As a College Minister do You Have IT?

I heard a football coach describe his quarterback and he said, "He has IT."  

In college ministry, some assume that IT is charisma.  They are a great speaker and have that personality everyone wants to follow.  But, I am convinced that is not the IT Factor in college ministry.  The IT Factor in college ministry is Respect.

What makes college students follow someone over the long haul....work hard at their direction as a volunteer and even take constructive criticism from them? They respect them as much or even more than they like them.  There is a tragic trap it is easy to fall into and that is the trap of wanting students to "like us".  Of course, we do not want to be disliked.  But, if your goal is to be liked, you may forfeit the IT Factor of Respect.

Respect is earned.....Here are some ways:

1.  Time - Students have to see you live out who you are.  There is a eason that almost all of the large college ministries have a long time leader in place.  That person has been there long enough to earn respect....from students, supporters, the campus, etc.

2.  Don't just be one of the gang. Students have lots of buddies.  You are not called or paid to be one of their buddies.  You are to be a friend who has a different life perspective.  A buddy will not tell another buddy something they need to hear, but do not want to hear.  It might stop them from being buddies.  As God's person, you must sometimes say things to students they do not want to hear.

3.  Understand some will leave.  A person of respect stands on principle and sometimes it will cause students to leave your ministry.  That never stops being painful.  There are certain things you and your ministry are committed to, whether it is popular or not.  But, being principled and hard headed are not the same thing.  Make sure your recognize the difference.

4.  Stop trying to impress students.  Be you!  They know you are not 21....don't try to act like it.  College Ministers who try to hide their age or act younger do not fool anyone.

Things College Ministers with the IT Factor do:

1.  Encourage.

2.  Affirm gifts, abilities, and potential.

3.  Give feedback.

4.  Develop and train.

5.  Express God’s forgiveness to those who need it.

Never settle for just being liked!

Arliss Dickerson's book, A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV and Almost Everything About College Ministry is at Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.