Are You Speaking to the SPECIFIC Needs of 18-23 Year Old College Students?

 One of the things I have fussed about in the last couple of years is that I think there is a danger of college ministries becoming "too churchy".  Partly I mean that the events can be all worship and preaching and no fun and laughter.  Students need healthy fun and laughter.  Second, because of the increasing ignorance of the scriptures, College Ministers are more and more "preaching scripture".  

Here is the Problem:

Eighteen to 23 year olds have lots of specific needs that will not be addressed in Sunday church type settings.  That is one of the things that I think is so great and so important about the college ministry/local church partnership.  We each are speaking into important parts of their lives in ways the other cannot.

What are some 18-23 year old Topics?

-Sexuality and Gender Issues - This is not a Sunday morning church service topic...at least in most churches.  Helping students understand and navigate this tough issue in our society today is huge.  If I don't have a steady boyfriend or girlfriend....am I gay?  How do I relate to a friend who is going through this?

Personal Identity - Students are wrestling more than ever with understanding who they are and what to do with their lives.  Are you speaking to "Spiritual Gifts" and how that plugs into who we are and how God would use us?  Who are we to be as a result of accepting Christ?  How does that change or affect who we are?

Healthy View of Marriage and Dating - Marriage has almost become disposable in our society today.  As one young woman said the night before her wedding, "I think this will be a good first marriage for me."  How do young adults view marriage and family?  How can they get ready to do it by dating in a healthy way?  Are guy/girl relationships more than just about sex?

Dealing with People of Very Different Ideas - There is a movement in our society today that says, "There is Your Truth and My Truth".  In other words, whatever anyone thinks with sincerity is true.  Really?  How can young adults deal with that AND understand there are basic truths (you know like in the Bible).

As you evaluate this past school year's ministry ask yourself, "How have I or my guest speakers done in speaking to their SPECIFIC ISSUES?  These are just examples to get your head working and I hope not throbbing.  It is hard, but College Ministers are the BEST and if anyone can do it, College Ministers are the Ones!  

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9 and A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV

Discipleship Journey Partners Ministry for Incoming Freshmen

 Many campus based and church based ministries match up freshmen with a Discipleship Partner during the school year. Our BCM here at LSU has decided to match them up during the summer before they begin college.  The name of the ministry is, Discipleship Journey Partners.  We are inviting the new freshmen in the Fall of 23 at LSU to have a discipleship partner.  When they sign up, we match them up with either current students in our BCM ministry or other freshmen in the fall of 23.  The discipleship partners call each other once per week to pray together and give discipleship reports from when they get matched up throughout the summer until the Fall Semester begins.  Then, they will meet face to face each week during the school year.

We provide partners with a guide to use during the call.  We ask them to share a discipleship report each week in the areas:

1.  Personal and corporate Bible Study (What was the message your Pastor gave?)

2.  Personal and corporate prayer requests.

3.  Church attendance and involvement (How are they using their spiritual gifts?)

4.  Outreach/Evangelism

5. Then we suggest they share a life report (Work, family, friends, etc...)

Then they close the meeting by praying together.

 We have 46 freshmen signed up as of today. The sets of partners began their calls to each others on the Sunday night after Easter.  We did a zoom call before that with just the freshmen guy and then the freshmen girls to help them connect with each other and to explain the ministry.  We will make thse Zoom calls periodically throughout the summer to helop the freshmen connect with other freshmen.

We suggest the partners call each other on Sunday night, but it can be whatever day works best.  Our BCM has signed up 32 freshmen primarily though a phone call or text invitation.  The other freshmen were signed up by one of the 25 freshmen.  They texted me the name of a friend they had talked to that wanted a partner.  The freshmen involved are already feeling ownership of our ministry  We have never had this ownership of our ministry this early by incoming freshmen.

I am excited about this ministry for the incoming freshmen.  But, I am also excited about it for the current college students in our ministry that have a partner.  It is going to help them "step up their spiritual life" throughout the summer.

