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Friday, July 30, 2021

"Almost Everything About College Ministry" is Reduced for August

 My book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is reduced to $8.99 for the month of August (starting now).  I am grateful for the response it has gotten by old pros and those new to college ministry.  It has been used as a staff discussion book, a required text, as well as an individual reader over this past year.  It can be read cover to cover or just pick the chapters that relate to your specific situation.

You can check it out here amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.

Arliss Dickerson's brand new book, A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is available at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Why Do the First Three Weeks Matter So Much?

 As July winds down, two College Ministry Axioms particularly ring true and echo in our minds.

1.  Good Falls are made in the summer.

2.  The first 2-3 weeks of the semester determine your whole school year.

At this point, these two axioms interlock.  It is at this point in planning and summer preparation, College Ministers are nailing down their final start of school schedule, if it has not already been done.  Incoming freshmen are or will soon be contacted, texted, called, email, mailed, etc what the first few events are, when, etc.

So, why do the first three weeks matter so much?

1.  Students come to college looking for fun and friendships.

So, they are going to go where there is fun happening or they expect it to be happening.  This is true whether a student is a committed Christian or not.  So, it is important that our ministries offer what would obviously be fun events and where there can be relationships started.

2.  Students go where their friends go.

As students start to develop relationships they will decide together where to go.  No one likes to go to an event alone.  So, where are these new friends/acquaintances going?  What do these people I just met at that Luau last night want to do or where are they going that I can tag along?  Usually, the crowd decision will determine everyone's choice.  Who a student connects with personally at the very start likely will determine their next activities.

3.  Summer camp fun at college lasts about 2-3 weeks before REALITY WEEK happens.

Reality Week is that week when suddenly the realization that this is college and not just one big welcome party or fun camp.  It happens when that first quiz or test is given and BOOM!  They flunk their first ever exam or they have their first experience of not being the smartest one in every class like they were in high school.  Or, they realize they really do have to read the assigned material.  So, what happens then?  MOST TRIM THEIR SOCIAL SCHEDULE.  Out of panic, they swear to themselves to only sleep, eat, and study.....and maybe one other option.  Is your ministry a possibility to be the other option?

4.  A key difference in high school and college is that it is not possible to do everything.

In high school many students have played sports/band/dance team, etc, made good grades and gone to church youth group.  Reality Week often says to them, "In College you can't do everything."  So, it is time to choose.  Again, relationships will play a key role here in making those decisions.  What are my new friends doing and where have I felt the most connected?

5.  Church visiting has about a 2-3 week window.

If students are Christian and have been encouraged to be involved in a church, they usually are planning to visit a couple that offer something for college students and pick one.  Church visiting wears out real quick!  In my experience, about 2 or 3 places is the limit counting weeknight events and Sundays. So, that visiting can even happen within a 7 to 9 day time frame.  And then, they either connect to one of those two or three or decide, "there is just no church like my good old home church. I will just go there when I am home on a weekend and during breaks." In my experience, freshmen wear out quicker visiting churches away from campus than they do campus based ministries.

I am more convinced than ever that the first two to three weeks defines your school year.  AND, I lean toward the idea that for most it is JUST TWO WEEKS!

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven."  Ecclesiastes 3:1

NEXT:  "5 Questions to Ask about Your First Events"

Arliss Dickerson's college ministry books are on sale in August at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.





Sunday, July 25, 2021

Full Time BCM College Ministry Position

 The Arkansas Baptist State Convention has an opening for a full time BCM Campus Minister at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

 UAPB is an HBCU campus with a rich tradition in Arkansas.  It is a campus of approximately 3,000 students.  The Golden Lions is a Division I football program in the Championship Subdivision and the basketball teams play a national schedule in Division 1.

The ministry is part of the statewide BCM ministry under the supervision of Bruce Venable, who is the Team Leader for the Collegiate and Young Adults section.  To submit a resume or for more information, contact Bruce Venable at bvenable@absc.org.

Arliss Dickerson's college ministry books are on sale in August at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX

Monday, July 19, 2021

The New Court Ruling on Religious Groups on Campus

 On Friday, the Eighth Circuit Count ruled unanimously that the University of Iowa officials "can be held accountable after violating the First Amendment and kicking Christian, Muslim, and Sikh student groups off campus simply because the groups asked their leaders to agree with their faith."  This was from the Twitter feed of Daniel Blomberg, who is Senior Counsel with Becket Law which describes itself as  "a non-profit, non-partisan, law firm that protects the free expression of all religious traditions - from (A)nglicans to (Z)oroastrians."  

