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.

The 10 Commandments of Collegiate Ministry

 I first wrote "9 Shaping Principles of an Effective Collegiate Ministry" in 1991.  Since then, it has evolved at different times and ways into some variations of The 10 Commandments of Collegiate Ministry.  Here is today's version.

1.  Don't underestimate the need to communicate a VISION for the ministry and who God is that will shape the ministry and its outreach to the campus.

2.  Be a student of your campus. Every campus is different and continues to evolve.  The ministry must be developed uniquely for that campus.

3.  You must have a plan and strategy to connect to and reach Freshmen during the first 2-3 weeks of school, which is their most available time.

4.  Be intentional in making the campus aware of the ministry and giving the campus an accurate perception of the ministry.

5.  Remember, students are looking for what benefits them. The felt needs of students must be intentionally and obviously met for students to respond and to continue to respond.  Also, it is a key part of their seeing the Bible is relevant to them.

6.  Never forget the role models that students see in a ministry (both staff and students) will greatly shape the style, quality of the ministry, and the response to the ministry.

7. You must help students feel ownership of the ministry which will help determine their degree of commitment, investment, and desire to involve others.

8.  You must help students feel KNOWN and CARED FOR in some personal ways through community, small groups, etc.

9.  The ministry must adapt to changing situations and new student leadership gifts and abilities, as well as develop students to fill necessary on going leadership roles.  This also helps develop and prepare them for local church leadership roles in the days to come

10.  The ministry must connect to a broad base of churches and interested individuals to provide its necessary financial and emotional support base.

Check out "A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity" at Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCTNB1 and "A College Ministry Success Formula" at Amazon.com/dp/B0FFTHL6HP.

Significant Recommendations for BCM to be Made at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention

 A motion to appoint a committee to study Baptist Collegiate Ministry and to make recommendations to strengthen it in Arkansas for years to come was approved at the 2025 Arkansas Baptist State Convention in its annual fall meeting.

The study committee announced this week that they will make some big recommendations in regard to facilities and staffing at this fall's annual meeting of the Convention at the First Baptist Church of Rogers October 19-20.

They will recommend a three year statewide BCM Capital Campaign to run from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2029 with a goal of raising $15 million to support the construction, acquisition or renovation of BCM facilities at strategically selected university campuses across Arkansas.  This campaign would begin with a $1,000,000 infusion from the Convention.

Obviously, there are no specifics given in terms of BCM facilities.  But, at this point, there are not BCM Centers at Arkansas Tech in Russellville and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.  Arkansas Tech has an enrollment of 9,500 students and UCA has an enrollment of 9,900. The Center at the University of Arkansas is essentially the same facility that was built in the 1950's despite some updating and renovation of the chapel within the last five years.  The undergraduate enrollment at UA has grown to 29,000 students. 

Another recommendation will be to strengthen staffing, consider how many staff, and look at different funding models.  Some funding for staffing would come through the Dixie Jackson Missions Offering.

Obviously, these recommendations are a big deal and would make a significant impact in the college ministry in Arkansas.  In recent years, some state conventions have trimmed their college ministry staffs and or sold campus centers to developers to build multi-use buildings for apartments, businesses and with space for the BCM Ministry.

Should these recommendations by the committee pass and it is anticipated that they will, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention is positioning itself as a leader and role model in college ministry for the Southern Baptist Convention.

Check out A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity at Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCTNB1 and A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV

4 Simple Ideas for Growing Your College Ministry

 1.  Work on developing "Campus Awareness".  Is the campus as a whole aware that your ministry is there?  Consider doing some publicity or an event strictly to grow awareness.

2.  Target one or two groups on campus for relationships and outreach.  If you have left over food from an event, take it to a dorm, fraternity, sorority, etc....no strings attached.  Take popsicles to the band on a hot day.  Bake a bunch of Brownies and take them to different groups.

3.  Meet somewhere different one week or try a different time for your weekly meeting.  Different students are available at different times.  Perhaps, proximity is an issue for some.

4.  Is your meeting too long or is it famous for running over time?  Start on time and end on time.

Interested in more growth ideas?  Check out "Reaching MORE College Students" at Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN

4 Possible Reasons a College Ministry is NOT Reaching More Students

1.  Lack of an intentional strategy - It is so easy to just get caught up in living day to day and being in survival mode.  Do you have a plan and are you doing things to work that plan?

2.  Facilities or Budget - Money does not make a ministry, but it is hard to have much ministry without adequate funding.  If money is a factor for you, are you communicating the need and your vision to your alums, interested individuals, or your church supervisor or Budget Committee?

3.  Club Atmosphere -  It is easy for students in a ministry to enjoy being together and are not reaching out to others as well as projecting a closed atmosphere.  First, are YOU out on campus and trying to connect to new and different students....or just hanging out with your tribe?  Help your students buy into the idea of reaching out to others.....and making them feel welcome when they come.

4.  Happy with our 50......or 25......or 70?  There is a very fine line between being unsettled in your ministry, being frustrated about numbers, and trying something new, and evaluating what things make a difference and what are just "energy eaters."  Hear me:  In some places reaching 25 or 50 is a miracle of God!  Beware of the College Minister Killer of COMPARISON.  But, also continue to evaluate and see what does and does not make the difference on your campus.

Remember:  Growth does not have to be miraculous or dramatic.....small incremental growth usually sticks better than a big flash!

If your weekly event averages 25, could you do something that would reach 5 more?

If your event reaches 50, could it increase to 60?

If you are reaching 100, could you do something to increase to 105 or even 110?

For more ideas on growing your ministry, check out "Reaching MORE College Students" at Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.

10 Reasons to Quit College Ministry

1.  Everybody you went to college with is making more money than you.

2.  That upperclass leader you invested so much time in has walked away to go to another ministry.

3.  The church college ministry you have been trying to help just scheduled some of their big stuff the same time as your weekly event.

4.  You saw somebody spit on the publicity piece that had your picture on it.

5.  You got home before dark one day and it felt good.

6.  Your spouse suggested the two of you wear name tags at home.

7.  You just got asked for the 10th time if what you do is a full time job.

8.  You just drove 50 miles to speak for an event and they didn't even pay your mileage.

9.  One of your faculty friends asked you if you go home about 4:00 o'clock like they do.

10. The Publicity Team forgot to put up the flyers.

2 Reasons to Stay:  God called you and it is the most exciting thing you can ever imagine doing.

Check out "A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity" at Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCTNB1 and "7 Red Flags in a Dating Relationship" Amazon.com/dp/B0DTTRJH38

College Ministry Influencers - Part 2

 In an earlier Blog article, I wrote of the significant effects of Max Barnette, Linda Halfacre Weir, and Steve Masters and how they have been very significant in their influence on college ministry as a whole are making transitions and that is opening the door to others.