This ministry is also going to help our collegiate churches.  We are matching up the out of town freshmen in the Fall of 23 with students thar are involved in our collegiae churches that reach out of town students.  We feel the connection they establish  over the summer will lead to those freshmen seriously checking out the church of their partner in the fall.  WE have lots of commuter students involved in our ministry that are involved in a church that is 20 or more miles away.  We are matching up the commuter freshmen in the Fall of 23 with those current students that are commuters.

We want our ministry to help students become strong disciples of Christ.  We want them to develop strong relationships with other believers.  We think this ministry is going to help us do both of these things.  

The following are some testimonials:

"I am participating the DJP because I want to meet more like minded believers.  I feel like it will help me with any questions that I may have as well as becoming stronger in the word. I'm going to be a finance major and I plan on becoming an invesment banker.  I'm from Bossier City, Louisiana."  Sara

"Hey my name is Hayden.  I am from Denham Springs, LA and plan to pursue a PTA degree.  I joined the BCM to surround myself with fellow believers that will push me and help me grow in my faith.  I'm excited for the future and what God has planned for me and how he is going to use me to grow his kingdom."  Hayden

"I'm from Benton, Louisiana and will be majoring in physics and concentrating in astronomy starting in the fall.  I love reading, eating Mexican food, and telling dad jokes.  "im so excited to build genuine, deep, Christ-centered friendships through the DJP  Geaux tigers!"  Chloe

"I am participating in the DJP because I strive to disciple myself in college and strengthen my relationship with God so that temptations don't interfere with my spiritual growth.  I am looking forward to meeting new people that have similar interest as myself so that I can freely worship alongside them with no judgment and compassion.  I feel like this program will help me stay grounded and focused on my growth academically wise and spiritually wise."  Abigale

To help our BCM staff and student leaders monitor the program, we have setup a Google document for it.  Each week we ask the participants through a group text to report on the contact they have with their Discipleship Partner during the previous week.  They record on of the following:  TC - Telephone Call between the two partners.  T -Texted each other, ZC - Zoom Call between the two partners, PM - Personal Meeting (This will especially apply in the Fall semester.) DNR - I texted them and they did not respond.  The Google  document is really helping us keep up with the ministry.

I am excited about this ministry for the incoming freshmen.  I have sensed a real excitement about the ministry from the freshmen signed up.  I know this ministry will be of great benefit to the participating current students in our ministry.  I feel like this ministry is a good "spiritual bridge" between the spring semester and fall semester for the participating upperclassmen.

Steve Masters, LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry

Send me an idea YOU are using to connect with freshmen this fall that we can use in a future blog article.  It may not be NEW, but it works for you.  Pass it on.

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.  A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.

8 Factors in College Ministry Growth and Size

 "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." Psalm 127:1 

 The movement of God's Spirit in and through a ministry is the most important and significant factor in any kind of ministry.  Yet, I learned a long time ago, sharper instruments are the most productive.  Is your ministry as "sharp" as it can be?  Or, are you asking God to overlook the "dullness" of your ministry. 

1.  Staff Size - We can cut it any way we want to, but it just makes a big difference in how many people are reaching out to students, connecting with students, and having time to build into their lives. Part time and Senior Assistants are options when full time staffers is not.  

2.  Appropriate and Workable strategy -  There has to be a plan that shapes the work, events, and overall ministry of what is being done. The strategy has to be consistent with the gifts of the minister or ministry staff and it must be applicable to that campus.  Harvard events and approach does not work at Commuter Tech and vice versa.

3.  Quality and Investment/Ownership of Student Leaders - To build the ministry, we must recruit, develop and build up student leaders.  A significant number of highly bought in student leaders can offset a lack of staff.  

4.  Financial Resources - Resources can affect everything from the food or lack of food served at events, mailings and publicity, to the appearance of the meeting area to quality of events held during the critical first two weeks of the fall semester.  Money does not make a ministry, but it is hard to have much ministry apart from the needed finances.

