The 4 Levels of College Student Connection and Commitment

 The college ministries I have led have been accused of having "too much fluff"?  I plead partly guilty!

Students come to college looking for fun and friends.  Some shipwreck their life as a result. I believe a fun and relational atmosphere is huge in connecting students to a ministry, to each other and most importantly...to an initial and/or growing relationship to Christ.  I think it is also important to recognize that students will function at different levels within a college ministry.  I believe we must start where students are and help grow and draw them to a deeper relationship to Christ.

Four Levels of College Student Connection and Commitment:

LEVEL ONE: The Guys and Girls here are fun. This is the most basic and initial connection or commitment.  Your ministry has fun students and some fun activities.  It looks like a place they want to check out further and maybe even show up occasionally.

LEVEL TWO:  I love hanging out and Pizza. This is where they are feeling they have found a group and are experiencing some community. Some have a commitment to Christ but have never grown in it.   They are beginning to have a sense of belonging.  Being here is a plus to their life and college experience.

LEVEL THREE:  Jesus loves me this I know.  Just like the little child who has accepted Christ.  They are relating to their previous acceptance of Christ as Savior or they have just accepted Christ.  Faith is real, but very basic.

LEVEL FOUR:  I will serve.  They want to serve in the ministry and are committed to the idea of serving Christ through the years to come.  They are growing into and becoming disciples.

How would you say these different levels show themselves within your ministry?

Which level is the largest group in your ministry and is that healthy?  Is there just one level in your ministry?  Why is that?  I am all about having lots of  "Level One students" but if that is all we have, we have just become a Club on Campus.  

We might proudly say, Nearly all our students are Level Four.  Is that a good place to be?

What do you see in terms of the number of students connecting to your ministry at different levels and what do you need to do to best address each of those levels?

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