Another person in this line is Beverly Parrish Skinner who is in the "process" of stepping away from her college ministry role in Georgia.  Beverly's story is unique in some ways.  She did college ministry in flagship ministries in both Mississippi and Texas.  But, possibly her greatest influence has come in her role in Georgia.

About 14 years ago, Beverly married Warren Skinner, who at that time was BCM Campus Minister at Georgia Tech, and transitioned into Women's Ministry through Georgia WMU.  About 5 years ago, the Georgia Baptist Convention, due to budget changes, made significant cuts in the number of BCM Campus Ministers through early retirements, etc.  Due to this significant change in the number and placement of Campus Ministers, it was their plan to challenge, recruit, and train local churches, staff, and members to pick up the campus ministry role in an even more direct way.

Beverly was asked to assume this role as the "Collegiate Ministry Catalyst."  To be honest, many felt this was a near impossible task.  Beverly moved into this role and combined the knowledge and experience of a proven local Baptist Campus Minister with the willingness and imagination to combine that experience with new ideas and approaches that have worked better than many anticipated.

As I spoke of the influence of Linda, Max, and Steve, Beverly shared these great thoughts:  

"These 3  and others became great leaders because they stepped up when given the opportunity.  Though I don't know for certain, I can only guess they rarely felt 'ready' for the challenges......no one does.  They kept trusting God and He kept using them.  There are many great men and women serving on campuses right now that don't feel 'ready' for the next level of leadership......but God is as faithful to you as He was to Max, Steve, and Linda."

Beverly said better what I was trying to say.  As people like Linda, Steve, Max, and Beverly change roles, we need new folks to step up and trust God to use them for the good of God's kingdom in college ministry.  

 Beverly has taken what many saw as a lemons situation and made lemonade.  It was not a role she sought or asked for, but allowed God to use her in new and unexpected ways.  She is a great role model for what many are facing as funds decline and new thoughts have to be had and implemented.

Special thanks and blessings to Beverly Parrish Skinner as she is in the process of transitioning to retirement and is a great example of being a College Ministry Influencer by example and insight.

Check out "A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity" at Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCNB1 and "7 Red Flags in a Dating Relationship" at Amazon.com/dp/B0DTTRJH38.

Change of College Ministry Influencers.....Thanks to Max, Steve, & Linda

In every field there are people who are influential in what they do and say.  Obviously, that is true in college ministry.  I believe there are times when there are some obvious changes as key people who are influencers change roles for some reason or other, or transition to a new stage of life.

I think we have hit an obvious time of change in influencers in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry world.  Max Barnett passed away earlier this year. Max had been the long time leader of the ministry at Oklahoma University and was retired, but continued to speak into the college ministry world and be a voice for college ministry.  He had been a leader in promoting one to one discipleship and personal evangelism. Max was one of the first to model raising money from alums and friends for staff.  He led out in sending his graduates to start ministries on other campuses.  For several years, his how to seminars at collegiate conferences were a "must attend."  

 Steve Masters, long time BCM Campus Minister at LSU, transitioned into retirement this year and moved to South Carolina.  Steve has been a huge influencer through his role as a consultant for Lifeway working in the area of coordinating different national collegiate ministry groups such as CRU, Navigators, and others in getting high school graduate names and passing them on to State BCM organizations.  In addition, he coordinated the College Ministers Fellowship which was the informal summer meeting where BCM Campus Ministers from different states met for connections and learning from each other.  For many of us, this was a key meeting in our professional growth, as well as the personal friendships and encouragement.

This week Linda Halfacre Weir announced her retirement this coming December.  Linda has been a key voice in developing specialized Freshmen ministries and in her leadership role at Lifeway Christian Resources where she served as the Director of National Collegiate Ministries for several years.  Prior to that she was the lead Campus Minister at Florida State University and Louisiana Tech and is now serving as the Director of College Ministry for Pinelake Church, a multi-campus church, in Mississippi. In addition to her work, her mere presence in these roles has been an encouragement to young women sensing a call to college ministry.

So, what does this mean?  First, our college ministry world owes a debt of gratitude to Max, Steve, and Linda.  Obviously, they are not or were not the only ones being a positive voice and innovators in our world.  But, they were significant and their voices and input will definitely be missed.  Part of what this means is, it opens the door for other people to fill some of these roles. 

We need influencers......College Ministers who don't just keep their head down and do their own campus, but are willing to go the extra mile and do things that benefit other ministries.  We need people to speak up.  We need folks who will lead out in certain areas.  

If you are asked to serve on a committee, say YES.  If you see a need that someone needs to meet, maybe that someone is YOU.  If you see someone who is doing something to benefit college ministry as a whole, help them.  Encourage them.

Thanks to Max, Steve, and Linda.  Their ministries made a bigger difference than just where they served.  We look forward to seeing what their new chapter brings.  Neither Linda or Steve are the sit down and rock type.

Check out "A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity" at Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCNB1 and "7 Red Flags in a Dating Relationship" Amazon.com/dp/B0DTTRJH38.

The Evolution of a Title in Baptist Collegiate Ministry

It has been interesting to me to see the evolution and use of different titles for those who do college ministry in Baptist life.  I think some have been intentional to convey a specific understanding of the role and I think some have also been more accidental.

Student Secretary was the primary term used during the 50's.  I don't know what the intent was for this title. That title also reflects how college ministry used to be called "Student Ministry" in the 50's and 60's.  But, youth ministry began to use this term during the 60's and 70's.  If you were to use this term today, almost no one would think it tied to college ministry.

BSU Director came to be the term used from the 60's through the 90's.  One of the purposes of this title was to emphasize the emphasis of that time that it was to be a ministry done by students for students.  It was often said and my supervisor said to me, "If you are up front all the time, you are not doing your job."  You were to be an equipper. The students were to be the prime do'ers.

