1. Start a second large group worship event at a different time or day...same weekly message with same speaker or utilize a different speaker.
2. Enlarge your Leadership Team to bring more students into ownership roles.
3. Stop doing something you do programming wise to put more time and effort into outreach for your main event.
4. Make food a part of every worship event....before or after.
5. Change locations of your main event to a better, more convenient location.
BUT, decide in advance if the change(s) will cause your ministry to lose something you must not lose. HOWEVER, be honest with yourself about the need to touch more students' lives for Christ and that a crowd is not all that matters. Balance reaching more with the need to build deeply in the lives of a few students. More is not always automatically better.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
Addressing the "Black Hole" for Church Drop-outs
The "Black hole" is the term Steve Parr and Tom Crites use in their book, "Why They Stay", to describe the college age years when they say 61% of young adults disappear from church. So, what are we doing about it? I maintain we are not doing nearly enough. For those of us who work in college ministry, we must do an even better job addressing this issue....AND...we must enlist more partners in this cause.
Parr and Crites say that, "If a student connects with a local church in fall semester of their freshman year, they are 138% more likely to be in church at age 30.".
If you serve in a College Ministry Church or as a Campus Based College Minister, now is the time to begin to plan for your fall enlistment, enlist partners, and budget for those crucial first weeks of freshmen coming to your campus. So, what do we do? If you are the campus based college minister, you can be the catalyst for getting the churches together to develop a plan. It doesn't have to be your plan, but you can be the "starter". Work with those who are willing to be involved. A group can be two churches. Don't let those who don't want to participate keep others from cooperating.
1. Enlist as many to work together as possible.
Invite all churches that want to be involved to partner and let each contribute as they are able..but still be full partners. A few combining resources and volunteers can do more than most can do on their own.
2. Decide that it is not just if students come to YOUR church.
There is no one church that is perfect for or fits every student.
3. Budget, find, beg enough money to do it well.
4. Make it more than just one event...it is about the first month of school.
So, what are some things that could be done?
1. Enlist church volunteers to do a large campus wide "Move-In Day" event. Use trailers, golf carts, etc to help parents and students get from vehicles to dorm rooms.
2. Have a Progressive Supper thru various college ministry churches.
3. Have a cookout on the lawn for students and parents on the first day. One joint group I know has a big luau.
4. Have first class printed materials listing church options....either all in one piece or in a packet. Everyone gets the same materials in the joint efforts.
5. If yours is a football school, the first couple of home game weekends should be special events for your college ministry...those weekends are huge opportunities. These weekends offer huge potential! Advertise all of that at the beginning.
6. Have special Football Homecoming Sunday Services where parents are invited. Have that in your materials Move-In Day. If the parents are coming, the son or daughter will be there that day....even if they have not been been back since the start.
7. Here is the crazy suggestion.......share names between churches of who has visited and who has not been back. Often, students disappear between churches and we just assume they went somewhere else. Also, we can know who has joined or attached somewhere thru regular involvement.
Other Thoughts:
If you have one month to impact the life of a college freshman, are you planning for the WHOLE month? Or, are you just having one event and packing it in?
Are you budgeting "wisely extravagantly"? Some years ago I had an aha moment when a fraternity told me how much they budgeted to recruit 50 guys in their Rush period? It's not about having a "big name" do a concert, but doing well done first class events. Don't waste money, but do what you do well!
But, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, it is about personal connections and follow-up. Do you have people meeting, welcoming and making new students comfortable when they come? And, do you let them know you are glad they came. Don't get new students there and then let them feel weird and unwelcome.
These thoughts barely, barely scratch the service of beginning to think about this fall. If 61% of college students drop church during Freshmen year, are YOU, WE working on that enough?
Parr and Crites say that, "If a student connects with a local church in fall semester of their freshman year, they are 138% more likely to be in church at age 30.".
If you serve in a College Ministry Church or as a Campus Based College Minister, now is the time to begin to plan for your fall enlistment, enlist partners, and budget for those crucial first weeks of freshmen coming to your campus. So, what do we do? If you are the campus based college minister, you can be the catalyst for getting the churches together to develop a plan. It doesn't have to be your plan, but you can be the "starter". Work with those who are willing to be involved. A group can be two churches. Don't let those who don't want to participate keep others from cooperating.
1. Enlist as many to work together as possible.
Invite all churches that want to be involved to partner and let each contribute as they are able..but still be full partners. A few combining resources and volunteers can do more than most can do on their own.
2. Decide that it is not just if students come to YOUR church.
There is no one church that is perfect for or fits every student.
3. Budget, find, beg enough money to do it well.
4. Make it more than just one event...it is about the first month of school.
So, what are some things that could be done?
1. Enlist church volunteers to do a large campus wide "Move-In Day" event. Use trailers, golf carts, etc to help parents and students get from vehicles to dorm rooms.
