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.