Campus Minister has come to be the predominant term during the 2000's.  One of the reasons for the intentional use of this term has been to emphasize that college ministry is a God calling just like that of a pastor or Youth Minister, etc.  Many had seen college ministry as just something you did while you were young or until you could get a real ministry job at a church.  In the 60's through the 90's some of the best known BSU Directors were women.  I think one of the unintentional results of the switch to Campus Minister was to cause fewer women to be able to serve in this role as a result of the use of the term "Minister".

Campus Pastor is one of the newer title evolutions.  I will confess to liking it the least as it conveys the idea of the college ministry being a church.  That has been the thing that Baptist collegiate ministry has worked hard not to be, but to be a ministry of the local churches.  Now, there are churches being started on campus by some and perhaps this would be the best title for them.

Campus Missionary is perhaps the latest term.  It has been used primarily by most who are serving a one or two year term on campus under a veteran Campus Minister.  A few long term folks are taking this title.  The obvious purpose of this to help people in the churches to see and understand the importance of reaching college campuses and to give it the same emphasis as Foreign Missions.

Which title do YOU prefer?  Or, what do you see as the next evolution of the title? 

Check out "A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity" at Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCTNB1

Many College Freshmen have Half-Way Dropped Church Before they get to College

What do I mean by, "Many college freshmen have half-way dropped church BEFORE they get to college?"

You will hear many college ministry folks like me quote the statistic, "60 to 70% of high school seniors active in church make NO spiritual connections in college."  

I stand by that statement and those percentages......but........and however

Youth ministry folks will tell you that many of their senior high students come on Wednesday night for youth group and are not regular attenders on Sunday for big church and Bible study groups.   Their schedules are packed with all kinds of activities and they have gotten their driver's license.  Often, their folks, who know they are run down and tired, give them the option of going on Sunday morning and many of them do not.

So, when they graduate from high school, they have basically graduated from their church.....the youth group.

Some larger churches to combat the loss of youth to Sunday morning church have gone to having Sunday Youth Worship.  They are there on Sunday, but not connected to the church as a whole.  

So, it is not that the vast majority of college freshmen make an abrupt change in their church involvement.  For many, they have been in the process of dropping out the last couple of years.

In addition, some larger churches have gone to Sunday Youth Worship which is separate from the church as a whole.

If we want to combat losing our youth to faith commitment and involvement in college, we have to realize that it needs to start early in high school. I will go as far as to say, Sunday school and worship involvement are MORE important than Wednesday youth group, if you have to drop one.

BUT, IF YOU HAVE A FRESHMAN NOW, HERE ARE 4 THINGS YOU CAN DO:

1.  Contact the BCM or other campus ministry or local college church with their contact info.  A grandmother just had me pass on the info for her freshman to a BCM Campus Minister.  It is not too late.

2.  You can encourage them to go and ask about what they may have already done.  You still have influence in their life.

3.  If you are going for parents weekend or Homecoming, make plans for all of you to attend a college friendly church that weekend.  It is way easier for them to go back to some place they have already been.

4.  Pray for your freshman.  If you are half way comfortable doing so, ask them when you talk, what they would like for you to pray on their behalf.  That in itself will be an encouragement!

Know a freshman that needs some help, try Amazon.com/dp/B0H466/D8Z9

Why Don't Church College Ministries and Campus College Ministries Work Together?

 So, I was leading a Breakout session at National Collegiate Week in New Mexico when a nice lady who had come to help cook for their college group raised her hand and said, "Why don't church college ministries and campus ministry work together?  You could feel a lot of the air in the room go out.  We just don't talk about that out loud in front of polite company.

So, here is the deal....it is complicated.  Some try and some don't try....on both sides.  The BCM/BSM/BSU College Ministers I know have working with churches as a key part of their job description and generally work hard at making it happen.  

Here are some of the factors that complicate the situation:

1.  "There are plenty of college students to go around." is one of the common things said.  And, that is absolutely true.  But, here is what is also true.  For a college ministry to work and go well, you need good student leaders and there is often a shortage of those. So, there is often some tug and pull for them.  Often churches are able to pay for some "interns" and obviously getting paid to do it and doing it for free on campus is different.

2.  Church College Ministers tend to feel more pressure to produce numbers.  I am not sure why that is, but I have found it to be generally true. For some, that pressure comes from the pastor and for others it is trying to demonstrate the validity of their position and their budget.  A friend of mine who went from being campus based to church based at a large church got fussed at by the pastor for their student numbers being down the first weekend there was not a home football game. Students had gone home for the weekend.

3.  One campus based College Minister said, "The churches hire my best graduates or upperclassmen to do their college ministry and they turn around and do exactly what they experienced on campus in my ministry."  I (Arliss) believe that church based and campus based should look different.  One of the keys of church based college ministry is to connect students to the church as a whole. That is harder than just having a student event.  When the ministries look the same, why go to both?

4.  Generally (and this is a generalization) Campus Based College Ministers and Church Based College Ministers are different.  For some years I worked as a part time consultant in college ministry for Lifeway where I worked on the National Collegiate Ministers Summit, a once every 3 year meeting.  What we generally found was that Church Based College Ministers wanted preaching and Campus Based wanted more "How to" Breakouts.  Partly, Church College Ministers tend to be more speaker types, but I see that shifting now with more wanting campus College Ministers to be speakers.

5.  Church Based College Ministry positions tend to turn over more frequently.  Some years ago in my role with Lifeway, I was trying to get an accurate number of how many churches in the SBC had College Ministers.  It is not nearly as many as you might think. I called the State BCM/BSM/BSU coordinator in each state and to a person, each said, it is hard to give you a number because they turn over so quickly. I think part of that goes back to Number 2.  But, it has seemed that many Church College Ministers see themselves moving toward the pastorate when the opportunity comes and Campus College Ministers don't seem prone that direction as much.  Because of turnover, then new Church College Ministers are scrambling to get a crowd and being "cooperative" gets lost in the shuffle.

6.  Campus Based College Ministers resent that their ministry gets compared unfavorably to Church College Ministries that often tend to have much larger budgets and lots of interns or even multiple staff members.  It is not apples to apples comparisons, but folks on the outside making those comparisons don't see that.

