We are who we are!
The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances." Then in verse 12 he says, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." I would call this "secret" comfort with who we are and our calling. This comfort can help us do a much better job. When we are at peace with ourselves, it is much easier to be at peace with others and focus our energy on what we are doing.
6 Steps or Realizations that Make us a BETTER College Minister:
1. You realize your strengths. These are the gifts and abilities God has placed your your life and wants to use. It is not vain to admit, accept and allow God to use them to the fullest and for His glory. To be all God wants you to be, there must be an acknowledgement of what God has put into our life.
2. You have admitted your weaknesses and learned to offset them. You know you are not perfect and that realization can help you serve even better. It opens up the door to give others the opportunities to serve in areas that are not your strength. And, you can allow them to do so.
3. You know what you know. Experience is a great teacher and the longer we serve the more we know what works, what does not and why. We understand our campus situation better with each year. But, we keep learning.
4. You are not in your position hoping to be the pastor of First Big Church. You know that there is nothing more important than what God has called YOU to be at this time.
5. You have accepted your age and the strengths and weaknesses of that age. There are blessings and strengths to every age in college ministry. As we acknowledge that, we can lean into the strengths of our current age and be grateful for that age and the opportunities that go with it. Pretending to be another age is hard and flat just does not work. You can be older without being grumpy!
6. You are not trying to copy the latest poster boy or girl of college ministry. God uses real people, not imitations of someone else. Imitating someone else takes a lot of energy and posing. Being yourself is freeing.
Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.
Arliss, I am a first time College Pastor after having spent 15 years overseas. I'm also 48 yo. This article (as all that I have read from you) is really helpful in calming my nerves about living up to everyone around me. I'm looking forward to seeing how He moves on our campus and at our fellowship among our students this year.
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