From the time we were kids—and were convinced that there was something under our bed when the lights were turned out—we’ve dealt with fear as a part of life. The older we get, the things that we fear simply change. In a sense, our fears seem to grow up just as we do. We find ourselves wondering: Will I find a job after I graduate college? Will I spend the rest of my life single? Does anyone really know who I am? As I have conversations with young adults, I continue to hear those questions of worry and fear. I’ve noticed that these … [Read more...]
Is 2020 Your Church’s Year to Reach the College Campus?
It’s that time again! We are almost at the beginning of a new year and waiting out before us is a whole stretch of unknown opportunities and challenges. I don’t know about you, but the thought of embarking on a God-sized challenge can be more than a little daunting. But, if you’ve ever had the thought that this might be the year God is calling you to launch out into something new, the benefits and joy of following Him will far exceed the uneasiness we feel before taking that first step. If you are just getting started ministering to … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Why Your Ministry Might Not Be Going Anywhere
I don't know about you, but I want to be part of leading a ministry that's on the move. I want to be part of leading a ministry that's being used by God to change the world around me. So, what do you do when it seems like your ministry isn't going anywhere? What do you do when your ministry hits a plateau? For many of us, we probably pull out our notes from the last conference we went to or maybe we pick up a book on church growth. Before you do that though, I want to suggest you first ask yourself 3 questions that might help you … [Read more...]
5 Things Your Church Can Do to Reach and Impact College Students
A church does not have to be a "super church” or have hundreds at a weekly student gathering to reach and impact college students for faith in Christ. Your church might just have 35 every week or that might be the core that will broaden your impact. But, each individual student has the possibility of being a world impact person. I've never forgotten the story about the church that had a two-week revival and only one little boy came to faith in Christ. Whatever happened to Billy Graham anyway? Regardless of the size of your … [Read more...]
Don’t Forget to Ask! 7 Ways to Pray for Young Adults
“Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.” I John 5:14-15 There is a key word in this scripture from I John that I simply can’t stop thinking about. That word “confidence” just keeps jumping out at me and stirring in my heart. As young adult ministry leaders, we should (and often do) find the latest and best resources available for small groups and Bible study. We strive … [Read more...]
The “To Do List” of a Young Adult Small Group Leader
If you’ve led some type of young adult small group for any period of time, you know there are “things to do” each week. Eventually, these things become second nature as you learn and grow as a group leader. And, the longer you lead, the more you recognize the importance of these habits. So, what does a new small group leader need to know? Here are eight things to consider: Have a plan for the next group gathering. Always be thinking ahead about where the group is going as you pursue together what it means to be fully devoted … [Read more...]
Quick Reminders for Fall
It’s Fall, which means semesters are beginning, students are arriving, and excitement is in the air on many college campuses. These are the days we love as college ministers! These are also the days when we need a few reminders as twelve-hour days seem to never end. 1. Students see things we don’t. Think about all the places your students go that you don’t. From dorm rooms to vehicles, students are involved in deep conversations. The reality is that students trust each other more than an adult at times. Have we trained our students … [Read more...]
3 Essentials for Connecting with Young Adults
He was your server at your favorite restaurant after church on Sunday. She was sitting next to you on your bus commute this morning. They get together as a group at your local coffee shop. They fill your local college campus from August until May every year. Who are they? They are young adults (a.k.a…Millennials or Generation Z or 20-somethings or college kids or young professionals or the list goes on). In our communities from the rural towns of Alabama to the major metropolitan cities of Seattle and Nashville, young adults are … [Read more...]
Grace. What Does it Really Mean?
The Greek word for grace is charis, and there’s no question of its importance in biblical theology. Charis appears 116 times in the New Testament. There’s a lot about grace in Scripture because it’s the message of Jesus. Grace means favor. It means acceptance. It means giving. Grace is free in the sense that something done or given in grace is done so without expecting to receive anything in return. Grace isn’t dependent on the way it’s received, the moral goodness of the one receiving it, or even that person’s ability to rightly … [Read more...]
Leading Together: Connecting Campus-Based and Church-Based Collegiate Ministers
At times leading a young adult ministry can be lonely and at times too many leaders make moving forward impossible. What if we could find the right balance for our individual contexts that allow ministry to flourish and more disciples to be made? Common goals are needed as well as a vision for accomplishing something great before people will follow a leader and especially before leaders can work together. Over my years in college ministry I have had students step down from volunteer leadership positions, be asked to step away from … [Read more...]
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