7.  One "Un-cooperative" person in the mix can create an unhealthy tension or competition for all.  Here are a couple of examples.  One BCM Campus Minister invited all the church College Ministers to say a few words and introduce their ministry at their first BCM event.  One announced and promoted his weekly meeting starting the next week that was the exact same day and time as the BCM one.  Another campus based told the story of organizing a Progressive Dinner for Freshmen through all the churches. At the first stop they had all kind of fun things going on and the College Minister announced if they wanted to just stay there instead of going on, they would take them back to campus.  A large number stayed and the rest of the churches only saw about half what they had planned for.

8.  One Campus College Minister said, "The churches want me to give all my students and especially student leaders to them, but I have to be big and strong enough to help the churches."

Should Campus Based and Church Based College Ministries work together?  Yes...without a doubt.  But, it is complicated and takes extra work. Sometimes, one is willing and the other is not or they see differently what that means and how it will affect them.  

"Teacher, said John, we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.  Do not stop him, Jesus said.  No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us."  Mark 9:38-40 

"30 Devotionals for College Freshmen"  Amazon.com/dp/B0H8K6L1QX

"Reaching MORE College Students"  Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN

The Role of the College Minister as the Leader of the Ministry

The College Minister is the face of the ministry.  If others see the College Minister in a positive way, they see the ministry in a positive way......and vice versa.

The College Minister must realize and accept his or her role as the leader of the ministry:

1.  Have a vision and plan for the ministry.  

2.  Communicate clearly and often the vision of the ministry. 

3.  Ask others to lead in a variety of ways (particularly areas where you are not gifted) and allow them to do so.

4.  Never forget that no matter who does what, you are responsible.

5.  Never expect anything of students that you are not willing to do.

6.  Realize that every meeting with a campus administrator is an opportunity for future doors to open or close.

7.  Work at being a respected and responsible member of the campus community.

8.  Be conscious of the appearance of your interactions with members of the opposite sex.  Never let that compromise your reputation and the reputation of the ministry as a whole.  Appearances matter.

Adapted from "Reaching MORE College Students" Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.

Check out "30 Devotionals for College Freshmen" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H8K6L1QX.

One Way a College Ministry Grows is by RETAINING Students

 Every college ministry no matter how good it is has students stop coming or don't come back after attending a few times.  Could you be MORE intentional on retaining students?

8 Thoughts on retaining students:

1. Know who attended and when.  Many use an electronic check in system.  But, it can be done the old fashioned way with sign in sheets.  Some use Comment cards each week or during the first month to help keep track of who is there and who is not.  Develop and maintain a list of everyone who has attended this semester as you go along.

2.  When a student misses 2 weeks in a row, they get a contact.  Consecutive misses are a good metric for when someone should be checked on.

3.  Beware of "shaming" contacts. Students do not like to feel like they are being fussed at for not being there.  Maybe it could be a message that says, "Hey missed your face..... just wanted to let you know what is coming up next week.  Hope classes are not getting you down."

4.  Do evaluation sheets at the middle of the semester......NOT at the end.  Some years ago we were going through evaluation sheets after our last Freshmen Nite of the semester.  They all said how great it was.  Yet, we knew we had lost a significant number.  Then, it dawned on me.  Of course, those that loved it were still there.  Do an evaluation sheet after a month or at mid-semester that would help you know if you have some issues that need to be corrected in your big event.....BEFORE they have quit coming.

5.  Invite 5 or 6 students for pizza and talk.  3 or 4 weeks into the semester invite some different freshmen for a talk back session.  Ask questions and listen.  Don't justify or explain.  Ask and listen.  Students think and talk better with free pizza in their mouth.

6.  Contact sick students.  Yes; when you hear someone is sick, make a contact and see if they need anything.  When a student is sick, they can feel very alone and uncared about.  As a student, I was sick in my room with strep throat when my BSU Director knocked on the door with cup of warm soup.  It felt like a life saver and love.

7. At your leader meeting, take a few minutes to talk about who is missing or hasn't been seen in a while.  Besides alerting you to them, you can divide up contacts and just help your leaders being conscious of continuing caring and noticing who is missing.

8.  After the first 2 weeks of your regular weekly meeting, compare your list against last year's list.  Who was active last spring that has not been this fall.

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

You can check out "30 Devotionals for College Freshmen" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H8K6L1QX

How Parents Can Help a College Freshman with Spiritual Connections

Most surveys show 60-70% of college freshmen who have been active in church make NO spiritual connections in college, go to church, etc.

How can You Encourage Your Student to Continue their Faith in College?

1.  They need to understand how important it is to be intentional about making spiritual connections in the beginning.  Most don't plan to drop out.  They just assume it will automatically happen and it doesn't. Deciding to make early connections is key. Most college ministry churches will have special Sundays and fun welcome events the first week or two of school. Obviously, those are the best and easiest time to go.

2.  Parents need to encourage church and/or campus based ministry involvement just as they encourage good grades.  Obviously, this will not guarantee it, but it can make a difference.  If a family goes to Dorm Move-In Day, stay and go to church with them at a college church on Sunday before leaving and going home.  It is easier to go back somewhere they have already been.  And, they didn't have to try to go somewhere by themselves that first time. In phone conversations over the first week or two, ask about attendance at campus or church Christian events.

3.  Make contact with a Campus Ministry or College Church prior to the start of school.  Parents can send name and contact information or go on websites and check things out.  Most provide a place to enter contact info for incoming students. These ministries will make contact usually prior to school starting and provide information about welcome events happening during those first few days. Some even offer pre-school events. It is not too late to do it.  Many will text them with upcoming events or a personal contact from another student. 

Check out "162 Tips and Hacks for College Freshmen:  Fun, Faith & Good Grades" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9. and "30 Devotionals for College Freshmen"  Amazon.com/dp/B0H8K6L1QX

 

My BIGGEST Mistake in College Ministry??

 Some friends of mine would say if I am going to share my mistakes in college ministry, I had better go with a Top 50.  And, if I am honest, several come to mind.

But, there is one that is automatically my biggest mistake and it easily comes to mind. I share it with hopes that will keep some of you from making it.

One of our Ministry Teams had been doing a particularly poor job....well not so much a poor job, as they were not doing much of anything.  One week the leader of that team announced a special project that he and his team were going to lead out on.  I thought hooray, the sleeping bear has woke up.  It was on a night that we usually did not schedule anything and that was my full night at home.  But, they were getting ready to do something and it was something that needed doing. I needed to be supportive.  This was a turnaround point for this team.

