The BE Attitudes of a College Minister

 1.  Be Intentional

Have a plan for your ministry and be working that plan.  Part of a good plan is setting priorities for the ministry and then planning to be about those priorities.  Be intentional about the use of slower times in the summer.  Build in some extra family time.  Do what needs to be done in connecting to new freshmen and last year's sophomores who will be like freshmen.

2.  Be Grateful

No ministry succeeds to any degree without help from others.  Write thank you notes.  Tell people who helped this year that you appreciate it.  A good rule is:  When you get a surprise check from an individual or a church, don't deposit it until you have written and mailed a thank you.

3.  Be Prompt about returning messages.

We all know the frustration of needing to talk with someone who is not returning our messages.  When someone sends a message that does not NEED a response, it never hurts to say "Thanks" or "OK".  They know you got it.  Your promptness tells them that they matter to you!

4.  Be in Contact with Alumni

Why?  You can continue to encourage and bless them. They can always speak to the value of your ministry to others.  They can send students to you.  They can give.  You can continue to be a spiritual mentor to them.  Homecoming is the simplest.  Have a pre-game Drop-In at an on-campus center.  A church ministry can have sweet rolls and coffee during Sunday School hour on Homecoming Weekend for alums, parents and students.  Parents can be a friend to your ministry.  Don't forget parents.  They look at Facebook too.

5.  Be Evaluating

Every year can teach us something.  Sometimes it teaches us that what worked great for the previous two years did not work this year.  Always be evaluating.

6.  Be Tweaking

As a result of evaluating, make some adjustments.  Most of the time, they are not major things...just adjustments.  Adjusting every year avoids total overhaul every 4 or 5 years.  Nothing stays totally the same on college campuses these days.

7.  Be Aware YOU are the Best Tool of the Ministry

As a result, realize you are never off duty.  You are always the face of the ministry.  Don't be a pretender or actor, but realize how people feel about you will pretty well determine how they feel about the ministry.  In my book, A College Ministry Success Formula, I say that one part of the formula is who you are.  Your personality, abilities, relationships, and knowledge will shape the ministry.

8.  Be Aware that Student Leaders are Volunteers

Don't every take for granted the time and effort that student leaders give.  Express your gratitude and appreciation to them in word and deed.

9.  Be a Witness

By word and deed.  Our deeds validate our words.

10. Be a Friend

Friends (besides just students) are a huge part of emotional health.  To have friends, be a friend.

Could your college ministry be reaching more students?  Check out Reaching MORE College Students:  Next Level College Ministry at Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.