Getting People to Care

Last night, my wife and I watched Snow White and the Huntsman. Despite the hype that it's better than the other Snow White movie, tt fell short for me (Being a self-proclaimed amateur movie critic that I am). Make no mistake this one's way better than the other by eons (I haven't seen it but upon seeing the trailer I already crossed it out. My wife saw it and didn't like it also). So here's why it fell short. The movie couldn't make me care enough. Despite the awesome CG effects, the dark twists and the hype, the story telling was unevenly paced and wanting even for a good two movie hours. The acting was forgivable, but I always look for the story. Is there something worthwhile to tell? And how well you tell it.

Then I begin to think about how it relates to doing campus ministry. Particularly, how you encourage leaders and pastors to "care" for the campus. A fellow campus worker by the name of Joe Bonifacio observed that it's not that our leaders do not care for campus ministry. Put yourself in a minister's shoes. Imagine, the people and things that are begging for his attention daily. Visitation in the morning, a baby dedication at lunch, a counseling session in the afternoon, a prayer meeting in the evening. As much as he wants to get involved in campus ministry, sometimes he's just too busy, or don't know where to begin.

So the challenge for us who rally our local churches to do campus ministry is to get them to see and catch the vision, and more importantly, get involved. Here are some ways to get people to "care" (in no particular order):

1. Simplify and streamline - Simple is always better. Simple does not mean cheap. Your audience will ignore your presentation, much less get involved if it's too complicated and unclear. Simplify and clarify your message, focus on the "most important thing". Streamline and standardize the way you do things so it can be easily followed.


2. Market the product with excellence - Ministry and volunteerism is not an excuse for a lousy, ill-presented message. In fact, if we think that the gospel is the world's ultimate need, we need to present it with utmost relevance, creativity and excellence. I think it's time to move out from a mindset of immediately pulling the plug on any idea that is new, creative, means are outside of our personal preference, things we don't immediately comprehend, or ways unlike what we've done in the past. Only the Message is unchangeable and timeless, not our methods.


3. Rally behind a powerful message - Bank on the timelessness of our Message. What I appreciate about the ministry of Chi Alpha is that it runs, operates, lives and breathes on the power of vision. It always amazes me how our teams serve as volunteers, campus workers, who raise their own funds to travel or board a plane to go to a place where the message is needed. It isn't even primarily because of our relationships in the teams that got us together. We were drawn by a cause that is worth our life and resources.


4. Sample by Stories - One way to incarnate an abstract message is by telling stories. First, know the core values of your organization. And when you find true stories from the field that clearly illustrates one of these core values, make a mental note of it, or better yet, write it down. Share it. Tell how the ministry is touching real lives. I'm currently reading Revolutions in World Missions and the stories are so real that it compels me to care. Rather than just having them listen to the things that should be done, throw in there how the ministry is touching lives.


5. Build relationships - This I think is the most potent means to get our message across. Build and nurture your relationship with your audience. John Maxwell said it, "People don't care how much you know, until people know how much you care." Chi Alpha US director Scott Martin emphasizes that the kingdom of God is built on relationships. Our message caters to real people, they are not ministry projects. There's a way of softening hearts when you level with them, listen, and find a common ground. Seek and build relationship while you're at it. It will take you farther than any kind of ministry strategy can.