I have written and spoken in the past about "The Two Biggest Killers of College Ministers". I have said those are feeling alone and comparison. As I have thought about and visited with College Ministers around the country this school year, I realized we may be seeing one of those on steroids this year.
It is COMPARISON.
The Covid health crisis is being dealt with in different ways in different states and on different campuses. I communicated this past week with a College Minister who is not allowed to have any gathering larger than ten (10) on his campus. So, his ministry is doing nothing but small groups. I have other friends who are operating almost normally and they are posting pictures of their Winter Break trips to other states and large worship gatherings. Other College Ministers have been told they cannot go out of state.
As easy as it is to compare during normal times, it can be crazy frustrating this year. Some campus based ministries are operating under strict campus guidelines and compare theirs to a church based ministry just a few blocks away that is operating under a whole different set of guidelines. So, what do we do? Keep your head down and keep being faithful!
1. No one knows all that is going on with another ministry. And, if they are breaking rules and not being wise, that is not up to you to determine or be responsible to.
2. I will almost always come out on the side of being a truthful and faithful partner with campus rules and regulations. Even as strange as this year is, it is not worth burning all bridges with the campus administration. That can bite you for the rest of your ministry there.
3. Treat this year as a "one off". Do what can be best done this year and take it as it is. Yes, if next year is normal, there will still be some "hangover" from this year. But, college student life and what is true adjusts real fast.
4. Be all about whatever is working best this year....whether you will ever do it again or not. If you are a speaker and cannot speak to big crowds this year, just put that on hold. Do what is do-able.
5. Think like a parent. What would you want someone to be doing with your 18-22 year old son or daughter? Do that to the best of your ability.
6. Ask the Lord to help you be grateful that someone else is not having to operate under the same tough guidelines you are! And, pray for someone you know who is having to operate under tougher guidelines than you are.
7. Never forget that long haul faithfulness beats short term flashes.
More than ever this year COMPARISON is of the devil and is defeating to you personally and to the ministry as a whole.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:17
Arliss Dickerson's new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment