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College Ministry 101: A Guide to Working with 18-25 Year Olds
18-25-year-olds are trying to find their place in society while living through an array of experiences that force them to reevaluate beliefs and assumptions they were raised with, which leads many students to disconnect from the church after high school. College Ministry 101 will help church leaders understand the college-age-stage in order to better minister to their needs. This book will provide leaders with practical ministry philosophies about how to effectively minister to college students through mentor relationships, what students need in their day-to-day lives, how to work with volunteers in college ministry, and how to turn college-age students into genuine disciples.
- GenresCollegeNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 8, 2025
This book was incredible! As someone transitioning into ministry—especially with a focus on college and young adults—I found College Ministry 101 to be both deeply insightful and incredibly practical. It dispels a lot of myths about working with college students and lays out a clear, thoughtful framework for building a ministry that truly supports and connects with them.
What really stood out to me was how the book goes beyond just planning great events—it emphasizes helping students integrate into the larger body of the church. The appendix is a goldmine, offering guidance for engaging students from different backgrounds and contexts.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway is the author’s reminder that ministry to this generation isn’t about programs—it’s about people. That theme runs through every chapter, and it’s what makes the book so meaningful. I’m certain I’ll revisit this one multiple times to keep unpacking all its gems.
What really stood out to me was how the book goes beyond just planning great events—it emphasizes helping students integrate into the larger body of the church. The appendix is a goldmine, offering guidance for engaging students from different backgrounds and contexts.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway is the author’s reminder that ministry to this generation isn’t about programs—it’s about people. That theme runs through every chapter, and it’s what makes the book so meaningful. I’m certain I’ll revisit this one multiple times to keep unpacking all its gems.
August 17, 2022
Very good book on college ministry. Could have been a little shorter.
May 25, 2018
This was a very helpful book. What I appreciated about it the most was the landslide of practical advice and the clear wisdom Bomar has from years and years of ministry. The only thing I'd have liked to have seen would have been a deeper Christocentric focus on relational ministry: Andrew Root in "Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry" really hit on this for me. Root's main idea is that when we meet an other, we meet them as Christ's body and that an encounter with Christ happens in that relationship. It's imperative that these relationships be devoted to deepening the other's experience of Christ, and I'm not sure that Bomar points us to that kind of relational ministry at every point in his book. However this is more a book for the practical aspects of ministry rather than a philosophy of ministry; I don't have a doubt in my mind that Bomar is all about Jesus. This was immensely useful and I'm excited to put Bomar's ideas to work! Thank you for this incredible resource.
*Edit; as I'm reading through "Building a college ministry from Scratch," I'm seeing that Bomar puts a stronger emphasis on Christ's centrality in that book.
*Edit; as I'm reading through "Building a college ministry from Scratch," I'm seeing that Bomar puts a stronger emphasis on Christ's centrality in that book.
May 24, 2023
I’m not quite sure what I actually think about this book. Some of it was very good and interesting and my reaction to it might just be a little defensive because I feel called out. But also I feel like the authors makes some blanket statements that he thinks are true for everyone when they’re not. I also think it could’ve been 100 pages shorter. But also I think it’s definitely good and worth the read especially for someone in college and/or someone in college ministry. I’m just not really sure my reaction to it.
February 26, 2012
There are not many books on college ministry so, as a college pastor, I was very excited to read this one when I saw it.
The first chapter reveals why college ministry is so important. He shows that one of the biggest problems in the church is a loss of young people and that what churches are doing to stop this is not working. Then he argues that college students are not yet adults nor are they children. For these reasons it is essential for churches to focus ministry specifically on this age group. This ministry is not simply another service for students, rather it must be rooted in relationships.
The second part of the book deals with who college students are. There are chapters on identity (chs. 2-3), the search for meaning and purpose (ch. 4), intimacy (ch. 5), social life (ch. 6) and truth (ch. 7). This section provides information that is right on the mark and was the strength of the book.
The third section focuses on practical issues: leadership (ch. 8), teaching and discipleship (ch. 9), the gathering (ch. 10), volunteers (ch. 11), and assimilation (ch. 12). This section was also strong and I found myself noticing things I already do and things I should do, for which I am grateful.