As I thought about it, I realized that one of my daughters was in a grade school program that night.  But, it was no big deal program.  She just had a small part in something.  So, my not being there was not significant.

The night of the special event the team was going to do I was in my office doing a couple of things prior to time for it to start when the leader walked in.  He said, "We weren't going to have that many participate, so I have called it off and let everyone who was to be involved know that it is called off."

It was too late to get to my daughter's program and there was no ministry event that was going to happen.

That night I resolved I would never miss one of my girl's events, if it was anywhere in my power to be there!  When I think about it, I still get that heavy feeling in my chest that I had the night he walked into my office and told me it was off.

My daughter probably does not remember that specific event......but I do!

You don't get do-overs with your kids!  The years are short. As far as it is within your control, be on the front row of everyone of your kids events.  There will be lots more ministry events....and some of them will get called off.  

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children, or they will become discouraged."  Colossians 3:21

It does not honor the Lord to cheat your kids!

You can check out "162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9 or "30 Devotionals for College Freshmen:  Building a Faith that Lasts" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H8K6L1QX

Take a Day to Read, Think & Pray

How does it go from early summer to "Oh my gosh, school is about to start."  But, it happens every year to most College Ministers.

Here is my STRONG SUGGESTION:  Even though you feel like the days are short, right now, schedule one day to do nothing but to read, think and pray about your ministry as a whole and your personal role in the ministry. Get away from your office, the campus or the church.  Take a six pack of Diet Coke or whatever your poison is and go somewhere that people can't find you.

I am going to mention some books as some possibilities, but you can choose any for this day.  One thing I want to encourage you to do is to consider one or two that you think you may be on a bit of a different page of that writer,  and you philosophy wise.  Those cause you to think.  

If you know me, you know, I always go to the "how to" and practical.

NAMB and Paul Worcester put out some FREE ebooks awhile back that I think are really good......especially one by Ryan Scantling and Gary Stidham entitled, A Guide for Campus Based Collegiate Ministry. There is A Guide for Church Based Collegiate Ministry, A Guide for Collegiate Focused Church Planting,  and 5 Leadership Principles for Collegiate Ministry by Paul and Shane Pruitt.  They are short, good, and free. Go to Gensend.org.  

You will notice I am mostly listing ones you could easily read more than one in that day.  I like short books....which you obviously know....if you have read any of mine.

One I read while I was sitting in the Denver airport and especially liked was, Heart of the Campus:  Ministry Principles and Strategy for Focusing on Student Leaders by Steve Shadrach.  One real plus to it is on the last page, he lists about 10-12 books as resources AND the Websites of 10-15 college ministries.  I love looking at other ministries websites. It is amazing what you can pick up from their websites.  I am on a little different page than Steve on some of it, but loved the book, and got a lot from it.  It is only 22 pages....so a quick and easy read.

An obvious listing, if you have not read it is, The Fuel & The Flame by Worcester and Shadrach.....the updated version.  Don't forget Worcester's new book, Thrive.

Another crazy idea I want to throw out:  You don't have to read every word of all of the books.  You can read some chapters that particularly appeal to you, etc. Be sure and take a legal pad or whatever to write down ideas, thoughts and quotes you want to remember.

At the end, I am going to list three of my books as options and links.  

One confession:  When the days got real short, I would mark off one half day to go play golf....which would be the last one for awhile.  You may not play golf, but it could be for you and your spouse to go do one fun thing before the craziness.  Or, it could be to bike ten miles, etc, etc.  Do something that is just for you.

Here are three suggestions of mine and a link (Sorry I can't make them free. there is that detail of me not owning Amazon.):

Reaching MORE College Students Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN

Fixing a Broken College Ministry Amazon.com/dp/B0741DM1CD

 A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV

The 2 Go-To Mistakes in College Ministry

As you finalize plans for the fall, keep in mind the 2 Go-To Mistakes most commonly made.

1.  Copying another ministry - This is a quick and easy one especially for new College Ministers.  It is to simply try to replicate another ministry onto your campus.

    Reasons it usually does not work:

        1. Every campus is different in both type students, atmosphere, needs, and what other ministries         might be doing on campus. Plus, there really are different types of students on different campuses. The most obvious is the difference in a primarily commuter campus and a dorm driven campus. 

        2.  The success of that other ministry is often built on the particular gifts and strengths of the ministry's leader.  Not every College Minister shares the same gifts and strengths.

        3.  The success of that other ministry may be built on years of developing to get to that point.  You have not seen where they started.

        4.  Money and other resources vary campus to campus.  Some things work because of the amount of money put into it.  Before mirroring your ministry off of another one, consider what the budget, etc that is part of that ministry.

        5.  Number of staff is a major factor.  Doing the same type program with one or two staffers that a ministry with 20 or more staffers is doing likely will not see the same response.

2.  Not adjusting to changes on your campus. This is an easy one for long time College Ministers.  We just keep doing the same old, same old......same day, same time, same style.

        1.Sometimes, it is as simple as the University changes when different classes meet or now there are more classes on Monday night where that night used to be wide open. Are you assuming all those night class schedules are the same?

        2. We all know that the students of ten to fifteen years ago are very different than the ones of today.  Beware of doing a ministry that is aimed squarely at 2011.

        3.  BUT and HOWEVER.......Don't make changes just to make changes.  Be wise in your adjustments.  I am all about TWEAK.....NOT SLASH AND BURN!  

Check out "162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9 or "30 Devotionals for College Freshmen" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H8K6L1QX

The SECRET to Being Content in College Ministry

College Ministry has so many variations.  Your best leaders graduate.  Students change.  A new pastor decides his church needs to cut what they have been giving to your budget.  Sometimes, there is criticism.  A new person in the Student Affairs Office decides they don't have room for religious groups at Freshmen Orientations.  Apart from a College Minister's personal relationship to the Lord, a supportive spouse, and good friends, what is the best stabilizer?  How do you not live a roller coaster life emotionally?

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances."  Then  in verse 12 he says, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances."  I will readily admit Paul was a better guy and Jesus follower than I am.  I would call his "secret" comfort with who he was  and his calling.

What are some steps and realization that get us to the Comfort Zone?

1.  Realize and accept what your strengths are.  These are the gifts and abilities God has placed in your life and wants to use.  It is not vain to admit, accept and allow God to use them to the fullest.

