collegeministry.com

CollegeMinistry.com in 2012

by Brad Baker

©CollegeMinistry.com 2012

Perhaps you’ve wondered why there’s been a 32 day gap between our last blog post and today.  Granted the Holidays played into it, but the real reason for the silence is all the work going into the 2.0 version of CollegeMinistry.com.  We are just a few short hours away from launching the brand new site!  This collaborative project has been in the works for months now and the anticipation we feel in palpable.  From a fresh mission and vision, to countless unique features the new site is sure to engage a wide variety of college ministry leaders.  Seeing that we are so close to the launch I won’t spoil it by telling you everything about site.  However I can’t resist giving you a little preview.

First, the new mission and vision is simple and engaging.   

Our Mission:  To serve and strengthen existing college ministries and those that lead them.

Our Vision:  To start hundreds of new college ministries in locations where they’re desperately needed.  Our desire is that CollegeMinistry.com is less of a site you visit and more of movement you fully buy into.

Second, the leadership is shared, open and collaborative.  There are 9 “Official Contributors” who love learning alongside fellow college ministry leaders like you.  Moreover CollegeMinistry.com invites everyone to lead by sharing what they’ve learned and created.  Collaboration, co-creating and connecting are at the heart of everything we aim to do. 

Third, the new features provide an online environment unlike any presently available for college ministry leaders.  For far too long college ministry has played second fiddle to Jr. High and High School.  The desire for strong churched and campus based college ministries is reflected in how much time, energy and thought has been put into the new site.  Here are just a few of the features you’ll be able to enjoy.

 -The first ever job bank and resrouce store designated exclusively for college ministry. 

-A monthly subscription that gives you access to an online collaborator’s form, resource bank that’s updated weekly and a College Ministry Tool Kit that’s sent to your doorstep at the start of each semester. 

-Subscribers also enjoy free tickets to an annual CM training event held in Southern California, personal coaching from an Official Contributor and entry into an amazing monthly giveaway that’s sure to make you smile

Ok I’ve said way too much.  Before your head hits the pillow tonight the new site will launch.  The next time you type www.collegeministry.com  into your address bar you’re in for a totally new experience.   

We feel so honored and excited to be partner with you to reach and disciple the Millennial Generation.

Integrated College Ministry

by Brad Baker

An integrated college ministry is a rare breed these days.  We’ve seen countless young adult ministries take shape with little, if any, meaningful connection with the church as a whole.  They function largely as an island and then wonder why students aren’t making the transition to ‘big church’ when they finish college.  I’ll be the first to admit that it’s much easier in most cases to build a college ministry without worrying about the coming transition every student will inevitably face.  However, we do them a huge disservice if we don’t paint our ministry into the context of the overall church.  If we don’t, the students in our ministry won’t get the importance of assimilating.  I know far too many friends in their late twenties who stopped going to church once they felt too old for college ministry.  They got attached (in an unhealthy way) to how the ministry felt and catered to their needs. In an effort to curb this trend, I have been implementing the following strategies with some modest success.  

#1.  Identify Key Church-wide Initiatives

HIV/AIDS and the country of Rwanda have and continue to be large areas of emphasis for our church.  As a result, we do whatever we can to tie the hearts of our students to what God is doing in those areas. When students start serving in those areas, two things happen.  First, their hearts connect with the vision God has given the senior pastor.  Second, they naturally connect with the older demographic and sense that they are part of something larger.

#2.  Think Gender Connection

If at all possible, we plan our calendar around some of the larger gatherings for men and women.  We love to take our young men on the Men’s Ministry retreats.  We love to encourage our young ladies to join a mid-week Bible study full of young moms and older ladies.

#3.  Promote Serving Opportunities Outside the College Ministry

College pastors should pursue other ministries in the church.  They should all be given time to recruit college students to serve in their areas at specific times throughout the year.  Our students serving in the larger congregation is huge when it comes to assimilation.    

#4.  Invite the other Pastors

The senior pastor should be invited to attend and speak (if doable) a few times a year.  Look for a way to honor them and express appreciation in front of your students. 

#5.  Re-examine the Goal

At the end of the day, college ministry has a lot to do with sending people out.  We all know the college-age are a highly transient group of people.  In a perfect world, we’d love for them to be a part of our church from now until they’re ninety.  However, the vast majority will move away.  Some will teach English in Japan.  Others will get married and move to live near parents.  The point is not that they assimilate into ‘our’ church but rather ‘a’ church.

As long as age-based ministries exist, there will be a need for an affective assimilation and transition plans.

Exits

by Brett Prouty

There are some truths that cartoons can convey better than anything else. One of my favorites is when some catastrophic event is about to take place (a dam breaking, a nuclear plant about to explode) and there is the one hero who knows how to save the lives of everyone. The hero is completely focused on his quest. Scene after scene, the intrepid hero marches across raging rivers, battling obstacles great and small, avoiding anything that might take his attention from saving everyone else from impending doom. There is nothing that can distract him from his purpose until… ooh a butterfly. It’s all downhill from there.

 The same thing can happen in our ministry every week. We are having a great worship service. The message is really connecting with our students, the worship is powerful and students are responding, and then there is that one moment, that one little butterfly that completely distracts them. It could be something small like a typo in a slide or comment during announcements or the message that makes students think about anything but your intended purpose. Then there is the other side of the spectrum. The students who are there looking for an excuse to checkout or become distracted, waiting for you to make one little mistake so they can justify not paying attention.

Our audience is coming to church from so many different places, so it’s easy to put most of our effort toward engaging students without taking any time to ask ourselves what might cause them to disengage. While there is no way to eliminate everything that might be a distraction, here are three ideas to help you keep it from looking like the monarch butterfly migration.

#1. Look at the simple- Often, the things that can cause students to disengage are minor things like typos on slides and handouts. This is one that is a huge distraction for me. If there is a typo, especially during worship, my focus is no longer on singing; it’s on seeing if anything else is misspelled. Even something as simple as a student not getting greeted as they come in can be the difference between them paying attention or not.

#2. Look at the big picture- Sometimes bigger things can be distractions as well. Stage or graphic designs that are too busy, an overly animated band member standing center stage or an endless list of announcements are all things that can cause people to lose focus. Add up all the little distractions, and students might spend the entire set of worship wondering if that guitarist is going to end up with a cord wrapped around his feet.

#3. Look back-Take time look back after a service to see if there were things that distracted your audience. This doesn’t mean that you have to nitpick every single detail, but it does mean that you should see if there was anything that detracted from your intended purpose. The easiest way to do this is to ask the other leaders in your ministry. If something distracted them, chances are it distracted your students as well. This doesn’t have to be a huge meeting. It can be as simple as a 2-3 minute conversation with few people.

It’s impossible to avoid everything that might be a distraction (If we did we would end up with services so dull that students would bring things to distract themselves). By removing some of the more obvious distractions, we might find that our efforts to engage students are more successful. 

How To Not Be Ignored Like a Flight Attendant

 

by Josh Pease 

We’ve all been there.

You’re sitting on a plane, and the helpful flight attendants are helpfully helping you understand how to survive a water landing.[1]And what are you doing? You’re completely tuning them out. No, don’t lie, you totally are. You’re reading your book, or actively ignoring the person next to you, or stealth-listening to your iPod[2].

 Think about this for a moment. These people have life-saving information – information VITAL to everyone’s survival – and it all couldn’t be less interesting. Why? Because you’re convinced you already know everything you need to know, and that they have nothing useful to teach you.

 Those of us who speak about Jesus have this same obstacle every single week. We’re standing before a crowd and speaking for 30-40 minutes[3]and in that time we are communicating nothing less than the hope of Jesus – a life that matters now, a life with God for all eternity.

 But the mistake we often make is the same mistake the flight attendants make: presuming your audience will listen because 1) this is important to you and 2) hey, EVERYONE wants to know this stuff, right?

Unfortunately, no. Most of our audience is coming to church with varying degrees of interest. There are some who are passionate about Jesus and desperate to learn. You could be doing a verse by verse exegesis of the Book of Judith[4]and they’d be fascinated.

But the truth is most people aren’t absolutely convinced they want to listen to you. If we’re honest, WE aren’t always convinced WE want to listen when OTHER people preach. So how do we make sure that we don’t end up like a flight attendant? We tell stories.

By that I don’t mean “tell a bunch of anecdotes.” What I’m suggesting is that we make our entire messages a story – one that has a beginning, middle and end.[5] My plan is to write a few posts about how to do this over the next few weeks, but to wrap up this one, here is one thought on how to begin communicating a message as a story:

EXPOSE THE GAP ­– the mistake too many communicators make is to rush to God’s solution before explaining there is even a problem. Going back to the flight attendant analogy, imagine if one of them said “we know you’ve seen this a thousand times, but pay attention because we found out our OLD way of doing things causes people to die.” No one on that plane would miss a word. Why? Because the flight attendant exposed a gap. She let people know“there’s something you don’t know … but you are going to want to.”

Too often speakers say “today we’re going to talk on what God says about …” This is the surest way to shut off someone’s brain, because your audience already thinks they know where you’re going. Instead, expose the gap. If you’re talking about sex, talk about how hard it is to resist sexual temptation, and how impossible that seems. If you’re telling people the good news of Jesus, spend a LOT of time pointing out how broken and painful a world we live in. This happens up front, within the first 5-8 minutes.

If Jesus said it, that means we need to hear it. But your audience doesn’t believe that right away, so prove it to them.

When we help people see “you’re currently here, but you want to be here” we’ve introduced a dramatic tension into their lives. We’ve said “you live in constant stress and anxiety … is there any way out of that?”Or, “you’ve been living your life pursuing money for a long time, but you’re not any happier … could there be another way?”

