The Value of Tenure in College Ministry

I have long advocated for more tenured College Ministers.  

Some of the Benefits of Tenure in College Ministry:

1.  They know their campus and their campus knows them.  They know the quirks of their campus with its positives for the ministry and the negatives that affect the ministry.

2.  They know the administration and the administration knows them.  Often the tenured College Minister deals with administrators as a peer.  A trust relationship has been developed that opens doors or keeps doors open.

3.  Pastors and church staff know them.  Youth Ministers send students to them and pastors trust them and provide for their ministries in local budgets.

4.  Alums tend to provide financial support.  They have benefitted from that ministry and know the value of it.  Because of the College Minister has been there long term, his or her alums have progressed in life to the point of being able to give regular and substantial financial support.  Plus, they can be called on when there is a special need.

5.  They are able to mentor younger College Ministers which strengthens their ministry and helps them stay more long term.  Their mentoring shortens the learning curve for new younger College Ministers.

6.  Often long term College Ministers have preached in area churches which raises the profile and awareness of college ministry overall.

If we want long term College Ministers, we must provide salaries that grow through the years to meet the needs of growing families and greater expense as children go to high school and on to college.

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Things I Learned the HARD Way in College Ministry

1.  When some students apply for the Leadership Team, they want a position....not a job.

2.  When you talk a student into taking a leadership role, you have to KEEP talking them into it.

3.  When some pastors fuss that you are not promoting churchmanship, they mean not as many students are going to THEIR church as they would like.

4.  Working 24/7 is not always the answer for growing the ministry.

5.  You never get days with your young children back.

6.  Some students in whom you have invested a lot will walk away.

7.  That freshman that his or her home church told you will be your next President may not come more than once or twice or even show up at all.....no matter what you do.

8.   During Freshmen Week, you may sit through some of the worst music you have ever heard.

9.  The BIGGEST talker is not necessarily your best leader.

What have YOU learned the HARD way?

It is BRAND NEW:  Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98.

If you have ordered or read "A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen" you would do me an immense favor, if you would post any honest review at the Amazon site.  It can be 2-3 sentences or long.  Anything works.  Thanks!

 

Has God Called You to Stay Where You Are?

I believe two things which may seem contradictory when it comes to God's Will:

1.  Some people have gone to or are doing what God called them to do.  But, God has moved on and they are still there or still doing the same old same old.

2.  God's Will and Work often involves the long term.

We know that generally the larger college ministries are led by long term leaders.  They have built trust, they have developed funding.  They have lots of partners.  They are not threatened by having sharp people work with and for them, etc.etc.

Many years ago I developed the philosophy that if anybody wanted to talk to me about a job, I was willing to talk.  It gave me the opportunity to ask, why am I here?......AND to choose to be there again.  I think we need to ask that question every so often.  Don't just be where you are because you are there.  Continue to be there because you sense that is God's continuing will in your life.

At the same time, I realize that some positions are not long term positions for different reasons.

So, how do I determine, if God is calling me to stay where I am?  Maybe, ask some of these questions:

-What excites me about this place and job?

-What should excite me about this place and job?

-Is there someone I REALLY trust I could ask about how they see my value in the long term here?  

-Is there some way my spouse or children and their future needs to figure into this some way? (One time when I was offered a really good job....one I had assumed I would do, if it ever came my way, one of my daughters was having some health issues.  Her doctor had told me it would be better for her not to be in a high stress situation.  Some things tied to that job would have put her in a high stress situation.)  That was one of the things that helped me know I was right where I needed to be.

-What is my biggest frustration and is there some different way I need to see it or approach it?

-Am I making time to do in the ministry some of the things that give me the most satisfaction and joy?

I am sure that there are lots more....hopefully, this can help those of you God is calling to stay somewhere for the long term to see that IS HIS will and direction.

God's Blessings to YOU!

It's BRAND NEW:  A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen, Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98

What is the Personality of Your College Ministry and Why is it that Way?

