The Pastor is defined as one who usually operates as "Brother so - in- so" and is very ministerial in appearance and action. This Campus Minister has often served as a pastor and brings that style to campus ministry. The assumption for some is that this style will not be effective on a campus. But, particularly in the deep south this is exactly what many Christian students are looking for at college...a father, authoritative religious figure. This is someone who will help them continue in their faith while away from home.
Another strength of The Pastor Campus Minister is relationships with area churches and pastors. He deals with and relates to them as a trusted figure and peer. Often, this leads to excellent financial support that strengthens the ministry. An obvious issue to deal with is those students who perceive a pastor type as someone they cannot or do not want to relate to. The challenge is to demonstrate openness and availability to a wide variety of students.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
"6 Types of College Ministers - The Rainmaker"
The Rainmaker is defined as one whom wherever he or she serves, they almost instantly draw a crowd. The automatic assumption is that this is your personality type campus minister who simply draws off of personal charisma and/or big-time speaking ability. Yet, I have also seen this in campus ministers who are not "personality types." The "non-flashy" rainmaker usually does so by communicating a clear vision that the existing students immediately buy into and go extreme in reaching out to friends. Or, sometimes this type leader is able to organize a confederation of different ministries that join together under a new vision.
The pluses and minuses of this style are fairly obvious. If it is built strictly on personality, it usually does not last past the current campus minister or even only till the new wears off. But, an obvious strength is the ability to immediately draw increased financial support and to quicken the pace of developing a ministry that can last long term. An immediate challenge is to build a leadership and support network that will maintain the new larger crowd.
In today's worship culture the flash point may be a certain band or worship leader and the challenge is to build depth into the ministry that transcends "it's all about the band".
If you are blessed with the gift of being a Rainmaker, work at developing the structure that supports the crowd and find those that might help you in the organizational skills that Rainmakers sometimes lack.
The pluses and minuses of this style are fairly obvious. If it is built strictly on personality, it usually does not last past the current campus minister or even only till the new wears off. But, an obvious strength is the ability to immediately draw increased financial support and to quicken the pace of developing a ministry that can last long term. An immediate challenge is to build a leadership and support network that will maintain the new larger crowd.
In today's worship culture the flash point may be a certain band or worship leader and the challenge is to build depth into the ministry that transcends "it's all about the band".
If you are blessed with the gift of being a Rainmaker, work at developing the structure that supports the crowd and find those that might help you in the organizational skills that Rainmakers sometimes lack.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
"Six Types of College Ministers"
1. The Rainmaker - wherever they serve, they can almost instantly produce a crowd.
2. The Pastor - usually operates as "Brother so-in-so" and is very ministerial in appearance and action.
3. The Cool Dude or Dudette - latest hair do or shaved head, dresses like the students, very trendy in speech and technology/more buddy relationships.
4. The Administrator - operates thru organization, advance planning, works thru key student leaders.
5. The Counselor - spends large amounts of time in personal developmental or crisis counseling.
6. The Tightwire Walker - intentionally works at being a hybrid of two of the above.
2. The Pastor - usually operates as "Brother so-in-so" and is very ministerial in appearance and action.
3. The Cool Dude or Dudette - latest hair do or shaved head, dresses like the students, very trendy in speech and technology/more buddy relationships.
4. The Administrator - operates thru organization, advance planning, works thru key student leaders.
5. The Counselor - spends large amounts of time in personal developmental or crisis counseling.
6. The Tightwire Walker - intentionally works at being a hybrid of two of the above.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
"Two Words I'm Hearing Most"
One word is from College Ministers and the other describes today's college and 20 something generation.
From College Ministers the word I am hearing is "stress" expressed different ways. There is the stress from those who have lost their funding and are raising their salaries now. But, they often express that they will experience a new freedom from unrealistic expectations placed on them after their funding is in place. The next group expressing stress are those who think their position will possibly be de-funded in the next year or two. The third stress expression is coming from college ministers in deep south states saying there is so much being asked of them now public relations or promotion wise to avoid a day of salary de-funding. The fourth stress being expressed is collegiate staffs are being cut, but the same level of work and productivity is expected from fewer people.
Describing students and other Twenty Somethings, the word is "Paradox".....from holding contradictory beliefs to being ready to change the world, but being self-absorbed....wanting close relationships, but using cell phones to just relate to a few.
No simple answers here...but pray for and encourage the College Ministers you know who may even be in a tougher spot than you are.....and keep talking and sharing with each other!