And by exposing a pre-existing conflict in their lives, we’ve primed them to go on a journey toward resolution. We’ve hooked them into the story of their life, and how Jesus could radically transform them.

And after that, they won’t want to miss one word you say.

---

[1]Step 1: forget the person you’re with. SAVE YOURSELF! I mean, I know it makes sense, but no matter how you say it that’s some cold logic right there.

[2]You know who you are.

[3] Or if it’s me, I will magically, and without trying, go 42-46 minutes every single time. It’s weird.

[4] I wonder if anyone has ever taught exegetically through an apocryphal book?

[5] I should mention here that I owe a large debt to both Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley and Made to Stick by the Chip and Dan Heath. Both books are insanely good.

3 Tips for Starting a College Ministry

by Brad Baker

1 in 4 Millennials report not having a specific religious affiliation.  What a perfect time to launch a ministry to reach and develop 18-25 year olds.  If you wondering where to begin allow me to share some ideas (most of which come from my mistakes and what I wish I would have done when I begin 12 years ago). 

#1.  Think of yourself as a cross-cultural missionary

Today’s access to technology (on average Millennials own 2.4 internet connected devices) has fragmented this generation into thousands of sub-cultures huddled around their particular area of interest, talent or expertise.  Name the area of interest and Millennials now have a global community they can access 24/7.  This means to reach people we’ll likely need to ‘break’ into their world a bit.  Add to this that every campus has its own set of unwritten cultural rules and ‘missionary’ becomes the right title for the typical college ministry leader.

#2.  Build a team from the start

No matter how passionate and gifted you won’t be very effective in college ministry without first recognizing your limitations.  The effective college ministry leader needs student leaders, parental-figure leaders, peer leaders, older mentors and so on.  Without sharing the ministry load you’ll likely burn out or limit your ministry to the 10 or so you can invest in personally.

#3.  Do everything with your end goal in mind

Far too many ministries master meeting students “where they are” but forget to think much about where they want to take them after the connection is made.  Self-feeding, local-church committed and quickly advancing to adulthood (relationally, emotionally and spiritually) are a few of the end goals I work towards.  Keep in mind they won’t be in your college ministry long and you must do everything you can to integrate them into a local church.  Isn’t that where we want them to put down long term roots?  This is particularly vital if you're a campus-based ministry leader and tend to operate somewhat isolated from the local congregations around you.  If they fall in love with your campus ministry instead of the local church you’ve done them a huge disservice.  After graduation they will scratch their heads wondering what happened to their cozy little community and context for spiritual renewal/growth. 

The majority of the fuel for any space mission is used during the launch.  If you’re at the beginning of your journey to reach and disciple college students take heart!   Starting a college ministry is well worth the effort because the payout is ‘life-change’.  Life-change lasts forever!  Transformation only comes when God’s people willing surrender to the work of leading others to Jesus.  What could be more important?  Nothing!           

Call & Response--Building Your College Ministry One Person at a Time

by Lindsay Kulick

“As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.”    2 Corinthians 9:13

A relationship is like playing catch—one person throws the ball to their partner and then the person who receives the ball throws it back. How weird would it be if the partner just caught the ball and kept it? A relationship is just like playing catch—the one who receives must give back. That is how we view response cards.  At our midweek service, each student gets a bulletin with notes.  The bulletin has a perforated card for them to fill out their info and comments on to turn in.  We also have an info booth with small group sign-up sheets, and a 10-Minute Party for new students to fill out their info as well.  But what do we do with all this information?

The students who come to your ministry and filled out a card, flier, or info sheet made an effort to get connected—they initiated and acted, they threw the ball first. How weird it would be if we didn’t throw it back?! A tiny little card requesting a name, number, and e-mail can be the start of that person’s new or recommitted walk with God and His bride, the church.  We have such a huge responsibility to respond because we are playing a vital role in their walk with the Lord and connection with his family. When someone feels pursued, welcomed, and like family… they will stay, they will grow, they will learn…and it all starts with a purposeful, friendly response. Just how God initiated a relationship with us, we must choose to respond.  When a student initiates relationship with community, we must choose to respond.

It is good to follow up with students in a timely manner as well, so the day after our midweek service, our team sorts through the response cards, small group sign-ups, and first-time cards to respond to students appropriately. 

Our preferred first point of contact with response cards is a phone call.  We love calling new people and asking them about how they enjoyed their night, welcoming them, and telling them about upcoming events and ways to get connected.  We love the opportunity to call a student who wrote down a prayer request and pray for them over the phone and offer to meet up with them the next week.  A personal phone call is a rare thing these days. We are always texting, tweeting, and e-mailing instead of personally connecting on the phone, or even better, face to face. In our ministry, we also encourage girls to call girls and guys call guys, just to avoid potential confusion or awkwardness!

The people that we are unable to get in touch with on the phone, we send a follow-up e-mail to as well.  Following up with an e-mail is another great point of contact.  Once we have talked with someone on the phone and gotten to know them better, we try to facebook friend them and leave a nice comment on how much we enjoyed talking to them, how thankful we are for them, and that we look forward to more time together.  (Finding them on facebook is also a great tool for us to remember their face and name, which really communicates value to students.)

Sometimes, we leave a voicemail and never hear back from someone and other times, we’ll have awesome chats with students who are really enthusiastic about getting involved and connected.  And…yes, sometimes we’ll have talks with students who were disappointed with our ministry.  The point is that it’s always important to try and connect with students who provide their information and a desire for deeper connection and involvement.  Responding in a way that makes them feel loved, welcomed, and invited is key to following up with a new member or believer. We reflect God’s heart to them as a community and are called to be welcoming, inviting, and hospitable. “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). 

Our responsibility is to not be selective or choosey with whom we welcome and love as a community. No matter who it is, Jesus died for them. We are called to respond as followers of Jesus. We are called to community and called to be shepherds of the flock. “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;  nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;  and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Peter 5:2-4)

 

Crash Course in College Ministry

by Brad Baker

After years of being under-resourced and poorly networked, the tide seems to be slowly turning in the college ministry world.  It thrills me to see more and more quality books written on the topic and local churches finally understanding the importance of ministry to the collegians in their area.  My team and I have recently spent loads of time investigating the state of college ministry in its various expressions and contexts.  It seems there are more quality leaders pouring their time, energy, and money into the college students of our country than ever before.  This fills my heart with hope for a fresh movement of God among Millennials.  Although most of the statistics floating around today regarding the next generation are discouraging and need to be carefully considered, there are actually a lot of positive signs pointing to a Gospel-receptivity among Millennials.  The time is now for college ministry leaders to not only serve in their local context but to assist in raising up others to do the same.  Imagine the exponential impact of every existing college ministry leader helping a rookie leader pioneer a new work to reach Millennials.   For existing leaders to do this effectively, they must first admit they don’t have it all figured out and move quickly to round out their understanding. 

Here’s what I’d like to recommend every college ministry leader to in the next 2-3 months:

#1.  Identify one or two people that have the potential to launch a college ministry in a largely unreached setting. 

#2.  Regularly meet with this person(s) and begin talking and praying through the possibilities.  Make sure you don’t get hung up on WHAT it will exactly look like or HOW it will come into being, but rather agree that it DOES need to happen and commit to working together to make it happen. 

#3.  Ask a small group of people to help you read through the best college ministry books on the market and share all the learning with your mentee.  I asked my team (comprised of volunteers, interns, and staff) to pick one of the books listed below and respond in 3 ways.  First, as they read the book they will highlight things that could be applied in our ministry.  Second, they will write a short book review that summarizes the book’s main points.  Third, they will write a blog post centered what they decide is the most important aspect of the book for college ministry leaders in general.

Here’s the list they picked from:

College Ministry from Scratch by Chuck Bomar

College Ministry in a Post-Christian Culture by Stephen Lutz

God on Campus by Trent Sheppard and Pete Greig

The Millennials by Tom and Jess Rainer

Essential Church by Thom S. Rainer and Sam S. Rainer

Generation X-Christian by Drew Dyck

Worlds Apart by Chuck Bomar

Slow Fade by Reggie Joiner, Chuck Bomar and Abbie Smith

The Blueprint by Jaeson Ma

Lost in Transition by Christian Smith, Kari Christoffersen, Hilary Davidson and Patricia Snell Herzog

 #4.  Attend a college ministry training gathering of some sort. Big conferences can be inspirational and definitely have their place but I find smaller gatherings that allow you to bring your specific pressing questions into the mix are often more helpful.  If there’s not one in your area then organize one.  Spend the day talking shop with 5-10 college ministry leaders in your area and you’ll be better for it.      

There has always been urgency in ministry for those in their late teens and early twenties.  It’s a strategic window in someone’s life that closes almost as quickly as it blooms.  Here’s what I believe is different about college ministry in 2011 and beyond.  The millennial generation is poised for an unprecedented spiritual movement.  Their longing for social justice and spiritual curiosity will take them in 1 or 2 directions.  American culture is becoming increasingly polarized between those who buy into humanistic/secular philosophy and those who are holding a biblical Christ-centered world view.  The students in our area will end up in one of those two ‘camps’.  Do you want to have say in which direction they go?  

Does Context Matter?

by Lisa Birle

What are the deciding factors in figuring out where to have your college ministry retreat?  Finding the right place to hold your retreats is imperative; make sure you choose a camp or venue that provides a context for prayer and reflection, an environment for authentic worship, and facilities for fun and free time.  Our retreats are meant to provide an environment where our students are more attentive and have a greater capacity to absorb God’s greatness and goodness.

That being said, no venue is perfect!  That’s why I would highly recommend visiting prospective venues before you commit to a location.  If the venue is too far to visit, think through that.  It takes extra time out of the office, but the time and work is worth the investment!  Interacting face-to-face with a camp’s staff and seeing where your group will be staying, eating, and worshipping will give you a “feel” for a place right away!  Make sure you have at least some idea about your retreat and the needs that a facility needs to be able to provide before blindly visiting a camp or venue.  Some other basics to keep in mind are the number of beds available (most sites will require a minimum attendance; try to negotiate a number 10% lower than you expect) and the cost (check whether tax is included).  Most venues will book over 12 months in advance.

