Teaching College Students About Character

I believe we have a crisis of character in our society.  There is it seems even more frequently stories about pastors (of big churches) being forced out, stepping away, or resigning over character issues.  In a recent survey of American voters, a large number said the character of a candidate did not matter to them, if they believed he or she would vote in accord with their priorities.

If you read any of my stuff, you know I am all about leadership development in college ministry.  And, I believe the most transformative thing we can do with students is meet with them regularly on a one to one basis.  Some College Ministers in their meetings with their student leaders have a list of topics they work through.  I don't do it that way.  I always say that we will meet for an hour and the first 30 minutes will be about you personally and the second half will be in regard to your leadership responsibility.  We talk about everything from grades to dates, parents, etc.  Some go very deep quickly and others stay pretty surface.  But, I do ask questions.

One day one of my best leaders said, "I'm writing a report right now on a book I haven't even read."  I said, "Do you think that is honest?"  She said something like, "I've never even thought about it."  I left it there and we went on to other topics.  The next time we met, she said, "I read the book."  It wasn't that she was intending to be dishonest or cheat, if you will.....it never occurred to her.  That is part of the change about character that is permeating our society.

If you speak regularly at your college large group event, should Character be one of your regular topics?  If Christians are not teaching and talking about character who will?  If you are planning your speaking topics for next semester, I hope Character will be one of your topics.  And, maybe it will come up as you meet with students individually.

"....we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope."  Romans 5:3

Arliss Dickerson's book, Almost Everything About College Ministry is available at Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX and A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity is at Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCTNB1.