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