When you’re visiting a retreat venue: 

1. Ask “pointless” questions about the camp staff.  Be intentional with getting a feel for them by asking them questions about their work and life.
2. Think of what your non-negotiables are.  For instance, separate dorms for guys and girls is probably a non-negotiable.  Whether soda is served at dinner is probably not.
3. Look at the rooms/cabins where students will be staying.  The question to ask here is “Will our students hate this?”  They don’t have to love it at first sight…that will happen later.  They just need to not hate it.
4. Check out the main meeting room/chapel/conference room where your entire group will gather.  How many people will it comfortably hold?  Do you have to rent a/v equipment or is that provided (and if it is, is it an additional fee?)?  Will you have to tear down the stage every day?
5. Ask if you are sharing the camp with other groups, and determine whether or not that will have an impact on your event (do you have designated times to use particular parts of the camp, are you eating meals together with other groups, etc.).
6. Note the walking distance between lodging accommodations and your group’s main meeting space.  The venue should be comfortably spaced.
7. See if there is a central “hub.”  The best camp venues have at least one place where students naturally congregate—a snack shop, coffee house, or central park area.  If not, you could see about setting up some sort of room or tented space for students to hang out in.
8. What sort of recreational facilities are provided (on and off-site)?
9. See if you can schedule to have a meal at the camp to have an idea of what kind of food to expect.  Ask about whether students can bring in snacks and if they accommodate students with dietary restrictions/allergies.
10. Ask about noise restrictions at night.  Let’s face it—you have a group of college students!  If a venue has super-strict noise restrictions that might limit or discourage late night activities, take that into consideration.

Remember not to be shy—you are a client, so ask every question you can think of!  Making sure you’ve done your research on retreat venues will ensure that you choose a location that will help create a comfortable and successful trip.  The venue of your retreat should be one that does not distract your students from focusing on God.  Rather, it should be one that fosters communion with him and with others.  And of course, prayerfully consider your decision before sending that non-refundable deposit!

—The 10-Minute Party—

by Lisa Birle

We’ve learned in our ministry that community is one of the biggest reasons students come to church—and stay at church.  So every week, we make an announcement from the stage for our first and second-time guests to visit the “10-Minute Party” after the message.  It’s ten minutes, so it’s short, and it’s a party, so it’s fun!  The goal of the 10MP is to welcome new students, get their information so we can follow up with them the following week, give them a welcome gift and other resources, answer any questions they may have about our ministry, and help them feel welcome.

The 10MP is a simple table that is set up in our main foyer where students hang out after the service.  We have banners, fun table cloths, and a bowl of candy.  (If you want to make it more of a party, you can add Christmas lights, music, and even ask a volunteer to make cupcakes or brownies.)  The table is usually manned by two volunteers and sometimes a staff member. We welcome new people and ask them to fill out a bright-colored connection card with their name, number, and e-mail.  We also have Bibles if the student needs one, a staff-recommended book that we give them as a welcome gift (The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning is a great book for a new believer.), small group forms, and any other fliers or information that will point the student to places of connection.  These free resources are a great way to bless someone’s brand new or recommitted walk with God and connect them to a community that will encourage and support them in their walk.

Part of the connection process at the 10MP is getting to know the student—asking them what brought them to Crave, how they heard about our ministry, where they work or go to school, what they’re passionate about (we often write down some of this info on the back of their card after they leave, to remember them better).  We try hard to remember their name and face (facebook is a great tool for this!).  The chaos and noise of an after-service crowd can certainly be distracting, but we make an effort to stay focused on new students and use eye contact as much as possible; being engaged is key.  We want to show them that it matters to us that they are there.

The purpose of the 10MP is to connect people to the community. That is why following up with new students is so important! A couple days after the service, give them a call!  We usually have a volunteer follow up—girls call girls and guys call guys.  Ask them how they liked the service, if they have any questions, or if they want any resources to get more involved.  We’ll tell them what’s happening this week at our ministry as well.  A phone call is key; e-mail can be impersonal so try calling them first. At the end of the conversation thank them for their time and tell them you look forward to seeing them at church again.

Make new students feel welcomed, cherished, and accepted.  By showing them we care and want them in our community, we are showing them that God cares and wants them in His family.

Why I Love Ministry to College Students (and you should too)

by Stephen Lutz

If you’re like me, you have conversations on a fairly regular basis where you explain to people why you value working with college students. I’ve used a simple acronym, PATHS, to remind myself and others why this ministry is so important. PATHS stands for Priority, Ambition, Trajectory, Heart, and Strategic.

Priority: During the college years, it seems everything is up for grabs. Students are confronted with hundreds of options about what to do for fun, what to study, who to be friends with, and more. We know that many students leave the church (and their faith) when they get to college, sometimes doing this emphatically and painfully. But many others simply put their faith on the shelf. It recedes in importance, getting crowded out and eventually strangled by the cares of this world (Matt 13:22).  One of the best things we can do as campus ministers is to help our students prioritize their faith in Christ above all else in everyday life.

Ambition: Many students dream big, and many of those dreams center on themselves. This is, after all, what our culture has conditioned them to do. Our work as campus ministers must help them reimagine what true success, meaning, and fulfillment looks like, from God’s perspective. We must call students to let their lives be shaped by an abiding, driving,  holy ambition for the Kingdom of God to come in everything they do.  Even those who want to “change the world” must have their ambitions enlarged, to center on the infinite glory of God and what He is able to do, not our weak, small, self-centered dreams.

Trajectory: When a rocket takes flight, a navigational error of even a fraction of a degree can mean the rocket ends up in a radically different place than what was intended. Great care goes into plotting the early stages of flight, because they have a huge impact on the final destination. In the same way, college ministry must be concerned with the long-term direction of our students, not just the here-and-now. Our goal should be to see students equipped for lifelong faithfulness, not merely entertaining or sheltering them on the way to the rest of their lives. We take an active role in guiding students through the seemingly insignificant decisions during college that are profoundly formative for the rest of their lives.

Heart: College students (like many of us) don’t start out with a great deal of self-knowledge. Even for those who become serious about their faith, it can easily become an externally directed program of moral behavior modification. Campus ministers help students understand themselves at the heart level, and to embrace how the Gospel changes us from the inside-out. We are after far more than a pharisaical avoidance of certain 3D, HD sins common to the college years—we’re after full transformation, a transformation that starts with the heart and works its way out into every area of life.

Strategic: It’s my conviction that there is no more strategic area of ministry in the world than reaching college students. In college ministry, we get to engage with students during some of the most formative years of their lives. We reach them before the window of opportunity closes for many of them in the mid-20s. We get to lead future leaders, from virtually every tribe, tongue and nation from all around the world.  We get to influence students amidst the unique marketplace of ideas that make up Higher Ed. In short, if we reach college students, we will reach the world.  Virtually every other social and political movement in the world realizes this, and makes it a priority. So should we.  The degree to which we reach college students now will have a profound effect on the future of Christianity in North America and the world.

I’ve found that all of these reasons, taken together, are compelling.  Amidst the countless cups of coffee, pieces of pizza, texts, meetings, Facebook messages, gatherings, tweets, emails, and calls that make up everyday college ministry, PATHS reminds me of the big picture. God loves college students, and we have the privilege of serving them during this pivotal season of life.

::Stephen Lutz is a pastor, and a thinker and practitioner in campus ministry. He is the author of College Ministry in a Post-Christian Culture (The House Studio, Fall 2011). He has worked for churches and parachurch ministries, and served in urban and suburban campus contexts. He currently serves with Calvary Church and CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) at Penn State in University Park, PA.  Before returning to Penn State (his alma mater) for ministry, he helped plant a church in Philadelphia, PA and worked with students at several Philly area schools. Steve received his M.Div from Westminster Theological Seminary. His interests include reaching college students, starting churches, innovation and entrepreneurship, and Penn State and Philly sports. He lives with his wife Jessica and their three children in Boalsburg, PA. He blogs at http://stevelutz.wordpress.com and tweets @stephenlutz.::

I Hate Being Cliché (a not so original challege to college ministry leaders)

 

by Josh Pease

I hate being cliché. Hate it. Which is what makes writing this so hard.

See I’ve had an epiphany recently, but it’s not the cool kind of epiphany, where the heavens part, and the voice of the LORD[1] speaks to me a new revelation that no human brain has yet to discern. No, my epiphany was … old. Obvious. Yes, cliché. Of course that’s probably how I missed it in the first place, because I was too busy attempting to be original.

My epiphany was this: I have to meet college students in their world, not mine.

Recently I’ve started taking a World Religions class at the enormous community college literally right across the street from where our church. Every Tuesday and Thursday I sit through a semi-boring lecture from a professor semi-bent on discrediting Christianity[2]. I love every second of it.

Every day I have been on campus – every single day – I’ve had a conversation that made paying for a one-day parking pass, sitting in parking lot traffic purgatory, and barreling through the cigarette smoke clouds around the bus stop more than worth it. Over the past three weeks I’ve:

• Built relationships with the three (three!) students in the class who know me from one of the college services at Saddleback.[3]
• Invited a girl who knows she needs to start attending church again to come to our service.
• Built a relationship with the guy sitting next to me named Mel, who I think is searching for truth.
• Started a dialogue with a staunchly anti-Christian guy who sits in front of me.

And I’m saying this not to promote myself AT ALL. If anything I can’t believe I wasn’t doing this sooner. God is active and exploding on this campus and I feel like the disciples, after Jesus told them “drop the nets on the other side.” I’m overwhelmed by the abundance.