2.  Admit and accept what your weaknesses are and learn to offset them.  You know you are not perfect.  Look for and empower students and others that can offset your lack of strength or gift in that area.  For me, I am not a musician and don't even come close.  I always have to enlist and turn loose folks that are.  Trying to "fake it" in areas we are not good will invariably get us into trouble.

3.  You know what you know.   Experience is a great teach and the longer we serve  the more we know what works, what does not and why.  HOWEVER, we never quit looking and learning.

4.  You are not in your position hoping to be called to be the pastor of First Big Church.  You know that there is nothing more important than what God has called you to be right now.  Besides, you don't have to deal with ornery deacons and little old ladies who think it is too cold in the sanctuary and those drums are way too loud!

5.  You have accepted and understood that every age has its advantages and pluses and you are leaning into those.  Be the age you are....don't try to fool students into thinking you are twenty-five.  Don't miss your current pluses.

6.  You are not trying to copy the latest poster boy or girl of college ministry......not even your hero in ministry.  God uses originals.....not copies.  Imitating someone else takes a lot of energy and posing.  Being yourself is freeing.

7.  You have come to terms with the fluctuation of attendance and crowds.  I am all about reaching as many students as possible.  I like big crowds.  But, attendance will vary at collegiate events no matter how good of a job you are doing. Some are only with you one or two years.  A college ministry that averages 50 will touch more people over a four year period than a church that averages 50 to 100.

One of the reasons that many larger college ministries are led by older College Ministers is this comfort with who they are and the experience that goes with it.  Evidently, God thought you were pretty good.....since He only made one of you.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

Check out "162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen:  Fun, Faith & Good Grades" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9.

Top Gun for College Ministers

 Here is a story from many, many, many years ago that has a point and current application.

A group of us had gone to a fast food place after an evening session of a regional College Ministers conference that had not been very helpful.  Sitting around the table 8 or 10 of us from 3 or 4 different states began asking each other questions about HOW they did this and that.  The discussion was great and super helpful.  After awhile, someone said, "Wouldn't it be great, if we could do this for two or three days?"

So, the next summer, we met for three days at one of our campuses.  We put up a white board and started putting questions and topics on it. One morning or afternoon, we would go play bad golf.  We did it again the next summer and the next, rotating around where we met.  Someone jokingly called it Top Gun School.....obviously, after the Tom Cruise movie had come out.  It grew, but somehow partly due to the informal name it had gotten, it got a little bit of a name for being "exclusive" or in some way "secretive" or "political."  One State BCM leader told his people they were not to attend it.  So, the next year some of them took two or three days of vacation about the same time.

As it grew through the years and those who attended it would speak of how helpful it had been, some State leaders would tell their campus ministers to attend, if it were held in their state.   Somewhere along there, it got a better and official name.  It was called College Ministers Summer Fellowship or some variation of that and seminaries and other groups started paying for the meals.

Those first summer meetings affected my ministry more than anything I had ever been part of.   Out of those first Top Gun meetings came a couple of the ideas that most affected and grew my ministry over the years!  One guy shared something he had done with freshmen and others began to pick up on it, try it, modify it to their campus, etc. 

Okay, here is the application.  Call four or five buddies in college ministry and meet somewhere for the day and just talk about what you do and why. It can just be one day.  Ask each other questions.  Go eat something fun and not healthy and laugh some.  Encourage and pray for one another.  Don't plan a program with a speaker.  All of you are the program!  But, be careful not to tell anybody what you are doing.....they might think you are trying to win all your campuses for Christ or something weird like that.

Here is another crazy thought.  If you know someone who is doing a good job that is not of the same denomination or tribe as you.....invite them!  I have learned that we silo too much and we can learn so much from each other.

It's not too late.  Do it THIS SUMMER!  I know you want to.....call your buddy and say, "Who else should we invite?

You can check out 162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen:  Fun, Faith & Good Grades here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9

Where Did "Tips for College Freshmen" Come From?

 Four years ago I self-published a book entitled "Tips for College Freshmen" and this year have done an expanded version called "162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen."    When I first had the idea and put it out there, I thought there was not any such thing. I learned there are a ton of Freshmen tips books with the best known and number one selling one being, "The Naked Roommate."  But, I also learned that my Tips book was unique in that most are either all academic tips, social, or Christian apologetics.....where mine combines all three.

Here is where it started.  Many years ago when I was the Baptist Campus Minister at Arkansas State, the school came out with a new Freshmen Orientation format and indicated they were going to offer during each Orientation day, two different times of seminars and anyone could offer to do one.  I said I wanted to do one called, "How to Make it in College."  I did it all summer.  The next summer they said they were going to do the ten that had gotten the best reviews the summer before.  "How to Make it" was one of the ten.

A year or two later they changed formats again and asked, could I do it in ten minutes instead of thirty minutes and they would rotate freshmen through four of them.  I said, sure and did a ten minute version.

Another year rolls around and they said, "Could you do a 5 minute version at the Welcome session for all freshmen and parents?  Sure!

Somewhere in there I started being asked to speak for High School Graduation  Parent and Senior Lunches.  I did a talk I called, "7 Things High School Seniors and Their Parents Ought to Know."

Along in there, some churches would ask me to preach for Senior Sunday in addition to or instead of their Senior/Parent Luncheon.  I did a sermon called, "The College Freshman from Luke 15:11-31.

In my being at lots of Senior Sundays in churches, I saw them often give their high school grads a book.  I would always look at the book and almost every time, I knew it had good information in it, but the chances of their reading it was near zero!  Most looked and read like a text book.

So, I decided to do a quick and easy to read one full of all kinds of practical tips for everyday school life and adjustments as well as spiritual tips.  I have been super pleased with the reception it has gotten and many churches now give it to their seniors on Senior Sunday, as well as individuals giving it as a gift. One church uses it in their Senior Sunday School during the Spring Semester.  Last year Williams Baptist University gave it to each of their incoming Freshmen.

I share this for two reasons:  Some people have asked how it started.  Second, I believe more College Ministers need to be self-publishing.  YOU know stuff that would benefit others.  Do it!!!

Both the original "Tips for College Freshmen" and "162 Tips and Hacks for College Freshmen" are available at Amazon Books.  Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9, Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9

5 Things Every College Minister Can Do That God Uses

1.  Be an Example - Nothing takes the place of our personal example.  We cannot expect what we do not model.

2. Express Affirmation - One of the greatest things we can do for a student for their whole life and well being is to communicate genuine affirmation of their abilities and potential.  Many have never experienced much affirmation and are clueless to their possibilities.