2. Have a Progressive Supper thru various college ministry churches.
3. Have a cookout on the lawn for students and parents on the first day. One joint group I know has a big luau.
4. Have first class printed materials listing church options....either all in one piece or in a packet. Everyone gets the same materials in the joint efforts.
5. If yours is a football school, the first couple of home game weekends should be special events for your college ministry...those weekends are huge opportunities. These weekends offer huge potential! Advertise all of that at the beginning.
6. Have special Football Homecoming Sunday Services where parents are invited. Have that in your materials Move-In Day. If the parents are coming, the son or daughter will be there that day....even if they have not been been back since the start.
7. Here is the crazy suggestion.......share names between churches of who has visited and who has not been back. Often, students disappear between churches and we just assume they went somewhere else. Also, we can know who has joined or attached somewhere thru regular involvement.
Other Thoughts:
If you have one month to impact the life of a college freshman, are you planning for the WHOLE month? Or, are you just having one event and packing it in?
Are you budgeting "wisely extravagantly"? Some years ago I had an aha moment when a fraternity told me how much they budgeted to recruit 50 guys in their Rush period? It's not about having a "big name" do a concert, but doing well done first class events. Don't waste money, but do what you do well!
But, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, it is about personal connections and follow-up. Do you have people meeting, welcoming and making new students comfortable when they come? And, do you let them know you are glad they came. Don't get new students there and then let them feel weird and unwelcome.
These thoughts barely, barely scratch the service of beginning to think about this fall. If 61% of college students drop church during Freshmen year, are YOU, WE working on that enough?
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
The "Black Hole" of Church Connection....New Insights into Young Adults as Church Drop-outs
I have just finished a very quick run through (I have not read every word.) of the new book, "Why They Stay" by Steve Parr and Tom Crites, which is the result of their survey of 1400 young adults.
They use the term "Black hole" to describe the years from high school graduation to marriage where "61% of those in the survey who no longer attended church strayed during their college years.". First, it is their contention that a significant factor is many churches which have no class or group for those who have graduated high school, but are not married. They argue that churches need a college age ministry whether they are in a college town or not.
Parr says, "Our research revealed that a young adult who is connected with a congregation quickly after high school is 138% more likely to stay in church than the young adult who does not connect with a church in the transition time after high school.".
I have long contended that the first three weeks of freshmen year in college are golden in opportunity and need. As college ministry churches and campus based college ministries we must ask, "Are we putting the priority and resources necessary toward reaching and connecting freshmen to church in that first fall semester...... those that come to us AND those that just left our youth ministry?". Or, are we just accepting that we will lose 61%?
Are we addressing the "Black hole" as we need to?
Factors they state for young adults staying connected to church:
-Loved their pastor when they were young.
-Had a good children's and youth ministry, but not necessarily a full time person.
-Have a high view of scripture.
-Parents demonstrated a strong and balanced involvement in church.
Some factors in those who leave:
-frequent turnover of youth leaders and pastors (Stability of ministry is huge!)
-church conflict or moral failure of church leaders
-youth were separated from families in worship
For me one perhaps over simple conclusion from this book is, we must admit that we do not have a student's college career to reach and connect them to the church....it is almost fall semester or nothing! If we really are concerned about the loss of young adults to the church, are we putting the necessary emphasis on this crucial time frame? Some of the young adults surveyed were asked what in their opinion the church thought about them. A common answer: "They don't think about us.".
This book is good for parents, church staff and college ministers who help churches and parents. Some sections are written to parents.
"Why They Stay" by Dr. Steve R. Parr and Dr. Tom Crites, Westbow Press, a Division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan
They use the term "Black hole" to describe the years from high school graduation to marriage where "61% of those in the survey who no longer attended church strayed during their college years.". First, it is their contention that a significant factor is many churches which have no class or group for those who have graduated high school, but are not married. They argue that churches need a college age ministry whether they are in a college town or not.
Parr says, "Our research revealed that a young adult who is connected with a congregation quickly after high school is 138% more likely to stay in church than the young adult who does not connect with a church in the transition time after high school.".
I have long contended that the first three weeks of freshmen year in college are golden in opportunity and need. As college ministry churches and campus based college ministries we must ask, "Are we putting the priority and resources necessary toward reaching and connecting freshmen to church in that first fall semester...... those that come to us AND those that just left our youth ministry?". Or, are we just accepting that we will lose 61%?
Are we addressing the "Black hole" as we need to?
Factors they state for young adults staying connected to church:
-Loved their pastor when they were young.
-Had a good children's and youth ministry, but not necessarily a full time person.
-Have a high view of scripture.
-Parents demonstrated a strong and balanced involvement in church.
