We Need MORE OLD Guys and Gals in College Ministry!

The number one misconception about college ministry is that it is only for the young.  Most of the best College Ministers I know are not real young.

Why do we need more older College Ministers?

1.  College students don't need another buddy.  They need and want mentors.

2.  Older College Ministers can speak to students out of life experience.

3.  Older College Ministers are able to better relate to and connect to churches and pastors due to their life experience and being seen as ministry pros.

4.  Older College Ministers are usually more effective at raising money and enlisting support.

5.  Older College Ministers see and know the need of enlisting student leaders, developing and building them up.  They have learned that they do not have to be at the center of everything. The more student leaders a ministry has the more students it will reach.

6.  Older College Ministers know the difference in trends and principles in college ministry.

7.  Older College Ministers have an advantage in enlisting volunteers because of the respect they have earned and the relationships they have developed.

8.  Older College Ministers know who they are and can lean into their strengths.

9.  We need older And experienced College Ministers to mentor those new to college ministry.  

Arliss Dickerson's book, A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV and A College Student's Guide to Spiritual Maturity is at Amazon.com/dp/B0CXTCTNB1.

The Four Tee Shirt Principles or The 4 Unspiritual Laws of Tee Shirts

 Prior to the 4th of July feels like early summer to me.  The day after the 4th feels like panic time; school is about to start.  One of the July jobs in college ministry is designing a tee shirt to either be sold, given away, or part of a Back-2-School or Fall Retreat Sign-up. Tee shirts are part of college life.  One student said to me once, "The whole reason you come to college is for tee shirts."

Tee shirts serve several purposes.  They can advertise your weekly event.  They can be an incentive to sign up for the fall retreat or just promote your ministry in general.  Some ministries have given them away with information about their weekly meeting and asked students to wear them the day of the event....especially during the first 2-3 weeks.

Here are the 4 Tee Shirt Principles or The 4 Un-Spiritual Laws of Tee Shirts:

1.  Student MUST like the tee shirt to wear it.  Involve students in the design and selection of the color.  If you turn the design of it over to your students completely, I recommend your having final approval or regular input.  Remember, you are the one who can get fired.  Also, the fabric of the shirt is a factor and is often the difference in how much students like and whether they will continue to wear it. By the way, did you know there is some trade organization that declares the color of the year?

2.  Young women will wear a "guy tee shirt" but college guys will not wear what they perceive as "a girl tee shirt".  This is one of the places that student input is important in your selection and design.

3.  The most important time for students to be wearing ministry tee shirts is during the critical first 2-3 weeks.  So, factor that in for design and ordering in order to have them when school starts. What can you do to have 100 or even 200 shirts promoting your ministry on campus during those first early weeks?

4.  Tee shirts help build cohesion within your group.....it is part of the sense of belonging.  Everyone wants to belong and for others to know they belong somewhere.  

Arliss Dickerson's book, A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV and Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades is at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.

What is the WORST MISTAKE Parents of College Freshmen Can Make?

 From my 40 years on college campuses, my number one nomination for worst mistake parents of a freshman can make is,

Either allowing or placing them in an apartment or house away from campus.

Why do I say that?

-A majority of desperate calls I have gotten from parents during the first 2-3 weeks of school has been to go see a freshman living off campus somewhere.  Often, they have been sitting there by themselves and not eating right.

-National studies show that students that live in dorms tend to make better grades than students that live off campus.  Why is that?  It is not that there is something magic in those dorms; it is as simple as proximity to classrooms, closer to the Library.  It takes a lot more effort to drive across town to go to class or the Library than it does to walk out the door down to the lobby and across the campus.

-Students active in campus organizations are more likely to be happy, stay in school and graduate.  It is all about being connected to others.  It is easier for those organizations to connect to students who are living on campus.....such as Christian organizations like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (who does not care if they are Baptist or not.)

-Normally students who are in dorms will also have a Cafeteria ticket.  They will have regular access to food and not live on just ramen noodles all the time.  There is even good and healthy food, if they will pick it up

But, the dorm horror stories.....

I bet I know more of those than you do, however.....there are Resident Assistants who are upperclassmen who provide some stability to each area and are available....there are rules about alcohol and guns. There are periodic safety checks done in dorm rooms.  None of this is happening in rented houses or apartments away from campus.

If your son or daughter find themselves in a totally untenable situation, go immediately to the housing office and request a change.  Many schools have a “No Questions Asked” room change about the second or third  week.  But don’t wait to get on record and ask for help.

Of course, there are exceptions for some reason or other, but overall, I will always say a freshman is better off being in a dorm or other on campus housing.  By the way, some of it is even luxurious these days.

Want more help for your freshmen?  Check out Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9

8 Things I Would do if I Were a New College Minister this Summer

 1.  Meet the Pastors and College Ministers.  Meet the Pastors and Church College Ministers of your denomination. if you are campus based. Don't ask for anything in this first meeting.  Ask questions and listen. Meet ALL the College Ministers on campus. If you are Church based, meet all the Church College Ministers in town.  Ask what they learned there the hard way?  Any tips or suggestions?  Meet the leader of the ministry on campus connected to your church.  How can you work together?

2.  Meet the VP of Student Affairs or whomever works with student organizations. . Make sure your ministry is a registered student organization or how to become one.  Ask about any guidelines you need to know AND have there been any previous problems with your ministry it would be helpful for you to know or to clean up. Is there an Organizational Fair or Welcome Events or Orientation events your ministry can be a part of?

3.  Is there any sort of religious Preference List that is available?  Some schools will give one to recognized ministries.  Some campuses even sell them.

4.  Look at the Welcome Week Schedule and see what days, times, etc might work for your ministry to do one or more Welcome/Outreach Events.

5.  Have a coke and Chip & Dip session with any students who have been involved previously and ask questions and listen.  What has the strength of the ministry been in the past?  What is the reputation of the ministry on campus?  What do they see as the overall campus vibe toward Christian groups?  If there is an already set large group meeting time, is it the best or would another day and or time work better?

6.  Put together a flyer, poster, postcard or whatever to hand out, pass out, hang up, etc when school starts. Pictures are always a plus!

7.  Post on Social Media about your ministry and ask for names and contact info for incoming freshmen.  Facebook is a source to reach parents, grandparents, etc while other forms of Social Media will connect more directly to students.

8.  If you have a Center or Meeting space of your own, make sure it is at peak appearance and presentation.  If it needs cleaning, clean it.  If it needs paint, paint what you can.  Adding a Feature Wall in some way or other can dress up the appearance and give it a new look.  If it is a Center on or adjacent to campus, how does the yard and shrubs look?

If you are NOT a new Campus Minister, are any of these things calling your name?

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9 and A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula is at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV.