by Weaver McCracken,
Every campus minister has struggled, at one time or another, with finding and keeping good student leadership. This is so important to those of us who work with student-led organizations. Because of the nature of our organizations, we are welcoming to all students, which is both a good and bad thing. It’s good in that we affirm the value of everyone before God. It can be a challenge if we allow students to fill leadership roles, who are not ready or capable of filling them.
While I would never contend that there is only one way of evaluating student potential, the three categories below have helped me through the years to better understand the students who have journeyed through ministries of which I have been a part. It has also helped remind me of the inherent qualities required of those leading our programs. As you read, I hope you smile a little and maybe even grimace a little as you are minded of particular experiences from your past. Good luck in your search and your efforts to continually develop and nurture good leadership. It’s one of the most important things we do.
Refugees
There are always those students who come our way who are needier than others. Their neediness may come from their circumstances or family background. They may not have been as fortunate as many, who come from loving and supportive homes. Because they have more needs, they are usually characterized as more “takers” than “givers.” And because they are inherently needy, they really are not capable of leading others. They can consume more than their fair share of our time, and if allowed to constantly “hang out” in our BCM centers, can create a negative environment.
Tourists
These students can generally be characterized as “floaters” who never join. They don’t easily invest themselves and are always shopping for their best options. They love a cafeteria environment, where they have maximum choice and are always searching for their best options. They may be sharp and talented, making a great first impression, but they don’t easily invest themselves or give themselves to a cause, since their main cause is themselves. This makes them very frustrating to connect with in a meaningful way, especially as one who will be committed as a leader in your BCM. Their seeming self-absorption blinds them to the needs of others and to what it takes to lead others.
Pilgrims
Pilgrims are a rare find. These are those students who know more about who they are, where they fit, what they can do, and what they want to do both while in college and in the future. They understand that they both can and should make a contribution to those causes they believe in. They more easily make commitments to give and to serve. They invest themselves with a goal of wanting to make a difference and want to be a part of a movement of like-minded persons who believe in a cause, and then they act to support that cause.
These are the kinds of students who are magnetic with their fellow students. Students who are less sure of their direction are drawn to Pilgrims who seem to be natural leaders, have ideas, and seem to know where they want to go. They are often charismatic because of their clear sense of direction. These are the kinds of students we are always looking for in our BCM because they make great leaders. The leader among the Pilgrims is often the person we see as the natural choice for a president.
Pilgrims also make great summer missionaries. Where we often get in trouble with summer missions appointments is when we accidentally get a Refugee or Tourist on the field, and they have not fully understood that their experience will fully challenge their worldview. It is doubtful whether Refugees or Tourists can serve either in primary leadership or summer missions positions in our BCM programs without a great deal of mentoring and guidance.
Weaver McCracken, Ph.D.
Director, Collegiate Ministry
Mississippi Baptist Convention
Posts
