Colin Cowherd, the sports talk radio guy, in talking about Nick Saban's success at Alabama said, "You don't have to think old just because you grow old." He went on to talk about Saban's long period of success because of his adjustment as the game and the rules have changed. That resonated with me not just because I am old, but because I am one of, if not the biggest, advocate for more long term older College Ministers.
Many of our larger ministries are led by older and long term College Ministers. Many college ministries are not reaching near their potential due to the continual turnover of College Ministers and newer and younger College Ministers having to learn the same lessons each time there is a change. Don't get me wrong, I am not against young College Ministers. I just do not believe, as many do, that college ministry is only for the young. We need lots of you great guys and gals to stay for the long term.
As we age, we have to continue to be a student of students and changing attitudes. It is a small and maybe even silly example but years ago I realized that I did not need to be designing our tee shirts. . Our young Assistant and some of the students designed the tee shirts that our students loved and wore all over campus. I didn't have to love the shirt. The tee shirt company told us what the current favorite colors were for that year. Who knew that certain colors were designated as "the colors" that year? If it had just been up to me, we would have had red tee shirts every year.
Many years ago in the early 70's I learned my first college ministry maxim from Max Barnett, "Methods are many and principles are few; methods often change, but principles never do." As we age in college ministry, we must be aware of what is principle and what is just method. You must always be true to your principles and ministry principles, but not wed to a method. Thinking young sees new methods that are consistent with time proven principles.
Another of my favorite sayings comes from that great philosopher, John Wayne, the movie cowboy of years go: "Life is hard; life is harder if you are stupid." We are stupid when we do not adjust and change. Part of being a successful long term College Minister is listening to students and continuing to learn. And, we don't have to like tattoos or get a tattoo to continue to love college students and work with those that think a tattoo is a great Christmas present.
College campuses continue to change. Students continue to change. I think in many ways the Pandemic has speeded up change. What worked pre-pandemic may not be the best approach now.. Are you willing to consider new options?
2 Guides to Young Thinking:
-Continue to ask WHY you do a particular activity or ministry.
-Make ministry decisions based on what IS, not what WAS.
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight , so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ." Philippians 1:9-10
Arliss Dickerson's college ministry books are available at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.
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