The book ends with a number of appendices on various topics. Bomar writes from the perspective of someone who works for a church as a college minister. But that is only one way that college ministry is done. He ignores campus-based ministries (such as Intervarsity, Campus Crusade for Christ, and others) even though probably more ministry to college students happens through these than in churches. It also leaves one huge question unanswered. Bomar's main point is that college ministry must assimilate people into the church by picking up students as they leave the youth group and move them towards being in the church as adults. But he writes this from the standpoint of all these movements being in the same local church. What about students who leave the area for college? When he does mention such students (appendix c) he seems to assume they will come back after college, so the assimilation goal is still the same local church. What about the many students who move away to college and then move somewhere else afterwards? This is why campus-based ministries are so important. He does say some positive things about campus based ministries (appendix B). But he also states (in appendix e) that campus ministries do "virtually nothing" to assimilate students back into congregations. Again, he is assuming the students from the church who get involved in these ministries are returning to the same town (and thus church) after graduation). In my experience, campus-based ministries help prepare students for service in the church upon graduation, whether it be a return to their home church or a church in a new town (though, to be fair, I am pretty sure Bomar would agree...he is speaking more about an ideal situation I think).
So overall this is a good book that I would recommend to those who work with college aged students. Bomar's insights into the mind of college students and how to minister to them ring true. Yet his complete focus on church-based college ministry and the absence of campus-based college ministry, along with missions, makes the book uneven in the end. I should note that what he says about church-based and campus-based ministries working together, where both exist in college towns, is true. But again, his failure to illustrate the positives and importance of campus based ministry is sorely missed.
*After a comment from the author and re-reading the review, I realize it comes off a bit harsh and I have amended the review. I feel I broke a rule of book reviewing - taking issues for things the author never intended to say. The book's target is church-based college ministry and while I wish there was more time on campus-based ministry, I can't fault an author for not talking about what I want! Perhaps I need to re-read the introduction; I don't remember this target being made explicit, which is why the absence struck me, but perhaps I missed it. At any rate, I just want to re-affirm that this book is great and really helpful, especially for church-based ministers but even for campus-based ministers. The difference is, we might have to think a little harder to apply it to our context.
The first chapter reveals why college ministry is so important. He shows that one of the biggest problems in the church is a loss of young people and that what churches are doing to stop this is not working. Then he argues that college students are not yet adults nor are they children. For these reasons it is essential for churches to focus ministry specifically on this age group. This ministry is not simply another service for students, rather it must be rooted in relationships.
The second part of the book deals with who college students are. There are chapters on identity (chs. 2-3), the search for meaning and purpose (ch. 4), intimacy (ch. 5), social life (ch. 6) and truth (ch. 7). This section provides information that is right on the mark and was the strength of the book.
The third section focuses on practical issues: leadership (ch. 8), teaching and discipleship (ch. 9), the gathering (ch. 10), volunteers (ch. 11), and assimilation (ch. 12). This section was also strong and I found myself noticing things I already do and things I should do, for which I am grateful.
The book ends with a number of appendices on various topics. Bomar writes from the perspective of someone who works for a church as a college minister. But that is only one way that college ministry is done. He ignores campus-based ministries (such as Intervarsity, Campus Crusade for Christ, and others) even though probably more ministry to college students happens through these than in churches. It also leaves one huge question unanswered. Bomar's main point is that college ministry must assimilate people into the church by picking up students as they leave the youth group and move them towards being in the church as adults. But he writes this from the standpoint of all these movements being in the same local church. What about students who leave the area for college? When he does mention such students (appendix c) he seems to assume they will come back after college, so the assimilation goal is still the same local church. What about the many students who move away to college and then move somewhere else afterwards? This is why campus-based ministries are so important. He does say some positive things about campus based ministries (appendix B). But he also states (in appendix e) that campus ministries do "virtually nothing" to assimilate students back into congregations. Again, he is assuming the students from the church who get involved in these ministries are returning to the same town (and thus church) after graduation). In my experience, campus-based ministries help prepare students for service in the church upon graduation, whether it be a return to their home church or a church in a new town (though, to be fair, I am pretty sure Bomar would agree...he is speaking more about an ideal situation I think).
