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.
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