It makes me think that clichés sometimes aren’t really as cliché as we think. That maybe simple obedience to basic ideas – ideas like “the harvest is plentiful” or “go into the world and preach the gospel” – really are true. Somewhere along the line I stopped believing that, or thought “if I just create the right event, or teach on the right topic, or am funny enough, they’ll all come to ME.” And yet I’ve had more fun/results come from just showing up for a class twice a week.

Maybe you don’t need to hear this. Maybe you’re already doing this really well. Maybe there’s not a no-brainer opportunity to get into your student’s world like there was for me.

But based on what I’ve seen, I would encourage anyone in college ministry with this: God is at work in the lives of our students. There’s a hunger and receptivity out there. The harvest really is plentiful, I think.

We just have to be out in the fields looking for it.[4]

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[1] Spelled in all caps because the event I’m describing has more of an OT feel.

[2] So far I have been semi-successful at not leaping up and shouting “LIES!”

[3] Once we got past them being ABSOLUTELY freaked out about seeing me in their world that is …

[4] See? Cliché.

Melting the 'Cold' of Your College Ministry

by Lisa Birle

I am always blown away by the constant stream of new people that God brings to our community.  I never want to take for granted that each week someone new is walking into our ministry for the very first time.  It’s good to think through how they may be feeling and what thoughts are rolling through their mind as they enter the unfamiliar environment.  Do they feel noticed and warmly welcomed?  Are there easy next steps for them to find out more and get connected to others?    It takes intentionality on the part of staff and the student leadership of a ministry if the needs of the newcomers are to be met.  We don’t always think through how they are going to assimilate into our ministry.  As a result we can lose about as many people as we add in any given month. 

 It’s important to remind your core volunteers and leaders at your weekly service that not everyone who comes to church knows Jesus Christ or has ever been to church before.  This seems so obvious but it’s often the basic stuff that we overlook over time.  We forget about how anxious and vulnerable students might feel on the “foreign turf” of a church campus.  We forget that often, visitors are coming to church because something painful, empty, or enslaving is going on in their life and they are giving church and God a chance for the first time.  Challenge your leadership team (via sporadic but timely e-mails or short team meetings pre-service) to have your eyes wide open to look for those people who are standing alone, who you don’t recognize, who look nervous.  We never, ever want someone to leave church feeling ignored, or judged, or misunderstood, or unwanted, or forgotten.  What if they leave believing that’s how God feels about them?  Reaching out to someone new might cost your time, maybe even your image, and often your comfort.  But Jesus did not value those things before people, and we shouldn’t, either.

While this value needs to be part of the heartbeat of your ministry and entire leadership team, a specific ministry that is devoted to the art of welcoming, reaching out, and creating a hospitable environment every week is also a great way to make sure your ministry is intentional about creating a loving environment.  We have a greeting/hospitality team that we call the “First Impressions” team, because the interactions that these volunteers make when they reach out to people are often the first impression they make of our ministry…and maybe even of God.

The First Impressions Team is led by a volunteer, who is supported by a staff member.  The volunteer leader makes sure that greeters are at the doors fifteen minutes before the start of our service to hand out pens and bulletins.  Greeters also float around in our auditorium and introduce themselves to students who are sitting by themselves, often asking if they can sit with them so they’re not by themselves.  We also position greeters outside to wish students a great night and thank them for coming.

Again, it’s great to have a specific ministry team for hospitality and greeting purposes, but the entire leadership team of your ministry needs to be an example of modeling a heightened awareness of the needs of the students around them.  Our leadership team is committed to pushing ourselves, and our volunteers, out of our comfort zones of friends to introduce ourselves to new people.  There is so much pain and brokenness that we are all going through, and it’s important to be mindful of the fact that showing someone God’s love through a caring conversation or a simple hug can make a difference in someone’s week.  In many cases it’s what ushers in the healing and transformation love of God!

Here are some practical ways your greeting/leadership team can show God’s heart to those who are new or disconnected…

1. Find students who are sitting alone and ask if you can sit with them.  Introduce yourself to them.
2. Pray for divine appointment in your conversations with people.
3. Seek out people who look new or confused about the building.  Ask them where they go to school, if they work, if they’re new, how they found out about Crave, etc.
4. If you do find someone who’s new, tell them about connecting with a small group and invite them to upcoming events—help familiarize them with your ministry.  Introduce them to your friends.
5. If your students have a normal hangout after your service (our students often go to In-N-Out Burger), invite new people to join you.  Help them feel connected.
6. Introduce new people to your staff and key volunteers or to students who are “regulars” who can help introduce them around.  When we know a student is coming to our midweek worship experience for the first time, we often ask a volunteer to “host” them by showing them around, sitting with them, and introducing them to others.
7. Ask that the Holy Spirit would put someone specific on your heart to pray with or for.

“…encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth.”  1 John 3:18

Download FIRST IMPRESSIONS TEAM description

Satan, College Ministry and You

 
by Lisa Birle

“Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

As ministry leaders, it’s important for us to be alert and have our eyes and ears open to what the enemy might be doing to stir up confusion and division in our community.  He loves to capitalize on ‘little’ things like miscommunication, hurt feelings and personality irritation; anything he can do to get a foothold in your ministry and erode its foundation.   One of his ultimate goals is to rob your joy and distract you.  Luckily Satan is predictable.  With every advance there will come an attack.  Satan will never let your progress go unchallenged. 

“I don't want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan's scheming.”  2 Cor. 2:11 (GW)

When we find our ministry in moments like these, we have learned to PLAY IT DOWN and PRAY IT UP.  Satan always wants us to make distractions larger than they really are.  Here are some action steps when you are feeling your ministry being attacked:

1. PRAY.  Pray for yourself.  Pray for your attitude.  Pray for your leadership team and be available to them.  Pray for protection for your ministry.
2. Ask for help.  Fear, uncertainty, and anxiety always creates distance in relationships—that includes your relationship with others and your relationship with God.  Worry and anxiety doesn’t solve tomorrow’s problems; they rob you of today’s peace.  Ask God for help and ask others for help in the areas you need it—ask someone to guest speak for your service for a week or two to give you some rest.  Ask your leadership team for prayer.  During a time when you might want to isolate yourself, seeking the help of others will provide you with more prayer, care, and comfort.
3. Take a break.  This might mean a weekend getaway with your family, a weekday retreat with your team, or a day for you to spend with God.  This will help you refocus your perspective.  Too often we gaze at our problems and glance at God, instead of the other way around.  Taking some time away—no matter how short—is a great way to seek refuge from the confusion and chaos around you and refocus your dependence on Jesus.
4. Acknowledge God’s control and remind yourself that this too shall pass.  “Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord…We adore you as being in control of everything.”  1 Chronicles 29:11 (TLB)

All of these steps require you coming to Jesus and learning to trust him.  Spiritual attack is real, manifests in varied ways, yet is always just for a season.  Know that during these times, God is actively working in your ministry.  Allow him to strengthen your faith amidst the enemy’s onslaught. 

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40:31 NIV

A Snap Shot of Our College Worship Experience

 

by Brad Baker

 

We launched a new series tonight at Crave (Saddleback’s Ministry to College Students).  ‘Create’ is a 4 week journey into the beauty and mystery of the created order and ultimately into the one behind it all.  Here’s a breakdown of how the worship experience played out…

1 Song—“Go”

Scripture reading by our amazing worship leader (Dominik)—Psalm 19

2 Songs—“Adoration” and “How Great Thou Art”  

Series Intro Video—See below

Message—Attached below

Showed Video of Size and Scope of the Cosmos--See below

3 Songs—“You’re Beautiful”, “All I Need is You” and “The Earth is Yours”

Prayer and Benediction

After the service we started a brand new ministry called ‘AfterGlow’.  It’s a special activity we plan each week designed to respond to God’s longing for us to deeply connected relationally.  Tonight we served the students breakfast for dinner and then watched Disney’s “African Cats” together.  It was an amazing night! 

 

Download Created_Bumper_1 (1)

Download Created week 1

Download Created week 1 bulletin

Video shown during the message--http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/how-the-universe-works-big-stars.html

There’s a Team Behind Every Effective College Ministry

 

by Josh Pease

The plan for my volunteer team sat in front of me, sketched out in my journal, the random pockmarks in my penmanship a record of every bump that had occurred over the last hour of driving through Utah. My friend Zack and I were coming back from a retreat up in the mountains, and were spending the ride dreaming about the new college ministry we’d been assigned to start. One of the first things we did was identify the volunteer positions we knew we’d need. We even made something resembling a flow chart, if said flow chart was written by a 5-year-old with surprisingly hideous handwriting. As we finished we felt pretty good about things … and at that CRAVE:Rancho[1] was off to a good start.

Fast forward 6 months …

God has graciously supplied a team of ridiculously talented and passionate volunteers that help make our ministry happen. They’re a mix of college and post-college age, and they loyally show up every week to lead the greeting team, set-up-and-tear-down team, prayer team, the band, etc. Initially each of these people seemed perfectly placed – their passion/skill set lined up well with their jobs. But as I’ve gotten to know them I’ve started seeing that what I thought they were – what THEY thought they were – isn’t a perfect fit with what they’re doing.

And what’s crazy is I’m not sure they even realize it. I have one guy who is gifted with people and has a passion for teaching … and he was running our Facebook page. There’s an incredible gifted volunteer who has passion for discipleship and prayer … and he was tearing down chairs afterward.

It’s made me realize that my job in college ministry isn’t just to empower students, but to help them discover what they’re best gifted to do! Now your college ministry setting might be significantly different than mine [2], but we’re all in the business of helping students realize their God-given abilities. As I’m learning how to do that, here are a few things I’ve stumbled on that might be of use:

1)      Create and empower a leadership team – we have a leadership team that meets at my house every three weeks. They are deeply bought into the ministry, they each have their own area they are in charge of, and I invite them in to most of my decision making processes.

