My Thoughts on Hard Work and College Ministry

 My friend, Paul Worcester, wrote something on hard work in ministry recently which I am all about, so let me add my two cents.

I am a huge believer in working hard, working regularly, and being faithful to your job.  I know and have known a huge number of College Ministers and at least 99 percent of them work hard....some work hard and too many hours.

Here are some suggestions for working hard in college ministry:

1.  Find what hard work pattern works best for you.  I have a friend who would go hard night and day and then take a week off during the middle of the semester.  I have always been more the pace myself on a regular schedule.  Don't just copy your hero or role model.  Find what works best for you.

2.  Never forget that hard work done wrong or ineffectively is still ineffective.  Beware of trying to substitute working night and day for a good and workable strategy that fits your gifts and your particular campus.

3. Beware of "driving" others with your own inclination to hard work.  It is easy for them to feel that we have unrealistic expectations of them.  And, this can be particularly sensitive in working with college student volunteers (and all volunteers).  And, different generations have different ideas about when to work, etc.

4.  Don't forget to give yourself a little grace.  Let me remind you and me that we don't believe that you have to earn your way to heaven.  God loves you even when you don't have 500 at your program....or whatever your magic number is.

5.  In your working hard, have a schedule that makes it possible for others to connect with you and they know when that is.  Working from Midnight to 9:00 a.m. might work for you personally, but it does not make you easily available.  I am all about having posted hours or students knowing when you are generally available.

6.  Part of working "Smart Hard" is figuring your family into the schedule.  One practice we found that worked well when my girls were young was my coming home for supper at 5:30 or 6:00 and then going back to campus for some night events.  After my girls were gone from home, Sue and I thought nothing of eating our supper at 8;30 at night, or whatever.

7.  When students are gone on break or whatever, cut yourself some slack and work normal human being hours.

Keep working hard.  Nothing substitutes for it, but be a smart hard worker.

Check out the new website collegeliferesources.com where you will find all of my books listed there and you can also go to my Blog through it.  Working on a couple of new projects that may come toward the end of the year.

Let Me Tell You About Something NEW!

If you have followed me long, you know that I have done several books for College Ministers and  some for students.  At different times, someone has said, "I used your _______book, but I did not know there were others.""

As of this weekend, they are now all available through a website, collegeliferesources.com.  Three of the ones that have had the greatest response are featured.  They are:  

162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen

Almost Everything About College Ministry

7 Red Flags in a Dating Relationship.

But, you can access all of  my books simply by clicking on "Discover My Books" which is right under "Meet Arliss Dickerson."

You can also access my Blog through the website. I hope you will check it out and maybe even tell someone else it.  Thanks and many blessings to you!

Arliss

adickerson@gmail.com

College Ministry and working with Alumni

I am a big advocate of College Ministers staying connected with alums for 3 reasons:  

1.  They are the best advocates for college ministry.  

2,  Many will serve in church leadership roles and you can be a good source and sounding board for them in dealing with different situations.

3.  Many ministries now find alums are their number one source of funding.

Some feel that working with alums is only for campus based ministries, but I think numbers 1 and 2 point to the need for it by all in college ministry.  I am aware that some church college ministries do make contact with parents and alums for additional funding outside of their budgeted money through the church.

So, what are some alumni connection options.

-I continue to be an advocate of Alumni Newsletters whether printed/mailed or done by email or other social media.  My one comment to this is often your largest donors are older alums who do best with printed newsletters.

Homecoming is the obvious option for most.  So, what can you do for Homecoming?

-One campus ministry has the tradition of alums meeting at a certain place to watch the parade and then returning to the campus center for a box lunch.

Drop-Ins are probably the most utilized where snacks are served and alums can see the campus center and maybe even become aware of some specific needs.  Some years ago, I attended an Alumni event at a Junior College I had attended.  There was not a single person there I knew or had gone to school with.  I have not been back to that Homecoming.

I realized that the number one treat is seeing people you know.  After that, I began inviting alums to be hosts for our Homecoming Drop-In.  I invited someone from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90''s, etc.  In the mail-out abut the event, we listed who would be the hosts.  Before coming, they could see there would be someone there they knew and wanted to see.

What would be some other Homecoming events more than "just a Drop-In?'

-Focus on a different decade at each.  Everyone is invited, but this decade group will be the feature.

-Present an "Alumni of the Year" Award.  Solicit nominations in advance and then recognize that person or persons at the event.  The recipient could be announced in advance or perhaps a list of those nominated.  All could be recognized at the event.  The Drop-In could be 2 to 4 with the presentation to be at 3:00.

-In addition to alums, invite parents of current students.  Tell your students to bring their parents by.  It does two events in one rather than having to do another event for Parents' Weekend.  Plus, if not many alums show up, it bolsters the crowd and makes it feel worth attending.  Going to a part nobody came to is a drag for everybody.

-Have a Tailgate Party on the lawn at the campus center and grill hamburgers and hot dogs or just hot dogs, which are cheaper.

Darrell Cook at Virginia Tech has the most unique alumni event.  Obviously, a whole lot of engineers and such handy people graduate from there.  Darrell hosts an "Alumni Work Weekend" and they literally work on the BCM Center.  His saintly wife, Laura, does some of her cooking magic for Friday night and Saturday meals.  But, obviously, that could be done differently.

An ALWAYS GOOD Draw is having a former staff member at the event who many alums would want to see.  Of course, making that announcement in advance is a must. At Arkansas State, we learned that Linda Halfacre Weir was always a big draw.

One thought specifically for college ministry churches:  Recognize them at your Sunday worship service.  Lots will stay over for Sunday and attend church before heading home.  You could host a Drop-In and Visit either before or after the service.  This could be during the SS hour or between services to catch those who might attend either.  I know I have experienced being in my church on Homecoming Sunday and seeing lots of alums and not a word being said about them.  The very least we can do is say something.....even have an alum give a testimony of what the college ministry meant to him or her during college days.  It never hurts for the church to see some results from what they are providing.

And ALWAYS, ALWAYS post some pictures on social media after that help people see what happened and make them decide they will attend next year.

So, what have YOU done or what is an idea we should consider??

Looking for College Life Resources?  Go to Amazon books for options like "162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9 or "Almost Everything About College Ministry" Amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX and lots more.

 

The 5 Building Blocks of College Ministry

1.  Who YOU are personally. Nothing shapes the ministry more than your personality, gifts, strengths and priorities.  The longer you lead a ministry the more it will look like you.

2.  Have a strategy that is intentional and fits you and your campus.  A strategy means having a plan and working that plan.  Every campus is different and the strategy must fit that campus.  Each campus is unique in its students, traffic patterns, what other ministries are there or offer, and the type of student that is there.

3.  Developing and Utilizing Student leaders.  Strong and committed student leaders multiply the ministry in terms of what can be done and who can be reached.  Plus, it develops leaders for churches for the future.

4.  Making the most of your resources.  Some ministries have a house, Center, or regular room at a church.  Most ministries have some sort of budget.  It is important to be wise and strategical in the use of facilities and budget.  Growing the resources is part of this. Is your facility well maintained and attractive as possible?  Does your budget represent your priorities?

5. Making connections that build the ministry.  This includes knowing the key holders on campus, leaders in area churches, and connecting with friends of the ministry and alums that might support the ministry prayerfully and financially.

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established."  Proverbs 24:3

This is brief adaptation of my book, "A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula" which you can find at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.