3.  Forgive - Students will let you down.  Student leaders will mess up or not do what they committed to do.  For their sake and your health, you need to forgive and let it go.  Hold them accountable, but don't continue to hold it against them.

4.  Listen - A lot of  "counseling" is just being an aggressive listener.  A psychiatrist told me many of his patients just needed someone to listen to them.  Also, if you really listen to students, you will find out more about what in your ministry is really blessing them and encouraging them

5.  Express Appreciation - Never forget that students are volunteers.  Don't forget to say thanks occasionally for what they do.

You can check out "162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen" at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9 .

Thoughts on Hiring in College Ministry

Some College Ministries are hiring Associates or Interns during the early summer weeks.

Here is one thing I learned the hard way:  When hiring to work with you, chemistry is even more important than abilities and experience.  If the two or more of you don't fit on the same page, the abilities that person or persons brings to the job is greatly negated.  I hired someone whose resume was unbelievably good....what they had done and who they had worked with.  But, we did not connect well personally.  

So, always consider chemistry....how well do you connect?  It will matter more and more every day.

Remember on checking references:  Obviously and of course, you check references and I generally prefer a phone call over a written one.  I think their tone often tells you something.  A friend of mine who supervised more than one hundred College Ministers, once said, "When you call and ask about X person and the first thing out of their mouth is, "Well"......hang up then.

All of us can get 3 or 4 friends to say good things about us.  Figure out someone that would know them that they did NOT list as a reference and call them. 

There is a popular MYTH in hiring that "Anyone is better than no one."  It aint so!!  If no one is in that position, you know that things are not being done and you can compensate for that.  But, if someone is in a position, you will naturally assume things are getting done that need to and are being done right.

It is always better for a position to be open than to hire the wrong person.

Finally, give them some very clear and basic instructions as to what is expected when they start.  Don't assume they will know or make those things the priorities they need to be.

Second after they start, give them feedback.  Where possible, give them praise and express appreciation for a great start in that area.  That also helps, if you have to ask them to do something differently in another area.

My overall hiring philosophy is hire people sharper and brighter than yourself and when others come trying to hire them, help them go where they feel led and want to go.  And by the way, there will be other sharp people come your way as a result.

Check out 162 Tips & Hacks for College Freshmen:  Fun, Faith & Good Grades at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9.

College Ministry is This Simple........and this Hard!

 All of us who do or have done college ministry are always trying to continually understand the basics and in the midst of all that has to be done to break it down to those difference makers.

Here are 5 Difference Majors for College Ministry:

1.  Develop and train leaders.  Nothing expands the ministry or touches more different students for witness and connections than a strong group of core leaders who are invested.

2.  Share a vision and draw students into it. Where is the ministry trying to go?  Is it just a club on campus or is it a witness for Christ?  

3.  Work at making the ministry widely known on campus.  The more the ministry is known, the more likely it is for students to considering connecting or to respond when invited.  Remember, the number one reason students attend the first time is, "Someone invited me."  Some do it with big deal Welcome Week events. Others advertise widely.  Some do service projects on campus.  How can you make your ministry more widely known on campus?

4.  As a leader, be visible on campus. Walk across the campus and through the Student Center every day.  It gives opportunity for connecting with administrators (who open and close doors), workers, students that your students will introduce you to in just being there.  Plus, you will have a greater feel of the campus.

5.  Cast a WIDE net.  Do your best to reach into a wide variety of groups.  When you reach a student in a different campus group, you have a greater possibility of reaching more students in that group.

It's that simple......and that hard!

Check out:  162 Tips and Hacks for College Freshmen:  Fun, Faith & Good Grades at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9

4 Steps to Consider to ENLARGE Your Ministry This Fall

1.  Talk to some core students and get their feedback and thoughts as to some possible changes, tweaks, or adaptations.  Listen to them and think through all their thoughts and ideas.

2.  Consider slimming down all your ministry offers in order to focus more on what you see as your main ministry drivers.  It may not be a question of what is good or bad, but simply is it worth the cost time and emphasis.  Are you spreading your leadership team too think?

3.  Make an OBVIOUS change to your weekly Large Group Event.  It may be time, day, place, format, etc.  Has it grown stale?

4.  Does there need to be MORE of you or LESS of you?  Are you upfront too much or two little?  Should there be more students in up front roles?  Should there be more or less guest speakers?

Finally, go back to your Core students for their feedback on your tentative plan. Get their input, but you make the final decision.

Check out 162 Tips and Hacks for College Freshmen:  Fun, Faith & Good Grades at Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9 

Questions to Ask as You Prepare to Speak to College Students this fall

In recent years, it has become more and more the trend that College Ministers speak at their large group worship events.  

If you fall into this category, I want to throw out 5 Questions to ask as you begin to prepare:

1.  What are some Biblical basics, they need to hear or understand?  We know increasingly that many Christians are biblically illiterate.  A recent survey indicated that the major of church goers do not read the Bible regularly.  So, are there some basics you believe must be part of this fall's talks?

2.  What do students WANT to hear? I think that has to always be part of your equation as you plan.  I think we always have some responsibility to speak to where they are.

3.  What are some "every year topics"?  Unless your ministry is the total perfect exception....as I am sure it is....there will be some students only there one year due to change in schedules, due to change in priorities, etc, etc. If they are only in your ministry one year, what is something you want them to hear?

4.  What are some possible "attractional topics" for the first three weeks?  I am unapologetic in being a "Topic Speaker" to college students.  Even when I have done a book study, I used a topic title for each week.  I also am unapologetic about the need and value of utilizing topics that students want to hear as they make those key start of school decisions about where they will go.  But and however, it cannot be bait and switch.  Speak on what you advertise.  One reason I favor topics, is that it makes it easy for students to use those in inviting people.

5.  What are some "issues" on YOUR campus?  Some years there are issues and questions that arise among Christians and Non-Christians in different locations such as faith healing, speaking in tongues, etc, etc.  Would it be helpful and beneficial to speak to them?

One More Thought:  When you have made a list of possible topics, throw it out to your leadership team and see what feedback you get. 

Check out "162 Tips and Hacks for College Freshmen:  Fun, Faith & Good Grades" here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0H466D8Z9

Hard Conversations in College Ministry

 Part of doing College Ministry well is having hard conversations.  Here are some examples.

