A College Minister Code of Ethics

 As a College Minister, I will strive:

1.  To serve for God's best for each student and not how they may best serve my ministry or promote my ministry goals.

2.  To practice balance and care for my spouse and my children while doing ministry.

3.  To be fair and honest in dealing with other campus and church ministries.

4.  To not sell or advocate the sale of products to students for my personal gain.

5.  To avoid the reality or appearance of inappropriate male/female relationships.

6.  To operate at the highest standards of accountability and openness in terms of finances provided to the ministry.

Arliss Dickerson's new book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.

NAMB to Request SBC Collegiate Ministry Assignment

The North American Mission Board (NAMB) announced last week that their board of trustees had voted that NAMB request at this summer's Southern Baptist Convention meeting that they be given the assignment for collegiate ministry. For many years, the collegiate ministry responsibility and overall coordination has been at Lifeway Christian Resources.  When the pandemic came on full force and churches shut down, many churches quit ordering literature from Lifeway.  Since all of Lifeway's ministries and services are funded by the sale of their materials, they were forced to cut $25 million from their budget.  At that point, the collegiate ministry leader and contract workers were terminated along with other cuts. Since then, there has been no national collegiate ministry office.

Last week when this announcement was made by NAMB, a pastor contacted me to ask what were concerns or questions within the college ministry family about the possibility of NAMB taking on this role. Just like any big issue, there are a variety of viewpoints.  Some believe it is a no brainer for NAMB to take the assignment.  But, there are some questions.

Two Concerns Expressed:

1.  Will NAMB give emphasis and support in a positive way to BOTH traditional BCM/BSU/BSM ministry and campus church plants?  In recent years the emphasis of NAMB has been in the area of campus church planting and some NAMB personnel indicated that they saw campus church plants as THE way to do college ministry in the future. There are places where each of those is the best approach. Some have estimated there are about one hundred (100) campus church plants currently and there are about eight hundred (800) BCM ministries.

2.  Will NAMB restore the funding to the ER states?  It has not been widely known, but for several years, Lifeway has given $210,000 each year to the ER states for collegiate ministry.  ER or Emerging Regions is a term used to describe the "non-deep south states" that do not have a large number of strong churches.  Consequently, those states are not able to give significant financial support to their campus based college ministries.  This money was divided between those states and used at their discretion for either aid to salaries or college ministry budget.  If NAMB is to take on the college ministry role, will they restore this funding that is of great  importance to those states?  To my knowledge, there has been no public statement by NAMB leadership about this.  Prior to the vote at the SBC annual meeting, I would think NAMB needs to address this issue.  It is a significant part of what Lifeway was doing in college ministry.

Are either of these concerns deal breakers?

A statement from Paul Worcester:  Following this blog post and the different discussions and comments on Facebook, Paul reached out to me, said this, and gave me permission to share it.  "Our desire at NAMB is to partner with all expressions of collegiate reaching including campus based ministries, church based ministries, and collegiate church plants.  We want to add fuel to the fire of what God is already doing among our churches, associations, and state conventions.  Our only agenda is to be as much of a blessing as we can be."  

Arliss Dickerson's new book, "Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades" is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.

College Ministers Must Think Like an Outsider.

 I see lots of promo announcements for collegiate Christian events and many times I think, if I were not already an involved Christian, there is no reason I would want to go to that event.

So, here is the deal, I think we have to think like someone who is not already involved in the ministry.  Many of these announcements are really pretty bland!  To me, it is just a reminder to those who already attend.  It just gives time and place.  I would think those already involved would know that, but maybe they need to be reminded that today is the day, etc.

Is there a topic that would be of interest?  Is there a question being addressed that students care about?  Is there going to be music or personal stories shared?  Is there food before or after?  Is the food free or does it have a cost?  Should you share what the food is?  If I am the typical non-involved Christian on campus, why would I want to come?  If I am the typical non-involved unbeliever on campus, why would I want to come?  Different ministries are reporting those opposed to Christian faith coming and being drawn to the sense of community.  Does your promotional pieces give a clue to a welcoming community?

It doesn't have to be in your face over-promising as the greatest thing ever.  But, is your promo piece a reminder to those who are probably coming anyway or is it aimed at those who have never been or maybe have been once or twice?  

Another place to think like an outsider:

What are the announcements like at your event?  If you cannot stand them and often cringe when they are made, how do you think new students feel?  

Remember "The Four Laws of Announcements":

1.  Make no more than four announcements.  The more you make.....the less people hear.

2.  The person making the announcements should know and understand what they are announcing.

3.  The announcements should be such that a first time attendee understands what is being announced.

4.  The announcements should not become the main event or distract from the worship or Bible study.

Arliss Dickerson's new book, "Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades" is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.

A Powerful College Ministry Tool

 I often say that money does not make a ministry, but it is hard to have much ministry without some money.  Yet, I believe one of the most powerful tools we have in college ministry is almost free.  I strongly believe in the power of the handwritten note.  I got a handwritten thank you note just the other day relative to a gift that Sue and I had given.  We felt appreciated.  Our giving to that cause does not depend on the notes, but that helps encourage it.

One similarity that College Ministers have with college coaches is recruiting.  I heard an interview with a Head Football Coach of one of the nationally known college teams.  An interviewer ask how they had such a great recruiting class this year.  He said one thing  that they believe in strongly is that each of their staff writes five (5) handwritten notes a day....A DAY!  What if you and your ministry began to write notes to students you know who will be coming in the fall?  Don't wait till this summer to contact them, but write them a handwritten note the first day you get their name.  If you are fortunate enough to get some sort of incoming freshmen list, write personal cards to as many as possible.  You could write all of the seniors in the churches in your city encouraging them that if they go anywhere to college to connect to the ministry or a church serving that campus.

Some years ago, our BCM President asked me for a list of the churches and the pastors who gave to our ministry.  He gave each member of our Leadership Team a postcard and one of the names and asked them to write a personal thank you to that pastor for their giving and for each student to say in that note how the ministry had blessed them.  I bet those pastors had gotten few, if any, notes like that. A church ministry could have students write every Sunday School group that has provided food.  Or, all those that served at a college event could get a thank you.  Too often, church volunteers do not get thanked.

If an individual sends you a check out of the blue, write them a personal handwritten note.....even before you deposit the check.

There are about thirteen or fourteen weeks left in this semester. Did you know if you wrote just two handwritten notes a day for five days each week, you would write at least 130 handwritten notes?

Who needs thanking?  Who needs inviting?  Who needs encouragement?  Who needs to know you are praying for them? What high school senior needs to know you want them to be a part of your ministry if they come to school where you serve?

There are about 65 work days in the summer.  What if you wrote two freshmen a day this summer?  That would be 130 incoming freshmen who got a personal note from you.

Stamps and postcards don't cost much.  And, it could even be a postcard with a picture of your ministry on it...but that is not necessary.  Write someone a handwritten note right now!

Arliss Dickerson's new book, "Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades" is available at amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.