Large college ministries get all the publicity. It can even be discouraging to lots of College Ministers. Their ministry is not LARGE. But, there are not as many LARGE college ministries as a lot of people would assume. AND, college ministries go through different cycles and some that were large may not be so now. Even though most of us will not or do not currently lead a LARGE ministry, there are always things we can learn from. AND, some that lead a LARGE ministry, could not lead the one you are leading.
So, what are some factors in LARGE college ministries?
1. Staff is always the first answer. It takes more people to reach more people.
2. Workable strategy that was developed with THAT campus in mind. There can be a multiple staff with a plan that is not workable or does not fit that campus. The right and well thought out strategy is huge.
3. The first 3 weeks of the fall semester is maximized in every way! Well done events that connect to new and returning students is huge....at a time when students are most available.
4. Great follow-up with first timers. Do those who came the first time know you care? Will anyone know or care, if they come back?
5. A consistent and conducive meeting place. Can students find it? Does it fit what you are trying to do?
6. Quality well trained, highly invested student leaders. Staff does not replace strong student leaders who are willing to invest significant time and energy in the ministry.
7. Reputation. When a ministry is well known and has a GOOD reputation, more students hear about it, more people recommend it, and so more students attend.
8. What other ministries are or are not doing. Some campuses have lots of ministries which affects the number of students available. Some ministries can have a bad name due to their practices and it affects all the other ministries in a negative way.
9. Good speaker and/or band or worship leader. The speaker or the music do not have to be perfect, but they have to be good and relatable.
10. Long term quality ministry leader. The personality of the leader will be reflected in the ministry. The reputation of the ministry will be largely tied to the reputation of the leader. The cooperation and support of the ministry by other individuals and groups grows with the tenure and growing respect extended toward the leader.
11. Food. Yeah, joke all you want about it. But food can be a significant factor. It can be a draw. It can be a factor in people visiting and connecting on a personal level.
12. Money, Money, Money. Money does not make a ministry, but it is difficult to have much highly impactful ministry without some level of decent financial support.
Likely there are not many ministries that would have all these and it is not necessary to have all these to have a strong or large ministry (and strong and large are not necessarily the same).
Which of these factors do you have that you could improve on OR which ones should you be trying to develop?
Remember, a Beer Bust will draw a crowd, but that does not mean it was a beneficial event!
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38
Check out Arliss' books like Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9 and Almost Everything About College Ministry Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.
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