Blomberg said this in a later tweet:  "But while religious groups were targeted, other groups were given a pass.  Greek groups excluded leaders on the basis of sex.  Political groups ensured their leaders shared their political beliefs.  Only religious groups were barred for screening leaders for mission alignment."

I (Arliss) am not an attorney and not even remotely close to being a legal expert on this one issue.  But, I do believe this is important.  Administrators operate by legal precedent.  That is a guide and protection for school officials setting and enforcing school rules and policies.  I think it is to our advantage as College Ministers to be aware of these rulings.

My Thoughts in this area:

1. It is to our advantage as College Ministers to keep a working connection and communication with other religious groups on campus.

Even if we do not agree with other religious groups and see them as totally opposite who and what our group and ministry is, the University officials likely see our groups as one and the same.  And, they are more likely to be responsive to concerns or questions expressed as a whole.  And, they will generally deal with you and see you as one and the same.

2.  We must argue for the same rights for non-Christian religious groups as we argue for our own group.

I personally believe that the Christian faith holds up well in discussions or confrontation with other religions.  We can believe they are totally and completely wrong....HOWEVER....they have every right to express those ideas on campus.  Many years ago in my asking to use the Ballroom in the Student Center for a Christian event, the person doing the scheduling said, "If I let you do that, I will have to let every other religious group do that and you won't like some of them."  To that, I answered, "I am perfectly alright with that, if they are a recognized campus groups just as we are."  That discussion was the beginning of campus Christian groups beginning to be able to use that facility just as other non-religious clubs were.

3.  We must be careful to obey campus rules and guidelines.

These rulings are not a "get out of jail free card" for misbehavior.  If the school says you can't put flyers on car windshields, don't do it.  When a ministry group breaks rules, it can and should suffer the consequences.  Christian groups can be suspended from their rights for misbehavior.  The more we disregard campus rules, the easier it is for them to want to see us gone or at least hinder our work

4.  Work at having and maintaining a good and professional relationship with administrators who work with student activities.

I always say that we need to know the Vice President of Student Affairs or whomever is the person that deals with groups like ours.  It is to our advantage for them to see us as a professional and colleague, if at all possible.  I tell young College Ministers just starting out on a campus to "put on your khakis and go meet the person that works with student clubs, etc".  And, know that first meeting is an audition. If there is a concern or problem in the future, if we have a relationship, there is a greater possibility of it being worked out.

5.  Where possible be a partner and resource to the campus administrators.

When they see you and your ministry as a plus, they are more likely to work with you in a positive way.  Look for ways to be a plus to the campus as a whole.  If there is a tragedy on campus, make yourself available.  Sometimes, they just need volunteers to help with a project.  Be a volunteer when possible and feasible.  Promote worthwhile student projects that the administration is advocating.

I believe in freedom of religion.  Our country was established on that principle.  If we want our freedom, we must also protect and be for the freedom of others with whom we differ.  I think that belief and actions will help stand us well in dealing with school officials. A college is meant to be a place of the free flow of ideas, beliefs, and discussions of those beliefs.  That is why we need to be there and why we need to be allowed to be there. Wasn't that what the Apostle Paul was doing in Acts 17 in Athens?

Arliss Dickerson's brand new book, A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is available at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF.  What some are considering the new classic, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.  

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Ten Shaping Principles of College Ministry

 1.  Students felt needs and concerns, as well as their spiritual needs, must be addressed for them to see the ministry as continually relevant.

2.  Every campus is different with its own atmosphere and attitudes and that must be recognized and factored into the shape and style of the ministry.

3.  The awareness and perception of the ministry on campus will significantly affect the response.  Developing awareness is key to growing the ministry.

4.  The degree to which students feel ownership will affect their degree of involvement, investment, and outreach to others.

5.  Students must feel known and cared about individually to continue significant and active involvement.  Does anyone know their name and care?

6.   Each ministry must adapt to the changing gifts and abilities of student leaders each year, as well as continuing to train students for the on-going necessary roles that provide the stability of the ministry.

7.  The understanding and view of the character and nature of God that students have will help shape the ministry.

8.  The prime role models that students see in the ministry will determine the type students attracted to the ministry.  The most obvious are the examples of the College Minister and the student leaders.

