Give $25 and why $25

Every year at this time, I advocate and post "Give $25 to the college ministry that blessed you.  Here is why.  I learned a long time ago that most people think you need to give a significant sum such as at least $200-$500 for it to matter.  They are embarrassed to give a small amount, so they don't give anything.

Just think if every student who has gone through your ministry where you are were to give $25.  It could be a stunning and even transformative amount.

Why talk about it now?  Lots of people get a year end bonus or profit sharing, etc.  Some are trying to shore up their giving for their taxes. Others are just checking to see if they have given what they have intended to give. Why don't they have your ministry on their mind then?

So do me a favor and SPREAD THE WORD to give $25.  Maybe your ministry doesn't need it, but someone else's does.  As crazy as it is, some College Ministers are not allowed to ask for money.  I know; it is crazy but true.  Your promoting it might help your brother or sister down the road.

Give $25.  #Give25

Something new is coming from me in January.  Until then, have you read, "Reaching More College Students?"  It is a one hour read:  Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN

Most Popular Blog Articles: The Quick Cheat Sheet for Repairing or Growing a College Ministry

 A Cheat Sheet is a quick summary of a lot of information.  Here is my Quick Cheat Sheet for a college ministry revitalization or intentional growth plan.

1. Look at and as honestly as possible, determine what issues are holding your ministry back.

2.  Listen to and get input from your core students.  Get input, but do ask them to vote on actions to take.  

3.  Determine if any of "The Ministry Killers" are at work in your ministry.  (Playing favorites, Inappropriate behavior by student leaders, No joy or fun in the ministry, Same old/Same old, Lack of excellence).

4. Decide which of two basic approaches to take. Is it a complete overhaul and change everything or Tweak some things within the current ministry.

5.  Establish a starting point....this is FIRST!  Prioritize it and move on it.

6.  Look at the common characteristics of  large and growing ministries.....what is one that could most quickly move your ministry in a positive direction.  The two most common are:  Effective small groups with strongly engaged and trained group leaders and A Sense of Mission throughout the ministry.

7.  Develop an overall plan.  A written plan or strategy is a plus to making continual progress.  Don't let the everyday tasks keep you from doing the things necessary for the change.

8.  Assess honestly the ministry's healthy or unhealthy "atmosphere. "

9.  Be prepared for the push back and even personal attack that can come with any dramatic changes.

10. Consider slimming down what your ministry offers to beef up the quality of your offerings.

11. Make an OBVIOUS change or multiple changes that show this is a new day. (This is particularly aimed at those fixing a broken ministry."

11.  Invest deeply in a few student leaders who can be difference makers.

This was adapted from my book, "Fixing a Broken College Ministry" Amazon.com/dp/1521876665 .

MOST Popular Blog Articles: "4 Killers of Church College Ministries"

I spent 41 years doing campus based college ministry and then spent two years being the part time College Minister at my church.  Many things are the same in campus based and church based.  Some are better and some are worse in church based......and some are just different.  /These are my observations of church ministries over the years and then my two years leading a church based ministry.

4 Killers of Church College Ministries:

1.  Constant turnover of the College Minister - For a variety of reasons there tends to be a quicker and higher turn over rate of church based College Ministers than campus based ones.  One church based College Minister told me that was true because he was continually being given other assignments by the church and that the church varied year to year in their commitment to or priority of college ministry.  He said he always had to be a "Hyphen Ministers".  Those can be College and Youth; College and Young Adults; College and ______________.  Also, some go to a church based college ministry position as an entry into becoming a pastor and move when that opportunity comes.  Churches are more likely to have a College Minister who is a speaker type which tends to position and prepare them for a pastor/preacher role in the future.

2.  Decisions are made for the overall benefit of the church NOT the benefit of the College Ministry.  When I was a Campus Based College Minister, every decision and action was based on what was best for the ministry to students and that campus....period.  Several years ago when my home church transitioned from two identical traditional worship services to a contemporary service and a traditional service, the contemporary service was put at 8:30 on Sunday morning....no the best time for a college friendly service.  It was felt that was the best decision at that time for the church as a whole.....but not the best decision for the college ministry.  Most churches do not ask FIRST, "What is best for our ministry to college students?"

