The Secret to Doubling Your Collegiate Ministry - Part 2

 Freshmen are selfish in that they are in survival mode.  They are looking for fun, friends and anything or anybody that will help them navigate this new world of college life.

What do Freshmen NEED and What are they looking for?

    1.  Friends - They will either find their friends and the friends will take them to fun or vice versa.

    2.  Fun - If they find fun first, they usually will make their friends there.

    3.  Survival helps - Who has good and reliable information.  Where are my classes?  What do I do when a professor is a jerk?  How do I get along with a roommate who keeps the lights on all night and has the TV on super loud?

    4.  Community - Nearly all freshmen want and need a support group....not feeling alone in this new world is a huge concern for them.

    5.  Mentors - Are there any older, more experienced people who can help me?

    6.  Dealing with Questions and Doubts about faith - Why should I believe what I have always believed when my professor thinks it is silly and my next door neighbor is a Buddhist who is cool.

What are some Freshmen Ministry Options?

    1.  Fun and attractive start of school events.  Christian campus and church college ministries should NEVER let other campus groups out fun and out excellence them with fun Welcome Events. Church ministries MUST make the most of the first three Sundays  

    2.  Freshmen Family Groups.  I prefer the term "Family Group" over "Bible Study Group" because it is less intimidating to that freshmen who thinks, "I don't know anything about the Bible and would be embarrassed by my inability to find those weird Old Testament Books."  Plus, Freshmen Family Groups can be a great mix of Survival Tips AND Bible study.

    3. Freshmen Nights - These can be a whole fall semester or just the first 3 or 4 weeks.  They can be a mix of fun, encouragement and Bible study.  Churches can do a Freshmen Focus type program before the weeknight event.   

    4.  Freshmen Survival - An extended Freshmen event that can range from 3 or 4 hours to an all day or even weekend event.  It is filled with community, fun, and survival tips.

    

Remember the College Ministry Adage:  Spend wisely, extravagantly the first two weeks of the fall semester.

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.