What Does Real Ministry Cost?

We live in an age of increased financial austerity in ministry, especially in the world of collegiate ministry. Staff positions are being eliminated, budgets are being cut, priorities are being shifted, and everyone is having to learn to do more, or at least the same, with less. Finding alternate streams of support are becoming more and more vital to our continued existence, not just in ER areas but across the Bible Belt. It’s a time of intense hand wringing and increased frustration.

To some extent it seems those of us in the collegiate ministry world have been dealing with some form of this for the past twenty years or so. I recall a gathering of campus ministers I was part of a while ago. We were being told that finances were tight and we may have to do without some of the things in our ministries we had come to take for granted. I vividly remember one campus minister strongly protesting these changes, declaring, “Well, if I can’t do my campus ministry the way I’ve been doing it all these years, I’ll just won’t do it any longer!”

That struck me as a very sad way to look at things, and for me called into question his effectiveness as a leader. The things that would have to be given up were certainly valuable, but his ministry did not stand or fall on those being present. Wise leaders know that when one path is blocked, you need to consider the alternatives, or reassess the usefulness of what you already have.

Several years ago we were working on our core values for our collegiate ministry here in Penn/South Jersey. It seemed we were always having to make bricks without straw, so one that we settled on was “Creative Resourcing”: While we will be bold and creative in seeking financial resources for our work, we need to give focus to things that don’t cost money.

What are some of the things we can focus on that don’t cost money?

Outstanding Communication
I may not be able to afford to have the slickest website on the internet, but it really doesn’t cost anything extra to make sure I keep in contact with those I need to, that I respond to phone calls and e-mails in a timely manner, and that important information is communicated with my team members so they can deal with it in the best way possible. In a day of unlimited phone calls, texts, and Facebook, there’s no excuse here. This one is a no-brainer.

Excellent Planning
Good planning is closely related to good communication. We all have pressures on our time, but that means that more than ever we need to be students of good time management and effective planning. I need to do all I can to move from Covey’s Quadrant One (urgent and important) to Quadrant Two (non-urgent and important) so that I’m on top of my work and not always behind the curve. Information on how to do this is readily available via websites, books, and mentors. It mostly involves making changes on my part that really have nothing at all to do with my budget.

Passionate, Fervent Prayer
It may take money to put on a prayer conference or a prayer breakfast, but real prayer doesn’t cost a dime. In fact, it may be the best “investment” you and I will ever make. Two hundred years ago a group of students in New England, seeking shelter under a haystack during a rainstorm, started praying and unleashed one of the greatest spiritual awakenings in our nation’s history. I doubt an expense reimbursement for hay resources was ever submitted.

Priority on the Word of God
LifeWay may not like me saying this, but if resource funds are tight, you can always study the Bible. You probably have a few of those laying around, right? ;-) (And if funds are available, you really should check out the great resources at threadsmedia.com!)

Persistence in Sharing Christ
We may end up with less money for evangelistic events and resources, but at the end of the day, evangelism comes down to one person sharing Christ with another. Other than maybe a few dollars for a cup of coffee or two, this doesn’t have to cost anything except the time and effort you put into it. Seriously, don’t ever think your evangelism efforts have to suffer because of budget cuts. Just go talk with people. And teach your students to do the same.

Quality Relationships
This is really what ministry is all about. The most effective, respected, and beloved collegiate ministers put the focus of their attention here. People are always the focus of what we do, always. People always need and appreciate encouragement, and you can give out boatloads of encouragement without breaking the bank. Some of us are prodigious huggers, while others excel in written affirmation. In a digital age where we are in constant contact through Facebook, personal expressions of thanks are still in fashion. And I would argue that in our time, with the decline of mail service, a handwritten note carries even more impact than ever. But along with hugs and notes, the greatest gift we can give others remains our gift of face to face time and a listening ear. And no meter has to be running during those conversations.

Look at the above list. If you were to ask a hundred collegiate leaders what constitutes the core of their ministries, it would almost certainly include some forms of good communication, good planning, prayer, focusing on the Word, sharing Christ, and quality relationships. Money helps us do all these things, but at the end of the day, with each of these it’s the intangibles, the personal aspects, rather than the tangible parts that cost money, that really makes the difference.

There’s nothing I’ve shared here that you didn’t already know, but it’s good to be reminded of such things. It’s in times of challenge where real leaders show their stripes. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

In Judges 7 we read of the Lord drawing down the numbers of warriors who would follow Gideon into battle against the Midianites. Gideon started out with thirty-two thousand, then ten thousand, and finally three hundred men. God made it clear that he wanted a small number so “…that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her” (v. 2). It was God himself who provided the power and the victory, not the power and strength of the masses.

The point is self-evident. A leader in ministry knows where his/her real strength comes from. Our budgets and support may be challenged, but ultimately our real strength, what gets us up every morning and gets us through our day, comes from a vital relationship with Jesus.

And last time I checked, I didn’t need to swipe a credit card to enter my prayer closet.