2)      Help them find their strengths – my team recently took the “Strengthsfinder”[3] test – which is a test that identifies the type 5 general traits an individual has, and helps them see how their unique blend of characteristics helps them do things no one else can. We’re just now starting conversations about how these results might change the way they’re serving. Which leads to the last point:

3)      Let the results take you in new directions: My horribly underutilized Facebook running volunteer is no longer running our Facebook page. I have NO IDEA who will take this over, but it can’t be him. I kicked him out. Instead, “horribly underutilized Facebook running volunteer” has changed roles and is now leading a Bible study specifically aimed at guys that meets once a week … and it was all his idea.

There’s a little bit of risk to this to be sure. Letting people fill the holes they were created to fill – and not the role you need filled – can seem dangerous. But if God has given us, His body, every part we need … then I’m not worried about empowering people to PLAY those parts.

As a matter of fact … I’m pretty excited.

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[1] Weird name, I know. I’d take the time to explain where it came from and why our college ministry actually ISN’T some sort of dude ranch, but let’s be honest – you don’t really care.

[2] For instance, your college ministry probably doesn’t have a name that sounds like it involves roping cattle.

[3] Go to strengthsfinder.com for more info

Is Your College Ministry Sticky?

 

By Lisa Birle and Lindsay Kulick

We’ve learned in our ministry that community is one of the biggest reasons students come to church—and stay at church.  So every week, we make an announcement from the stage for our first and second-time guests to visit the “10-Minute Party” after the message.  It’s ten minutes, so it’s short, and it’s a party, so it’s fun!  The goal of the 10MP is to welcome new students, get their information so we can follow up with them the following week, give them a welcome gift and other resources, answer any questions they may have about our ministry, and help them feel welcome.

The 10MP is a simple table that is set up in our main foyer where students hang out after the service.  We have banners, fun table cloths, and a bowl of candy.  (If you want to make it more of a party, you can add Christmas lights, music, and even ask a volunteer to make cupcakes or brownies.)  The table is usually manned by two volunteers and sometimes a staff member. We welcome new people and ask them to fill out a bright-colored connection card with their name, number, and e-mail.  We also have Bibles if the student needs one, a staff-recommended book that we give them as a welcome gift (The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning is a great book for a new believer.), small group forms, and any other fliers or information that will point the student to places of connection.  These free resources are a great way to bless someone’s brand new or recommitted walk with God and connect them to a community that will encourage and support them in their walk.

Part of the connection process at the 10MP is getting to know the student—asking them what brought them to Crave, how they heard about our ministry, where they work or go to school, what they’re passionate about (we often write down some of this info on the back of their card after they leave, to remember them better).  We try hard to remember their name and face (facebook is a great tool for this!).  The chaos and noise of an after-service crowd can certainly be distracting, but we make an effort to stay focused on new students and use eye contact as much as possible; being engaged is key.  We want to show them that it matters to us that they are there.

The purpose of the 10MP is to connect people to the community. That is why following up with new students is so important! A couple days after the service, give them a call!  We usually have a volunteer follow up—girls call girls and guys call guys.  Ask them how they liked the service, if they have any questions, or if they want any resources to get more involved.  We’ll tell them what’s happening this week at our ministry as well.  A phone call is key; e-mail can be impersonal so try calling them first. At the end of the conversation thank them for their time and tell them you look forward to seeing them at church again.

Make new students feel welcomed, cherished, and accepted.  By showing them we care and want them in our community, we are showing them that God cares and wants them in His family.

Appreciating Those That Make It Happen

 

by Lisa Birle

As one season of ministry quickly dissolves into the next, it’s easy to slip into cruise control without reflecting on the challenges, trials, victories, and blessings that your ministry and community brings.  With all the busyness and fun that comes with full-time ministry, it’s so important to note the sacrifice, sharing, and service of the amazingly generous and thoughtful people who volunteer and serve.  Here’s why volunteer appreciation is so important: 

1. Duh…It encourages and builds up your volunteers.  They need to know that their service matters.  Your kind, encouraging, affirming words remind them that they are valuable and valued.
2. It rejuvenates your volunteers and encourages them to continue to serve faithfully.  When people feel appreciated and affirmed and realize that what they do has value, they’ll invest more in it and enjoy it longer…it helps them feel equipped and refreshed.
3. Because “When you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they’re strangers, you make the faith visible.”  3 John 1:15.  When we show hospitality, care, and gratitude to people, we are making our faith visible to them.  We aren’t “nice” to people because we’re “supposed” to be.  The implications of loving and being thankful for others are SO MUCH BIGGER than we often realize—we have the opportunity to treat people in a way that shows them who God is!  Make the decision to make your faith visible to your volunteers by loving them.
4. It will foster a heart of gratitude in you and keep your eyes open and your mind aware of people you are thankful for.  Gratitude is the antidote to many things that can destroy a heart for ministry—greed, jealously, cynicism, selfishness, thoughtlessness, entitlement, and discouragement.  The enemy so easily gets a foothold into our hearts through these often subtle shifts in our attitudes.  Combat them with generous amounts of gratitude.

Here are some of my favorite ways to show thanks to our volunteers at Crave: 

1. A hand-written letter sent to their home.  Yep, I like being old school sometimes.  And in the sea of bills and junk mail, what a simple note has the capacity to mean to someone—who feels unappreciated, undervalued, unloved, forgotten—is ridiculous in comparison to the time and effort it takes to write one.
2. Show some love on facebook.  During our weekly services, I write down students’ names who I see helping or who look like they need encouragement so I don’t forget.  Then I just write a simple message on their facebook wall.  Public acknowledgement of someone’s service allows and invites others to “like” and appreciate them as well.
3. For larger events that have required an extra-huge time and work commitment, I give gift cards to our volunteers, or take them to lunch or coffee, and make sure I tell them how much they mean to our ministry.
4. Pray for and with your volunteers.  Ask them how their week was and how you can pray for them.  What a powerful way to care for your volunteers!

Be known as the most grateful ministry at your church.  Have you ever thought about how much someone meant to you, but didn’t bless that person by letting them know?  I know I have let opportunities slip away.  Those seemingly small words of encouragement, those little acts of appreciation, little gifts, encouraging notes…they’re so meaningful.  Be intentional with blessing the volunteers in your ministry this week with kindness and gratitude.  And remember—this isn’t optional and can’t fall to the wayside when you’re “busy”—the health of your volunteers and your community depends upon you being an example of constant affirmation, love, and gratitude!

"...let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

 "Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29

Transition in Technicolor

 

by Brad Baker

Almost everything in the lives of college students and twenty-somethings is in flux.  In fact, the transitional season of those in late adolescence has extended for those in the Millennial Generation.  Sociologists tell us that people are marrying later, finishing college later, and settling into a career path later.  The massive changes felt by those entering and exiting late adolescence is enough to overwhelm and even paralyze the typical college student. The logistical side of all the change is only part of the picture for our students.  The far more important shift taking place is within them; the ultimate landing spot of their worldview is up for grabs.  This is why there must be an urgency and intentionality in our ministry to Millennials.  Urgent because we only have them for a few years and we need to provide guidance and comfort as they weather the long storm that is late adolescence.  Intentionality because they’re asking specific questions that will get answered one way or another.  If we don’t help them find answers then someone else will, and we have little to no control over who that ‘someone’ might be.

Here’s a bit about how we’ve structured things in our ministry to accommodate the above realities. 

#1.  We know what each context in our ministry is meant to accomplish

Large Group Time—EXPOSE people to the God of the Bible, the work of Jesus and his purpose for their lives (community, discipleship, ministry, mission and worship).

Medium and Small Groups—EXPERIENCE the God of the Bible, the work of Jesus and his purpose of their lives (community, discipleship, ministry, mission and worship).       

Individual Life—EXPRESS the realities of the God of the Bible, the work of Jesus and his purpose for their lives (community, discipleship, ministry, mission and worship).      

#2.  We try to offer a balanced diet to our students.  Our large group, small group and individual life programs focus on the complete expression of his heart.  We balance sermon content, small group studies and individual resources/opportunities between the following:

Community—You were made for God’s family.  

Discipleship—God wants you to daily grow to be more like him.

Ministry—God has uniquely designed you to server his church, your community and the world at large (personality, passions, spiritual gifts, abilities and experiences).

Mission—Your life is meant to tell the story of God’s heart.  You are made to share Jesus with those that don’t yet know him.

Worship—You are meant to see God’s glory and respond with a surrendered life. 

#3.  We are ready to adapt our methods on the fly to meet an ever-changing culture and generation with the healing, freeing message of Jesus.  In other words, the above ministry template is just a framework.  The framework isn’t black and white and it’s only the leadership team, with the help of the Holy Spirit, that make it come to life in a way that connects in our unique ministry setting.  For example, we did an entire series a few years back called “Friend Me” to recognize how Facebook was changing social interaction for our students.    

::Snapshot of the Worship Experience::

 
by Brad Baker

Last month at the Radicalus conference we had the privilege of sharing our learnings to a crew of youth and young adult ministry leaders.  It was fun to compare notes and learn together over the course of our 3 days together.  One of the things we talked about was the framework of our weekly worship experience in the Junior High, High School and College-age areas.  I’d love for you to read through the info below and share how and why yours differs. 

