Which of these Two Causes a College Minister the MOST Pressure?

What do you think College Ministers feel the most pressure or stress about? 

I would argue that it is either ministry finances or attendance numbers.

Finances

 My first college ministry job was on a campus of 3,000 with a modern Center across the street from one of the two largest dorms.  There was only one other ministry on campus and they were not too active.  But, having the money to pay the light bill and do much ministry was the issue.  The profit from the Coke Machine was our second largest supporter.  Sometimes the money ran out before the month did.  My first month there, a generous supporter wrote a check just so I could get paid my travel allowance....which I needed.

I think there are lots of College Ministers whose number one pressure is dealing with the finances.  They either have a booming ministry that has outgrown the budget or they do not have enough budget to do much that will grow the ministry.  This is compounded when they have a Center where the local budget has to pay all the utilities and upkeep.  This usually means that upkeep and repairs are skimped on or not done in order to put the money on the ministry. Money does not make a ministry, but its hard to have much ministry without money.  Lack of finances forces College Ministers to charge students the max amount for everything.  There are no scholarships for retreats or conferences and there certainly are not nice refreshments or food after lots of events. Yes; food matters in college ministry.

Numbers

For other College Ministers, the pressure is numbers.  For different reasons and in certain situations there is a concern for how large the ministry is and how many attend your worship events.  Some campuses are called "Flagship Campuses" usually they are the one or two larger or best known schools in a state.  A campus based College Minister in those situations knows that eyes are on him or her and that the perception of that ministry affects the perception of other ministries in the state.  This also feeds into financial support (See Finances.).  If churches and individuals feel a ministry is booming, they are more likely to provide financial support.  While I believe it is very rare, I know of situations where numbers were just plain fabricated to meet or exceed the numbers expected or desired.  In some situations, they "estimate" attendance.

Some have indicated that many Church College Ministers feel pressure for numbers to either justify the college ministry budget to the church or the pastor expects large numbers.  One large Church College Minister told of his pastor being upset because their numbers were down on the first fall weekend without a home football game.

I have confessed other times to being "numbers conscious."  There is a fine line between wanting to minister to as many students as possible and letting the whole ministry being numbers driven. and the College Minister feeling that as a constant pressure. When we live or die on numbers, it can suck the joy out of your ministry.

On my first campus, I felt the pressure of finances in how it affected the budget and what we could do.  On my second campus, I felt the pressure of numbers.  I knew lots of people were counting on me for different reasons. 

Some would argue that feeling pressure on finances or numbers is a lack of spirituality or trust in the Lord.  I think it falls into the category of our being human and we wrestle with issues just like other Christians do in their work.

What is your greatest pressure.....Finances, Numbers, or _________________?  If you have a different one, I would love to hear it.

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