9.  The long term existence and effectiveness of a college ministry will be determined by its connection to either a wide variety of individual or churches for both emotional and financial support.

10.  A specialized Freshmen Ministry and a well done first three weeks are the most effective things a ministry can do to reach new students and continue to grow the ministry each year.  Spending "wisely extravagantly" at the beginning is a key element of a good year for that ministry.

From A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA and used with permission.

Arliss Dickerson's brand new book,  A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is available at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF.  The new classic, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX

Monday, July 12, 2021

The SECRET to being Content in College Ministry

 College ministry has so many variations.  Students change.  Your best leaders graduate.  A new pastor decides his church needs to cut what the church gives to your budget, or changes the expectations, etc.  Sometimes, there will be criticism of the ministry. Every year is different. Apart from a College Minister's personal relationship to the Lord and a supportive spouse and friends, what is the best stabilizer?  How do we not live a roller coaster life emotionally?

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11,  "I have l learned to be content in whatever circumstances." Then in verse 12 he says, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..." I would call this "secret" comfort with who we are and your calling.  What are some steps and realizations that help us get to this point? 

1.  You realize your strengths.  These are the gifts and abilities God has placed in your life and wants to use.  It is not vain to admit, accept and allow God to use them to the fullest.

2.  You have admitted your weaknesses and learned to offset them.  You know you are not perfect and that realization can help you serve even better.

3.  You know what you know.  Experience is a great teacher and the longer we serve the more we know what works, what does not and why.  But, we keep learning.

4.  You are not in your position hoping to be the pastor of  First Big Church.  You know there is nothing more important than what God called YOU to be at this time.

5.  It is acceptance of your age and the strengths and weaknesses of that age.  There are blessings and strengths to every age.  As we acknowledge that, we can lean into the strengths of our current age and be grateful for that age and the gifts that go with it.

6.  You are not trying to copy the latest poster boy or girl of ministry....not even your hero in ministry.  God uses real people, not imitations of someone else.  Imitating someone else takes a lot of energy and posing.  Being yourself is freeing.  

One of the reasons that many larger college ministries are led by older College Ministers is this comfort with who they are.  They are not worried about impressing students or anyone else. They are who they are.  There are good days and hard days in college ministry.  But, the thing that helps a College Minister put them in proper perspective is  this SELF COMFORT.  Evidently, God thought you were pretty good....since He only made one of you!

Arliss Dickerson's brand new book, A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is available at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF and the new classic, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.

Monday, July 5, 2021

5 Questions to Ask in Evaluating, Refining, or Developing Your College Ministry Plan

 The most effective College Ministers have a plan and they work their plan.

You know the old worn out saying, "Aim at nothing and you will hit it every time."  That is what doing college ministry without a plan is.

There are Two Go To Mistakes in college ministry plans.

1.  Younger and inexperienced College Ministers automatically do what they saw done in the campus and or church ministry in which they were active as a student.  That is just "the way it is done".  And, that is not a bad way too start. It does have some direction to it.  

But, here is the problem with it.  They are in a different situation or campus most likely and they probably do not have the identical personal gifts and resources as the ministry in which they were as a student. Now, that is not all bad and is a beginning point.  One of the methods some use is to "Ask students what they need and want."  While I believe we definitely need to listen to students and make that "a part of" of our plan, it is a poor way to develop an overall direction, etc.

2.  The Go to Mistake for veteran College Ministers is not adjusting their plan as the campus changes or their season in life changes.

No campus stays exactly the same.  Students change.  The gifts and strengths of student leaders vary, and campus administrators change which can affect policies that affect the ministry.  And, other ministries change in their cooperation or lack of cooperation with a ministry.  One campus based College Minister said that the churches that used to cooperate fully with his ministry now each have their own campus student organization as well.  That affects his plan.

QUESTIONS TO ASK IN DEVELOPING OR EVALUATING YOUR MINISTRY PLAN

1.  What are YOUR priorities for the ministry? There are more good things to do and need doing than any ministry can do. Many ministries try to do so much that they do nothing well.  So, what are your priorities?  And, what are the priorities for your stakeholders, supervisor, or ministry partners?  These have to figure into your personal priorities.  What has to be done for you to feel the ministry is on track and you feel it is worth your life?