1.  How long is your typical large group gathering service?

1. Wildside – 1 hour and 15 minutes
2. HSM – 65-75 minutes
3. Crave - 1.5 hours

2.  How long is your typical sermon/message?

1. Wildside – we average approximately 20-25 minutes
2. HSM 25-35 minutes
3. Crave - 30 minutes

 3.  How far in advance do you map out your teaching calendar?

1. Wildside – for the most part, we have a two year calendar that we continually teach thru (we are 7^th and 8^th grade only)
2. HSM – we do a year in advance during planning, but adjust as needed
3. Crave - 6 to 9 months

 4. How frequently are you teaching topically versus exegetically?

1. Wildside – our goal is to teach 1/3 topical (JH survival), 1/3 exegetical (doctrine), and 1/3 other
2. HSM – we are largely topical and felt need, but try to get through a couple books of the Bible each year as well
3. Crave - 70% topical and 30% exegetical

 5.  How extensive is your stage design/theming of your large group program?

1. Wildside – we go in seasons; sometimes we do nothing and other times we go all out, but a lot of that depends on how the series/topic lends to stage setup
2. HSM – this is a great place to use volunteers. We have a group of students that help create designs as well. It also largely depends on budget, the length of the series, and whether a series is conducive to it.
3. Crave - Less is more for us.  We rarely do any stage design.

 6.  How often do you (as the primary leader of the ministry) teach?

1. Wildside – although he is our Student Ministries Pastor, Kurt teaches 50% of the time in Wildside and the remaining 50% are split up amongst the Wildside team
2. HSM – a little over half of the time, we spread out the rest over guest speakers (mostly internal) and students during You Own the Weekend.
3. Crave - 35 weeks a year

7.  What roles do volunteers play in your service?

1. Wildside – volunteers lead our music, run games, give announcements, lead grade groups, host sections, run audio/video, etc.  
2. HSM
3. Crave - message research, worship leaders, greeters, teardown/setup, ushers, A / V, 1^st time attender’s party and more. 

8.  What percentage of the service is made up of music?

1. Wildside – approximately 20% of our service is worship thru music
2. HSM – we usually have 3-5 songs each service.
3. Crave - approximately 30%

 9.  Do you use secular music at all? And if so, how?

1. Wildside – Yes. We use appropriate secular music as opening songs, videos, music videos, background music, games, etc.
2. HSM – we use it every weekend during the countdown, often for opening cover songs, sometimes behind games/announcements, etc.
3. Crave - Rarely; we sometimes play it before and after the service just so non-believers hear something familiar. 

 10.  What is your follow-up strategy for connecting with students after the service?

1. Wildside – We aren’t great at follow-up, mostly because we don’t do check-in/out, and thus have a tough time getting accurate contact info on our students.  We do encourage our leaders to take note of grade group attendance as best they can, but with four services that gets tough.
2. HSM – our large group time is totally anonymous, if a student gives us their information on a response card we take it very seriously. If a student trusts Christ, we send out a new believer’s packet. If a student checks the “first time” box we send out a little card. Those are the pulse of our ministry, response cards are like gold to this level service.
3. Crave - We email, Facebook and sometimes call those who’ve made commitments or are seeking greater involvement.

Where are the 20-somethings?

 
 
My dear friend Aaron Stern leads a vibrant college ministry in Colorado Springs (www.themillonline.org).  I met Aaron in college and his heart for God and others porfoundly shaped me at a very pivitol time in my life.  His influence on me has been reproduced in so many others.  He's a sage in the college ministry world!  Enjoy the read....

by Aaron Stern (aaronstern.com)

What does it take to get college/20-somethings engaged in church? I hear this question often from college pastors around the country. It doesn’t seem to matter if their ministry happens in a booming college town or a quiet suburb – this demographic seems to be AWOL in the Christian community.

Maybe it shouldn’t surprise us given the recent research. Barna found that “Americans in their twenties are significantly less likely than any other age group to attend church services, to donate to churches, to be absolutely committed to Christianity, to read the Bible, or to serve as a volunteer...” While frequently active in church during their high school years, only 3 out of 10 attend church consistently during their 20’s[1]. I know of one church which experienced 12 percent growth church-wide and a simultaneous six percent decline in 18-28 year olds.

Grim statistics like these prompt questions. Where are they? What will draw them? And how do we get them to stay? The answers are important to be sure, but sometimes I wonder if we are asking the wrong question. Maybe the answer is not in response to a question at all, but rather found in an encounter – a consistent meeting with the God who knows them personally, sees their dreams, hopes, disappointments and failures and loves them regardless.  

Somewhat of a mystery even to me, theMILL, our college/20-somethings ministry, has more than 1,000 who gather to worship and hear teaching from the Bible every week -- on Friday nights!  They are hungry – eager to grow and be changed. They long for a foundation of truth upon which to build their lives. They desire community, to know others deeply and to be known. They come to experience the presence of God.

My goal is not to get them into church, though I believe in the community of believers. It is not to gain access to their finances or service, though I find them eager to give and help when they understand the purpose. My deepest desire is to create an environment – an experience, if you will – where they meet God in powerful, personal ways, understand how they fit into the bigger picture, and find a place to belong.

This approach reminds me of a waitress who not only attends theMILL but is actively involved in our leadership team. She fits the prototype -- grew up in a Christian home, discovered doubt, drifted away from God and found less holy things instead. She developed a deep dislike of religion. Then a friend invited her to come to theMILL. It took awhile but she came and she found Jesus. Ask her and she will tell you what keeps her coming back – a dynamic relationship with God.

Or consider the story of a young man who found Christ in high school, attended church regularly and then began wrestling with depression. He became so filled with shame over his lifestyle choices that he decided to kill himself by driving into a pole. While working up the courage, he found himself heading in the direction of theMILL on a Friday night and decided to stop in for a final good-bye to his friends. The sermon that night was on the secrets we keep. He confessed his secrets and received prayer and healing. Coincidence? He doesn’t think so. He believes God rescued him.

Both of these individuals have one thing in common -- Jesus. And that, I believe, is the core of the issue. It’s possible to create a college/20-somethings ministry with the most experienced worship leaders and thought-out sermons, the best graphics and multi-media presentations; but I would argue, that unless you are creating a place where people encounter the living God and find deep, healthy community, they will not stay. How do we get them back? The answer lies in the same place as it does for you and for me – God Himself.

 

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[1] Twentysomethings Struggle to Find Their Place in Christian Churches.  September 24, 2003.  The Barna Group.  April 4, 2008  http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=149

Non-secret Leadership Paths...

 
My friend Benson wrote some great stuff on student leadership that I can't help highlighting.  His blog is well worth multiple visits.  He's got some great content. http://exploringcollegeministry.com

by Benson Hines

I have long been a believer in “testing and approving” students before they step into leadership within a college ministry. I know I’m not alone in that.

Along with that line of thought, college ministers will sometimes appoint leaders directly from among the “tested and approved,” instead of opening up the process ministry-wide. For example, future small group leaders might have to be “nominated” by present small group leaders, a “leadership council” might be hand-picked from among those who have served regularly for a year or more, and so on.

I’m not particularly opposed to the general idea of pursuing students who have proven faithful. In fact, I think it’s pretty smart to explicitly encourage obviously strong students lead within the campus ministry.

On the other hand, I’ve seen good reason to make the PATH to leadership at least available for everybody (while still using great discernment about whom we actually allow to lead). I’ve come to recognize that some great leaders may simply not be noticed through the “normal” means. If your ministry is larger than 30 people (and perhaps even if it isn’t), it’s very likely there are strong potential leaders you don’t know about.

Sometimes without even realizing it (and other times on purpose), we make leadership opportunities rather secret…

Introverts can slip through the cracks, as can recent Transfer Students, as can those longtime Christians who weren’t “radically saved” within your ministry. We might not realize the new arrival to our ministry has been serving faithfully at his church for 2 years, that the girl you hadn’t seen for 6 months has been studying abroad (“So that’s where you were!), or that that one alcoholic freshman has actually become a radical Jesus follower by Junior year.

We can miss people for a variety of reasons – maybe even just because they don’t fit our own personality. That’s why I think it’s worth making those leadership paths available – announcing opportunities, offering applications and/or interviews, and so on.

Take it from somebody who has slipped through the cracks himself before: You might be surprised at who God has brought to your college ministry.

“College Students Are Flaky”

 
My friend Chuck Bomar shared these interseting thoughts a few months back on his blog. http://www.collegeministrythoughts.com

By Chuck Bomar

A common stigma for college-age people is that they’re “flakey.”  I wanted to throw out a few quick thought’s on this:

(1) It’s true in some cases, but not all.  In fact, over the years I’ve ran into more college age people that wouldn’t be characterized as flakey than those who are.

(2) I’ve found that they’re only flakey in things they don’t find valuable.  So, if they’re flakey in our ministry we ought to be asking why they don’t find it valuable.

(3) If they are flakey, we shouldn’t be surprised.  Inconsistency of life and thought is the reason college age people are considered to be late-adolescents (from a sociological perspective).

(4) If we get excited about the teachable moments of this rather than frustrated with inconsistency we can have very meaningful and great disciple-shaping conversations.

(5) Patience and a willingness to pay the price of time is what we need.

Take Your Retreat to the Next Level

 by Brad Baker, College Pastor--Saddleback Church

Over the last 9 years of college ministry, I’ve noticed how vital retreats are in helping students take their next steps with Jesus.  Retreats provide a unique context for someone of any age to reflect on where they’ve been, where they currently are, and where God might be calling in the future.  Depending on the location of your college ministry, you’ll have students for an average of 2-4 years.  This short window of time has always given me a sense of urgency.  2 to 3 day retreats are vital because they give students the opportunity to receive a lot from God in a very short amount of time.  If you haven’t scheduled your yearly retreat yet, the time is now.  Below are a few of our learnings that have helped us maximize our time away on retreats with students.

#1.  Don’t Delegate All the Speaking—I’ve never seen college students listen and receive like they do on retreats.  They are away from most of their distractions and usually hungry to hear from God.  Why would you and I give that prime opportunity to someone outside of our ministry that our students won’t likely ever see again?  This is your chance to really peel back the layers of your life and allow students to see the deep work Jesus has done in your life.  Better they bond with you and your ministry team than some guest speaker (no matter how profound he or she may be).  

