DO:

1. Make it Christ-centered and unapologetically Christian; keep it based on the biblical revelation.
2. Make it alive with the interests and needs of students, majoring on the people rather than the program.
3. Let it minister to the total person.
4. Remember that each ministry must be tailored to its own situation.
5. Gear it to teaching basic critical thinking skills allowing students to find their own answers.
6. Arrange for a healthy relationship of evangelism and ministry.
7. Enrich it with music, drama, art, and recreation, and utilize visuals.
8. Let it be flexible and innovative; use a variety of methods to educate and motivate students.

DON'T:

1. Plan and conduct a ministry for students; do it with them.
2. Create a new organization if an existing one can do the job.
3. Undertake more than you can do well.
4. Let the ministry get out of balance or one-sided, but keep it well-rounded.
5. Forget to integrate this ministry with the whole church program.
6. Neglect to answer objections to the ministry in a thoughtful and considerate way.

Contributed by Joe Clontz, Former Student Ministry Consultant, Baptist State Convention of North Carolina