My Concerns for Baptist Collegiate Ministry

 I continue to be amazed at all the good things happening on college campuses through BCM. BSM, BSU ministries with all the campus restrictions amid the health concerns.  These BCM College Ministers have been more resourceful than ever and God has used it.  My concerns are for the overall national picture and how that will shape the future of college ministry in Baptist life.

FOUR CONCERNS:

1.THERE IS NO FORMAL OFFICE OR LEADER OF COLLEGE MINISTRY.  Last spring Lifeway, which had been the home of our national college ministry office, was forced to cut $25-30 million out of their budget due to churches not buying literature because of the pandemic.  As part of those cuts, they deleted the College Ministry Leadership position and the part time consultants for college ministry.  That assignment was given to Lifeway by the Southern Baptist Convention several years ago and no other Baptist entity can take up that role until the Convention, at an annual meeting, votes to assign it.  Some believe there is a possibility that will happen this summer.

2. MEGA CHURCH THINKING OFTEN DRIVES DECISIONS.  There are Mega churches that do college ministry in a big and well done way with lots of staff and budget.  For example, one such church has three full time college ministry staffers and as many as twelve (12) paid interns.  They do a good job and reach a large number of students.  These type churches often say that a campus presence such as BCM is not needed because of ministries like theirs.  However, one estimate is that there might be about fifty (50) churches like this in the whole country.  The problem is there are way more campuses than that.  

3.  MORALE OF COLLEGE MINISTERS IS SUFFERING.  It is easy for BCM College Ministers to fear that their job may be deleted at any time due to declining offerings and lack of college ministry emphasis.  So, it is tempting for a Baptist Collegiate Minister to begin to think it is time to move in another direction for ministry.  Families have to be fed and who wants to work where they feel unappreciated.

4.  NO ONE IS RAISING THE FLAG FOR COLLEGE MINISTRY.  Right now there is no one in the Southern Baptist Convention who has the responsibility to be touting all the good things happening on campuses around the country.  No one is talking about the need....as nearly one third (1/3) of college students now identify as "non-religious".  The North American Mission Board has created a College Evangelism position which is being done well and as a result, developing some awareness.  Yet, there are many areas of every day college ministry such as leadership development, ministry to International students, short term and summer missions opportunity, etc that are not being organized or promoted on a national basis.  

In 1988 there were Baptist ministries on 1,042 campuses.  This year there are ministries on about 700 campuses.

THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO:

1.  PRAY!  Pray for College Ministers and encourage any you know.  Remember to pray for State Student Directors in working with Dr. Ronnie Floyd to have a recommendation  to come at the Southern Baptist Convention this summer.

2.  MAKE SURE YOUR PASTOR IS INFORMED.  Cuts and what is not done is never publicized.  Awareness here is huge!

3.  SPEAK TO STATE DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS.  They are making lots of difficult decisions and knowing people's concerns and interests make a big difference.  If you are a BSU/BSM/BCM alum, share your story how God used it in your life.

God is using Baptist Collegiate Ministry (by different names around the country) and the need is greater than it has ever been.  Southern Baptists have been a leader in college ministry.  Let's not forsake that calling.

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