News, Views & Reviews
The Key to Fruitful Ministry
There's no hidden secret for successful college ministry. That's good news, and bad news. Even when we have been walking with Christ for a long time we can get caught up in thinking there might be something we could do, some strategy we could employ, that would guarantee great growth in our ministries and our churches. Notice the "we"s in that last sentence. All of the books and resources on ministry have their place and value. However, I often need to be reminded of the words of Jesus in John 15:5, and maybe today you do too: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me." John 15:5 CSB No secret formula, just abiding in Christ. That is what produces fruit, in our lives and ultimately in our ministries. We can do a lot of things, but we cannot bear kingdom fruit without him. Nothing of spiritual significance that you are wanting to happen in your ministry will happen without Him. So put down the "how to" book and pick up your Bible. Seek His face, and trust him for the increase. Let's be sure to lead students to do the same. They are watching and following our lead. Do they see us planning more than they see us praying? Are we inviting them to join us in praying and seeking the Lord? What could God do in our ministries and in the lives of our students if our primary goal was to abide in Him? |
Student Leaders & the Local Church
We have heard all of the statistics about students who leave their faith behind when they go to college, but what about the ones who didn’t? As I have read applications and gotten to know the students serving on this year’s Lead Team (pictured above), I have taken note of the impact that the local church has had on many of these student leaders. What made the difference for the ones who stay connected to their faith and the church? One common thread among these leaders is that they served, and continue to do so. Here are some of the things they listed that they have done in their local churches: - VBS leader -Sound and media -Childcare worker -Social media team - Youth sponsor -worship band -Sunday school teacher -Hospitality team -Student music ministry section leader -Mission trip member -Long range planning -Youth Worship Band -preached some Sundays when my pastor was out -parking -Handbell director assistant -planned youth group activities -youth small group leader In big and small ways these students have played an active role in their local churches. They know that being a part of the body of Christ means more than being a spectator. They are invested, and because they are invested they have seen God at work in and through their local church. As we begin a new year, how can we invite more students not to just show up for our college ministry activities, but to find a place to serve and invest? Ginger Bowman Specialist, Church College Ministry & Student Leadership Texas Baptist Collegiate Ministry |
Engaging Students: Opportunity Fair
This week Jordan Whittington, College Minister at First Baptist Church in College Station, shares a great strategy for engaging students in the life of the church. This year we had the following tables: Small Groups, Preschool/Children, Youth, Bless our Campus, Freshman Team, Neighborhood Missions, Worship & Praise Team, Orchestra/Choir, Creative Arts, and Food Pantry. Each table has a student ready to share about the works of that team and how students can participate. Our hope is for each student in our ministry to be involved weekly in a small group, actively participate in our church body, and to choose an area to serve weekly (alongside devotional faithfulness and relationally evangelizing). After hearing leaders share about each of the ministry opportunities we allow the students to visit the tables of their choosing to learn more or to sign up. Last year was our first attempt at an opportunity fair. Many students checked multiple boxes of areas they were interested in, however, few took the next step of plugging in. This year we are transitioning to a ticket system, encouraging students to choose wisely how they will spend themselves. Each student received 3 “tickets” (cards they are to write their name, cell, and email on) to place at the opportunities they are most interested in. Our hope is by limiting our selections we will increase our participation. |
The Harvest Catch 22
Campuses all over our state are coming back to life this week as students begin a new year of school. We're excited about their return. We're hopeful that we can impact their lives this year, but are we confident? Jesus says to the disciples in John 4:35, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest" (NIV). Jesus tells us there is a harvest. Do we believe him? Unfortunately many in our churches do not. When someone comes to Christ they are astonished. Decisions for Christ should be expected because we trust that what the Lord of the Harvest has told us is true. When did we start believing the lie of the enemy that no one wants to hear, or that no one will say "yes"? Why would you go to work in a harvest when you don't believe the harvest exists? This is the harvest catch 22. Jesus say to the disciples, "I will make you fishers of men" because he knew there would be men who would want to follow Him. We must lead students to believe his words. There is a harvest. We lead students to believe in the harvest by showing them the harvest. Many students don't believe there is a harvest because they have never seen it. Take students with you to share the gospel and be sure you ask for a response. Sharing without asking for a response sends the subtle message that we assume someone will say "no." They might say "no," but they might say "yes." Jesus said so. Do you believe there is a harvest? Before we can lead students to believe there is a harvest we must believe it ourselves. If you are honest with yourself, do you believe there is a harvest? Take Jesus at his word, and confidently share the gospel with others. Your confidence will be contagious. If you need some helps, check out this great resource on gospel appointments. and the book Breaking the Huddle, which we review here. Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page here. |