3. Church College Ministers have more DIVIDED TIME issues.  A few years ago in my role as a College Ministry Consultant for Lifeway, I was in a meeting of church College Minister from around the country.  Their Number One Complaint was not being able to get to campus every day due to meetings they had to attend at the church.  The meeting may not be related to college ministry, but all staff members are expected to be there.  Also, church staffers often have a day that is their "Hospital Day", etc, etc.  That group of College Ministers  spoke of all the committee or staff meetings they had to attend.

4.  Church College Ministers are often more sharply EVALUATED by numbers.  One church based College Minister who had transitioned from being a campus based to church based told me of a staff meeting during his first fall there where the pastor asked by student attendance was way down the previous day.  The College Minister was stunned by the question and criticism he heard.  It was the first weekend there had been no home football weekend.  It was an automatic go home weekend for lots of students.  Those who serve in campus based ministry expect and understand that there is an ebb and flow of a semester. Often churches do not understand this in relationship to college students.  When budgets dip, college ministry is often cut more due to the numbers being recorded in the college ministry.  This criticism.....overt or implied.....is another factor in frequent turnover of church based College Ministers.  One church based College Minister told me that some of his decisions were based on simply his having to produce numbers.

I have learned that church based and campus based college ministries are related....but they are cousins.....not twins.

Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry advocate, author, and sometimes speaker.  Check out some of his resources here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN

Most Successful College Ministers Are Workhorses....Not Show Horses!

 Occasionally, people who are looking for a College Minister for their vacant position will call me and indicate they want someone who is a great speaker.  Could I recommend someone? I know a few that are good speakers and maybe one or two that are great speakers.

They are looking for someone that can instantly double or triple their ministry with their speaking.  But, here is the problem with that formula....IF that is all it is built on, when the great speaker leaves, many of those who were attracted will instantly disappear also.  Usually there is no structure to support that ministry and the students involved.

I think there is probably a little too much emphasis being put on College Ministers being speakers these days.  Don't get me wrong, I am all about College Ministers being as good of a speaker as possible.....I was a Speech Major!  I love a big crowd.  Never had as many as I had hoped to have at any event!

But, most of the great College Ministers I know are Work Horses!  They put one good year on top of another.  They build into students' lives individually and they grow student leaders for service in God's Kingdom later as well as blessing the ministry on campus as they are developing.  Collins English Dictionary defines a Work Horse this way...."they can be relied on to do a large amount of work, especially work that is dull or routine."

Two Key Words:  Dull and Routine!  

Don't worry about being a Show Horse or a Rainmaker......be willing to do the dull and routine again and again and again.  Talk to freshmen, listen to them, challenge them.  Help that student with a good personality be a good leader and know how to lead a meeting.  Teach that shy kid how to share their testimony with a friend.  Help a student who has really messed up sense God's forgiveness in their life and that God can still use them.

But, be the best speaker you can be......there is nothing holy about being dull!

Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry advocate, author, and sometimes pretty good speaker.  Check out some of his resources here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN or Amazon.com/dp/B0FFTHL6HP.

As Your Semester Ends and Before the Next One Starts

 Before Your Semester Ends:

1. Have a de-brief with your key leaders.  It can be a formal evaluation or just go to lunch with some, ask some questions and listen.  What went well?  What do we need to learn from this semester?

2.  Invite 4 or 5 freshmen for coffee or coke.  Ask some questions and listen.  Why did they connect and why did some of their friends not connect or stay connected?

3.  Make a list of folks that disappeared as the semester progressed.  In the busyness of the semester, it is easy to not realize some have not continued to be involved.  If you have some big end of the semester event or Christmas party, send them an individual message about it and wish them well on their finals.

Before the Next Semester Starts:

1.  Write PERSONAL thank you notes to contributors.  Give an example of something that went well or that their gift helped make possible.

