Today marks my one-year anniversary as the Chaplain at Ohio Northern University, and what a year it has been! At this time last year, I was busy filling out employment paperwork, finding my way around campus, and figuring out how being a college chaplain is different from being the pastor of a church. Boy, is it different! I’ve learned a lot of things over the last 52 weeks, but I thought I’d share 52 of my favorite lessons from my first year as a chaplain. Here they are, in no particular order:
- There is never a dull moment in campus ministry.
- You can get more done over one cup of coffee than in three hours of meetings.
- Don’t be afraid to try new things, or do old things in new ways.
- You are not an authority. On anything. (Get used to it.)
- The people in Student Affairs are your best friends. Get to know them.
- Word spreads fast on a small university campus.
- Meetings sometimes start late. Like, really late. Sometimes 9 or 10 at night late.
- Freshmen look scared, but what they sometimes don’t realize is that inside, they are braver than they think.
- Seniors (and P5s/P6s) look like they have everything under control, but sometimes on the inside they are more scared than the freshmen.
- Faculty members are not the enemy. In fact, they can be the chaplain’s biggest ally.
- Never put your robe on too early before an academic ceremony—it can get hot!
- Being part of a “platform party” is not as fun as it sounds.
- The leadership potential of emerging adults is tremendous.
- Part of the chaplain’s job is to encourage and draw out leadership potential in students who seem least likely to possess it.
- People of different faiths and belief systems can get along if they are authentic in expressing who they are and what they believe.
- Prayers don’t have to end “In Jesus’ name…” to be in Jesus’ name.
- If you’re not sure about your theology, you soon will be.
- Plan.
- Do a review after every event.
- Utilize the talents and gifts of others.
- Take time off.
- Be prepared for times of great busyness and activity, followed by periods of quiet and solitude.
- Make good use of school breaks.
- Find out where things are on campus. Take frequent walks. If you’re wearing school colors/logo, someone will stop and ask you for directions.
- Meet students where they are, but don’t leave them there.
- A college campus is like an ecosystem—everything works best when there is a balance.
- If you tell someone that you are not very busy, they will find something for you to do.
- Having an “elevator speech” about your project/program is essential.
- The chaplain’s “congregation” leaves town at Christmas and Easter—this can lead to a lot of extra adrenaline over the holidays.
- Strive to maintain your personal spiritual disciplines.
- Build a good relationship with your building custodian/housekeeper.
- (Almost) everything they taught you in seminary about being a good pastor applies to being a good chaplain.
- The things that don’t apply are crucial, and should be respected.
- You don’t have to preach for 30 minutes to get your message across.
- Most of the time, you don’t have to preach at all.
- The message isn’t yours, anyway. It’s God’s.
- A good administrative assistant is worth his/her weight in gold.
- When a student comes into your office and says, “Can we talk?” get ready for some serious listening!
- Always show up at a campus event ready to pray, if asked.
- Get to know the academic deans and their staff members.
- The same applies to the people in financial affairs, admissions, security, athletics—you name it.
- Never neglect time with your family.
- Clergy and parachurch organization colleagues are precious resources.
- Reach out to local churches—be a “fill-in” preacher.
- Be a part of a small group where you aren’t seen as ‘the chaplain’ for one hour a week.
- Network with other chaplains and campus ministers.
- Learn how to use social media.
- Build up your student leaders. Train and encourage them.
- Show up at student events.
- Campus ministry is not “Youth Ministry 2.0”
- Campus ministry does not exist in a vacuum separate from the Church.
- Campus ministry is the hardest, but most rewarding, work I have ever done.
Well, that’s it–52 things I’ve learned over the past year as a chaplain. There have been many, many more things I’ve learned, but these are my favorite. It’s been a steep learning curve, but I’ve really felt blessed this year to have the opportunity to work with such wonderful students, faculty and staff, and I look forward to many years more.
Blessings,
David
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