Should We Criticize Other Ministers?

 Obviously, you know what raises this question.  Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde angered many by asking President Trump to show mercy during the inaugural prayer service. Others speak negatively of Franklyn Graham due to his support of President Trump.  This is not meant to be a political post in any way.  But, rather how we do ministry and how we relate to other ministers.

There are two issues or questions raised by this discussion:

1.  What is appropriate to say when we are to pray or speak at some sort of official event?  I like most of you in college ministry or any other ministry have been asked to pray at lots of different events.  I prayed at a college football game immediately following 9/11.  I have prayed at Board Meetings, graduations, etc.  I have even received a message from a University Attorney giving me some boundaries before I prayed.  

I try to do two things.  First, I try to represent the Lord and my ministry well that will open other doors for ministry.....and most of all, not give the Lord a bad name!  Second, I don't want to be just a formality, but benefit what is happening and pray or speak in some way for the good of the event and those involved.  

Some say it was inappropriate for her to say something controversial and speak about an issue that was opposite of the president's position.  Others quote the Prophet Samuel in 2 Samuel 12:7 when he pointed to King David and said, "You are the man!" confronting the king about his relationship to Bathsheba and having her husband killed in battle.

Here would be my guide:  Prayerfully decide if what you plan to say is for the benefit of the situation OR are you trying to make a name for yourself and show how courageous you are?  We are to speak the truth and be wise in when and how is the best way to do that.

2.  Should we speak negatively of other Christian Ministers?  My simple answer is NO.  We can say I disagree with what that minister did or the way they did it.  But, to say that another Christian Minister is not a Christian is inappropriate or to say they obviously are not called of God because of some of their actions or beliefs is to speak to something that can only be known for sure by them and the Lord. And, it infers that we think we have no sinful actions in our own life,

I fear that when we say another minister cannot be speaking the word of the Lord because of things in their life we think are wrong, we are claiming perfection for ourselves and our ministry.  My thought is we may not have their "sins" ......we have our own.

Bottom Line:  Disagree with what another Minister does and says, but don't say they obviously are not a Christian or are not called by the Lord.

Just my thought on it.....which with $2 or $3 will buy you a coke or coffee.....some places.

Arliss

You can find Arliss Dickerson's college ministry books at Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX and Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.

It Ain't Rocket Science!

 It ain't Rocket Science to know that to reach more students you need MORE people doing it with a good strategy. A friend of mine is observing a booming college ministry outside the south.  I asked him what he saw as the keys to their success.  NUMBER ONE was they have 5 full time staffers and 3 parttime.  the second thing he mentioned was they work at developing small group leaders who connect to students, encourage and invite them to the big event!

If you want to reach MORE students, you need more people working at it.  They have 8 working at it.  Several years ago I was visiting with a Church College Minister outside the south who had a large group gathering of 1500.  I asked his key.  His first response was, "I have 150 Adult volunteers."  He told me that he had a parttime worker who did nothing but recruit and work with volunteers.  How is that for multiplying one parttime worker?

It ain't Rocket Science.  To reach MORE students....you need MORE people doing it!

There are 4 Categories:

1. Fulltime Staff - The key with fulltime staff is having a strategy that connects them to different groups of students and everybody is not working with the same students all the time.

2.  Parttime Staff - This is crucial in finding their niche and utilizing them in the most effective way.  And, all parttime staff do not have to have the same gifts, strengths.  Different people connect to different groups of students.  Also, a parttime staffer might not work year round.  What about mothers who want to be home when their children out of school? There are some awfully sharp moms out there.

3.  Adult Volunteers - Help them know what to do and feel appreciated!  Adult volunteers can lead Bible Study Groups.  A Sorority alum can connect to her Sorority and lead a Bible study and connect them to the ministry.  Could a Marching Band alum connect to them and lead a Bible study?  You get the idea.

4.  Student Leaders - Training is key with student leaders. Train them well and, build into their lives personally and let them know they are appreciated.  Make sure it benefits them and not just "uses" them.

Many years ago there was a saying in college ministry, "One person can reach and work with about 50 people."  For a variety of reasons, I think that number is a little low these days.  But, go back to the 150 volunteers for the 1500 meeting....that averages 10 apiece.  What if every volunteer you enlisted could add 10 more students to your ministry?

So, which are you doing?  Which could you do or which could you do better?

Arliss Dickerson writes some college ministry books.  Here is one:  Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.

Are You a Teacher, Preacher, Or Speaker?

 I am sure some of you have heard me tell the story of as a boy asking my dad what was the difference in preaching and speaking.  I would hear them say someone was coming to our church to preach then at some point, they would be telling of someone else coming to speak.  So, I asked my dad the difference.  My dad was not an educated man; he had only gotten to go through the 6th grade when he had to quit and go to work.

