this is needed.  This can be particularly true with college administrators and or pastors in a campus based ministry

14.  Understand how other ministries may be having an impact on yours.  Don't copy the "It Ministry" and understand and stress the strengths of your ministry.

15.  Determine how much more or less you as the leader need to be up front.

16  Begin NOW to determine your plan for connecting to and reaching freshmen in the fall semester.  If first rate pictures will be needed for publicity purposes, make them throughout the coming semester.

17.  Determine how Covid concerns and regulations have affected your ministry and how to factor that into planning for the spring and fall semester.

Adapted from FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY.

Arliss Dickerson's book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY is available at amazon.com