Some factors in those who leave:
-frequent turnover of youth leaders and pastors (Stability of ministry is huge!)
-church conflict or moral failure of church leaders
-youth were separated from families in worship
For me one perhaps over simple conclusion from this book is, we must admit that we do not have a student's college career to reach and connect them to the church....it is almost fall semester or nothing! If we really are concerned about the loss of young adults to the church, are we putting the necessary emphasis on this crucial time frame? Some of the young adults surveyed were asked what in their opinion the church thought about them. A common answer: "They don't think about us.".
This book is good for parents, church staff and college ministers who help churches and parents. Some sections are written to parents.
"Why They Stay" by Dr. Steve R. Parr and Dr. Tom Crites, Westbow Press, a Division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan
Monday, January 11, 2016
What Defines College Ministry Success?
There are many definitions of success inside and outside the Christian faith. Sometimes non-Christian standards are used to define success in Christian circles. It has seemed to me that "success in College Ministry" has been even more difficult to understand or define...both for those who do it and those looking in from the outside. The most common success measure in almost anything is a big crowd. I like big crowds and know lots of College Ministries that have them, but that can't be the goal or purpose or we serve a very fickle master....and not Jesus.
Al of us have in our head and heart our own definition of success whether we have admitted it out loud or not. That's one place we have to get honest with ourselves....what success formulas are driving me AND what success formulas are being used to evaluate my ministry. We possibly are operating on one and being judged or evaluated by different ones.
Here are some of the most mentioned definitions of success in College Ministry:
-Have at least 1% of the student body at your large group event (5,000 = 50/10,000=100, etc).
-Does your ministry look like the campus (variety of students, groups represented, athletes, Greeks, internationals, etc)?
-Do students serve and lead or do they just come to a large group event?
-Is the Gospel intentionally shared with non-believers?
-Am I utilizing my particular gifts/strengths to the max?
-Am I building on the unique needs and opportunities that my campus offers?
-Am I doing what the people who hired me, pay my salary, support the ministry expect of me?
Each of these has something to say to what and how we do and should not be ignored and I believe there is some truth in each of them.
My Two Top Definitions of Success in College Ministry:
2. When I leave this ministry, will it be stronger than I found it?
1. What do the students who come out of this ministry do after college in terms of Christian walk, service and church involvement?
Our personal definition of success is a key factor in what drives us. I would encourage you to clarify your own and....clean it up or change it, if necessary. It will help you as you plan, serve, and survive or thrive!
Al of us have in our head and heart our own definition of success whether we have admitted it out loud or not. That's one place we have to get honest with ourselves....what success formulas are driving me AND what success formulas are being used to evaluate my ministry. We possibly are operating on one and being judged or evaluated by different ones.
Here are some of the most mentioned definitions of success in College Ministry:
-Have at least 1% of the student body at your large group event (5,000 = 50/10,000=100, etc).
-Does your ministry look like the campus (variety of students, groups represented, athletes, Greeks, internationals, etc)?
-Do students serve and lead or do they just come to a large group event?
-Is the Gospel intentionally shared with non-believers?
-Am I utilizing my particular gifts/strengths to the max?
-Am I building on the unique needs and opportunities that my campus offers?
-Am I doing what the people who hired me, pay my salary, support the ministry expect of me?
Each of these has something to say to what and how we do and should not be ignored and I believe there is some truth in each of them.
My Two Top Definitions of Success in College Ministry:
2. When I leave this ministry, will it be stronger than I found it?
1. What do the students who come out of this ministry do after college in terms of Christian walk, service and church involvement?
Our personal definition of success is a key factor in what drives us. I would encourage you to clarify your own and....clean it up or change it, if necessary. It will help you as you plan, serve, and survive or thrive!
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Is it 25% for Spring Semester Startup?.....And One More Thing!
If you have ever read any of my material, you know I believe the first three weeks of the fall semester are "solid gold" or "If you don't do the first three weeks of the fall right, nothing else matters".
So, what about the start of the Spring Semester or Winter Quarter? Many just see it as an extension of the previous semester and just see the Christmas Holidays as a break and we pick up right where we left off. I don't believe it works that way. In many ways there is the good and bad of a new start.
First, I think utilizing the first couple of weeks in serious outreach can be valuable and be about 25% as beneficial as the Fall Startup. Here are three groups for which it can make a difference.
1. There are Christian students who came to your campus last fall as freshmen who did not live as Believers.....and they have realized it and regretted it. What can you do that might connect to them and give them a new entry point to your ministry? And, a new walk with the Lord.
2. Transfer students often come in January from Junior College or Community Colleges. No body is much doing all the "Welcome Glad You Are Here Events" that fall offers. Is there something you might do that would reach into the group of transfers coming to your campus and bless their lives....and help them survive?
