When Rick Warren was in Seminary and studied under Dr. Roy Fish, he did a study of the 100 largest Southern Baptist Churches. One of the commonalities that stood out to Warren was tenure. A large number of these churches had long serving pastors. Warren determined to make that part of his ministry. He and his wife went to California and founded Saddleback Church which became one of the largest in the country. That is the only church he has served.
Church College Ministers seem to serve shorter periods than campus based. In many instances, that quick term over is detrimental to the college ministry. Yet, because of the stability of the on-going church ministry, it can be less harmful than continual turnover in a campus based ministry.
Some Examples in Campus Based Ministries:
Steve Masters, 32 years at LSU.
Lloyd Lunceford, 25 years at Southern Mississippi and his Associate who succeeded him has been there since 1995.
Joel Bratcher, 20 years at Texas A&M
These programs are large and would generally be seen as “THE” ministry on campus.
How does tenure of the College Minister benefit a campus based ministry?
1. They know the campus. As every campus is different, they have learned the quirks of that campus. They have identified the things that work for the ministry and learned to deal with the factors that are negative for the ministry.
2. They know the administration and the administration knows them. Usually some sort of personal and or trust relationship has been built with key administrators that opens door for them. They often function as peers with campus officials.
3. They have developed a system that students proceed through from year to year. It may vary campus to campus but they have their thing they are doing with student leaders and in developing student leaders. That process continues year to year. They have a plan and they continue to be intentional about working it.
4. Church Leaders/Pastors know and trust them. They are a known quantity to the pastors and others in area churches. They provide financial support and the youth programs send students to the ministry.
5. Alums give money and send students. Former students in the ministry become adults and send their own children to the ministry and/or give money to the ministry. With the fluctuation of giving in churches in recent years, alumni giving is more crucial than ever.
6. Long serving College Ministers have network of other College Ministers for emotional support and continuing growth in methods and trends.
7. When they need help, they know who to call in the community.
8. They have earned the respect of students and their life experience allows them to be valued mentors in to the lives of young adults.
If we want large and strong college ministries, we must make it possible for College Ministers to serve long term.
1. Salaries and Benefits - As young College Ministers families mature, they get more expensive with braces, cars, insurance and then college. We must make it possible for them to stay long term.
2. Calm the waters - With the cuts in college ministry many different places in recent years and rumblings in other states, some of the best and brightest are wondering, if they should move another direction. There is unease in many of the college ministry family. Baptist leaders must make clear their long term commitment to college ministry.
3. Stop giving them other duties outside college ministry. College ministry is a 24/7 job. When other duties are added, it hurts the ministry and/or helps kill the College Minister. This is true in both churches and campus based ministries.
The Danger in Tenure: The long term College Minister has to beware of the creeping temptation to just go into autopilot and do the same old same old all the time. It is Week 4, I do this. Each campus makes subtle changes each year and there must be tweaks made in the ministry. We must keep growing and learning and not go onto autopilot.
What is your ministry or church giving to high school seniors or incoming freshmen? Check out "Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades" at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.
No comments:
Post a Comment