 I asked some students once to tell me about the different church college ministries in town.  They named one church and said, "That is where the Greeks go."  They named another church and said, "That is where the hipsters go."  A third church they named they said was all students who grew in town and at that church.

So, what is the personality of your ministry and WHY is that its personality?

5 Ministry Personality Shapers:

1.  The personality of the leader.  Whether we like it or not,  our personality is a huge factor in the personality of the ministry.  The longer we lead a ministry, the more it will take on our personality with its strengths and weakness.  When one College Minister leaves and another takes over the ministry, part of the struggle is, what will the personality of the ministry be.  Our personality being the number one shaper of the ministry personality makes it even more important that we know what our strengths and weaknesses are.  One benefit of a multi-staff ministry is the blend of personalities that shape the ministry.  But, the personality of the staff leader will still be key.

2,  The personality of the campus.  Every campus is unique and that helps determine what students come to school there, which in turn continues to shape the personality.  Just as the campus situation must affect the ministry,  Each campus has open and closed doors.  Of course, not every student is the same and there will be pockets of different types of students.  Sometimes, a ministry is tailored or aimed at one particular group....either intentionally or as a result of who has responded.  The smaller a ministry is the more a student must be a "certain type" or "personality" to fit in the ministry.

3.  The student leaders.  One of the truisms of ministry is that groups attract and keep people who are most like those already there.  The impact of the personality of our student leaders is such that we must work at having a variety of leader types.  That in term broadens the appeal of our ministry and the comfort level of different students attending and feeling welcome.

4.  The meeting space.  This is the one factor that can be immediately changed.  A meeting space says something about the ministry....attractive.....dirty......messy.....big or small.  It gives off a "vibe".  Your space may not be first class, but it can be presented in the best possible way.  Lighting is another factor  Fix and control what you can fix and control.

5.  The philosophy of the ministry.  If the ministry has a philosophy of outreach and witness to non-believers, it will affect all areas of the ministry.  If the ministry has a philosophy of wanting to impact the entire campus, that will affect the "feel" of the ministry.  The philosophy cannot just be that of the leader, but it must have infiltrated the whole ministry.

So, what do we do about our "Ministry Personality?"

1.  Be self-aware of your goals and your own strengths and weaknesses.

2.  Be a student of your campus.

3.  Work at developing a wide variety of student leaders.

4.  Make sure you are utilizing your strengths and gifts to the max for the benefit of the ministry.

So, what is the personality of your ministry?  How do you feel about it?  Should there be any changes made to affect the personality?

IT'S BRAND NEW:  A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen....What is your church giving your high school seniors?  What is your college ministry giving to freshmen this spring and summer?  Check it out here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98

Which of these Two Causes a College Minister the MOST Pressure?

What do you think College Ministers feel the most pressure or stress about? 

I would argue that it is either ministry finances or attendance numbers.

Finances

 My first college ministry job was on a campus of 3,000 with a modern Center across the street from one of the two largest dorms.  There was only one other ministry on campus and they were not too active.  But, having the money to pay the light bill and do much ministry was the issue.  The profit from the Coke Machine was our second largest supporter.  Sometimes the money ran out before the month did.  My first month there, a generous supporter wrote a check just so I could get paid my travel allowance....which I needed.

I think there are lots of College Ministers whose number one pressure is dealing with the finances.  They either have a booming ministry that has outgrown the budget or they do not have enough budget to do much that will grow the ministry.  This is compounded when they have a Center where the local budget has to pay all the utilities and upkeep.  This usually means that upkeep and repairs are skimped on or not done in order to put the money on the ministry. Money does not make a ministry, but its hard to have much ministry without money.  Lack of finances forces College Ministers to charge students the max amount for everything.  There are no scholarships for retreats or conferences and there certainly are not nice refreshments or food after lots of events. Yes; food matters in college ministry.

