As I write, I'm overhearing a conversation about the overabundance of resources available for children's church ministries. In fact, these people are comparing them, talking about what they include, their pros and cons, and whether or not they have video aspects or ongoing training pieces included for their volunteers. They are now doing an Internet search and differentiating price points between similar curricula.

A plethora of resources is readily available for areas such as children's ministry, evangelism, leadership, teaching and even student ministries. Resources include books, podcasts, curriculum, magazines and conferences. There have been decades and in some cases centuries of history from which expertise in these areas has been developed.

What about college ministry? What past effective college ministries can give us insight? What resources can church-based leaders depend on for help and training? Are there any conferences or curricula available?

I can answer those questions with a bit of excitement, as well as discouragement. The truth is, resources are limited; but more are on the way. This is the part that's exciting for me. Very exciting.

The number of churches desiring to do something for college age people is growing daily. More and more leaders realize that high school graduation has changed from being a right of passage into adulthood to merely the next stage of education for many students. People are recognizing that the college-age stage of life is a time of searching, forming an identity and all too often, confusion. Thankfully, leaders are realizing the college age stage of life is a unique phase that requires specific attention.

Timeless Principles

To be effective with college age students, you don't need a band and a great speaker. The wonderful programmatic aspects you use to attract a crowd are not what will make your ministry succeed. You don't need another church service geared specifically for them. Believe it or not, you don't even need another budget line. College ministry is not youth ministry on steroids. It is much more simple.

The main thing needed for effective college ministry is a pool of dedicated volunteers who can spend time walking alongside these young adults, teaching them and helping them live out what they already know. These volunteers need to be older, mature believers who are able to show what it means to be deeply committed to the simple truths of Scripture. Adults are needed who are willing to open up their lives to these individuals and give them glimpses into real life experiences such as their marriages, their home life as they rear their children and their viewpoints about using vocation as a mission field.

If we're going to talk about effective approaches that are timeless, we need to look at Jesus. He simply walked alongside people, teaching them as He went through life. Those He discipled walked in and out of circumstances with Him. They watched His life. When they saw Him do something they didn't understand, they asked Him about it. Jesus did much more than provide information; He imparted wisdom into their lives. He showed them what it meant to be faithful by letting people into His life.