#2.  Balance the Schedule—One of the worst things you can do on a college retreat is over-schedule activities.  Remember it’s a retreat and one of the things you should be retreating from is busyness.  An overscheduled retreat robs students of the opportunity to reflect, pray, and deeply connect with others in an unstructured setting.  Granted, a few optional group activities can help pull together those who 
naturally isolate, but I would argue the right set of leaders won’t need those activities to engage students. 

#3.  Location, location, location—We have 2 retreats a year.  One is on an island and the other takes place in a sleepy half-forgotten mountain town.  Do you get the picture?  They are really mellow places with little external distractions. 

#4. Ideal Accommodations—Housing that hosts between 5-10 people a room is ideal in my mind.  Pick a shepherd-hearted person to be the room leader and you’ve just established room-based small groups for the weekend.  Room leaders can look for ‘God moments’ in each person’s life and try to capitalize on them.  Ideally, each room should have a kitchen so the small group can share meals together as well as host other rooms for meals. 

#5.  Pick and Meet with Your Leaders Beforehand—This is pretty obvious but I must confess I’ve missed meeting with my leaders before retreats.  You want the leaders you’ve selected to share the vision God has given you.  You want them to know more than the average person that’s coming so they can feel empowered and valued. 

#6.  Ask Adults in Your Church to Sponsor a Student or Two—Finances are always a big barrier for students going on a retreat.  I recommend establishing a scholarship fund that students can apply for.   Download Scholarship Application

#7.  Focus Your Content--Whether it's workshops, worship experiences or small group time make sure it all goes in the same direction.  An over-arching theme for the retreat will limit the students feeling pulled in too many different directions. 

#8.  Fast and Pray—Need I say more?  This should have been #1. 

Crafting Their Stories

 
by Lisa Birle (college ministry leader)

Every week at Crave, the college ministry at Saddleback Church, a student shares his or her testimony as part of our weekly service.  Students’ stories are a powerful reminder of how God’s love radically transforms and his grace rescues us from anything and everything—not in an abstract way, but in the lives of the people in our own community, people that we can put names and faces to, people who remind us that we can hope and expect the same freedom and healing in Christ.

One of the joys of my job is helping students write out their stories and prepare them to share each week.  Some students have never written out their stories before, and the process itself is a great way for them to reflect on how God has revealed himself to them and worked in their lives.  Often, they see how he was working in ways they never realized before as they journey through their past.  It can be a difficult process, and many students are nervous on stage, but it is ultimately a faith-stretching, cathartic, and rewarding experience for them that helps cultivate a community of safety, healing, and acceptance.

When students inquire about sharing their stories, I send them an e-mail with some basic guidelines:

#1. I tell students not to worry about the length of their story as they first write it out.  I encourage them to write it ALL DOWN.  I find it’s easier to condense than to elaborate on points later.

#2. Their story needs to answer the following questions:

—What was your life like growing up before you fully committed to following Christ?  (This should not be a voyeuristic journey of every poor choice you’ve made and not the bulk of your testimony, but rather a few paragraphs of your childhood and how that shaped your faith and worldview.)

—What was the catalyst for change in your life?  Describe how you encountered Christ and the transformation that he made in your life.  (For students who have always known Christ, I ask them to try to pin-point that moment in which they came to understand what following Christ meant at a new/deeper level.)

—What is your life like now as an authentic follower of Christ?

#3.  We love for our students to include something on their church community/mentor/small group in that last section of their story because we want to make sure our students (the audience) can hear through testimonies the importance of community and relationships in our lives.

Once I receive their draft, I work on edits to make sure the story is clear, that churchy words are avoided, and that it’s the length it needs to be.  Part of my challenge in editing is to make sure that the final draft is still the voice of the student’s and that I did not hijack their story, so I work closely with them as we make slight changes for the sake of clarity and length.  Typically, a finished testimony is about 1200-1400 words and about five minutes long, and finishes with a challenge/action step to our community…join a small group, trust God’s Word, seek help, pray, etc. 

At Crave, we have seen the profound impact that sharing testimonies has on those who share as well as those who hear.  Ultimately, these stories remind us not only of how broken we are and how desperately we need God in our lives, but also that God has the power to transform us and that his heart’s desire is to lavish us with his rescuing love and amazing grace.

The College Ministry 8

 
This post is a few years old but it’s great.  Justin Holcomb posted this on The Resurgence blog.  My friend Aaron Stern (aaronstern.com) tweaked #3, #7 and #8 to make it more applicable to the college ministry world.  Happy Reading--Brad Baker (College Pastor, Saddleback Church)

I've learned some lessons about doing campus ministry both the hard way and from great mentors. Here are the top six (now eight) things you need to know if you're doing college ministry:

1. Don't confuse the gospel with religion
To prevent doing this, talk about Jesus (who he is and what he has done) all the time. If you don't, students will think Christianity is really about something else, like morality, philosophy, piety, social justice, or a religious experience. If you start talking more about what they should do instead of what Jesus has done, you're preaching another gospel (Gal. 1:6-9), which is to put heavy burdens on them (Matt. 23:2-4).

2. Learn about sexual assault
The prevalence of sexual assault is staggering. At least 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men are or will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime. And the numbers are much worse for college students. These young women and men feel crippling shame, deep guilt, and painfully alone because of what has been done to them.

3. Teach students how to read and interpret the Bible for themselves
This means giving a clear picture of the meta-narrative of the Bible.  Having a birds-eye view of the whole story helps one know how the individual stories and passages fit together.  Without context we run the danger of extricating meaning based on our experiences and feelings and thus making the Bible say what we want it to say.  The most simple presentation of the story of the Bible is the Children's Bible called The Jesus Storybook Bible.  We must also teach students that the Bible is not a book to be used but a story to be entered.

4. Be prepared to comfort students because of divorce and death
College students are at a phase in life where their parents seem to get divorced, if they aren't already, now that their children are leaving home. This is also the age when grandparents begin to die.

5. Study apologetics
Many students still have brain cells left, and they've been reading and thinking about their world. They have legitimate questions about who Jesus is and what he did and why he isn't just a good example. They want to know why they should trust the Bible as reliable. The immense suffering in the world makes them doubt either the goodness or power of God or both. They think Christians are hypocrites and bigots, so why should they become one?

6. Be prepared to counsel students about what they're really facing
You must be prepared to counsel about eating disorders, pornography, cutting, abusive relationships, and the lingering damage of sexual sin. College students tend to be the shock-absorbers of the myths our cultural sells. Idols are brutal slave masters.

7. Teach students what to look for in a church.
Students in college ministries will not be there for more than a few years and chances are they will at some point move to another city.  I find that I have a huge opportunity to shape their ideas of what Church is all about.  I want them to embrace and engage the local church, even when they can't find one that "fits" their preferences.  The Church is more than a social club for Christians and goes much deeper than worship style or service length.  Church is the people of God - a supernatural, God-inspired, Holy Spirit-driven, less-about-me-and-all-about-God-and His-plan-for-the-world community of faith.

8. Invite students into a story that is bigger than they are.
Our culture teaches, and our sinful nature believes, that the biggest story is our own.  History began and ends with the story of God and only when we allow our story to become part of His much bigger story are we able to become who God made us to be.

www.aaronstern.com

Integrating College Ministry into the Larger Congregation

 
by Brad Baker, College Pastor--Saddleback Church

An integrated college ministry is a rare bread these days.  We’ve seen countless young adult ministries take shape with little if any meaningful connection with the church as a whole.  They function largely as an island and then wonder why students aren’t making the transition to ‘big church’ when they finish college.  I’ll be the first to admit that it’s much easier in most cases to build a college ministry without worrying about the coming transition every student will face.  However we do them a huge disservice if we don’t paint our ministry into the context of the overall church.  If we don’t the students in our ministry won’t get the importance of assimilating.  I know far too many friends in their late twenties who stopped going to church once they felt too old for the college ministry.  They got attached (in an unhealthy way) to how the ministry felt and catered to their every need. In an effort to curb this trend I have been implementing the following strategies with some modest success. 

#1.  Identify Key Church-wide Initiatives

HIV/AIDS and the country of Rwanda have and continue to be large areas of emphasis for our church.  As a result we do whatever we can to tie the hearts of our students to what God is doing in those areas. When students start serving in those areas two things happen.  First their hearts connect with the vision God has given the Senior Pastor.  Second they naturally connect with the older demographic and get that sense they are a part of something larger.

#2.  Think Gender Connection

If at all possible we plan our calendar around some of the larger gatherings for men and women so our students can be a part.  We love to take our younger men on the Men’s Ministry retreats.  We love to encourage our young ladies to join a mid-week Bible study full of young moms and older ladies in general.

#3.  Promote Serving Opportunities Outside the College Ministry

College Pastors should pursue other ministries in the church.  They should all be given time to recruit college students to serve in their areas at specific times throughout the year.  Our students serving in the larger congregation is huge when it comes to assimilation.    

#4.  Invite the other Pastors

The Senior Pastor should be invited to attend and speak (if doable) a few times a year.  Look for a way to honor them and expression appreciation in front of your students. 

#5.  Re-examine the Goal

At the end of the day college ministry has a lot to do with sending people out.  We all know the college-age are a highly transient group of people.  In a perfect world we’d love for them to be a part of our church from now until they’re ninety.  However the vast majority will move away.  Some will teach English in Japan.  Others will get married and move to live near parents.  The point is not that they assimilate into ‘our’ church but rather ‘a’ church.

As long as age-based ministries exist there will be a need for an affective assimilation and transition plan. 

