Chapter planting in a Greek ministry context - Ministry Exchange (MX)

Chapter planting in the Greek Ministry context
Supplement to the InterVarsity Chapter Planting Manual
Mindy Meier

Inter Varsity staff who seek to plant a new Greek chapter will find the
Chapter Planting Manual to be of tremendous help. It is a wonderful
compilation of resources drawing experience from many of the great minds of
InterVarsity. This Greek supplemental paper is intended to be used
alongside the Chapter Planting Manual by contributing a few ideas that have
been helpful in starting Greek chapters.

The importance of setting realistic numerical goals
One item worth noting is the suggested numbers expected at certain stages
of the ministry. Most of us who are Greek want very much to succeed and
measure up to the expectations placed in front of us. It is easy for our
performance issues to kick in when we see numbers. It is worth noting that
Greek ministry numbers will be very different, depending on certain
factors.

. How large is the Greek System you are seeking to reach . . . 70 or 700 or 7000? . Is there another ministry on campus reaching Greeks? . Is your school in the Bible Belt, the rocky soil of New England, or the surf culture of California? . How strong is InterVarsity on your target campus and in your area?

It would be good for the Greek planter to sit down with his or her
supervisor and secondary supervisor and talk through realistic numbers.
Together set your number goals with this information in mind.

The Six Essentials in the Greek context

Essential #1: Prayer

New Paradigms for Prayer
Several Greek IV ministries have shifted from the traditional prayer
meeting to “Happy Hour” on Friday afternoons from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. They
gather for community, prayer and an inexpensive dinner out. This is a great
window of time when students are done with class and want to kick back and
hang out with friends, yet have their Friday night open for house
activities. Greeks expect to be at some “Happy Hour” on Friday afternoon,
why not make it a Greek IV one?

Essential #2: Vision

Greeks are leaders looking for a God-sized adventure
The Greek system is filled with leaders. You will find them in leadership
positions all over campus, but many are looking for a God-sized adventure,
something big enough to capture their imagination. Being part of a new
ministry like Greek IV is very attractive to them. You are looking for
leaders you can nourish and develop. Greeks need to see themselves growing
in responsibility and influence. They should feel developed as leaders, not
exploited or drained. Greeks are energized by being part of something new
and potentially big. Share stories of how Greek IV got started at other
campuses and how God is working there. Don’t be deterred by people who seem
crazy busy. They are the movers and shakers who will get things done. They
just need to be captured by your vision for the ministry. Create ownership
and help them see themselves as stock holders.

Essentials #3: Outreach

Make connections with the Pan-Hellenic Office and the Inter-Fraternity
Council
You will want to begin your ministry plant by becoming very familiar with
the Greek system at your campus. Visit the Pan-Hellenic office and Inter-
Fraternity council office. Introduce yourself, and share with them your
purpose for being on campus. Often the Inter-fraternity council and the Pan-
Hellenic office will put out a Greek guide. This may be used for
rush/recruitment. See if you can have a copy. You may be able to buy space
in the Greek guide to advertise Greek IV. They may also be willing to let
you put a flyer in the rush packets. Ask their advice in starting a
Christian ministry to Greeks. Find out from them about how Greek IV can
become an official student organization on campus. Find out about
procedures to reserve rooms. Get their opinion about finding a very Greek
friendly place to meet for Bible study or prayer or catalytic event. Ask
the Greek Life person about other good ways to get the word out. Get their
business card. Cultivate this relationship. Leave them your card or a
brochure about Greek IV. Take a clip board with you so you can take notes
on what they say. This conveys respect and will also help you jot down
information they give you. Pop in every couple of months to say hi.

How to let people know about Greek IV
Study communication patterns used among Greeks. How are invitations issued?
If a fraternity wants to get the word out about a kegger, how do they
invite people? If someone is turning 21 in the house, how are people
invited to join in the celebration? If a sorority is sponsoring a walk for
breast cancer, how do they get others on board? After you study
communication patterns, think about which ones will work for your ministry.
Use communication patterns that are typical for your campus. Chalk
sidewalks, put table tents in the student union on food tables, tack
posters to kiosks, etc. Think outside the box. Put up flyers in bathrooms
of popular campus bars letting people know you exist. Your publicity could
say something like: “Looking for something more? Come join us! Greek
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at _______” The Greek IV web site has
some great publicity you can download. My favorite is the two street signs
intersecting: “Greek” and “Christian” …where being Greek and Christian
come together. Go to the regular InterVarsity website which is
www.intervarsity.org and on the left side bar click on “Greek.” There you
will find publicity help and other help in starting Greek ministries.

