The Ten Commandments of College Ministry

 A friend sent me a message yesterday that said he had found a copy of my 1997 book, The Ten Commandments of College Ministry and he felt that they still held up.  If I were writing them today, I would re-word them, but I still stand by them. Here they are.

1.  Some felt needs of students must be met in order for many students  to respond and continue to respond to a collegiate ministry.

2.  Each campus has its own atmosphere and attitudes that must be recognized and factored into the shape and style of the ministry.

3.  The perception of your ministry on campus will affect response significantly.

4. The degree to which students already in the ministry feel ownership will greatly affect their own degree of commitment and desire to involve others.

5. Students must feel known and cared for in the context of some small group in order to continue active involvement in the larger group ministry.

6.  Each collegiate ministry must adapt to the changing gifts and priorities of student leadership through the years and continue to train students for the ongoing roles that  provide the stability of the ministry.

7.  The vision the students have for the ministry and their understanding of the character of God will greatly shape the ministry.

8.  The prime role model that students see in the ministry will greatly determine the type students attracted to the ministry and the style, quality, and quantity of the ministry.

9. The long term effectiveness of a collegiate ministry will be determined by its interdependence with a broad base of churches and interested individuals who provide its emotional and financial support base.

10. A specialized Freshmen Ministry is the single most effective strategy in developing a larger collegiate ministry.

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.