Getting Buy-in from the Senior Pastor

 
by Brad Baker, College Pastor--Saddleback Church

Senior pastors are pulled in hundreds of direction on any given day.  Even if they do have a heart for college ministry it will likely get lost in the countless decisions and responsibilities they shoulder.  This is where you and I come in.  You might be the only person your senior leaders hears from regarding ministry to this vital demographic.  This mean what you say and how you say it is extremely important.  Below are some thoughts on how to help your senior pastor see the need for a college ministry of some kind at your church.   

#1.  Share Your Heart and Vision

Look for a chance to tell your senior leadership all about the millennial generation and why you have a passion to minister to them.  Share statistics, stories and your personal journey to help him see why you want the church to engage this generation.  Don’t pressure him or criticize the church.  Simply share your heart and explain the need.

#2.  Point Him to Good Informative Resources

The Barna Group is a good place to start.  They’ve done some good research that exposes the critical need for every local church to care about the Millennial Generation. David Kinnaman, of the Barna Group, who’s done a lot of research on the Millennials had this to say back in 2006, "There is considerable debate about whether the disengagement of twentysomethings is a life-stage issue - that is, a predictable element in the progression of people’s development as they go through various family, occupational and chronological stages - or whether it is unique to this generation. While there is some truth to both explanations, this debate misses the point, which is that the current state of ministry to twentysomethings is woefully inadequate to address the spiritual needs of millions of young adults. These individuals are making significant life choices and determining the patterns and preferences of their spiritual reality while churches wait, generally in vain, for them to return after college or when the kids come. When and if young adults do return to churches, it is difficult to convince them that a passionate pursuit of Christ is anything more than a nice add-on to their cluttered lifestyle.  Above all, remember to keep a balanced perspective.  Some have overstated the problem, while others minimize it. The fact is millions of American teenagers and twentysomethings are alive to God and devoted to His Kingdom. But the research is also clear that there are significant issues related to the way young people experience and express their faith.  Without objectively and strategically addressing those challenges, Christian leaders will miss the opportunity to awaken many more young souls to a life-long zeal for God." 

‘The Millennials’ by Thom Rainer, ‘Generation iY’ by Tim Elmore and ‘Lost and Found’ by Ed Stetzer are good books to get into their hands.

#3.  Serve Faithfully…Regardless

Don’t give your Senior Pastor ultimatums.  Serve/lead regardless of what kind of support he gives or doesn’t give.  Make the decision before you talk with him that you are going to serve him and your church regardless of his response.  Granted if he says he doesn’t think you are ready for a leadership role or that he has no interest in ministering to the Millennials you might be forced to re-evaluate.  Barring that, your ministry should not be based on a salary, position, number of staff or budget dollars.  Your humble commitment will likely soften the hearts of those in leadership and help them be more open to your vision. 

#4.  Invite Him to a College-age Gathering

Some senior leaders have never been invited, welcomed and honored by the younger generation. Don’t let this be true in your church.

#5.  Tie College Ministry into the Larger Vision

Help your senior pastor see how college ministry fits into the larger mission and vision of the church.  Remind him that college students are amazing volunteers when given a little guidance and direction.  Most growing churches are fueled by an army of young volunteers who are full of passion and energy to match.

If I Could Go Back…

 
by Brad Baker, College Pastor--Saddleback Church

After nearly 10 years in college/young adult ministry I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on what a healthy ministry to the millennial generation looks like.   I sure wish I had the understanding than I do now when I first started the journey.  Here are a couple of things I’d do different if I could go back and do it all again. 

#1.  Focus on student ownership and involvement

The first college-age ministry I lead certainly had student and volunteer involvement but there was a clear separation between staff and volunteers.  Granted there will always be some delineation but with key volunteer leaders the lines should be erased as much as possible.  The college-age ministry I currently lead has a CORE leadership team comprised of more volunteers than staff.  We meet twice a month and talk about every aspect of our ministry.  The volunteer leaders have as much say as my staff.  There is little if any information we withhold from them.  Having their input has proved valuable.  Having their buy-in has been priceless.  Without student involvement at the center of things a ministry can easily lose touch with its target demographic.  Even if it’s a subtle disconnect it call kill things over the long haul.  There should always be a good mix of younger students and older students.  You want the wisdom of the older ones and the fresh ideas/relevance of the younger group.  Case and point:  If you are a college pastor in your mid-thirties ministering in Southern California you might assume that twitter would be a good tool to communicate with 18 year olds.  FAIL!  Well over half of twitter users are older than 35 and the average 18 year old in our area isn’t into twitter.

#2.  Focus on mentoring

The last thing the average young adult needs is more influence from their peers.  Remember they are still in the adolescence phase of their life.  They need people that will help them grow towards spiritual, emotionally and relationship maturity.  Although peers can help, they are usually up to their eyeballs trying to answer their own questions.  If I had to do it over again, I would put less emphasis on mid-week worship experiences and more on building a mentoring network.  When they ‘graduate’ from your ministry they will more than likely leave the church if they don’t have relationship with someone who can personally help them integrate into the larger life of the church.  Part of me would even consider not having a mid-week worship experience for college students if I felt it would prevent them from integrating into the larger church family.

#3.  Build the calendar around the 3 seasons of college ministry

Timing is crucial.  You can have the best ideas but if they interfere or run in opposition to the natural flow of things you are sunk before you leave the harbor.  I think of college-age ministry in 3 seasons: fall semester, spring semester and summer.  This will look different in each school and/or area.  For example in Norman, OK 70-80% of the students leave town for the summer.  Our mid-week service would go from 800 to 80.  This is very important to know when planning the summer.  Now in Orange County the trend looks much different.  Loads of young adults spend their summers here (and for good reason).  So our numbers typically jump in the summer.  We have lots of people with us for 2 or 3 months before they head back to school.  Again this is very important information in planning the summer.  Here’s a basic breakdown of how I plan my fall.  In the fall I like to have a retreat of some sort to kick things off.  After the retreat in late August or early September, I like to start the major teaching series for the fall.  This is also the best time for existing students to invite their friends.  Once the semester gets going everyone will fill their calendars and get in a rhythm and that will likely prevent them from trying new things mid-semester (like your ministry).  I also like to launch any weekend workshops/Bible studies around this time as well.  Lastly this is the time you’ll want to start your small groups.   

Just a bit about me...

 
 
Q: What is your role in your church?

Pastor to college-age adults at Saddleback Church

Q: What role or importance do college-aged people have in your work?

They are my mission field, audience, leadership team and some of my closest ministry partners.  Along with the adult volunteers in our ministry they are my primary focus.

Q:  Recent statistics show that the number one reason college-aged people are leaving the church is because they don’t feel “engaged.”  What do you think they are looking for, or what do you think the church could do to more successfully engage them?

Millennials (aka Gen Y) are a generation full great paradox.  For example, they are by the estimation of many the most social generation yet.  However their obsession with Facebook, text messaging, and Twitter have lead to isolation and loneliness for many.  They are connected with others via technology but the depth of those connections is highly suspect.  They’ve learned that when relationships get difficult and dicey all they have to do is “log-off”.  To engage this generation we must provide a context for them to have deep and meaningful connection with peers and more importantly mentor figures that are consistent and face to face.

A church must also speak the language of this generation while at the same time addressing issues that are unique to their age-stage.  Church leaders must connect and communicate in the most genuine and authentic way possible.  This crowd can sniff out “plastic” tens miles away.  In full transparency, churches must help those in late adolescence wrestle with their understanding of identity, truth, intimacy and meaning.  Because those in their late teens and early twenties tend to think more abstractly, church leaders must be willing and excited about their messy process of growth and transformation;  not frustrated by it.  College ministry leaders need to know that they may not see the fruit of their labor for years to come.       

Q: What was the most difficult lesson you have learned in your ministry so far?

Wow...really tough question.  There are just so many!  I am going to cheat and share a few. 

#1.  My first few years in full-time ministry I underestimated the importance of boundaries.  There will ALWAYS be more work each day, week and month than you and I can possibly get done.  Get used to walking away with lots of worked stacked up.  If you don’t, you will compromise your most important relationship and end up being one of those who leaves ministry after a few years.  Consider yourself warned from someone who almost crashed and burned! 

#2.  My first few years in full-time ministry I underestimated how messy and taxing ministry can be.  Now I just expect plenty of drama!  Here’s a list of things you want to know will very likely be a part of your journey at some point. 

• Saying goodbye to countless friends who transition out of your ministry for one reason or another (they aren’t college-age any more, they graduate and move, they find a ministry they like better, etc...).
• Having a boss or senior pastor that doesn’t fully understand you or the importance of ministry to this demographic. Or one that is expecting numbers you aren’t producing.  Not fun!
• Staff and key leader relational drama.  You are working with college-age people who are trying to form truly intimate relationship many for the first time in their lives.  There are bound to be some explosions and train wrecks. 
• This list goes on and on but I will spare for you now.

Q: What would you like to see change in church, or what do you think the Church will look like in 10 years?

If I’m honest the future for the church in the west looks pretty blurry to me right now.  On the one hand I resonate with speakers and authors who talk about the decline of the church in America.  I read the stats and sense the spiritual temperature of young adults in our area.  Both give me reason to be concerned, if not alarmed.  On the other hand, I know of countless churches in America that are thriving and pushing the envelope of reaching people and caring for the broken.  I read about their exploits and sense the spiritual temperature of churches in our area.  Both give me reason to be hopeful, if not excited.  In 10 years I think we will see a more refined and focused church in America.  I think we will have just witnessed a movement where hundreds of thousands in this generation are drawn to God and connected to his family.  In the 1960’s they wondered what God would do in the midst of the godless sexual revolution and the Jesus Movement emerged.  In 2009 we wonder what God will do to rescue a generation where .05% are said to have a Biblical worldview.  God let your movement emerge and let us be a part!