Questions to Assist Program Development

Peer Ministry for Campus Ministry Partner Congregations [Part 5 of 11]

You want to have a program that is flexible enough to deal with contingencies, but structured enough to offer accountability and a quality ministry. At the outset there are a number of issues to be considered.

1.What is the stated mission of your entire ministry?  How might gaps in the present ministry program be met through a peer ministry program? How will a peer ministry program fit into the goals and mission of the entire ministry? 

2.What are the physical resources available to your ministry?  Do you have space to house a resident peer ministry community? Will the legal requirements for housing in your area allow its use? Do you have a source of funding that will make a stipend possible? Is there a meeting area available for the community? Is there an office space available for student peers to use? 

3.What human resources are available to your ministry?  What support for training and support of student peers is available through the student services department of your university or college? How might local clergy assist as resources for training and spiritual support of the program? Are there professors at the university who might assist with leadership development? Who are the persons and programs available to the ministry for referral of students who have specific needs? 

4.What needs are present within the university community?  Which of the needs will be met by a student peer program? Are there some needs that will be beyond the ability of the students to meet? If so, how will they be met? 

5.What areas of the ministry are able to be met by students?  What are the strengths of the present staff at the ministry site? How might a student peer ministry program compliment the strengths of the staff?

Answering the above questions may require the involvement of the church council. The student services offices of the college or university will be of assistance.