My dad scratched his chin and said, "I think when you speak, you have to have something to say."  I am not sure what all he meant by that. But, as a College Minister, I primarily spoke at our weekly student event, but did speak fairly regularly in churches.  Often, someone would come up to me and say something like, "I enjoyed your talk."  That meant I did not sound like a preacher to them....which for some that was bad and for others it was good.

So, if you are a College Minister, do you consider yourself a preacher, speaker, or teacher?  So, is there a difference and does it matter?  I consider myself a speaker.  I worked at not "sounding like a preacher."  One of my goals and commitments always was to try to connect to students that had walked away from church or was not a church person at all.

But and however, I really think it is important that College Ministers see themselves as teachers.  To me the idea of being a teacher helps.  There are things that Christian college students need to know and learn that will NOT be Sunday morning church topics.  There are lots of issues and questions they need to see and hear a biblical viewpoint on.  Lots of those topics need to be spoken on every year because there are students that have not heard it and for different reasons, many students are only going to be around one or two years.  I talked about forgiveness in some way or other every year.  I talked about God's Will every year.  

One thing I think that pushes College Ministers toward seeing themselves as a preacher is the increasing number of students that are not believers and need to hear the Gospel.  I definitely get that.  But, I think we cannot lose our "teacher cap" and role.  Also, for those of us whose ministries are on campus and sponsored by churches, we don't want to offer just another version of what they are getting there.  If we do that, why do they need both?

For some, the difference in a Preacher and a Speaker is whether you yell or not.  I'm just not a yeller! 

So, do you see yourself as a Teacher, Preacher, or Speaker and why is that? 

Have you reached all the students you want to reach, if so, you do not need this Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.

Tasks for Every College Minister Age

 Last week I did a Facebook Live Post on the tasks for every College Minister Season.  Here they are, if you missed it or just want to see them in black and white.

First of all, remember my basic premise:  There are strengths to EVERY age and Weaknesses to every age.  Lean into your strengths and mitigate the weakness.  But, you have to be honest about where you are.

The Near Peer or Everybody's Buddy Tasks:

Look at different ministries to learn and formulate your own college ministry philosophy.

Discover by trial and error and honest evaluation what your personal ministry gifts and strengths are.

Be coachable.  Realize you have a lot to learn.

Find a wise pro mentor to develop, nurture and encourage you.

The Cool Adult or Role Model Tasks:

Develop a network of friends and colleagues for learning and support.  Feeling alone is one of the college ministry killers.

Become more intentional in planning and strategizing as a result of your growing experience.

Learn to balance ministry and family, if married or if single, have a life outside of work 24/7.  Be fair to BOTH work and family or you.  Burnout is real.  Family crisis is real.

Admit you are not a peer anymore.

The Respect Veteran Tasks

Work at staying tuned to students' viewpoints and perspectives.

Spend some time building and developing the ministry support base as a result of your earned respect and experience.  Share the vision and the needs.

Begin to minister to and invest in younger College Ministers.  It will benefit them AND keep you fresh in seeing things from a younger perspective.

Be intentional in developing a ministry larger than your personal ministry.

The Builder or Statesperson Tasks:

Don't become just an administrator...be out on campus.

Be intentional about benefitting college ministry as a whole by writing, speaking out wisely.

Put the support base of the ministry on a firm and strong foundation for the future.  Build or re-do a ministry Center or House?

Don't let bitterness from denominational politics or lack of advancement to negatively color your perspective and actions.

Some people get out of college ministry just when they are beginning to know enough to be the most effective.  We need MORE old pro College Ministers.

Adapted from Almost Everything About College Ministry Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX Check out A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV

The New Semester Challenge

 When you try something different to reach college students who have not been reached, you often fail.  When you don't try, you always fail.

Try something different this semester.  It may just be a one time thing.  Or, it could be a whole semester experiment.

You can think about it and maybe even try something you have always wanted to do OR,

At one of your Leadership Team meetings, have "Crazy Idea Time".  What is one thing we have never done before?  Just brainstorm for about 10 minutes and then have your leaders pick one of the "Crazy Ideas" you are going to try.  Yeah, I know that sounds scary.  But, think about it.

Wayne Gretzky, the great hockey player said, "You miss every shot you don't take."

Go for it.  Try one different thing.  Then, see what you learned from it.

Wednesday, January 8th at 10:00 a.m. Central, I will be doing a Facebook Live Video, "Part 2 of The Seasons of a College Minister."  Hope to see you then!

A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCTNB1 

A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV