Transitioning High School Students into College Ministry
Every year that I have been a Youth Pastor, I have organized a High School Graduation Recognition event that formally recognizes all the graduates as they move into a new stage in their life. As I transition this summer into focusing on college and young adult ministry, I believe that it is vitally important that we transition high school graduates into this new stage in life well and provide them an opportunity to stay connected to the body of Christ. Too many students graduate into college and then fall off the face of the earth rarely ever to return to Church and a relationship with Christ again. As youth, college and young adult ministers, we have to be the bridge that closes the gap between high school and adulthood.
In light of this, here are just a few ways I thought of how we can transition high school graduates into college ministry:
- Start by building & continuing relationships. Believe me, I know that with limited resources and time commitments, it can be very difficult to start a college ministry. If you don’t have a college ministry, you don’t have to start big and have a huge program immediately. In fact, in all the things that I am learning, it is probably best for you not to start with a program at all. You need to start with relationships. That way you are keeping college students connected in relationships/friendships that they had throughout high school. And, hopefully, it will keep them connected into the life of the Church. Even at church on Sunday mornings, make it a priority to connect with the college students and even sit together during Church. Then go out to lunch afterwards. Starting small is ok, as long as you are just starting and building those relationships.
- Have a H.S. Graduation Recognition & Celebration. This is an opportunity for you, as the church, to recognize the achievement of the high school graduates in your congregation. You can recognize them during the church service and then you can celebrate their achievement after the service with a lunch. It is at that celebration that you invite the current college students and young adults in your congregation to come as well. By having the college students and young adults come, you are doing 2 things: 1. giving everyone a vision for being involved in a new, up and coming ministry that your church is excited about and 2. connecting current and new students together. The college students get to interact them with the rising students while hopefully encouraging them in important life lessons they learned during the day. It can be a great lunch for developing and building relationships.
- Connect with para-church & college campus ministries. Para-church ministries such as Young Life and F.C.A. are middle and high school oriented. But what happens to their students once they graduate into college or the workforce and do not have a church to go to? Usually nothing. That is why it benefits you to build relationships with those para-church and campus ministry leaders so that maybe you can help engage those students into what you all are offering at your church. Even if it is just you inviting more students to socials (see below) or a Bible study, you are building a base of students you can be inviting people to. And this gives you a chance to develop relationships with more students.
- Do some Mixers. I’m not talking about icebreaker mixers. I’m talking about socials. Socials are a regular part of the college world and it is a great way for students to come to a non-threatening environment, invite some friends and make some new friendships. Strategically plan a few of these 1-2 a month to get started. Also, in getting started, take a few college students out and ask them what kind of mixers or events they would want to come to. I took a few students out a few weeks ago and I got a ton of great ideas (unfortunately, not many of them mine:)).
These are some of the things I am learning and trying in transitioning students into college ministry. I know that as a Youth Pastor, I have a lot to learn about doing this ministry effective. But, I am trying. So, college and young adult ministers, what are some helpful suggestions you can offer me and others who find themselves working in this great and extremely important age group?
Also, this is for everyone, TAKE A MINUTE and think through my 4 suggestions.
- What has been your experiences for transitioning high school students into college ministry? Did I miss something that you have found helpful in your experiences? If so, share it below.
- What is at least one of these suggestions that you can do this week? Maybe it is making a database of all the college aged students you know and setting up meetings with them to reconnect with them. Maybe it is getting on Facebook and promoting a mixer you have planned (that is one thing I did this week for a mixer I’m planning for next week – interesting idea that I’ll blog about next week). Regardless of what it is, the point is to get out and make some progress in reaching college students for Christ and bridging them into adulthood.
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Tom: First of all – It's always great to hear there are Youth Ministers/Pastors that are aware of the need to build bridges between high school ministries and college ministries. The transition is awful.
The first resource I would direct any youth minister/pastor to is their own denomination. From there, you can begin working on a mission-network, building relationships with Campus Ministers/Pastors who share like-minded theology, doctrine, and ecclesiastical values. They can tell you from their experiences what they need most from Youth Ministers/Pastors. And you can do the same in returen. (PS: They also usually make GREAT High School / Middle School Retreat speakers!)
But that's only a starting point. The second resource would be connecting with ALL of the Campus Minister(s)/Pastor(s) at any nearby colleges & universities. Host them for a special breakfast, introduce them to your church, and ask them what their biggest needs are, and how your church can help.
Too often, churches (and Youth Ministers) make the mistake of either (a) completely cutting the relationship with their new collegians all together, (b) trying to start the next great "College Program" and/or (c) expecting their college students to be at church every Sunday with 20+ of their new college buddies. All of which are completely unrealistic.
The solution is finding ways to support your collegians from a distance (if they're far off) without being overbearing (has the opposite effect), offering a home-away-from-home church for students in your college town, and partnering with campus-based ministries throughout your community, your region, your state, and your denomination and/or "national network" if you're not part of a denomination.
One of the greatest ideas I can offer: Know where your students are going to college. Don't kinda know; don't sorta have an idea… KNOW. Then, reach out to the local Campus Minister there (via phone call, skype, email, whatever) and setup a "handoff." Entrust them to care for your student while they're in college. And occasionally, send them a $10 gift card to Starbucks to take said student out for a coffee, your treat. Let your student know that you'll be doing this, and that you'll be sending the gift card to John Doe, the Campus Minister for ABC Campus Ministry at USA University.
Grace and peace.
That is such a great suggestion and something that I definitely have to be better at. I have to do a better job of connecting my students who go away with a Campus Minister or other Para-Church ministries. Thanks for your comment!