Numbers

For other College Ministers, the pressure is numbers.  For different reasons and in certain situations there is a concern for how large the ministry is and how many attend your worship events.  Some campuses are called "Flagship Campuses" usually they are the one or two larger or best known schools in a state.  A campus based College Minister in those situations knows that eyes are on him or her and that the perception of that ministry affects the perception of other ministries in the state.  This also feeds into financial support (See Finances.).  If churches and individuals feel a ministry is booming, they are more likely to provide financial support.  While I believe it is very rare, I know of situations where numbers were just plain fabricated to meet or exceed the numbers expected or desired.  In some situations, they "estimate" attendance.

Some have indicated that many Church College Ministers feel pressure for numbers to either justify the college ministry budget to the church or the pastor expects large numbers.  One large Church College Minister told of his pastor being upset because their numbers were down on the first fall weekend without a home football game.

I have confessed other times to being "numbers conscious."  There is a fine line between wanting to minister to as many students as possible and letting the whole ministry being numbers driven. and the College Minister feeling that as a constant pressure. When we live or die on numbers, it can suck the joy out of your ministry.

On my first campus, I felt the pressure of finances in how it affected the budget and what we could do.  On my second campus, I felt the pressure of numbers.  I knew lots of people were counting on me for different reasons. 

Some would argue that feeling pressure on finances or numbers is a lack of spirituality or trust in the Lord.  I think it falls into the category of our being human and we wrestle with issues just like other Christians do in their work.

What is your greatest pressure.....Finances, Numbers, or _________________?  If you have a different one, I would love to hear it.

BRAND NEW:  A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98

My Annual Spring College Ministry Announcement

I know you are either on Spring Break or it is just around the corner, but put this in the back of your mind for after Spring Break.

What is something you have always wanted to try, but were afraid to?  Or you don't want to try it, but others have suggested it....maybe even your students have suggested....and even begged you to do it?

The MOST OBVIOUS thing is to experiment with your large group event.

Should you try a different time?

What about a different night?

What about a different location?

What about two worship events in one night due to crowding?  There could be one at 7:00 and one at 9:00 or 9:30. Or, do the same event and Bible study on two different nights.

What about your church's College Sunday School?  Different approach?  A Breakfast of some sort that you might do each week?  Student led classes?  Guy classes, Girl classes? 

Think REALLY hard!  What is something different you might experiment with at least once.  You might prove it will not work....OR......it might just be something that would take your ministry to a different level!

Trying it before school is out would give you the chance to make the adjustment for the fall, if it works.  Plus, it would help you see what adjustments or tweaks would need to be made.

Think EXTRA HARD!  What could it be?

What about asking your leadership team to brainstorm and come up with something new and different to try?  Or throw out some options and let them pick one.

WARNING:  As I always say, if it is something way out on the edge, make sure your supervisor is in the know.

I would LOVE to hear from you, if you try something....let me know what and how it went....and if you still have a job.

What is your church giving it's high school grads or what is your ministry using as a giveaway to incoming freshmen this summer?  Or, what are you going to use for a Freshmen Welcome Event? Check out " College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen. Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98

February in College Ministry

 I have always hated February in college ministry.

The excitement of a new semester wore off back in January.  Students are already counting the days until Spring Break.  They are not wanting to live in the present and make the most of it.  They are leaning hard out of the month.

Students would come in and hug me and I would say, how are you doing and they would say something like:  Awful, I don't know if I have the flu or what, but I have been throwing up all day.  What???  You just hugged me.  So, as I was able to untangle myself and make myself walk....not run.... to the bathroom and scrub my hands hard enough to take the skin off.

Students and parents and boyfriends and girlfriends get crosswise in February.  Why???  Because, it is February.  They want to cry on your shoulder about it.

As the College Minister, you are working hard at the everyday things of making the ministry go AND, you are working at all the details of the Spring Break ministry team or teams that are going everywhere.  It is two full time jobs. You have to talk to the father who wants you to promise there won't be any violent outbreak in the country where you are taking his daughter....and oh yeah, 35 other students.

