It’s exam time on campus…
And I guess it only makes sense that at the end of the semester we would put ourselves through a “final exam” of sorts… right?
With all that has happened and hasn’t happened, with all of the feelings of relief, release, regret, re-ady to be done-ness… it is important for us to consider how we might make these final couple of weeks before the Christmas holiday most fruitful?
It may very well be that REST is what’s most necessary… especially if we’re not feeling like there are major issues that need to be addressed over the break regarding changes that need to be implemented for the spring semester of ministry…
If you’ve had a semester like mine, however, the next couple of weeks might be critical to turning the tide of your ministry.
But where to begin???
As of right now, our team has dedicated 4 half days this week to prayerfully engaging in the following tasks:
- Assessing our current ministries and ministry context – what do we really know about this place and do the ministry opportunities we offer really meet the needs of our students? How do we know this?
- Re-visit our mission, vision and purpose – given the insights and revelations from our time of assessment, do our mission, vision and purposes for ministry on this campus still make sense? If not, what changes need to be made?
- Examining our current model of ministry – if changes to our approach to ministry are deemed necessary, it might mean that a new model – or framework – for ministry might also be necessary. What has worked in the past, or on other campuses, may no longer work in our current ministry environment.
- Identifying promising strategies – what are some of the key relationships and partnerships (on and off campus) that need to be invested in, how do we need to reconsider our marketing, branding, etc. What events do we need to re/consider?
While I might rather find myself looking at the front end of a peaceful, holiday season hibernation, I am excited about the chance to prayerfully come before the Lord with the team He has assembled here and consider where we are and where we need to go.
If you have found yourself in this place before I’d love to hear from you about what you have found to be helpful and fruitful in this kind of process.
Grace and peace to you this Christmas season!
