The first few weeks in college ministry can be exciting- full of successes and incredible momentum.
- Huge weekly meeting numbers
- Students trusting Christ
- New student leaders boldly leading for Christ
But it can also be deflating - full of setbacks and disappointments.
- Student leaders bailing
- Freshmen Bible studies where 1 person shows up
- Weekly meetings of 40 people (when you were hoping for 200)
- Repeatedly getting stood up on appointments/follow up
And sometimes it’s both within the same week or even the same day.
A COUPLE THINGS THAT GET ME THROUGH THE SETBACKS – ONE PROFOUNDLY SPIRITUAL, THE OTHER RATHER UNSPIRITUAL BUT, AT LEAST FOR ME, VERY HELPFUL.
1) THE IRRESISTIBLE ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL
2) LEADERS EAT PROBLEMS FOR BREAKFAST
I love how the first couple chapters of II Corinthians contrast Paul’s inner anguish/external setbacks with the irresistible advance of the gospel:
- His experience is anxiety, setbacks, persecution and weakness
- But he sums up his reality with: “But thanks to God, who in Christ ALWAYS leads us in triumphal procession and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere” II Cor. 2:14
Regardless of circumstances and setbacks, he has a deep conviction that God is working in and through Him , that the Kingdom of God WILL advance. Comforting to know during the trials of the first few weeks of ministry.
I know it’s not super spiritual, but a key thought that keeps me going during these first few weeks when problems are many and chaos reigns: Leaders eat problems for breakfast.
If there were no problems, there would be no need for leaders.
So the University banning us from a dorm, not having a weekly meeting venue until the DAY OF, team conflict, failed Bible studies, discouraged student leaders/staff . . . are all opportunities for leadership!
And the good news?
That we, like Paul, may be “burdened beyond our strength. . . but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God” II Cor. 1:9
God has you on your campus to lead for Him so that “the knowledge of Him will spread everywhere”.
WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRST FEW WEEKS’ TRIALS AND PROBLEMS?
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