3. Students who were in and out of your ministry during the fall often need encouragement or help to reconnect in the Spring Semester. Make a list and consciously check on them or assign them to some upperclass leaders.
One More Thing: I have observed a "magic thing" happens with several freshmen when they come back from Christmas Break.....they are not "such a freshman" anymore. I have no explanation for it. It seems they have turned a corner in maturity or at least are ready to turn that corner. Put a group of them together for a Bible study group you might lead for potential new leaders. Or, start meeting one to one with a few of them. Help them have a vision for how God might use their life on campus in the next few years. Plant a dream and a God sized goal in their heart.
Are the first three weeks of Spring Semester 25% as valuable as the first three weeks of fall? We will see.
So, what about the start of the Spring Semester or Winter Quarter? Many just see it as an extension of the previous semester and just see the Christmas Holidays as a break and we pick up right where we left off. I don't believe it works that way. In many ways there is the good and bad of a new start.
First, I think utilizing the first couple of weeks in serious outreach can be valuable and be about 25% as beneficial as the Fall Startup. Here are three groups for which it can make a difference.
1. There are Christian students who came to your campus last fall as freshmen who did not live as Believers.....and they have realized it and regretted it. What can you do that might connect to them and give them a new entry point to your ministry? And, a new walk with the Lord.
2. Transfer students often come in January from Junior College or Community Colleges. No body is much doing all the "Welcome Glad You Are Here Events" that fall offers. Is there something you might do that would reach into the group of transfers coming to your campus and bless their lives....and help them survive?
3. Students who were in and out of your ministry during the fall often need encouragement or help to reconnect in the Spring Semester. Make a list and consciously check on them or assign them to some upperclass leaders.
One More Thing: I have observed a "magic thing" happens with several freshmen when they come back from Christmas Break.....they are not "such a freshman" anymore. I have no explanation for it. It seems they have turned a corner in maturity or at least are ready to turn that corner. Put a group of them together for a Bible study group you might lead for potential new leaders. Or, start meeting one to one with a few of them. Help them have a vision for how God might use their life on campus in the next few years. Plant a dream and a God sized goal in their heart.
Are the first three weeks of Spring Semester 25% as valuable as the first three weeks of fall? We will see.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Internships Available for Those Exploring Full Time Ministry - Spread the Word
Calvary Baptist Church in West Lafayette, Indiana (near the Purdue campus) is seeking three to four Interns who are exploring Vocational Ministry. These positions would start in August 2016 and serve for a period of one year. Applications are due by March 15. In April final candidates will be invited to West Lafayette to interview and make arrangements. Calvary is a fast growing church that has more than doubled in size over the past 2 1/2 years (with 130 of them being new Christians) under the leadership of Pastor Daniel Berry.
Ministry Areas to Apply For:
-Children's Ministry (5th grand and under)
-Student Ministry (6th - 12th grade)
-College and Young Adult (18-25)
-Pastoral
-Worship
-Technology/Communications
-Others such as Discipleship, International Ministry, Missions, Connections.
Applications and other information can be found at Calvarybc.net/interns
Ministry Areas to Apply For:
-Children's Ministry (5th grand and under)
-Student Ministry (6th - 12th grade)
-College and Young Adult (18-25)
-Pastoral
-Worship
-Technology/Communications
-Others such as Discipleship, International Ministry, Missions, Connections.
Applications and other information can be found at Calvarybc.net/interns
Monday, January 4, 2016
10 Over Simple or Outrageous College Ministry Principles or Truisms
1. Your ministry must be bigger than what you can do by yourself.
2. Money won't make a ministry, but it's hard to have much ministry without money....you have to raise money...you just do.
3. Making big changes in your ministry EVERY year demonstrates a lack of consistent philosophy. You can't blow it up every year.
4. Don't do ANYTHING in the fall you can do in the summer.
5. Meeting individually with student leaders isn't optional.
6. You must walk across the campus and through the Student Center every day.
7. If you aren't going to a ministry with the intent of being there at least three years, don't go.
8. When you quit recruiting and training leaders, you have begun the end of your ministry.
9. If you don't do the first three weeks of the fall right, nothing else much matters.
10. You ought to be fired if you don't work with alums.
2. Money won't make a ministry, but it's hard to have much ministry without money....you have to raise money...you just do.
3. Making big changes in your ministry EVERY year demonstrates a lack of consistent philosophy. You can't blow it up every year.
4. Don't do ANYTHING in the fall you can do in the summer.
5. Meeting individually with student leaders isn't optional.
6. You must walk across the campus and through the Student Center every day.
7. If you aren't going to a ministry with the intent of being there at least three years, don't go.
8. When you quit recruiting and training leaders, you have begun the end of your ministry.
9. If you don't do the first three weeks of the fall right, nothing else much matters.
10. You ought to be fired if you don't work with alums.
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