Some schools have a mandatory rush information meeting. When people leave
that meeting you can pass out flyers about Greek IV. This lets Christians
who are thinking about rushing know that there is support for their faith
in the Greek system. Some Christians will go ahead and rush knowing there
is a Christian group for them.

You may want to come up with a few talks that could be given in Greek
houses on time management, spiritual life, body image, eating disorders,
etc. Many houses are required to have a certain number of programs per
semester and are frankly looking for things to meet quota. This lets you
get your foot in the door and meet people. If you are wise on a non-
religious topic, you build credibility to be seen as wise in spiritual
matters.

Of course your main goal at the beginning is to find Greek Christians or
Greeks open to the gospel. As you meet people in town and share with them
your ministry, write down any leads you get. Follow up those leads. Other
ways to generate contacts is through visiting houses or chapters. Ring the
doorbell and introduce yourself. Think of what your first line will be.
“Hi, my name is Joe Peterson and I am starting a new group on campus for
Greeks who are interested in spiritual things. Is there anyone in your
house that is a Christian, or goes to church or is interested in spiritual
things?” Often there is that one guy who everyone knows goes to church and
is a Christian. If he is not home, leave a personal note with a brochure
about Greek IV. Other good contacts are presidents and chaplains for the
houses. Contact them and let them know about your newly emerging ministry.

Doing dinner announcements at houses is another great way to get the word
out about Greek IV. If possible have people give short, enthusiastic
announcements during dinner time. One team can hit four houses during a
dinner time if the houses are close together. Have people wear their
letters. If possible have girls go to the fraternity houses and guys go to
the sorority houses. In addition to the cross gender intrigue, with the
opposite sex there is no competition. Some schools have deep competition
and rivalry between fraternities. You do not want to ignite this. The ATO’s
will not be receptive to announcements given by Sigma Chi’s. Girls are more
respected at fraternities and will be listened to. Similarly the girls will
listen more attentively to guys.

Another place to garner contacts is your campus activity fair. Most schools
have one day that different clubs can set up a table and seek new members.
Have your table staffed by Greeks wearing their letters if at all possible.
Recruit alumni that are recent grads if you need to. Take photos of any
event you have with Greeks, make 5 × 7s or 8 × 10s of those photos and have
them up for people to see. Show photos of Greeks having fun together,
canoeing, engaging in a Habitat trip or whatever. Have interest cards for
people to fill out. An InterVarsity staff or student should contact them
within 48 hours.

Another place to get contacts is through your campus churches. Find out
what three churches have the most college students. Make a half-hour
appointment with the senior pastor or campus pastor. Introduce yourself and
explain your vision for Greek ministry on campus. Ask if the church has any
Greeks that attend. They may be willing to give you names and contact info,
but if not, leave your contact info with the pastor and ask that he or she
pass it along to any Greeks. Ask if they will pray for your Greek IV
ministry during their weekly prayer meeting.

Essential #4: Gathering

Use Greek alumni-especially those recent grads living in town.
You will find that many Greek IV alumni are still living in the town where
they attended college and they often have great connections with their
house. They can help you by introducing you to current house members. Greek
alumni can be very helpful in starting a house Bible study in the house
they used to be a part of. Alumni can launch a group, being coached by you,
the Greek InterVarsity staff. In time they can look for a bright and
shining star in the chapter bible study and begin the process of passing
off leadership. Have the potential leader meet with you the Greek IV staff
to build rapport and let them know you can serve as their coach. You have
resources and experience that can help them.

Essential #5: Leadership

The developmental stages of many Greeks
One challenge you will have is getting people involved with Greek IV while
not pulling out of their house or chapter and thereby becoming that “ghost”
brother or sister. I have found that Greek Christians often go through four
developmental stages.