From College Ministers the word I am hearing is "stress" expressed different ways. There is the stress from those who have lost their funding and are raising their salaries now. But, they often express that they will experience a new freedom from unrealistic expectations placed on them after their funding is in place. The next group expressing stress are those who think their position will possibly be de-funded in the next year or two. The third stress expression is coming from college ministers in deep south states saying there is so much being asked of them now public relations or promotion wise to avoid a day of salary de-funding. The fourth stress being expressed is collegiate staffs are being cut, but the same level of work and productivity is expected from fewer people.
Describing students and other Twenty Somethings, the word is "Paradox".....from holding contradictory beliefs to being ready to change the world, but being self-absorbed....wanting close relationships, but using cell phones to just relate to a few.
No simple answers here...but pray for and encourage the College Ministers you know who may even be in a tougher spot than you are.....and keep talking and sharing with each other!
Monday, February 20, 2012
"Characteristics and Skills of an Effective Leader"
Characteristics:
1. Integrity (models /demonstrates what he/she says)
2. Personal Discipline (studies, prepares, commitment to excellence)
3. Courage (willing to take an unpopular stand and confront when necessary)
Skills:
1. Team Building (not a one person show/helps others buy in and share ownership)
2. Task Focus (able to see what needs doing and keep the main thing the main thing)
3. Team member development (helping each develop and enhance their unique God-given
Gifts and abilities)
1. Integrity (models /demonstrates what he/she says)
2. Personal Discipline (studies, prepares, commitment to excellence)
3. Courage (willing to take an unpopular stand and confront when necessary)
Skills:
1. Team Building (not a one person show/helps others buy in and share ownership)
2. Task Focus (able to see what needs doing and keep the main thing the main thing)
3. Team member development (helping each develop and enhance their unique God-given
Gifts and abilities)
Monday, February 6, 2012
The "Secret" of Successful Church Ministry to Collegiates
I have never been a church college minister, but I watched a ton of them and been priviledged to know some of the best. I got the "secret" from them.
The success of all college ministries ultimately is what students do with their life after college in terms of honoring the Lord with their lives and being a significant part of a church.
A few years back I visited with the college minister for a church in Seattle that had 1500 students attending their worship (not in the Bible belt). And I have talked with my friend Bruce Venable, college minister at FBC, Lubbock where they have as many as 700 at their Sunday worship.
Their "secret".....it is adult volunteers. They teach, mentor and connect with a wide variety of students. They have them in their homes; they feed and love them. My Seattle friend told me he had 175 adult volunteers! First Baptist, Lubbock has volunteers who have taught in their university Sunday School for years.
I stood in the back of the sanctuary of my church a few weeks ago and an adult who had been a student in our church and was back for a funeral shared how just being there reminded her of the families that had been her "adopted family" who had meant so much to her personally and faith wise.
The more adult volunteers churches have connecting to students the richer that ministry is. The secret is out.......it is adult volunteers.....of all ages!!
The success of all college ministries ultimately is what students do with their life after college in terms of honoring the Lord with their lives and being a significant part of a church.
A few years back I visited with the college minister for a church in Seattle that had 1500 students attending their worship (not in the Bible belt). And I have talked with my friend Bruce Venable, college minister at FBC, Lubbock where they have as many as 700 at their Sunday worship.
Their "secret".....it is adult volunteers. They teach, mentor and connect with a wide variety of students. They have them in their homes; they feed and love them. My Seattle friend told me he had 175 adult volunteers! First Baptist, Lubbock has volunteers who have taught in their university Sunday School for years.
I stood in the back of the sanctuary of my church a few weeks ago and an adult who had been a student in our church and was back for a funeral shared how just being there reminded her of the families that had been her "adopted family" who had meant so much to her personally and faith wise.
The more adult volunteers churches have connecting to students the richer that ministry is. The secret is out.......it is adult volunteers.....of all ages!!
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Day of the "Big Show" is Over!
I have been in a college ministries meeting this week where one of the "experts" said the "day of the big show is over"in terms of students going to the church that has the big speaker, lights and band is ending. This person says they see students trending back to the churches that connect them to families and home-cooked meals, etc.
If that is correct, that is good news for a wider variety of churches in reaching students and for long term students staying connected to church following college days.
Do YOU think the "Big Show" is over or ending where you are?
Arliss
If that is correct, that is good news for a wider variety of churches in reaching students and for long term students staying connected to church following college days.
Do YOU think the "Big Show" is over or ending where you are?
Arliss
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