My Calling to College Ministry

Students and others have asked me how I felt God's leadership to being a College Minister.  Sometimes, it is in their own search for God's direction for their life and looking for clues.  Other times, it is just an interest in how God has worked in someone else's life.

When I was in high school, I thought the purpose of school was so I could play football and basketball, but I was also trying to be serious about being a Christian.  As I saw and experienced the strong influence that Coaches had on guys, I thought maybe God wanted me to be a basketball coach and began to move that direction.

I was not good enough to play in college, but became acquainted with the basketball coach at Southern Baptist College.  His wife was my church's part time Music Minister.  He asked me, if I would like to work for him.  So, I became the Manager, ankle taper, score book keeper, later the public address announcer, and one who sometimes pulled him back onto the bench when he was out of control.  But, in that experience, which I enjoyed, I just didn't sense that was my future.  I was very involved in the BCM and then was asked to be President of the BSU my sophomore year (It was a junior college).  

When I was finishing those two years, the State wide BSU Director for Arkansas asked me to go to a four year school where they had just been given a house located by the campus.  His thought was that I would live in the house, use it as a BSU Center,  go to school, and be the part time BSU Director.  I just did not sense that was right and the thing for me to do.

I transferred to Arkansas State University and part of the reason for that was its reputation for having a strong BSU program.  My senior year, I was selected as BSU president.  As I was getting ready to graduate, the State wide BSU Director asked me to go to Southern Arkansas University for one year as the Interim BSU Director, as that position had just been vacated.  At that point, the Vietnam war was at full tilt and I was not ordained, so I would be immediately drafted and not be able to fulfill that year commitment.

I went home to Piggott to teach Speech and Drama in high school and after one semester was the first teacher in Arkansas to be drafted.  Sue and I had just been married a month when I got my draft notice. In Basic Training I was selected to attend Advanced Training to be a Chaplain's Assistant.  After finishing that training following Basic, I received orders for Vietnam.

While I was in Vietnam, I got a letter from the State BSU Director in Arkansas asking me to consider going to Arkansas State University to be the full time, permanent BSU Director.  I responded that I had almost a year left in Vietnam and could not accept.

Toward the end of my time in Vietnam, I received a letter from the State BSU Director for Arkansas saying that they had moved the BSU Director at Henderson State University to Arkansas State and would I be interested in going to Henderson.  I responded with an enthusiastic YES!  I had never been to or seen Henderson, as I have told people, but thought I would like it better than Vietnam. And, this fit with the direction I was sensing in my life.

One of the ways I believe God speaks to us and leads us is OPPORTUNITIES.  A second way God speaks to us is through what gives us SATISFACTION in doing.  Nothing had helped me grow more or have more joy in doing than my involvement with BSU at Southern Baptist College and Arkansas State University.....not to mention the opportunities that kept coming my way.

After 9 years at Henderson State, I was asked to go to Arkansas State.  I went there with the idea of being there about five years and doing what I thought was next in my life.  When that opportunity came, I sensed through quite a bit of wrestling, that it was God's plan for me to stay at Arkansas State.  In working out the decision whether to accept that opportunity that I had looked to or stay at ASU, I talked with many people I respected and trusted.  Mostly, they said I could not turn down that opportunity.  They told me of lots of "opportunities" that would come as a part of this new job.  Yet, even though that was what I thought would be next in my life and the advice of many spiritual leaders, I decided I was to be at ASU.  

All the reasons and "opportunities" that people used to tell me I needed to take that job and leave ASU came to me during my time at Arkansas State.  God knew where I was.

I believe strongly in "God's Timing".  I was not ready for the Arkansas State job the first time it was offered to me.  It would have eaten me alive and possibly run me out of ministry. Henderson was a wonderful time of growth and encouragement for me. God blessed Sue and me with great friends and wonderful students. Plus, our family began to grow. People told me I was making a mistake leaving Henderson and going to ASU. We had a great time at Henderson and it had been perfect for our new young family.  But, I sensed going to ASU was right......even though it was very painful the first couple of years.  I have told people and they have thought I was joking that my first year at ASU was harder emotionally than my year in Vietnam.

So, we went from my thinking we would be at ASU for five years to being there for thirty two years.  That was God's plan.

What is your story of God's calling and leadership in your life?

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My CORE BELIEFS About College Ministry?

 As someone who has written and spoken a whole lot on college ministry, I thought it would be interesting to ask ChatGPT, What are Arliss Dickerson's core or basic teachings on college ministry?  I have summarized and edited some places, but this was the basic response.

Arliss Dickerson has focused his teaching on very practical, boots-on-the ground principles for reaching and discipling college students.  His approach isn't highly theoretical--it's built around what actually works with freshmen and campus culture.  Here are the core ideas that consistently show up in his ministry philosophy.

1.  Reach freshmen early--especially the first weeks. If you miss that window, it becomes much harder to connect later.  This drives a heavy focus on move-in week, dorm outreach, and early events.

2.  Go where students are (don't wait for them to come.)  A foundation  principles is INITIATIVE....Dorms, Campus hotspots, Student unions, events and activities.

3.  Build relationships before programs.  Programs matter---but relationships matter more.  Students are far more likely to grow through relational investment than through large events alsone.

4.  Keep the message simple and clear.  Focus on core truths, sin, grace, repentance, faith.  The goal is transformation, not just information.

5.  Train students to reach other students.  Disciple students to share their faith.  Develop student leaders early.  A healthy ministry isn't staff-driven...it becomes student driven over time.

6.  Prioritize spiritual habits early.  New students need structure fast:  Daily time with God, Bible reading, Prayer, Christian community.  Dickerson often stresses that what student practice in their first semester often defines their spiritual trajectory.

7.  Address real-life college issues directly.  Time management, Party culture and temptation, Relationships and dating, Academic pressure, independence from parents.  Connect biblical truth to the actual challenges freshmen face.

8.  Use simple, reproducible tools instead of complex systems.  Easy to follow discipleship methods, Repeatable outreach strategies, Clear frameworks students can pass on.  The idea is sustainability and multiplication--not complexity.

9.  Urgency about the college window.  Students are more open than at most other life stages.  Decisions made in these years often shape a lifetime.  So ministry during this period should be intentional and urgent.

10.  Faithfulness over flashiness.  Dickerson tends to downplay hype-driven ministry.  Big events aren't the goal.  Consistency, presence, and truth matter more.  Long term fruit comes from steady investment, not just exciting moments.

What about you?  What would ChatGPT or your students say are your core beliefs in your ministry?  

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Which is BETTER....Personality or Organization?

Most have the view of the perfect College Minister as being one who wows people with his or her personality. They come to a ministry and instantly students and supporters are drawn to them and the ministry booms.  But, not all of us who are called to college ministry are the super personality type.....did God make a mistake in our call or did we mis-hear what God was saying?

I must say that I have come to the conclusion that I will take organization every time....if the two don't go together.  A "Personality Ministry" usually disappears or dwindles down  the instant the personality is gone.  A ministry built over time by organization tends to outlast the organizer.

Organization develops a variety of leaders and shares ownership.  If God has blessed you with the big personally, be grateful, but work on your organization.  I must tell you the vast majority of large or strong college ministries with which I am familiar are led by organization people.

Organizing multiplies your ministry.  When student leaders are developed and trained, they tend to reach a wider variety of students.  

But, I still believe that Campus Ministers ought to walk across the campus and through the Student Center EVERY day.

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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?

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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!

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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?

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