Ministry Toolbox: Breaking the Huddle
 Breaking the Huddle builds on the five thresholds of conversion identified by Everts and Schaupp in the book, I Once Was Lost. These strategies can lead members to engage in relational evangelism as they begin to see outreach as a natural product of discipleship. This book is an invaluable resource not only for college ministry groups in churches and campuses but also for churches in general as we seek to lead our churches to become the church on mission in our communities. Breaking the Huddle, Don Everts, Doug Schaupp, Val Gordon. InterVarsity Press, 2016. I Once Was Lost, Don Everts & Doug Schaupp, InterVarsity Press Books, 2008. Find Breaking the Huddle and I Once Was Lost on Amazon. |
4 Things to Do Now to Jump Start Your Fall Ministry
 1. Have a year long plan in place. You don’t have to know every detail, but have a plan. Students will want to follow you if they know where you are going. Keep it simple and clear. How will they grow? What will they be a part of? 2. Recruit volunteers now. Both students and adult leaders can play an important role in reaching out to new students. Cast vision for who you want to reach this year. Ask them to join you in that mission, then train and prepare them for outreach. 3. Pray for the work ahead. Involve your students, volunteers and your church in praying for the fall semester and new students coming to your local campus. Have prayer gatherings, send prayer reminders and add specific requests to churchprayer lists. 4. Be aware of current opportunities. Students are coming to campus for preview days, registration, etc. There may be openings right now to interact with incoming freshmen. Call your local BSM Director or the campus student life office to ask about any ways your church could serve incoming freshmen. Remember to always follow campus protocol to insure your church continues to have a good relationship with your local campus. What do you do in the summer to jump start the fall semester? Tell us on our Facebook page! |
Using Gospel Appointments to Reach Students
Need help connecting with the students in your community? We can't assume that students today know anything about Jesus, or the church. The best way to help them understand is to explain it to them, intentionally. Gospel appointments are a simple and effective way to connect with students in any context who are not yet believers. As the name suggests, " it’s a planned time to get to know someone and share the gospel personally." Paul & David Worcester and BCNet have designed a great website with all of the information you need to train students to share through gospel appointments. For the full resource go to https://gospelappointments.com/ |
Life on Life. It's Important.
In 2018 America time is a more precious commodity than money. We just don't have enough of it. We prioritize tasks and use "work arounds" to get things done. College ministry is built on relationships, and relationships take time. There is no "work around" for that. Here's why it's so important. College students need individuals not institutions. No longer do students trust the institution of the church just because it is the church. They need to see the church in action, individuals living out the call of Christ in community. They need to see the church being the church. This cannot happen at one weekly meeting. College students need models not instructors.Don't tell them; show them. They can find all of the information they need on Google. They need someone to model how to walk with Jesus through the ups and downs of daily life. As Paul said, "follow me as I follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1)." College students need the freedom to ask real questions. No one asks a stranger their most pressing life questions. They ask someone they trust. Trust only comes in relationship. Many students are looking for someone to confide in, someone they can trust to ask those life questions. Earn the right to listen to them by investing your time with them. If you lead a large group you cannot spend quality time with every student. You will need to enlist others to help. But you must invest in some. Students are watching. There is no substitute for life on life ministry with college students. So, clear your calendar and jump in with both feet. It's important. |
What Happens After Spring Break?
Students Lead in 2018
Last week student leaders from across the state of Texas met together for the State Lead Team Winter Summit. These leaders will represent Texas Baptist Student Ministry and college ministry in Texas Baptist churches for 2018. At the Summit they were challenged to be on mission where God has placed them for this season of life. Here are a few takeaways:
Pray for these leaders and others as they return to campus, that they would be on mission to reach the students of Texas with the gospel in 2018. Our thanks to Caleb Crider from the International Mission Board for sharing these ideas and his insight with us at the Summit. |
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