Attendance is ALWAYS DOWN in February.  You can lie to yourself and others and say, "Attendance does not affect me or the quality of the ministry."  How many times have you heard a College Minister say, "Oh goody, attendance has dropped off."  Three Nevers!

Where is the GOOD NEWS in this post!  February is over.....you have survived another February!!! Students attitudes have started to improve.  More sunshine on campus brings out more students and the campus comes alive again.  Students come out of hibernation.

You can renew your commitment to college ministry because February is over!

It's BRAND NEW:  A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen  Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98.

What Are The Different People Groups on Your Campus?

 One of the facets of every campus being different is the difference in "People Groups" and their needs and "reachability."  Just as a foreign missionary does, Campus Ministers should be students of the people groups.

Campuses pretty well have most of the same People Groups, but they may vary in their prominence, needs, etc.  For example, Greeks exist on pretty well all four year campuses.....but....their prominence, availability will vary.  

What are some of the different People Groups?  Commuters, Dorm students (Or, different Dorms), Band, Internationals, Apartment students, Athletes (but, different teams vary in their needs and availability.), Specific clubs, etc.

Some questions to ask:

1.  What group has the biggest needs?

2.  What group might be most reachable?

3.  What resources or plan would be needed to connect to that group?

4.  Do you have a specific resource or opportunity that would connect to a particular group?

If you identify a group to focus on, where do you start?

-Talk with your student leaders and begin to pray about next steps.

-See how YOU personally might make some connections or in-roads into that group.

One of two things may be your driving motivation here:  

1.  What group has the biggest need?

2.  What group potentially could really expand our ministry?

It's BRAND NEW:  "A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen"  Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98

Time to Think About FALL Freshmen Ministry

 I know that Spring Break has not happened yet....but it is time to think Fall Freshmen Ministry.

WHY?

-Many schools will have Freshmen Orientation/Registration events throughout the spring.  You need to be prepared to have a good looking handout or display.  

-To have a good looking handout, you need to know what special freshmen events you will be having and when.

-It's a good time to check with area churches about when their Senior Sunday will be and possibly if you can attend or even one of your sharp leaders say a word in their youth Sunday School.

-Now is the time to begin or get ready to train upperclassmen to be Freshmen Bible Study leaders.

-What material will you use for Freshmen Family Groups or Bible Study Groups?

-Ask your leadership team to begin praying now about the fall and reaching new students.

-Now is a good time to find out someone who does an excellent job in Freshmen Ministry and what tips they might have.  What have they done well and what have they learned from their mistakes?  You don't have to learn all the mistakes the hard way.

It's Brand New:  A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98.

The BE-Attitudes of a College Minister

1. Be Intentional

Have a plan for your ministry and be working that plan.  Set priorities and work by those priorities.

2.  Be Grateful

No ministry succeeds to any degree without help from others.  Write thank you notes.  Tell people you appreciate them.

3. Be Prompt About Returning Messages

We all know the frustration of needing to hear from someone or thinking they possibly did not get your message.  Your promptness shows you care.  Some responses just need to be Ok or Thanks.

4.  Be in Contact with Alumni

They can pray.  They can speak a good word about your ministry or college ministry in general.  They can contribute.  Contact with alums is a win win!

5.  Be Evaluating

Every semester teaches us something.  Don't miss those messages.  The campus changes.  Your students change.

6.  Be Tweaking

As a result of evaluating, make some adjustments  that need to be made as you go along.

7.  Be Aware YOU are the Face of your ministry AND the Best Tool

Remember, you are never off duty.  Your personality, abilities, relationships, and knowledge will shape the ministry and the longer you serve there the more it will reflect who you are.

8.  Be Aware that Student Leaders are the Second Best Tool and they are Volunteers

Don't take for granted the time and energy they invest.  Always be developing and building up your student leaders.

9.  Be a Witness

By word and deed.  Our deeds validate our words.

10.  Be a Friend

Be a friend and encourager to everyone in college ministry and for your own health, have friends apart from your ministry.

