To Tweek, Change, or Dump Your Large Group Event?

 Most college ministries have a weekly large group event.  For many, it is the front door to their ministry and in many people's minds it is the picture of the ministry.  Here are some questions to ask in evaluating your large group event.  As some now report that their small groups have become the entry point, what does that mean for the large group?  I never believe it is a choice between a large group event and small groups.  There is strong value in both.  One of the things I like about large group events is the opportunity it provides for training students in leading worship, speaking, etc for their years to come as leaders in churches.  One somewhat surprising development some places is the idea of using some students to be the main speakers at these events.  The College Minister works with them in developing their message and prep for delivering it.  I personally lean toward the idea of a mix of student speakers and College Ministers or pastors and other pros speaking.

1.  What is the purpose of it (for core people, an outreach event, a teaching time, etc)?

2.  Do we have the people, talents, and resources to pull off what we are attempting?

3.  Are we just doing a poor imitation of "The Poster Ministry" or Passion Conference?

4.  Is our event right, but is it just being defeated by lack of preparation and attention to the details?

5.  What are different large group styles or formats we might consider?

6.  Is our time, length, or night the most desirable?  And, do students know we will start and end when we say we will?

7.  Is our meeting PLACE the problem?  Where would be some other options?

Most college ministries don't need to dump their large group event, but it may be time for a refreshing or an adjustment.  The "new" time, event, or re-tooled large group event could start in January to have it refined before next fall.  And, the end of a semester is always a great time to do a one time trial such as a different night, time, place, etc.  We usually learn something by doing it once.  

Adapted from Arliss Dickerson's book, "Fixing a Broken College Ministry" amazon.com/dp/1521876665 .