Stage 1: They are very involved in the social fabric of their
fraternity/sorority. They are part of the party life in the house and are
not living a life pleasing to the Lord.

Stage 2: They get their relationship with the Lord in a good place and
begin to live a holy life. They struggle to figure out what holiness looks
like in a Greek house.

Stage 3: They begin to see the sin in their fraternity/sorority and are
disgusted with it. What used to be attractive and enticing is now
repulsive. At this stage they want to de-pledge and live with committed
Christians. Don’t let them jump ship at this stage. Help them move to the
next stage.

Stage 4: They see the sin and brokenness of their brothers and sisters and,
because they are moved with compassion, they want to be part of God’s
redemptive work in the house. They become Christ’s ambassador to their
Greek friends. These people become the bedrock of your ministry.

Understanding this developmental process will help you counsel them through
the stages. If you know about stage 3, you will be prepared to give them a
new way to look at their house and move to stage 4.

Essential #6: Catalytic Events

Catalytic Events for Greeks
When you plan a catalytic event, pay special attention to the calendar of
Greek events. You can have an awesome program lined up but if you are going
up against Kappa’s best ever spaghetti dinner fund raiser no one will come.
You will want to get a copy of the Greek calendar of events. When is
rush/recruitment? When are the big Greek events on your campus? Do not
schedule in competition with those events. Attend them if you can. Try to
build relationships with students at these events. As you attend these
events, try to pick up on the issues that are of great concern to Greek
students. If you see someone wearing the letters from the house you were a
part of, go up and introduce yourself.

When you do have a catalytic event, give extra attention to the ambiance.
Engage the five senses. When people walk in the room, what do they hear,
see, smell, taste and touch? The meeting should have a “wow factor.” Give
thought to the music: have a CD playing when people enter the room; think
club not class room. Greeks are used to being in bars and parties that are
loud. Total silence seems sterile. If at all possible have food and drink,
because this hospitality gesture goes a long way with students. Take time
to think about the lighting. Don’t necessarily use the ceiling lights of a
class room, instead bring lamps, floor spot lights, strands of Christmas
lights-again think club not class room. Have a table cloth on the table,
Indian print table clothes add atmosphere.
Make sure you finish on time. You build trust when you say “we will meet
from 9:00 – 10:15” and end promptly. Even if you have to interrupt, say,
“Hey its 10:15 and that is our official ending time. Feel free to hang
around, but I know your time is precious so our meeting is officially
over.” Greeks are extremely time conscious and will not come back if they
think Greek IV is a black hole. Send them away thinking and wrestling with
a perplexing question.

When you have a catalytic event, have greeters but also have several people
prepped and ready to sit with and hang out with new people. If a new person
walks into a room, having someone say “hi” and greet you is nice, but
having a person take the time to get to know you and then say, “Hey, do you
want to sit together?” is even nicer. Think rush. You want to network that
person. Find out what their home town is and introduce them to some one
from that same home town. Find out their major and introduce them to
someone with the same major. Everyone loves it when someone takes a
personal interest in them, offers to get them a beverage, etc. Use the
things you learned in recruitment to make your meetings a place people will
want to come back to.

When you do a large group or catalytic event, don’t be afraid to import
musical talent. Would the praise band at your local church be willing to
play for your group? What about the band from the multi-ethnic chapter of
InterVarsity? Good worship attracts talent; people will look and say, “Wow,
I’d love to be a part of that!” Lame music is embarrassing and can make
people not want to come back. Greeks especially hate lame music.

Chuck Coleson is called to the prison ministry. You are called to the party
ministry.
As you move forward to do Greek ministry, remember that Jesus was
criticized for hanging out with the party people. He was not put off by
their sin. Instead he looked below the surface of their lives and saw in
them a hunger to connect deeply with God. Many Christian ministries have
written off Greek college students and see them as not interested in
spiritual things and not capable of leading Christlike lives. We know
differently. Deep inside some of the biggest partiers on campus is a quest
for adventure and fulfillment that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Some
of those party people even come on Greek IV staff. Welcome aboard!

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