2.  Remember that some people do year end giving due to bonuses, profit sharing, or just catching up on giving.  Do something that puts your ministry on their radar.  Send a newsletter to alums or post something on your website.  Post something on Facebook about the semester and give a link to give.  Make sure there is an address somewhere for those that do not do on-line giving.

3.  Look back at the list of freshman whose names were given to you by pastors or friends last summer.  For those that never showed, make a personal contact.  They were sent to you because whomever sent it saw them as a possible key leader or they especially needed your ministry.

4.  If you are speaking for your weekly event, lay out your topics and scripture.  You can always change as the semester goes along.

Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry advocate, author, and sometimes speaker.  Check out some of his materials here:  Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX 

Collegiate Ministry Discipleship Groups by Morgan Owen

Morgan Owen is the Baptist Campus Minister at The University of Tennessee at Martin.

Around 15 years ago we changed how we did small groups.  We went all in on gender specific small groups.  Instead of guys meeting in separate groups throughout the week, we set a specific night of the week as Men's Discipleship (we call it ManUp.). I got the  idea from someone who said that men are wired towards "conferences"....all guys gathering together to learn, grow, and have accountability and to feel like one unit (much like the values of a fraternity);

We meet all together on Thursday nights for a lesson from a speaker (20-25 minutes) and then the guys break up up into small groups led by ManUp leaders.  The ManUp leaders are interviewed in the spring and lead the following school year.  Each ManUp group has co-leaders.  Staff determines the theme for the semester and communicates with individuals to speak (pastors, youth pastors, professors, alumni) on the topics/scripture provided to them.  ManUp leaders are given discussion questions ahead of time to prepare.  Most of our speakers provide an outline that give focus and direction.  

This worked so well that a few years later our ladies asked to have the same approach, which we call Radiant.  Before this approach, we would have around 40-45 involved in small groups with both genders.  In the years following this change we were having 65-70 attending.  We've seen as high as 120 involved in ManUp and Radiant combined.

This is reprinted with Mo's permission from a comment he made in an on-line collegiate ministry discussion group. Are you doing something different in this area that you want to share?

Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry advocate, author, and sometimes speaker.  You can check out some of his resources here:  Reaching More College Students Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN  and A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV

Nostalgia Vs. Principles

 Mark Robinson, Baptist Collegiate Ministry leader for Louisiana, had a great post on Facebook recently about being in a meeting where young and old heads were planning a mission trip.  The old head wanted to do it like they had always done it in the past.  The younger guy said, "I refuse to be held hostage by Legacy Thinking.

I want to speak to both sides of sides of that (and from an old guy viewpoint).  

Students have changed and we must adapt to the changes.  If we think college students act and behave....and think like they did years ago, we are definitely out of touch.  We must be continually learning and adjusting.  Plus, every campus is a little different every year.  The ebb and flow changes at least slightly.

BUT, some things are principle driven.  Beware of doing something just because it is the latest thing.  I believe there are principles in college ministry, just like every ministry, that never change.  We must continually be about identifying and understanding those principles.  Is this new thing principle driven or is it just a fad that will soon pass away?

I was confronted once by a young and fairly new College Minister who said, "You do college ministry the old fashioned way."  He had recently come to a campus and had thrown out their program of Freshmen Ministry to do something entirely different.  I don't know the nice way to say this.  His new way was reaching far less than the old way had the year before.  He was reaching way less than our "old fashioned way" was reaching.  In two or three years he had gone on to another job.

Change, adapt, and don't just say, "That is the way we have always done it."  But, beware of falling prey to the bright and shiny object that is just new, but not principle driven.

One of the reasons I am high on experienced College Ministers mentoring new College Ministers is I think they both learn and benefit.  The new guy gets some principle driven facts and the old guy gets some of the new thinking.  College Ministry is better on both ends as a result.

Beware of "Legacy Thinking" and don't put something down because it has been done that way for a long time.  Look for the Principle!

Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry advocate, writer, and once in a while speaker.  Check out his college ministry resources here:  Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX. and here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0FFTHL6HP