5. Campus Atmosphere, Type, and Administration Openness - Again, there is a big difference in the atmosphere, students, and opportunities at Harvard and Commuter Tech.  On some campuses, the administration is helpful to campus ministry groups, other places they are neutral and in some, they are hostile to religious groups.  Every campus is different and the ministry must recognize and work with that difference.  Commuter campuses are harder to reach than residential ones.  There is a large difference in the attitudes, availability, and types of students at commuter campuses and residential campuses.  Make it a priority to work at a positive relationship to campus administrators  

6.  Other Options - Some campuses literally do not have much happening and others are overrun with activities.  Some campuses have only one or two ministries reaching out to students.  Other campuses have several ministries reaching out to the students. Plus, a college ministry with a bad reputation can have a negative effect on ALL ministries.  When there are a variety of quality ministries, it is essential to establish and build on the strength and uniqueness of your ministry. One key issue when there are multiple ministries is the number of student leaders available to invest in the different ministries.

7.  Long Term Tenure of the Ministry Leader - There are a lot of reasons that the larger and more established ministries are led by long term leaders.  They build respect on campus.  They know the campus.  Others know them and are willing to invest.  People send students to campuses with well known and long time respected leaders.  

8,  Consistency Over Time - I do not think we give enough credit to the value of a ministry being consistent over the long haul on a campus.  That is part of what earns it trust which benefits it both with campus administrators, with supporters and with students.  This also ties to the long term tenure of the leader.

"There are 12 million full time and 8 million part time college students in the United States.  The most optimistic figure given by college ministry leaders is that all of the evangelical ministries combined (both campus and church) are reaching approximately 5% of the student population."  from Reaching MORE College Students Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.

Should the size of the campus be a factor in the number of college ministry staffers?

Are you and your ministry working on those areas within your control?

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9 and  A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.

How College Ministers Can Publish their own Million Dollar Book!!!

 College Ministers must self publish for the benefit of college ministry as a whole.  So, where do you start?

After my blog, "College Ministers MUST Self Publish" I was overwhelmed (ok maybe one or two) with requests to do a quick "How to" on self publishing.  Even though I have done several self published college ministry books, I am far from an expert.  At first, I paid a former student to edit and do the work of uploading it to Amazon, etc.  But, that was an expense, I sometimes did not recover.  So, I ventured out on my own.  If I can do it, YOU can do it.

BASIC STEPS:

Go to Kindle Direct Self Publishing.

Set up an account at no cost.  Just follow the prompts.

Click on Create..  It will give you the choice of eBook, Paperback, or Hardcover.  I did a few eBooks in the very beginning.  But, I now do only paperback.  It is just my preference.

Blanks to fill in will come up..  These are Title, Author, Description.  The Description is very important.  This is what will appear on the Amazon page about your book where people can order it.  So, the description and appearance of it are very important. You might go to Amazon and pick a book or two you like and see their descriptions.

Key words is next.  You can list several (7 I think) these are words that people google that might lead them to your book such as "Christian youth ministry" or "College Ministry" etc.  Look at the page of some college ministry books on Amazon and you will see how they are ranked.  Shane Pruitt's new book, Calling Out the Called, shows up in "Christian Church Leadership" and "Christian Evangelism".

Cover Creator is one of the next and FUN steps..  It is just that.  You are creating what will be the cover of the book.  You can upload your own cover or you can click on their cover options, which is what I do.  There are several categories to choose from.  You can try several and see which you like.  In this, you will also write what will go on the back cover.  This is usually a quick squib or paragraph about the book and a bio sketch about you and most have a place for a picture.  Adding the picture has always been one of the toughest parts for me, for some reason.  I always explore several cover options before I pick one.  You just click on it and your title and subtitle will appear on it.  It is pretty amazing.

Uploading the Manuscript- Remember, your book must be at least 25 pages.  You simply click on it and then click on your manuscript.  I had trouble here the first time due to having typed my manuscript in separate "chapters" and uploaded each to a file.  That is WRONG!  It needs to be all one manuscript.  My college granddaughter was able to rescue me with the chapters file and make it work.  But, don't go there.  Just do one single manuscript.

One issue that I have each time, is it will then state that my manuscript is outside the book page borders. But, there is a place to click on the left side that will re-size it to fit.  Don't panic.  That will solve the problem.  Just click there and it will automatically do it.

Pricing will come up.  It will tell you what the minimum price must be to cover their cost and then it is up to you to price it.  It cannot be free, as I understand some sites will let you do free for an eBook.