I went to visit a College Minister at his office and he was tied up with a student.  As he came out, he said, "That was one of those tough conversations.  I had to tell him if he was going on the Spring Break Mission Trip, he had to take a shower every day."

Some students indicated to me that one of our Freshmen Ministers was involved in some behavior totally contrary to the lifestyle commitment she had made.  I confronted her about it.  She denied it and I told her I would take her at her word.  I think the information I had been given was accurate, but I also think we must take people at their word.  That was a painful conversation!

One of the most committed students I ever had and an excellent student in the midst of a conversation said that she was doing a book report on a book she had not read.  I said, "Isn't that cheating."  She looked stunned and said, "I never thought about it."  The next week when we met, she said, "I read the book."

One of our guys was a natural leader, but had never stepped up in a leadership role in our ministry.  One day, I said, "If you aren't going to do a leadership role in BCM, you need to run for president of the student body."

One of our newly elected ministry leaders was a very attractive young woman and well liked.  I said to her at our first meeting, "You can get by on your good looks or you can really grow your leadership ability."  She became one of the best leaders we ever had.

A College Minister friend of mine who leads a large church ministry had to leave a meeting in Nashville early to go home and deal with the word that his Worship Leader was being seen drunk in student bars on Saturday night.  You think that was a hard conversation?

One of our really good BCM Presidents transformed personality wise almost over night it seemed and no longer was the leader he had been.  We had multiple hard conversations that resulted in no explanation or change and he sleepwalked through his last couple of weeks as our student leader.  I later learned that his parents were going through a divorce.  We never know all that is going on in a student's life.

What HARD conversations are you having with students?  It is part of the job AND it is part of doing the job well.  Often, saying something to a student they don't want to hear is for their benefit and future benefit.  Some will walk away, but many will stay and grow because you care enough to have hard conversations.

"A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen" is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98

The Crime of "Extreme Confidence"

A story is circulating in my part of the world about a lady who was going into a chain of Maverik convenience stores with her clip board and vest on who was doing quality checks on their snacks, drinks, and getting gas.  This went on over a period of four months.  She was quite efficient and pleasant to deal with.  One day, she came in when another employee was there from Maverik Headquarters......and well, well, well.  The Quality Control Inspector was NOT a Maverik employee.  In addition to the snacks and drinks she had gotten each time, she had gotten $2400 worth of gas and not paid.

She was arrested and charged with theft.  One of the arresting officers said, "She should be charged with Extreme Confidence.  I did not know that was a crime!  

Two Points to be Learned Here:

1.  She dressed the part and people generally treat you like you appear.  She had on the professional appearing work vest and the clip board. Fair or unfair...right or wrong that is a principle that continually demonstrates itself.  First impressions are huge and generally are relied on until proven differently.

I used to speak for lots of state-wide Campus Minister gatherings.  Often, the leader would say to me something like, "In one of your presentations, can you say something about dressing professionally when meeting with school administrators and pastors."  Lots of College Ministers dress like the students they are around and consequently the first impression they give off to administrators and pastors that do not know them causes them not to be treated with the professional regard that they should be and deserve. One first year College Ministry Intern told me once that she was embarrassed by the way her Lead Campus Minister went into a meeting with top school officials.  The Intern was embarrassed!! My simple rule is:  Dress like others at the meeting will be dressed.  

2.  She acted confidently like she knew what she was doing. Sometimes, as Christian leaders are  genuinely humble, they come across apologetically.  It is NOT ARROGANT to come across confidently.  There is a difference in arrogance and confidence.  You are a professional who knows what you are doing.  It is okay to believe that and definitely to act that way.  As a result, others will believe that and trust what you say.

I wrote an article once on the difference in Emceeing a Meeting and Leading a meeting.  An Emcee just announces what is next.  A leader (acting confidently) makes sure what needs to happen happens.

It is alright to be confident that God can, has, does, and will use you.

You can check out "A College Minister's Tips for College Freshmen" here:  Amazon.com/dp/B0GFLFNX98.

Calendar Your Summer

As this semester winds down and you hug students good bye and do some evaluation and planning, this is time to "calendar your summer."  What does that mean?  Someone once said, "Sometimes, life just gets so daily."  Their point was that it is easy to just take things as they come and not be intentional about the use of time and days.

What are some things you would like to accomplish this summer?

    -Read some specific things for your own growth or to develop the ministry.

    -Paint that one wall in your Center or re-do the pitiful landscaping outside.

    -Visit some churches and pastors in the area.

    -Develop that new Bible study material for your groups.

    -Write the outline of a better training for your group leaders.

    -Take two days and go somewhere to dream and plan for the long term of your ministry.

    -Lay out all your speaking topics for next fall and do a quick outline of each.

Okay.....now put those things on your calendar....so that the daily routine and things that just come up don't drown them out and SUDDENLY........IT IS AUGUST!

Make double sure that you have any Summer Orientations or other incoming Freshmen events or opportunities are on your calendar.

I would also suggest that you plug some "Golf Days" or whatever in there somewhere.  I used to go play golf one day shortly before school started.  It was my annual "Pre-school Tournament."  I always won!

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Questions to Ask When the Semester is Over

 A friend was kind enough to message me and indicate they were going to do a staff retreat and what were some questions they need to ask or consider in their evaluation and plans going forward.

Here are a few:

1.  Were my priorities for the ministry demonstrated in what we did?

2.  Did we do anything new or in a different way that is definitely a keeper?

3.  What should go on our "Never do again" list?

4.  What was not worth the time, energy, or money that went into it?

5.  Who are some people we need to thank for one thing they did or for their help throughout the year?  Remember, I am a BIG proponent of handwritten thank you notes!

6.  What was our weakness that definitely showed itself this year?

7.  How do we need to upgrade our summer contacts with incoming freshmen?  

8.  If you are able to participate in Summer Orientations, is there anyway that needs to be done better or differently?

9.  If there is more than one staffer, do the areas we each work on need to be adjusted or coordinated in a different way?

10.  Were MY individual strengths/gifts used to the best advantage for the ministry?

11.  What is one thing I/we need to read and or what is something we need to ask our student leaders to read?

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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.  One said to me that if I did not accept that job, people would forget where I was.  I said and I must confess, it was more "smart alecky" than spiritual, "I think God knows where I am." 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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