So overall this is a good book that I would recommend to those who work with college aged students. Bomar's insights into the mind of college students and how to minister to them ring true. Yet his complete focus on church-based college ministry and the absence of campus-based college ministry, along with missions, makes the book uneven in the end. I should note that what he says about church-based and campus-based ministries working together, where both exist in college towns, is true. But again, his failure to illustrate the positives and importance of campus based ministry is sorely missed.
*After a comment from the author and re-reading the review, I realize it comes off a bit harsh and I have amended the review. I feel I broke a rule of book reviewing - taking issues for things the author never intended to say. The book's target is church-based college ministry and while I wish there was more time on campus-based ministry, I can't fault an author for not talking about what I want! Perhaps I need to re-read the introduction; I don't remember this target being made explicit, which is why the absence struck me, but perhaps I missed it. At any rate, I just want to re-affirm that this book is great and really helpful, especially for church-based ministers but even for campus-based ministers. The difference is, we might have to think a little harder to apply it to our context.
April 23, 2013
This is a strange 5 star review for me. Typically 5 stars means this would be one of my favorite books, but that isn't the case for this. Rather, this book delivers on exactly what the title says... and I love that. It is a 100 level class on college ministry. If you're looking for a 400 level class (How to walk with students in grief? How to help them discern calling in a time of life where that's probably the wrong question anyway? etc), you'll be disappointed. However, I've been working as a college pastor in thriving college ministries for a decade and this book nails the 100 level stuff.
This is easily readable in less than 3 hours. Bomar isn't pretentious in his writing style or language. This might be a put-off for some pastors or leaders who want to read something which makes them feel smart, but it's wildly helpful as something which can be given to volunteers, students, elders, or board members in chunks which can help them understand the significance of college ministry.
This year, in the midst of growth and exciting "numbers", I have been convicted that I need to stay rooted in the fundamental, relational, Gospel-oriented work of ministry. I read this book particularly to combat some pride in doing this job for a while. I wanted to come back to basics. I wanted to think like someone just stepping on to the scene. I read it thinking of our volunteers and board members.
In light of that, this book is tremendous.
Bomar communicates the reason for college ministry, the mindset and growth patterns of college students (who are we talking about?), what it means to have an effective ministry (how can we serve them?). The appendices are also helpful for particular settings of college ministry.
I plan on recommending sections of this book to various groups of people involved in college ministry. The first and second sections would be helpful for board members or student leaders. The third section, as a whole, might only appeal to senior staff or pastors, but select chapters would be helpful for a "worship team", or small group leaders, or mentors.
This is easily readable in less than 3 hours. Bomar isn't pretentious in his writing style or language. This might be a put-off for some pastors or leaders who want to read something which makes them feel smart, but it's wildly helpful as something which can be given to volunteers, students, elders, or board members in chunks which can help them understand the significance of college ministry.
This year, in the midst of growth and exciting "numbers", I have been convicted that I need to stay rooted in the fundamental, relational, Gospel-oriented work of ministry. I read this book particularly to combat some pride in doing this job for a while. I wanted to come back to basics. I wanted to think like someone just stepping on to the scene. I read it thinking of our volunteers and board members.
In light of that, this book is tremendous.
Bomar communicates the reason for college ministry, the mindset and growth patterns of college students (who are we talking about?), what it means to have an effective ministry (how can we serve them?). The appendices are also helpful for particular settings of college ministry.
I plan on recommending sections of this book to various groups of people involved in college ministry. The first and second sections would be helpful for board members or student leaders. The third section, as a whole, might only appeal to senior staff or pastors, but select chapters would be helpful for a "worship team", or small group leaders, or mentors.
September 2, 2012
this book was thoughtful and helpful. It left me with a lot more questions than I had hoped, but it was a good start from a book on a topic that few people are writing about.
July 5, 2017
strengthen my resolve to not abandon this age group. thanks Chuck Bomar!
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