Click Publish!  Then, it will go through their review process and then  notify you by email in about 24 hours that it is available and you can click on your new book at Amazon Books.  That is a crazy feeling to see it the first time!  I always then order one to see for sure what all the final product looks like and if I want to re-work before I announce it. Let me warn you.  If you order "Author Copes" which are super cheap....BUT, you must pay shipping and they usually take 10 days to 2 weeks to ship.  

 There are inexpensive books available on Amazon on how to self publish and promote it. I read one after I had been doing it a while and learned some things, but was not blown away with the information.  But, I had already done it.

You can do it....probably better than me!!  Let me know what you publish and I will mention/promote it for the benefit of all.

Arliss Dickerson's book, A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9 and Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades is at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.

College Ministers MUST Self Publish!

The Case for College Ministers Self Publishing

No publishing agency or company is going to "make money" publishing college ministry materials.  There just are not enough potential customers.  One of the things that drives book sales is the author being a "known name".  There are not many "famous" College Ministers.  Zondervan Books published  "College Ministry 101" in 2009 and "College Ministry From Scratch" in 2010 by Chuck Bomar.  Steve Shadrach released "The God Ask" in 2013 (which is still doing well) and Shadrach and Paul Worcester have re-done "The Fuel and the Flame" but it is aimed at students and is not so much a college ministry book.  Steve Lutz did  "College Ministry in a Post-Christian Culture" in 2011. 

If we are waiting for the publishing companies to produce the materials we need in college ministry, don't hold your breath.  They are not going to produce something that will only sell a few hundred copies.  That is not a sustainable business model.

Some would say that we should just post things on line.  But, I still believe lots of people want to hold something in their hand.  

What Are Some Specialized Materials  We Should Self Publish That Would Meet a General Need?

A College Ministry Guide for Volunteers 

Reaching Greeks

Ministry on an ALL Commuter Campus

Ministry to International Students

Ministry on Church Related Campuses

Doing Freshmen Ministry

(What is one YOU would like to see done OR, What is one YOU should do?)

Books Could be Tailored to Specific Campuses.

There can be Give-aways to incoming freshmen:  It would contain tips for freshmen specific to that campus and a quick devotional for each day of the first two weeks of school with info all about the ministry. It could list all the food places that give student discounts, etc.  

The Small Group Bible Studies for that semester

How to Lead a Ministry Team - Every year we are training our Student Leaders.  What if you had a Leadership Tips book to put in their hands?

All in the Ministries in a State Can Combine to produce materials.

Different Campus Ministers can write one Bible study around an agreed upon theme and those be combined into a study guide for that semester. And any campus in that state or nationwide would be able to go to Amazon Books and buy it.

Cost is Minimal.

Amazon Books sells "Author Copies" at a minimum printing price and for shipping.  A small book can cost as little as $2.00 each to the author.  I doubt you are buying any Bible study books for anywhere near that price. It costs NOTHING to upload a book to Amazon Books thru Self  Publishing, but it must be at least 25 pages.  Amazon does not allow you to offer it for free. 

Those that Self Publish Can Benefit ALL of College Ministry!

Even if your campus, your state, or just a group get together to do it for your own benefit, it would still be available to others to purchase through Amazon Books.  As college ministry organizations tend to shrink (at least as Southern Baptists are doing in some states), we MUST be more about what can we do that benefits ALL of college ministry....not just me and mine!!

PS:  In case you are worried about it, you will not get rich doing it.  I have self published seven (7) college ministry books and only two (2) have made any money worth talking about.

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9 and A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.

Random Advice for College Ministers

 Don't ignore your critics, but don't let them determine your actions.

 Learn from your hero in the ministry, but don't copy him or her.

 At a conference:

     -Don't spend all your time in the hallway.

     -Look for someone who is more experienced than you and ask them a couple of questions.

     -Look for someone who is discouraged and encourage them.

Make a commitment to become larger as a College Minister.

     -Write something and publish it or just put it out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

      -Mentor someone newer in the ministry than you are.

       -Volunteer to be on a committee (Like BCNet) or some Work Group.

