5 Characteristics of Large and/or Growing College Ministries

 As I say frequently, every situation is different....BUT I do believe there are five common characteristics that I see again and again in large and or growing college ministries.  Most, if not all, of these can be done to some degree by any sized ministry.

1.  Specialized Freshmen Outreach and Ministry

These ministries tend to make the most of the summer leading up to the start of school and then they do a great job of special events and follow-up aimed at new students.  It also helps many new students not shipwreck their college career or even their entire life during those first couple of weeks.

2.  Effective Small Groups

Small groups both teach and retain.  Great discipleship and growth happens in well done small groups.  And, students are personally known and cared for.  There are three obvious options to doing small groups: One is random times throughout the week, another is all of the groups meeting simultaneously such as a "Freshmen Night".  Where College Ministers used to say that new students came into their ministry through the large group worship and then migrated to the small groups, many now say that their small groups are the entry point.

3.  Leadership Development

The more strong student leaders a ministry has, the stronger and usually larger the ministry will be.  This involves building a leadership culture and to be intentional about encouraging and mentoring student leaders.  Some of a College Minister's most valuable time is spent mentoring some student leaders.

4.  Sense of Mission

These ministries are not just present on campus, but they are also permeated with a desire to reach the campus, share Christ and be an influencer to the campus. This does not come accidentally or instantly.  But, it comes from the top down.  Leadership priorities are contagious!

5.  Consistent Long Term Professional Leadership

Continual turnover from one Campus Minister leader to another is one of the two most common killers of college ministries.  Students and momentum are lost in every change.  It takes three years for a ministry to take on the priorities and direction of the one leading it.  When there is change every two or three years, a ministry stays in the beginning stages.  The larger the ministry and the campus, the more important it is for long term capable leadership.

This is summarized and adapted from "Fixing a Broken College Ministry" amazon.com/dp/1521876665.

Arliss Dickerson's college ministry books are available at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX