Time. No matter where you live, the language you speak, or your occupation, we all have a set number of hours every day to use at our discretion. And that’s where the problem arises: The discretion for how we utilize our time is in our hands. I continually hear friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers indicate that they “never have enough time.” To be honest, I've said those exact words myself recently. With all of life's responsibilities, people are stressed out, exhausted, and constantly on the go, trying to make use of … [Read more...]
Friday Links
Here are some articles, blogs, and podcasts from this past week that you may find helpful as you work with young adults in your church and community. “How to Kick Start a College Ministry in 12 Months: Part 1” by Brian Frye It’s almost time for college students to head back to campus. Frye gives insight on how to begin a college ministry in your church and why it’s one of the most significant ways to impact your community with the gospel. “How to Respond to a Culture You Don’t Like Anymore” by Carey Nieuwhof As young adult … [Read more...]
Jesus Loves Pancakes
As you read this, hundreds of college students are in Panama City Beach, Florida this week and next week (March 4-10 and March 11-17) to do something that can only be described as counter-cultural. College students and leaders from churches and collegiate ministries all over the United States are taking part in Beach Reach 2017 where they'll be pointing their peers toward the hope that is in Jesus and Jesus alone. They'll do this by serving them, loving them, and being a light for the gospel in a place that can be quite … [Read more...]
Is 2017 Your Church’s Year to Reach the College Campus?
It’s that time again! We are 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 I’m still at the point where I’m just trying to remember to use a seven instead of a six when writing the date on things so the thought of embarking on some 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 … [Read more...]
4 Key Questions For A Ministry In Decline
If you've been in a ministry leadership role with college students or young adults for any amount of time, you've seen it happen. If it hasn't happened to you yet, it will. Here’s the scenario: Your ministry is booming. People are showing up. Everyone seems engaged with others. There’s a general sense that you have things figured out in the collegiate/young adult ministry model. And then it happens. The bottom drops out from under you with no warning. Suddenly, people are skipping your Sunday morning gathering time. The missions … [Read more...]
The Ugly Truth About College Students And The Gospel
Here’s the ugly truth about college students and sharing Christ: Based on our understanding from research and personal experience, it’s clear that typical Christian college students do not regularly share their faith. Most Christian collegians have never even attempted to share the gospel with another person. Eating the Elephant of Gospel Cloistering In October 2011, a group of college ministry leaders gathered for an evangelism think tank to process the problem of Christian college students cloistering, or secluding, the … [Read more...]
3 Things To Consider “As We Go”
Have you ever wondered how your dentist really learned how to fill a cavity? Or how about the guy that roofed your house last summer? How did he learn how to perfectly align the shingles so that your roof would not leak? Likely, these practitioners learned by watching someone. Sure, they took some classes, watched a video, and maybe took some tests, but the real learning came from watching a real-life practitioner do the job. They watched them do it perfectly. And they watched them mess up and start over again. It was on-the-job … [Read more...]
Why Faith Is A Must During College
Ever heard the following statement? “Experimenting is normal. It’s just what college kids do.” I don’t know about you, but I fell for that ploy hook-line-and-sinker. I dared not question that the “rules” of my faith did not have to follow me into college. And why would I? I was given that subtle but very understood "go ahead" to party, experiment, and party some more. It was bliss (or so I thought). I mean, who would question that rite of passage? I attended a football game recently at a very well renowned … [Read more...]
3 Scandalous Sides to Young Adult Ministry
This past weekend I read a scandalous story. It’s a story of cheating, being taken advantage of, and losing everything. But it’s one of the most wonderful stories ever told. My daily Bible reading took me to the Old Testament prophet Hosea and his story of marrying a girl named Gomer who was promiscuous in almost every way imaginable. But Hosea loved Gomer, even when Gomer didn't return that love. Hosea bought her back even though she was technically already his. He gave it all. She was unfaithful. He was faithful. Even in today’s … [Read more...]
Why Churches Need To Get In The Game
Every college town in North America is gearing up for the most exciting time of the year. It’s time for the fall semester--it’s game time! Students are on their way back to their campuses by the thousands. According to the National Center of Education Statistics, there were 21.8 million college students who attended colleges and universities in the Fall of 2013. From all indications, that number will continue to grow as the Millennials and Generation Z find their way to campus. Colleges and universities are reporting record numbers … [Read more...]