College Ministry: Strategic Thoughts for Fall

A Great Fall is Dependent on Great Prayer and Great Planning

As we College ministers begin ramping up for the beginning of the fall, we should think and plan proactively instead of reactively. We have all had ministry moments of regrets and wondered “what if” or worse “ I wish I knew then what I know know at the end of the year” One key to a great Fall is great prayer and great planning. Great prayer and great planning allows us to attack campus full on with no reservation. Many students will create a first impression on the first week; proper planning will cultivate better first impressions. Another key ingredient to kick off the year is an adequate ministry measuring tool. It’s oftentimes hard to evaluate ministry when we have no way to measure. Measuring exposes conditional practices and gives us ideas on how to fine tune ministry.


Empowering Ownership and Engaging Leadership

Recharging Core student leaders is fundamentally essential because the summer can dilute passion. Implanting excitement and empowering vision to students will provide the fuel students need to make ministry contagious and fun. The first week should be a typical week on steroids. Anything more than a typical week may create a false vision of the remainder of the semester. Just because you have the week planned out, doesn’t mean students can’t take ownership in the details. Empowering leadership to the millennial generation will unleash creativity that is innovative. Student’s maintain ownership in the ministry when they take ownership in the ideas. Ministers engage inception when they has a well constructed vision of the ministry and spend time on their knees.


Facebook Freshmen and Get them Connected

Freshmen may be the easiest group on campus to reach because they are looking for social outlets in order to find belonging. However, if they don’t find a sense of belonging, they will be the first ones out the door. Getting to know incoming freshmen through Facebook, phone calls, letters, etc. gives them a way to connect before they step foot on campus. Facebook can be used to prepare these students for college on a practical and emotional level. There is typically a three week window in the fall to get Freshmen connected to ministry. The relationships they make typically determine whether they will stay or not. Their first three weeks often shapes the direction of their entire college career. With this in mind, let us pursue all the possible avenues to “make disciples” of all Freshmen.