Common Characteristics of LARGER College Ministries

 We can always learn from those who have been there and done that.....and in college ministry they probably have the tee shirt. Are there commonalities of larger and growing college ministries that can benefit all of us?  Unfortunately, there is not nearly the formal research done in the area of college as there is in local church growth.  Yet, there has been some done which can benefit your thinking and planning.

In 2012 Tim Casteel, Cru Leader at the University of Arkansas, did a study of some of the larger Cru ministries and listed these common characteristics. While it has been a while since he compiled this information, I strongly believe the accuracy of it still holds.

5 Common Characteristics of Large Cru Ministries:

1.  Large Staff

2.  Long Term Leader

3.  Strong student leaders who are given much responsibility

4.  Strong/Intentional small group ministry

5.  They are THE ministry on campus (No other ministry is as large).

For some years I worked as a part time College Ministry Consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.  In that role, I was able to travel the country and see and hear a lot about a wide variety of Baptist Collegiate Ministries.  These are my observations.

7 Common Characteristics of Large Baptist Collegiate Ministries:

1.  Long Term Leader

2.  Strong tradition/Long term presence on campus

3.  Excellent or large facilities

4.  Specific/Intentional Freshmen Ministry

5.  A flagship type campus

6.  Usually THE ministry on campus

7.  Strong financial support by churches, alumni, interested individuals, or a combination of all.

Obviously, you cannot wave a magic wand and suddenly have any or all these characteristics.  But, any ministry can be more deliberate and intentional in Freshmen Ministry.  Any ministry can work at developing strong student leaders and allow them to do their thing.  You can work at developing your financial resources.  Money does not make a ministry, but it is hard to have much ministry apart from financial resources. As a College Minister, you can determine to plant your life somewhere, unless God leads you further.  A friend of mine used to say in order to demonstrate his commitment to a particular campus, "I have gone there to die there." 

One BIG TAKE-AWAY:  Reaching MORE students always starts with and involves the leader.

This article is adapted from Reaching MORE College Students Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.