It's Brand New:  A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98  

 

The ONE THING for a Church College Ministry?

In college ministry, the key question has to be, "How do we make students  lifetime followers of Jesus Christ, love his church, and be workers in it?"

Some years ago I spoke in a college church to their university students and then to the church as a whole.....and then they took me to the best thing.  It was a once a month lunch for students hosted by one of the church's Sunday School Departments.  There were young adults there and children.  The church supplied chicken and the "adults" had brought sides to go with it.  There was a big crowd of students...that happens with food.

The College Minister told me they did it every month with a different Sunday School group hosting in all different age categories.  They mix and mingle.  They even do a game I call "People Bingo."  You have to find people and get them to sign the square that lists different characteristics such as, teaches at the university, has 4 kids, runs a donut shop, etc, etc.  

Many of those who study the loss of high school students to faith following graduation believe that part of the issue is separating youth ministry from the church as a whole.  When they graduate from the youth group....they have graduated from church.

The more we separate college students from the church as a whole, are we not doing the same thing????

A College Minister in Florida told me of having a once a semester lunch where there were tables of doctors, nurses, teachers, stay at home moms, business people.  Students sat at a table where there were people doing what they wanted or even felt called to do. They made connections that benefitted them school and vocation wise....AND connected to older adults in the church.

If we do ONLY college student oriented events in our church, are we doing only what is best for now, but not best for the future?

The argument might be made that the net lifelong effect is best achieved by connecting students to the church as a whole.

MY SIMPLE FORMULA:  Do BOTH college student only events AND student and different age with students events.  That is something that only church ministries can do that campus based ministries cannot do.

Its BRAND NEW:  A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen, Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98

Arliss' Crazy and Sometimes Stupid Rules for College Ministry

1.  Make NO MORE than 4 announcements.

2.  When an outside or entry door has double doors, unlock BOTH doors!  Why have double doors and leave one locked all the time?

3.  BEFORE your major weekly event(s) check the bathrooms for toilet paper....and an extra roll as well.

4.  When setting up for a meal, the fork always goes on the LEFT. Only Oster Forks go on the right.

5.  Do not leave stacks of chairs randomly and carelessly setting around the room.  Put your extras somewhere that can be quickly retrieved, if needed....but neatly stacked and out of the way.

6.  Walk across the campus and through the Student Center EVERY day.

7.  Eat where students eat at least once a week.....cafeterias, food courts, campus hangouts.

8.  The outside appearance of a campus religious center is more important than the inside appearance to your donors and supporters......most will only see the outside when driving by.  This is ESPECIALLY true in the summer when parents and prospective students are visiting campus.

9.  Write personal, HANDWRITTEN thank you notes.

10. If your Center or meeting space is dirty, messed up, or haphazard, it says to people that your ministry is haphazzard.

11.  Pray out loud with students in individual meetings, so they will learn to pray out loud with others.

12. It is the LITTLE things done right again, again, and again that make the difference.

It is BRAND NEW:  A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen.  Check it out:  Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98 

"In person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing..."

 According to II Corinthians 10:10, that is what they said about the Apostle Paul...you know the guy that wrote all those books in the New Testament.

So, why are those of us in ministry surprised when we or our ministry....or both are criticized?

Some things to do and remember when you receive criticism:

1.  FIRST, consider the source.  Is it coming from someone who cares about you and your ministry?  Or, is it from someone who has no direct connection and may not even have correct information?

2.  Avoid the two extremes:  You can take it all to heart and let it burn a hole in your soul.  Or, you can immediately and totally ignore it.  Maybe, there is something you can learn from it.  So, hear it first and then decide to consider it or ignore it.  Maybe, skip down and read number 7 now.

3.  Consider but avoid dwelling on it.  If there is something to learn there, then take it in.....and that can come from even an unfriendly source.

4.  Consider if that criticism comes as a result of a lack of communication on your part.  Do people outside the ministry know what is going on?  Are your stakeholders well informed?