       -Look for a way to connect to the administration at your school.  Provide something they need.

       -Self publish a book at Amazon self publishing.  Any dummy can do it. (I am an example!).

       -Get 3 or 4 College Ministers to write a couple of Bible studies and put them together in a book.

Be a "Gatherer":

       -If there are other people on your campus that do college ministry or area churches, get them together for a Lunch or  coffee for the benefit of all. 

        - Pray, share, laugh, learn from each other.  Someone has to initiate it....why not you?

Remember, students do not think you are cool, so just relax and be who you are.

Mop, sweep, vacuum or clean your meeting room or Center, if it needs it.....even though you are way too important to do things like that.

 Mow the yard, if it needs it.

    - Trim the bushes. 

    - Maybe even plant some flowers. Lots of people drive thru the campus in the summer and their whole impression of your ministry will be as a result of what the outside looks like.

After the last day of school, take your spouse out for a special lunch or dinner.  If you are single, invite a friend.

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.  A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.

Christian High School Transitions

One of the ways the BCM at LSU and the State of Louisiana is securing the names, contact information and college choice of 2023 High School graduates is by requesting the information from the Christian High Schools in our state.  We are requesting this information from all of the Christian Schools and not just those that are Baptist.  This includes Catholic, Presbyterian, nondenominational, and other other denominations or individual church sponsored Christian High Schools.  There are Baptist and nondenominational students attending most, if not all, of these High Schools.

We googled Christian High Schools in Louisiana.   We then went to their website or called the school to secure the name and email address of the High School Principal.  We sent them this email along with a "National Collegiate Ministry Coalition High School Senior College Choice Information" card.  The goal of National Collegiate Ministry Coalition is to help graduating high school seniors have a spiritual transition from high school into college.  I am the coordinator of the NCMC for Louisiana.  I would ask you to have your graduating high school senior fill out the attached College Choice Information Form and then mail or email me the completed copies.  I will then forward the form of each student to the college of minister of their religious background at the college they will attend in the fall (Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, etc....).

As the BCM Director at LSU for 31 years, I have found that the sooner we can make contact with a student then the better our chances are of involving him or her in our ministry and that of a local church.  Thank you for your consideration of our offer to help collegiate ministers connect with the high school seniors of your school.

Please email me at lsubcm@eatel.net or call or test me at 225-964-0830, if you have any questions.  Please mail the completed information forst to BCM, 101 LSU Student Union Building, LSU Box 25118, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.  You may scan the completed forms and email them to me at lsubcm@eatel.net, if you would like to do so instead of mailing them."

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE MINISTRY COALITION

                                               High School Senior 

                                                    College Choice Information

Name______________________________Date of Birth____________________

Cell (___)____________  Email________________________________________

Mailing Address_____________________________________________________

City____________________________ State_________  Zip__________________

Church Membership_______________________   City_______________________

College will be attending ________________________________ State__________

Please indicate your religious background/interest:

____Assembly of God         _____Lutheran       ____Episcopalian

____Baptist                          _____Methodist      ____Church of Christ

____Nondenominational      Other (Please specify)___________________________________

The National Collegiate Ministry Coalition was begun as a partnership between Baptist Collegiate Ministry and CRU to try to secure the name, contact information and college choice of high school seniors attending nondenominational Christian Camps in the summer.  We are expanding this effort to Christian high schools.  If you decide to contact Christian High Schools in your area or state, you can be a representative of the coalition.

We committed to the principal of each high school we contacted to network the names and contact information of any student whose name we receive to the collegiate ministry of their church background or interest.  We will do this through the BCM staff on our campuses.  We add the names and contact information of all the Baptist and nondenominational names we receive to our Freshmen Fall of 23 databases.  We will then call, text, and email all of them to invite them to become involved in our BCM ministries and the ministry of a local church.

We prefer the High School senior fill out the form.  However, if you decide to contact Christian High Schools in your area or state after the seniors have finished attending the school, then you could ask the school to provide you the information on the form.  We feel most of the schools have secured the information needed, including the college choices of the seniors.

Steve Masters, Baptist Campus Minister, LSU

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.  A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.