Robert Turner
Emerging Regions National Consultant
Director of Collegiate Ministries, Pennsylvania/South Jersey

Building a Healthy Leadership Team: 3 Kinds of Students

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

Developing a Leadership Culture

One thing that is often said by those in leadership development is, “Develop a leadership culture.” But, it seems they never explain how to do that. How do you point your students to leadership and help them want to serve as leaders and even not see “leadership” as a dirty word today, as some do.

I believe you develop a leadership culture by holding leadership up, showing it is important and expressing appreciation to those who serve in leadership roles. Here are some ways to do that:
-Hang pictures of each year’s leadership team on a prominent wall in your meeting area, if you have such an area.
-Give an award each year to the outstanding leader as selected by the leadership team in a secret vote.
-Give a variety of awards—“Best Servant spirit”, “The Outreach Award” to the one who most reaches out to others and makes them feel a part of your ministry.
-Give or make available to each member of your leadership team a tee shirt that is unique to them.
-If you have an awards or recognition event/worship service at the end of their term of service, give each one a special tee shirt as an expression of gratitude.
-Give each one a tee shirt when school starts that advertises your main event or worship. It is a thank you and great advertising.
-If you have Ministry or leadership teams in different areas, make a snap shot of each and put them on a bulletin board with each person’s name under it.
-If you print a flyer or brochure advertising your ministry, put a picture of your leadership team on it.
-We give a key to each of our new ministry team members at the beginning of their service. The key is uncut (just like it comes from the store). We explain that each key will be different; each will open different doors; each will not look just alike. We ask them to carry the key all year as a reminder.

What are different things you can do that set your leaders apart? What are things that help those that serve know that you appreciate them? What will cause others to think about their possible service in the future? That is a leadership culture!

Arliss Dickerson
Leadership Development Contract Worker
Arkansas State University

Going Green Spiritually

By Daniel Berry, University of Kentuck Campus Minister

Romans 12:9-10 states, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” (NIV)

It’s the word “sincere” that I’ve been thinking about lately. Does the church resemble sincerity? Does my BCM? Does my personal ministry? As I’ve been on campus the last 10 years or so, I’ve come to realize that this is not only one of the main stumbling blocks for non-Christians, but also for those involved in the ministries for which I’ve been involved. I’m guessing it may be an issue in most of your ministries as well.

The Greek word for sincerity, was originally an acting term meaning to take off one’s mask. The challenge of the author is for us not to live our lives with any pretense or insincerity, but rather to live our lives as genuine followers of Christ. For our ministries to become one of authenticity we need our leaders to be real. We need our ministries to be a place where everything and anything can be discussed so that we can, “…be devoted to one another in brotherly love.”(vs. 10). We need to teach ourselves and our leadership to be vulnerable and real with the people they are leading, because if they are not real, than the rest of the students will not be either. We need to practice going green spiritually.

What does going green spiritually look like?

It means Recycling our Garbage. Do you know the past of your students? What difficulties have they overcome? Have they overcome sexual abuse? Rape? Alcohol or porn addiction? What are the struggles they have walked through that have helped to shape their faith and who they are today?

We are taught from the age of little children to bury these struggles, in a spiritual landfill if you will, and not to divulge these dark secrets to anyone. Don’t let anyone find out that these things were a part of our lives. The problem is these things are a part of our lives. These are the things that helped to shape you and your students’ lives. Doesn’t it make since rather than burying them in the deepest cavern of your soul to allow God to recycle the obstacles of our lives for the benefit of others?

It Means Being Vulnerable. As a leader our inclination is not to share our weaknesses. We want our students to see us as strong and capable. Your student leaders feel the same way. Yet, if we are not vulnerable to our students regarding our past and our struggles, are we not enabling the idea of a holier-than-thou Christian lie that no one can live up too? We all have garbage in our lives. We all need to be taught what to do with it.

Recycling Means You’re Through With It. Let me be clear, I’m not advocating us going to our students and calling for an open confession of sins. Accountability is another subject. Rather, recycling our spiritual journey means that through the power and grace of God I have control over a situation in the past that once had control over me. Now I’m ready to help others overcome this struggle.

Recycling Takes Work. It is easier for me to throw away my trash than to recycle it. It is much easier to run a ministry that doesn’t try to tackle this principle. Sometimes it can be down right messy.

Why recycle? It makes for a healthier environment. When your leaders begin to grasp the fact that their personal story can help others they begin to see how God can use their lives. They begin to understand that they don’t have to go to seminary or be raised in a minister’s family to be a leader. They begin to see a personal ministry that they never knew existed. They become real which will help your ministry be more approachable, more applicable to your community, and more representative of the genuine body of Christ.

How do I Begin? My family and I began to recycle one day when my wife made her first conscience decision not to throw away a bottle. She began to recycle. Over the next few months she began to discipline herself to do more. Before long, she had me recycling. It really is that simple.

How to get your leadership understanding this principle will be different in each situation, but one thing I promise is that it has to begin with you. As you begin to discipline yourself to grow in this area you’ll begin to see walls come down. Sometimes you will find out more than you want to know, and you may have a few messes to pick up ,still your ministry may soon become more sincere and a healthier place for all. Isn’t that what recycling is all about?