2.  What are the available resources? Money does not make a ministry, but it is hard to have much ministry apart from some financial resources.  Another part of resources is facilities.  If you have a facility, is it being kept up to date and even adjusted as needed??

3.  Have you changed seasons in your age and does that call for some adjustments?  I am all about College Ministers of all ages.  It is a lie that only young College Ministers are effective.  Some of the most effective in the country are older.  Cool is way overrated.  And, it wears off.  There are great and right ways to do college ministry at every age.  Just check yourself in what and how you are operating at your current age. I would recommend my blog article, "What SEASON Are you in as A College Minister?"

4.  How do outsiders view the effectiveness of your ministry? The view outsiders have a ministry can be right, wrong, or even over impressed.  But, it affects the ministry.  What is their impression and WHY do they have that impression?

5.  Is your current plan killing you or your family?  It may be working and students are being touched and see God moving in their lives.  Yet, if it is killing you and  or your family, it likely is not the best plan.  I promise that God does not want you to sacrifice your family or marriage for the ministry.  Working seven days a week and being on campus every night may be helping the ministry, but it is wrong. College ministry is hard work and those that do well, work hard. Long term leaders build the strongest and most impactful ministries.  Re-work your plan with your spouse, your children, and you in mind.  Work hard, but not ALL the time.

I am all about a plan.  I am all about the plan being kept up to date.  That is part of why I wrote my little book, "A College Ministry Success Formula".  Summer is the best time to evaluate, refine, or develop a plan.

Arliss Dickerson's brand new book, A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is available at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF  and ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX  Both are on sale for the month of August.

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Church College Minister Position Available

 North Monroe Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana is searching for a College Minister.  Monroe is the home of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, which is a campus of 9,000 students and is a member of the Sun Belt Conference in Division I athletics.  

The College Ministry at North Monroe currently features a Wednesday night College Hour and Life Groups on Sunday mornings.

For more information or to submit a resume, contact Cody Albritton at cody@northmonroe.com 

Arliss Dickerson's brand new book, A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is available at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF  The new classic, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX



Can Campus Christian Events be TOO Churchy?

 Can campus Christian events be too churchy?  My short answer is that I believe some are.  I am all about campus based ministries doing a weekly worship event.  I spoke for one for several years. But, I think there is a trend right now, at least in some situations, that they have become "just a worship service".  

What's wrong with that?  Two things are wrong with that in my mind.  First, if we are trying to reach students who are not believers or those who have walked away from church, why are we doing something they have already indicated they do not want to attend (a church service)?  Second, if we are not trying to replace local church involvement for them, why offer something similar and more tailored to them, than what they would experience at a church?

So, how do we worship, study the Bible and not be too churchy?  Students switch gears really well. In fact, that is the way their minds are wired these days.  In my mind, the perfect weekly event will contain some fun and laughter.  Early in the semester, there can be some simple mix and mingle activities that help students feel at ease and meet others.  There can always be a fun game where everyone participates or different ones are selected from the audience to "perform" in front of everyone else.  Some try to achieve this serious and fun balance by always having a fun event afterwards. And, that is great, but I am all about some fun in the mix of the worship and Bible study.

In our ministry, we always had our Homecoming Variety Show, which was strictly a fun event, during our regular worship time during Homecoming Week.  Not surprisingly, we would have a much larger than usual attendance.  Some came who were not regulars and others came who had never been before. As a result some would make connections and come back.  They knew when and where and had seen we were not too stiff.

What about using "non-Christian" music?  I must admit I wrestle with this one a little bit.  I am all about having music playing as people arrive (at least 15 to 30 Minutes prior).  And, I am real good with at least some of it being popular "non-Christian" music....as long as it is not vulgar....not just ANY popular music.  So, what about doing some popular music during the event or program?  Notice, I flinch at calling it "a service". What about the worship band leading a popular song or someone singing one?  For me the concern here is that we do not let that become the dominating music and I think real care would need to be taken in what songs were done.  But, I think they should be the minority of the music done during the actual event.

I do not think fun and Christian are ever opposites.  And, healthy laughter is a plus to any event.  What about it?  If you lead a campus based ministry, is your weekly "worship event" too churchy?  What about those that lead a church based college ministry, if you do a weeknight event?  Can it be too churchy?  Are you replacing the gathering of the church as a whole?

I would love to hear anyone's thoughts or how they balance this in their weekly "event".

Arliss Dickerson's brand new book, A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is available at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF.  The new classic, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.