Churches are well known for their "over correction" when its time to call a new pastor. If the previous pastor was a leader type, likely the next pastor will be a strongly pastoral type. If the previous pastor was seen to be weak in preaching, the next pastor often will be only a preacher type. But, correction, adjustment and change are a necessary part of any organization or ministry to stay strong and vital.
As College Ministers, I think we are in a time of possible "over correction". For those of us who have worked in the deep south through the years, we got many students into our ministries who had grown up in church, been to lots of Christian camps, etc and had a good basic knowledge of scripture and what their faith was all about. Our job was to take them to the next level in living it out and dealing with the issues.
As more and more students come to campus as non-believers or Christians with little solid foundation in their faith....even those who have been very active in church. It has become more necessary to continually be speaking to basic biblical truths. But, that is also where my fear of "over correction" comes. For those of us who do campus based ministry and are a ministry of multiple churches or of our denomination, we work hard at not being a church.
One possible "over correction" happens when our large group events look and feel more like church. Why should students get up early on Sunday morning after a long Saturday night to go to church, when they went to a really great contemporary worship service this past week at 9:00 p.m.? Besides, there they will just have to sit with "a bunch of old white people" as one freshman described his church experience.
The second part of this possible "over correction" is that in teaching basics of the Bible, we stop speaking to specifically college student topics, And, if we don't speak to them, who will? Sunday morning Big Church is not going to talk about dating, getting ready for marriage, and how to deal with a broken family relationship, dealing with divorcing parents, etc. And, I have never heard a Sunday morning, Sunday night, or Wednesday night Big Church sermon on sex! I spoke on marriage once at a large church Sunday morning service and was told by some that it was inappropriate because not everyone there was married.
I personally do not like the description of College Ministers as "Campus Pastor", etc. I think it too much bends us to acting like church pastors. They are two very different type roles. I am all about church pastors. I just believe it does not communicate well our role on campus. If I were asked to describe myself, I would prefer the term, "teacher". Maybe that is because, through the years I have been told I don't act or sound like a preacher. My pagan car salesman friend tells me I don't act or sound like a preacher. He means it as a compliment. Let's not lose sight of our unique role and opportunities.
Here is the simple point and concern in "over correcting". As you teach the more and more necessity of biblical basics, don't forget to be teaching about godly sexuality, dealing with your divorcing parents. figuring out God's will and making godly decisions in life. And, some of those need to be talked about EVERY YEAR....just like teachers teach some things EVERY YEAR.
Correct, adjust every year as is necessary to be what you and your ministry need to be. Just beware of going from one extreme to another. Beware of "over correction".
Arliss Dickerson's new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com.
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