Reaching Greeks
| 2017-01-12 00:00:00 -0500
Insight from a former sorority sister on how to do Greek ministry at a secular university.
First things first, I'm not an expert on Greek ministry. Not even kind of. Nearly five years ago, I saw a need in our church and was crazy enough to think God could use me in this space. All of my insight/input/tips/whatever you want to call it are from my imperfect experience in Greek ministry at Ohio State. We by no means have it figured out, but we're trying new things and humbly admitting we have no idea what we're doing, which leaves a lot of space for God's grace.
- Here's a secret. Greek students are people. They aren't a scary, forbidden, untouchable part of campus. They're a group of men and women just like us who need just as much love and grace as any other student.
- Stop fearing the stereotypes and learn. Dig in. Ask questions. Know the lingo. The difference between a TG and a date party. Educate yourself on your school’s Greek system. Each chapter is different, and it's important to know a little about them.
- There is a difference between students who intentionally enter Greek life for the sake of ministry and those who are already in Greek life but are involved in your church. Not everyone entered a sorority or fraternity with intentions of outreach-focused ministry. Know the difference and which group of students you’re serving. Are you serving students already involved in Greek life and are trying to figure out what they believe/how to follow Jesus in their house? Or are you working with a student who joined a fraternity/sorority with the main focus of sharing Jesus with his or her brothers and sisters? Each student will probably need a different type of coaching or discipling.
- Individual discipleship is everything. At Ohio State it’s been difficult to see growth from large group meetings, probably because Greek students are already in a large, social community. We’ve seen a lot more growth through coffee dates, getting in the Word together and getting to know individuals deeply.
- This ministry will likely look vastly different from any of your traditional campus life groups/teams/cell groups/insert your term here. Greeks are debatably over-involved in different clubs and organizations, and it may be difficult to have a consistent group coming to your event each week. For example, we went through a month where three weeks in a row our Greek-focused Bible study was cancelled because of different Greek events. It was tempting to feel like a failure and compare Greek ministry to the thriving, campus-focused ministry in our church, but I had to remember that God loves these students far more than I ever could. Give yourself some grace and roll with the ever-changing Greek schedule.
We by no means have it figured out, but we're trying new things and humbly admitting we have no idea what we're doing, which leaves a lot of space for God's grace.
Greek ministry is all kinds of beautiful, challenging, frustrating, and rewarding. It isn’t perfect, but the most important piece of truth I can give you is to love people freely and genuinely right where they are — no matter how they spent their weekend or what life choices they made. Be in the mess with them and love them in the crazy, lavish, doesn’t-make-sense way that Jesus loved you.