5.  One good rule is, "If it is anonymous, then it is not worth your consideration."  I have a friend who pastored a large church.  He got an anonymous letter full of criticism.  So, at a worship service he said he had received a letter that was not signed and therefore he could not respond to it.  So, he read it out loud to the entire congregation and responded.  I like that...don't you?  Remember:  Anonymous letters or second hand unnamed critics mean to hurt....that is their purpose and goal.  They are not to inform or give helpful feedback.  Their purpose is to sting.  When you remember that, it is easier to ignore them.

6.  Some criticism comes from a lack of balance.  One of the really difficult things about college ministry is we have some many different things we are supposed to do.  It is easy to get over one end and neglect the other side.  And with all College Ministers have to do, you will never have perfect balance.

7.  If you cannot let go of it, share it with someone you know who cares about you and your ministry and ask them if there is anything there you need to hear.

One last word:  If you hear a fellow minister being criticized unfairly or due to incorrect information, speak up on their behalf.  I know a person saved my bacon like this in a public meeting one time.  The critic had me confused with someone else.  Speak up!

Finally, the guy who they said was "unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing" had a pretty fruitful and successful ministry.  So keep on!

It is BRAND NEW: "A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen" is an updated and expanded adaptation of my book, "Tips for College Freshmen."  You can check it out here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98.

Where is College Ministry in the Bible?

 Someone said to me, "I don't see college ministry in the Bible."  I think his point was that the Bible talks about the church.  I don't see church vans in the Bible either.

I see lots of things in the Bible that college ministry is all about.

-Jesus preached to and taught large crowds made up of both true followers and the merely curious.

-Jesus invested deeply in a few for future leadership.

-Jesus went to and connected to a wide variety of people.

-Paul engaged people of the intellectual community in open discussion.

-Some of whom Jesus helped turned away.

-Jesus said, "go and make disciples of all nations."  College ministries all over the country are reaching out to many of the nearly one million International Students in the U. S. and sending Student Summer Missionaries all over the world each year.

-Jesus fed the 5,000.  That was obviously the first college ministry Lunch or Supper Program.  I notice that only a few helped clean up after it was over......that has continued to be true through the years.

I will leave it up to you to find church vans in the Bible.  Let me know.

I have just released through Amazon Books, "A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen".  It is an updated and expanded adaptation of "Tips for College Freshmen" which has had a great response from individuals and churches.  You can check it out here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98

College Ministers' Quick Tip #9 It is not a business.....GOD is at the Center of What You are Doing!

 In spite of having to pay ministry bills, write goals, or do monthly reports, never forget that God is using you in students' live and on a campus. God is at work and you will never know all He is up to.  

Your success is determined by your faithfulness.  God honors and  uses faithfulness.

Something new is coming later this month.  Until then, have you read A College Ministry Formula Amazon.com/dp/B0FFTHL6HP?

9 Truisms in College Ministry

A Truism is defined as:  "A statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting." I would define it as something that is generally said and believed by many to be true or at least true the majority of time or in some situations.  Also, we do not know who first coined the statement.

Here are some common Truisms in College Ministry:

1.  To reach a particular campus group, reach at least one student in that group.

2.  It takes three years  to establish a college ministry or for an existing ministry to transition to the philosophy and style of new leadership.

3.  What students a ministry reaches determines what students that ministry can and cannot reach.  

4.  What is done the first three weeks of the fall semester determines the ministry for the whole school year.

5.   Once a student has been inside your facility, they are more likely to come back.

6.  Good falls are made in the summer.

7.  A meeting space will fill to only 80% capacity on a regular basis.  To continue to grow, seating space has to continue to grow.  But, too many empty seats will negatively affect attendance.

8.  A college ministry will come to reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the leader.

9.  The "Unforgiveable Sin in College Ministry" is not getting a student's name and contact information the first time they attend. 

Something new is coming in Mid-January.  Until then, have you read "Reaching MORE College Students"?  Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN